Video game test. Top Spin 2K25 lives up to its legend, but only until the end of 2026

By

Frank Fischbach

Published on

June 7, 2024 at 9:14 p.m.

See my news
Follow Le Courrier Vendéen

Ask any tennis game fan! If he has to cite a single reference to video games dedicated to the little yellow ball, he will cite you Top Spin in 99% of cases. With probably even a preference for Top Spin 4released in 2011.

So suffice to say that, when 2K Games announced the release of a new episode, after a long wait for 13 years, the fans’ blood has only gone one round! The latter even forgetting the competition, such as for example AO International Tennis. And as Roland Garros ends this Sunday June 9why not continue the experience with a video game?

Top Spin 2K25 is developed by Hangar 13 (Mafia III, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection) and published by 2K Games.

My tennis teacher is called McEnroe

The game’s home screen may be surprising: we must admit that when it comes to menus, we expected more. Here, we find fairly classic modes: a mode Exhibition which allows you to make matches against your friends or against the AI; a way MyPlayer which allows you to create your virtual avatar from the color of his eyebrows to his cry on the field when he hits the ball; a way My career which allows you to progress your avatar…

Your teacher in the game will be a legend named John McEnroe (©Screenshot)

But first of all, we advise you to go through the Top Spin Academy. A tutorial mode which, supported by demonstration videos, will ask you to complete objectives to progress. In this mode, your teacher will be none other than John McEnroe himself ! We couldn’t dream of better!

Although this mode may seem dispensable in appearance, we not recommended strongly pass by. On the one hand because the game is relatively technical for a beginner. On the other hand because even an expert in Top Spin 4 must revise his lessons. The gameplay of the old game has been improved and rebalanced. You will find the basics, but also a lot of new things! So, we listen to the teacher!

Videos: currently on -

The cream of tennis

For the rest, we like the fact that Top Spin 2K25 offers us a kind of tennis best-ofs ! If you are a true fan, it is impossible not to be satisfied by its cast: Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, John McEnroe (young), Andy Murray, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi… Not less than 25 tennis legends are available. And the publisher has already announced names who will join the ranks, free of charge, within a few weeks.

Choose your favorite champion. (©Screenshot)

On the other hand, the absence of certain essential players may disappoint. We are thinking in particular of Novac Djokovic, Rafael Nadal… The oldest fans will undoubtedly also mention Yannick Noah, Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Börg, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Boris Becker, Guy Forget… Fingers crossed that these names will be in the next Free DLCs. Although this is unlikely for Djokovic, already headlining the game Tie Break.

And what about tournaments? Same, you will have plenty to do. And here you will find the most famous courts, which host such legendary events as Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the US Open, the Mutua Madrid Open, the Australian Open, the BNP Paribas Open , the Cincinnati Open, the ASB Classic… You will be spoiled for choice!

Controller in hand, what does that mean?

If you followed our advice, a little above, and listened to all the good advice from John McEnroe, everything should be fine! The gameplay is perfectly suited to both beginners and purists of the genre! The most difficult part is learning to find the right timing to hit the ball, neither too early nor too late, and therefore optimize your action.

Are we in a video game, really? (©Screenshot)

Visually, if the modeling of the players’ faces takes us back a few years, the animation on the courts is fluid and very realistic. The technical gestures follow one another, the matches are very pleasant to watch, and the very successful soundscape would almost make you forget that you are in a video game, and not in front of a TV broadcast. Moreover, the very televisual staging also explains this impression.

In conclusion, Top Spin 2K25 perfectly illustrates the Bushnell’s law. That we owe to Nolan Bushnell, video game pioneer, who said: All the best games are easy to learn and difficult to master ! In other words, “all the best games are easy to learn, but difficult to master.” »

A game with a “use by date”?

If the game ticks, one by one, all the boxes that make it a must-have, it is nevertheless a tricky question that we must address. Because as long as its lifespan is if you plan to finish it 100%, and although the publisher has already announced additional content, Top Spin 2K25 to one expiration date !

Who will run out before the other? (©Screenshot)

As with any video game, when you start it, you have approved the “terms and conditions” of use. Probably even, like 99.9% of players, without reading them. However, there slipped in a detail that is important. The developers stipulate that the servers of Top Spin 2K25which allow you to play online, will close December 31, 2026 at the latest. That’s a little less than two years. Maximum.

Please note that the online features of TOPSPIN 2K25 are expected to be available until December 31, 2026, but we reserve the right to change or discontinue the online features without notice.
PSN page of the game

This is all the more problematic since, to be able to play Top Spin 2K25, a 2K account is required, and the internet connection is required, even to play solo : without internet, only the exhibition match is available. Certainly, this is the case with most sports games today. But this means that, once the servers are closed at the end of 2026, the game cannot be played offline, it will become a demo again. Your CD can then only be used to decorate the living room table.

To continue playing with your friends online after 2026? Well, it’s simple: you’ll have to buy again Top Spin 2K26 Or 2K27. The process may make you complain, but let’s not kid ourselves: all game publishers, especially those who release a new version every year, have been dreaming of it for a long time. 2K Games is simply the first to put this “disposable video games that don’t really belong to you” system in place.

We liked:

Exemplary gameplay: it’s Top Spin 4, but better
The staging: it’s like on TV
Very realistic player animation
Career mode: lots of championships to complete
The cast: 25 tennis legends from yesterday and today
The Top Spin Academy, with John McEnroe as teacher: classy!
MyPlayer: the creative possibilities, right down to your player’s cry
Crossplay is available (a PS5 player can play against an XBox Series player)

We like less:

Faces, a little rough on PS5 and XBox Series X/S
Really not much content
Legends that are missing
Connection required to play solo
Its “use by date” of only two years (or even less)

In conclusion

Yes, Top Spin 2K25 is a good tennis game, if not a very good sports game! We have the atmosphere, well-thought-out gameplay, a large cast that will delight fans of the little yellow ball… The license acclaimed by players returns as it left us 13 years ago: in great shape, to say the least. in full force!

It was a great match, dear André! Looking forward to seeing each other again on the court! (©Screenshot)

But we can’t help but have a big reservation: the game is good, but we regret the content that lacks diversity. It is obvious that the developers will bring their game to life in the coming months, with new content, new players… But they have given themselves a little less than two years for this! That’s all, and it’s a shame!