It’s well-known that many players fondly remember SEGA’s excellent Virtua Tennis and its absence from current console platforms. The PS4, Xbox One, and Switch have not seen a dedicated version of this series, which appears to have been dormant since 2011. This is unfortunate, as it successfully blended arcade-style gameplay with considerable depth. AO Tennis 2 shares some similarities but also presents several key differences.
AO stands for Australian Open, and from the outset, the menus offer a wealth of options. The game encompasses nearly everything one could expect in a tennis title, from focused training regimens and techniques to career modes, tournaments, and online play. Similar to Virtua Tennis, players can choose to play as male or female athletes, participate in singles or doubles matches, and create a custom character with unique strengths and weaknesses that can be developed. Fans of SEGA’s classic, particularly the fourth installment, will find elements familiar, although the timing and controls are somewhat different and, crucially, more intricate, allowing for nuanced shot customization using the R2 button.
In terms of presentation, Bigben Interactive and Big Ant Studios occupy a unique position as an AA developer, demonstrating greater capabilities than an indie studio but lacking the vast resources of a major studio like SEGA. The graphics present a mixed bag, with some pleasing animations contrasted by somewhat rigid and glossy character models. The sound design includes a reasonable selection of pop tracks in the menus, alongside referee calls and somewhat artificial crowd applause that occasionally evokes the atmosphere of a vintage sitcom without a laugh track.
The controls are adequate and become more intuitive with practice. Steering assistance is available and recommended initially, allowing players to refine their timing and master the training mode. The various strokes and techniques are distinct, and achieving success at higher difficulty levels requires a gradual learning process. AO Tennis 2 provides a more in-depth and “serious” simulation compared to the more arcade-oriented Virtua Tennis.
From a technical standpoint, the game functions as expected. Loading times are somewhat lengthy (on PS4, even with an SSD), and while no game-breaking bugs were encountered, some minor visual imperfections and unusual camera angles were observed. These issues are not significant but contribute to a slightly unpolished feel for a full-price release.
Despite its shortcomings, AO Tennis 2 proves to be a surprisingly enjoyable game that largely satisfies the demand for a contemporary tennis experience. While not as immediately accessible as the Virtua Tennis series, it offers greater depth and rewards players who dedicate time to mastering its mechanics. Ultimately, its worth depends on your passion for tennis. Players seeking classic arcade-style entertainment might consider Mario Tennis Aces or revisiting Virtua Tennis 4 on the PS3.
Så här sätter vi betyg på Senses
