TOPSPIN 2K25, 2 Little 2 Late, A Review

It's nearly impossible to discuss quality sports series without mentioning Top Spin. For many players, this series epitomizes the pinnacle of virtual tennis. Despite being a relatively passive tennis fan, I've spent countless hours with Top Spin to the point that I still remember a fictional player, my loathed rival from Top Spin 3. Living in the past can be dangerous, and 2K has relied too much on the bygone glory days of its tennis ace, now appearing old, worn-out, and nearly devoid of identity.

From the start, Top Spin 2K25 symbolically marks the abrupt end of an era. The new Top Spin 5 is not a disastrous title; it's just painfully outdated. This review could be summed up in one sentence: it offers excellent on-court performance and... nothing more?!

If you want another review of a disappointing game, and who doesn't, check out our review of StarFire Etertnal Cycle.

The Look and Feel of TOPSPIN 2K25 

The first thing that hits players upon launching the game is the audiovisual presentation. The better side of the coin is undoubtedly the courts. The game features nearly 50 locations, ranging from world-famous venues of major ATP or Grand Slam tournaments to various fictional arenas, including a picturesque one set in Omiš. Each significant stadium is meticulously recreated to faithfully represent the real thing, especially evident in the opening scenes when you walk through the legendary tunnel of Wimbledon's central court. Besides the courts, the animations of the crowd, ball boys, and photographers have been improved, and the tennis surfaces are more realistic.

While the environmental presentation isn't top-notch, the biggest eyesore is undoubtedly the main stars of the game: the tennis players themselves. One of the most criticized aspects of the game's previews was the athlete models, which look subpar at best. Bizarrely, one of the worst models belongs to the legendary Swiss player Roger Federer, who, from certain angles, looks so bad that even keen tennis followers wouldn't recognize him.

Similarly, I had trouble recognizing icons like Maria Sharapova among the licensed athletes. Apart from the poor facial model quality, Top Spin 2K25 offers a minimal selection of players. Admittedly, there are impressive names like Medvedev, Federer, Serena Williams, Sharapova, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and tennis legends like Sampras and Steffi Graf, but that's about it.

The Star Rooster in TOPSPIN 2K25 

Several significant issues arise here. Previous Top Spin games, now quite old, had a broader roster of players. Additionally, the odd selection ratio, where we almost have more retired than active players, becomes particularly noticeable in the career mode, which we'll discuss later. Lastly, it's tough to have a tennis game without current ace Novak Djokovic despite his controversies, not to mention it's a sporting sin to play as Federer without being able to oppose him with Rafael Nadal. 

This limited roster might have worked in the past, but today, we expect much more from sports games, especially considering that the games cost more. When asking for 60-70 euros, they could have added some content, given that the current offering is poorer than the average budget of today's gamers.

The Gameplay

Top Spin games are known for their fantastic and robust career mode. This year's career in Top Spin felt rather dull, and there are several reasons for that. First, the previously mentioned lack of licensed players becomes evident, often leading to situations where you constantly face the same names in major tournaments. The complete absence of the national component, a significant minus, further emphasizes this shortage of players. An absolute joy in previous games was rising from a complete unknown to representing your country and competing against rivals from your national team.

Training game mechanics are no longer conducted through mini-games but monotonous training sessions, with the alternative being special events where you must complete specific tasks like winning points exclusively with forehands or overhead shots. Of course, the game's central (practically the only) meat lies in various tournaments worldwide. 

Top Spin 2K25 introduces a player energy system, requiring you to manage your player's rest to remain fresh for sporting activities. For instance, entering a tournament after training and completing unique challenges leaves you with tired legs and a risk of injury. The constant travel, a nightmare for any tennis player, also consumes your energy, depending on the distance travelled—watch out for jet lag when flying from Tokyo to Milwaukee.

You can buy properties worldwide to preserve much-needed freshness, making travel more accessible. As you progress through your career, you'll unlock various team members like a head coach, conditioning trainer, therapist, and more, offering favourable conditions for climbing the tennis throne.

The Career Progression in TOPSPIN 2K25

One rather silly and unnecessary change in the career mode is the introduction of statuses like "young gun," "rising star," and "legend." While I have nothing against these classic phrases, it's illogical that these statuses unlock access to larger tournaments. Since you unlock these statuses by completing challenges at your own pace, you could find yourself among the top 30 tennis players globally but unable to enter any significant tournaments because your status isn't good enough!

In character creation, you can still enjoy detailed customization, and this is the first sports game I've played that includes prosthetic body parts. However, with a heavy heart, I must mention that Top Spin has also fallen victim to many modern gaming practices, such as battle court passes, always-online status, and the option to purchase various cosmetic items and upgrades for your created player with real money. I'm no fan of these practices and don't want to see them in sports games. Sadly, their negative impact is evident here.

For instance, career progression could be faster, taking at least 15 hours of pure gameplay to earn enough points to create a decent player. Additionally, the virtual currency used to buy outfits, rackets, houses, and other items accumulates very slowly, especially if you want fresh Nike socks each month. Though I can't prove it, I'm confident that progression is intentionally slowed to encourage players to spend real money on boosts. While everything can be earned without paying extra, it's disappointing to see the game intentionally slowing progression instead of enriching it with diverse content for players to invest their time.

What are The Positives?

Online matches against real players are the only entertainment if you're interested in something other than career mode. You can compete with natural and created athletes in simple matches, tournaments, and official tournaments where you collect points throughout the season. I recommend using something other than created players online, as the game lacks a fair matchmaking system, so unless you have a top-notch player, stick with Federer!

While the game falls short in content and audiovisual presentation, it's gratifying to report that the gameplay in Top Spin 2K25 might be the best in the entire series. Most of what was great in the fantastic Top Spin 4 has been carried over with minor improvements, dozens of new animations, and an enhanced positioning system. Positioning your player correctly while hitting has never been more critical, so you must constantly watch your position on the court.

A significant addition is the timing meter, which appears during every shot and determines the strength and accuracy of your move based on timing. The timing meter is fun; the ideal press timing varies depending on factors like position, opponent shot speed, and your condition.

Another new feature is the improved service system, which now more faithfully reflects reality. Perfect and precise serves are tough to execute, often ending in the net or out of bounds, adding an adrenaline rush to every serve. I could go on about the numerous fun gameplay details. Still, fans know that Top Spin has consistently delivered some of the best and most enjoyable tennis gameplay, and we expected nothing less.

In Conclusion

Despite the addictive and enjoyable gameplay, it's disappointing that we received so little in other areas after nearly 14 years, leaving a bitter taste. The gameplay is fantastic, but what's the point when the game painfully lacks content to enjoy repeatedly? This content shortage is particularly troubling given the price 2K is asking, and the most significant off-court innovation is the battle pass system and an in-game store to spend more money.

Considering the questionable presentation and lack of licensed athletes, I can't recommend Top Spin 2K25 at its current price. If you love tennis and Top Spin, wait for a significant discount or its eventual arrival on subscription services. This is why we give this game a 5.5 out of 10.

Our Rating: 5.5/10 

While the on-court mechanics are arguably the best in the series, the lack of content, weak presentation, limited roster, and intrusive monetization severely undermine the overall experience and value.

Age recommendation: 10+

Based on the themes discussed—online play, slow-grind progression, monetization systems (battle passes, in-game store), and the complexity of career management—the game is most appropriate for ages 10+, with 12+ being a more realistic recommendation for players to fully understand and engage with its systems responsibly