EA Sports announces Grand Slam 2 for PS3 and XBox 360!

j00dypoo

Rookie
did most of you download the demo on psn or xbox live? i tried on psn and it would have taken 1300 minutes... don't really want to leave my ps3 on for a day. I'm hoping it's just high traffic and will die down.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
How are u able to lob over their heads? I have tried for 25 demo games and it seems impossible!!!:twisted::twisted::twisted:

When you lob don't expect the ball to bounce, assume that the CPU will hit it back. If you hit a "good" lob, the CPUs return will be very weak/awkward. So right after you hit the lob rush towards the center of the net and stuff the volley. If they reach the volley, just volley back the opposite way.

Another Tip:
Holding down LT (the lob button) during volleys will produce a harder/faster volley but you can't hit them at a short angle like you can with drop volleys.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
When you lob don't expect the ball to bounce, assume that the CPU will hit it back. If you hit a "good" lob, the CPUs return will be very weak/awkward. So right after you hit the lob rush towards the center of the net and stuff the volley. If they reach the volley, just volley back the opposite way.

Another Tip:
Holding down LT (the lob button) during volleys will produce a harder/faster volley but you can't hit them at a short angle like you can with drop volleys.

Thanks! I have been staying back after lobbing the CPU.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Aim crosscourt and then let go of the stick (holding down A), then aim the stick down the line letting go of A so the timing is Good.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
So I spent a few hours playing head to head last night with some friends who were competitive with me in Top Spin 4, and while it was a fun time, there are some gripes I have with this game that will make it or break it for me.

- In its current form, Grand Slam Tennis is a party game. It really closes the gap between an advanced player and a rookie player.

- There is almost no penalty for hitting an early or late shot. In Top Spin 4, if I hit a perfect shot and my opponent shanks it with an early or late shot, they would hit it out or return with something very weak. Vice versa, if an opponent hit a bad shot to me, I could kill it back for a winner with a perfect shot. It's not the case in Grand Slam 4.

- Early, Late, and Good shots have very little difference between each other. The game turns into a game of "who's gonna mess up at pressing their button first" because almost 90% of the shots can be run down if both players are playing from the base line.

- If your opponent is good at charging up their shots or uses the shot stick, then it's almost impossible to create angles since every one of their shots will force you to the baseline unless you come to the net. The low angle top spin shot from the base line isn't very effective since shots from the baseline are really easy to run down.

- Net play is too beastly in this game. If you can get to the net first and can learn to predict the lob then you've pretty much won the point. Whoever has the better net game between you and your friend will win.

- Depth perception when playing on the top of the screen is really really really really hard to get used to in this game. Who ever is playing on the bottom has a really big advantage. I didn't feel this was the case in Top Spin 4.

So if you're dominant over your friends in Top Spin 4 to the point where they don't have fun playing against you, then play Grand Slam 4 with them. They'll automatically become competitive as long as they know how to press buttons. I'll still end up buying it, but I'm hoping the final version will address some of these issues.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
I play with the right stick...not the buttons. How would I do this using the sticks?

You can't. The whole point of Power Player's method is go make the AI think ahead that you're going one way then change it at the last split second. It seems that the AI isn't running on best %'s or best play possible, but mainly reacting to your button presses.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Jack, try using the buttons. In my opinion it is easier to play the game this way. I personally have to use the buttons as quick (basically slamming the stick for power/serve) movements with the right stick actually aggravates my thumb and wrist if I do it over and over.

Anyway, Ryknocks good points..I have not played head to head yet so I am not sure how the game will translate for me there. I do know this game has a ton of potential, and I hope it can deliver. The presentation is so cool, and the feel of the game is rather addictive.

I love when you wait a little before serving at match point and they acknowledge the situation..also when you toss sometimes you can hear someone in the crowd do a "cmon rafa!", and little things like that to me are just very authentic.
 

j00dypoo

Rookie
They really screwed up the gameplay. Too much volleying, too easy to volley, useless lobbing, too many dropshots by the computer (almost every point...) and weird movement where the player moves on his own a lot. I like the style of the game, presentation and graphics, but that doesn't make a game good.

Plus pro was easy second time around. Once you see how the computer plays you can easily beat them on your second try. And I agree that Superstar was easier.

Hopefully PvP turns out better. I have a feeling it will turn in to net rushers though. Serve and volley is very easy against the computer.
 

paulorenzo

Hall of Fame
DOWNLOADING THE DEMO. PLAYING A FEW ROUNDS OF FIGHT NIGHT WHILE I WAIT TO REHAB MY TOTAL PUNCH/RACQUET CONTROL SKILLS. dunno why that was in all caps.
 

Hot Sauce

Hall of Fame
I saw a trailer and it looked really bad. The player swingsets didn't look smooth or accurate to each of them, and the bounces looked very unrealistic. It seemed like they were all hitting on the rise.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I saw a trailer and it looked really bad. The player swingsets didn't look smooth or accurate to each of them, and the bounces looked very unrealistic. It seemed like they were all hitting on the rise.

Try playing the game.

But I can see how some tennis players, especially people here are going to be picky no matter what.

Let's see how the finished product plays, but so far I really like this game (warts and all).

I am a casual gamer though..don't play video games all the time.
 

paulorenzo

Hall of Fame
i really enjoyed hitting against the ball machine. compared to Top Spin 4's practice court, it's far more enjoyable. it was very gratifying using the right analog stick. it's a little disappointing that using the the buttons seems to be a bit easier to execute shots consistently though. perhaps i haven't finished the learning curve yet. i hope online is limited only to total racquet control, since people who use face buttons would seemingly have the edge.

the strokes/mechanics/ animations are at times okay but at times hideous. although i enjoyed the quicker pace and ability to move more freely when comparing this to TS4.

i'm optimistic. 2K has released multiple updates correcting various gameplay mechanics on TS4 and i'm almost certain EA can do the same.
Perhaps the game on date of release will actually have better mechanics.

all that said, the game is beautiful. it sounds great. visually, it looks like your typical yearly-released sports game franchise that has been around for a while which is non-existent in for a tennis game. It's seems very innovative, even though it isn't following in top spin's path of sim style gaming or virtua tennis's path of fruit dodging gaming. this may be the most rewarding career mode in tennis games yet if one can get past the awkward stroke mechanics.

although i'm still enjoying Top Spin 4 online, im still going to buy this game upon release.
 
i'm optimistic. 2K has released multiple updates correcting various gameplay mechanics on TS4 and i'm almost certain EA can do the same.

You should go to some EA forums, people are usually upset because games like Madden, NCAA Football, Tiger Woods, and Fifa's gameplay flaws aren't patched. TW 12 in particular got a patch that changed nothing about the gameplay. Not saying that that will be the case, but the post release support the 2K Czech team gave to TS4 won't necessarily be the same for GST2.
 

paulorenzo

Hall of Fame
You should go to some EA forums, people are usually upset because games like Madden, NCAA Football, Tiger Woods, and Fifa's gameplay flaws aren't patched. TW 12 in particular got a patch that changed nothing about the gameplay. Not saying that that will be the case, but the post release support the 2K Czech team gave to TS4 won't necessarily be the same for GST2.

that sucks. stroke mechanics are an eyesore.
 
After playing it more, I actually am pretty let down. I prefer GST for the Wii. It felt more like tennis, and I think that should be the objective of any tennis game.

I still think Mario Tennis for the 64 is the best tennis game thus far.

Regardless I'll buy this just for the player creation (uploaded face photos dudes).
 

grimmbomb21

Professional
Okay, it's not just hard core tennis fans noticing the flaws in animation. My wife asked me while I was playing the demo why Nadal and Djokovic were "swinging like Federer". (backhand) LOL!
 

leonidas1982

Hall of Fame
The demo has been shocking. As some have said, you've got players such as Nadal and Novak hiting with ohbh. On occasion it looks as though Nadal hits a forehand with his right hand. The proposed player ratings are off the mark. They've got Sampras as a 100 for volleys, yet Edberg is in the 80s. Federer is in the 70s for speed, and Sampras is a 70 for power. Would one consider Murray an all-court player?

Although I've waited for a decade now for EA to make a tennis game, I'm not impressed. Career mode does not reproduce a full tour season. And if it was pro-realistic, Becker would land on his right foot when serving.
 
Murray/Djokovic 5 min gameplay vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te4ax1iosi0

1HBHs...:x

Pro AI video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uofQVQNQZHU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

You really going to tell me w/ a straight face there's Pro AI when you have Nadal and Hewitt hitting topspin 1HBHs in rallies? :lol:

Play just like their real life counterparts w/ Nadal & Djokovic coming to net at will in the demo? Alright.

It's really weird...At times they play two handers and at times they play one handers with topspin.

This sucks. It looks more arcade like the player builds are clearly flawed from ratings to styles. Additionally, someone mentioned that the career mode isn't great. I'll probably rent this game before I'd buy it, and hopefully they make some tweaks for the actual release, but so far, it looks disappointing.

Guess I'm stuck with TS4, and all the drawbacks there. Someone, please make a great tennis game!
 

veritech

Hall of Fame
i'm real excited about this game (although i forgot about it) but watching these videos and seeing murray, djokovic, and hewitt hit 1HBH winners is making me nauseous.

did they do ANY research on these players besides look them up on wikipedia?!?!
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
isn't release date coming up soon?

I am on the fence whether or not to get this game. If they can fix a few of these HUGE gameplay flaws, I wouldn't hesitate.
 

leonidas1982

Hall of Fame
i'm real excited about this game (although i forgot about it) but watching these videos and seeing murray, djokovic, and hewitt hit 1HBH winners is making me nauseous.

did they do ANY research on these players besides look them up on wikipedia?!?!

It does seem as though this game was made by individuals who have never watched tennis.
 
That definitely doesn't look good from a game play perspective...Arcade-y, and the lack of sliding on clay is too bad.

UGH, Unless they update this massively before release, it looks like I'm stuck with TS4.

The game comes out next week in the US, so it's too late for any major changes. Discs have already been printed and shipped. They still can patch it, of course.
 
The game comes out next week in the US, so it's too late for any major changes. Discs have already been printed and shipped. They still can patch it, of course.

I'm just saying, we don't know know when this game play was filmed. It could have been 2-3 weeks ago, or longer.

In any case, it looks crappy.
 
I'm just saying, we don't know know when this game play was filmed. It could have been 2-3 weeks ago, or longer.

In any case, it looks crappy.

It's not like this was some rogue footage someone snuck, EA released it themselves presumably to promote the game and get people to want to buy it. I'm guessing they wouldn't release a video like this if it wasn't a fair representation of what the final product will be like.
 
I'm just saying, we don't know know when this game play was filmed. It could have been 2-3 weeks ago, or longer.

In any case, it looks crappy.

Game has already gone golden. Nothing will change

This definitely isn't a launch buy for me. I'll probably eventually bite the bullet and get around to buying it when it hits $29.99 or less though.
 
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Apparently someone has the game already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6uwbIauHHGc

And some impressions...

Positive:
+ Best Move Tennis game, but not perfect. Sports Champions Table Tennis is still the Move sports game reference.
+ Total Racquet Control (Analogue Stick): Difficult at first but after some practice works great.
+ Good variety of shots with the Controller - will probably be the only way to win online.
+ Move calibration is quick.
+ Move changes color depending on whether you hit a topspin or slice.
+ Atmosphere.
+ Commentary*.
+ Player creation - although restricted in some areas.
+ Despite the flaws, playing GST2 with the Move is fun.
+ Good court choices - not just the main stadiums at the Grand Slams.
+ Career mode looks good.
+ Grand Slam Classics - nice idea & fun to play (25 in all).
+ Player animations & Graphics. Murray actually looks like Murray (Top Spin 4 take note

Negative:
- If you've played the Demo it is a good representation of the final game. i.e. No significant gameplay changes.
- No Move 1:1 controls: Some shot types require a button press & directing shots is a bit erratic.
- (Move) Backhands can be hit with forehands & Vice-Versa.
- The ball hardly ever goes out.
- Lobs are pointless - your opponent ALWAYS smashes them back.
Against the better (AI) players it's an invitation to lose the point.

- Your (AI) opponent always has a 100% first serve rate.
Played a 5 Setter against Bjorn Borg (Level: Pro) - 100% first serve.
Played through a whole tournament (Level: Amateur) - All AI players had 100% first serve rates.

- Menu load times - although they are way better than Top Spin 4.
- *Commentary becomes repetitive - similar to GST on the WII.
- Player footsteps sound is uneccessary & becomes annoying.
- The player speeds at the higher levels are absurd.
- Players never get tired - even after a 50 shot rally.
- Full HD? Nope, 720p.
Note to EA: Full HD is 1080p. **Please let me know if i've missed something here (GT5 runs at 1080p: Full HD)!

- Only one camera view.
- Aces are rare. At the higher levels perfect serves are met with perfect returns. It's almost better to hit softer serves & fool the AI.

Overall: 7/10
http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/8096975.page
 

NYCtennis1

Rookie
Does anybody know if we will be able to adjust the AI like we can in all other sports games? Hopefully that would fix the insane net rushing. When roger/nole stayed on the baseline in that last video (a few seconds each point but still) it looked buyable.
 
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Does anybody know if we will be able to adjust the AI like we can in all other sports games? Hopefully that would fix the insane net rushing. When roger/nole stayed on the baseline in that last video (a few seconds each point but still) it looked buyable.

The guy from the vid I posted above says the game has no slider options to change the way the AI plays.
 
Wow. 8.5. So aside from the odd player movement and the fact that everyone has the same animations, this guy doesn't see lobbing, approaching the net, then putting away the AI's overhead with a volley is a bad thing? lol what are ya gonna do...:)

The reviewer was a chick, so maybe that explains it somewhat...:)
 
Interesting that one review says great career mode and one says weak career mode. Knowing there are only 8 events total makes me think it's pretty weak.

Does anyone remember which topspin game broke each month down into two week increments, so you had 24 separate events/trainings/things to do per season?
 
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