To be completely transparent with you, we are still in disbelief. Yet, here we are! Top Spin 2K25 is arriving very soon. After thirteen long years of waiting for the return of what many consider the best tennis game in history, it is safe to say that anticipation has been high. 2K Games is finally bringing back this much-requested license beloved by fans of the yellow ball. Moreover, the wait will be short as the game will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, and Xbox One on April 26th (April 23rd for early access) next month! Indeed, in a little over a month, Top Spin 2K25 will be available. We had the opportunity to test the game for an entire afternoon at a European event held in Paris last week. It was a chance to rediscover sensations we thought were lost forever, but just a few ball exchanges were enough to remind us that the king might indeed be back.
The development of the game commenced in mid-2021 with Rémi Ercolani at the helm, a role fitting given his extensive history with the franchise and his status as the sole remaining member of PAM studio, the original developers of Top Spin, hailing from Vincennes, a suburb of Paris. The focus now turns to the core gameplay of Top Spin 2K25, which is at the forefront of everyone’s curiosity. Is it as polished and intricate as that of Top Spin 4? Rémi Ercolani and the Hangar 13 team assure players with a playstyle characterized by unmatched finesse and precision, reminiscent of Top Spin 4 yet featuring enhancements and upgrades. Even before Laurely and I tested the game using DualSense controllers, witnessing it during Hangar 13’s presentation was enough to rekindle memories of the original. Our hands-on experience confirmed these expectations; from the moment we stepped onto the virtual court, it was clear that Top Spin 2K25 is a worthy successor to Top Spin 4. The developers’ aim has always been to revive and refine the game system of Top Spin 4, making adjustments where necessary to elevate its quality and deepen its simulation elements.
EXCLUSIVE: ONLY
It is remarkable to consider that thirteen years after the release of Top Spin 4, no game has emerged that successfully captures the essence of a high-quality tennis simulation. Titles such as Tennis World Tour, AO Tennis, and Matchpoint Tennis have fallen short in their attempts to deliver a true tennis experience. However, fundamental elements like timing, player positioning, and strike force are crucial for a tennis simulation’s success. If these core aspects are not adequately addressed, the game is unlikely to meet expectations. Of course, an arcade-style game with no pretense of realism can be enjoyable on its own merits. In Top Spin 2K25, developers aim to find a balance between these key gameplay features, similar to what was offered in Top Spin 4, allowing players to choose between powerful and precise shots, the latter represented visually by a target symbol.
To execute this immediate shot, simply briefly press a button, whether it is a slice, lift, or lob, while powerful shots require holding down a key and releasing at the right moment. The only difference now from Top Spin 4 is managing a charge gauge for better control over strikes. Just before hitting the ball, a bar appears above the player that needs management. During this fleeting moment, maintain your strike and release the button when the cursor reaches the small green area, enabling the perfect shot. Of course, the better the timing, the more powerful the shot, keeping in mind you must also give it the right angle to deceive the opponent. Naturally, purists can disable visual aids for increased immersion.
RHYTHM & FLOW
It must be acknowledged that not all players are equal in Top Spin 2K25, as was observed in 2011. This has been evident with players such as Federer, Alcaraz, or Serena Williams, who might appear to have an unfair advantage compared to other competitors on the circuit. However, it is important to recognize that this aspect of the game encourages learning; hitting harder from the baseline does not ensure victory in every exchange. Each player has unique statistics and abilities tailored to their performance and playing style. During player selection, one can review each athlete’s attributes. For example, Frances Tiafoe tends to benefit from increasingly effective lobs as rallies continue, while Federer excels at executing more precise passing shots when the opponent approaches the net. Similarly, Alcaraz might develop better drop shot effectiveness, akin to McEnroe’s reputation for being a master of volleys. These distinguishing abilities will be featured in Career Mode and applied to the avatar that players create and evolve throughout the game.
As I anticipated in my January video, 2K Games has returned to the solo play principle seen in other titles like NBA 2K. In Top Spin, we will create our own tennis player, male or female, and develop them on the ATP circuit. It is strongly advised to start with the Academy mode, which teaches the basics and nuances of gameplay whether you are a complete novice or a regular from Top Spin 4, as there are significant changes in certain aspects, particularly the serve, which has been completely redesigned. With John McEnroe as your coach, you will go through lessons covering positioning, timing, baseline play, net approaches, and more. There are a total of 31 lessons, and I highly recommend completing them to start with solid foundations.
2nd SERVICE
Regarding the service and changes made, it is important to note that while precision or power are still key elements, the targeting system in Top Spin 2K25 has been significantly updated. Now, players must hold the left stick accurately in their desired direction to ensure the ball lands precisely where intended on the court. This alteration in serving mechanics means that the cross-shaped directional indicator, which some users rely on instead of the analog stick, is no longer active within the game. I reported this issue to Rémi Ercolani, who indicated he would discuss it with the development team regarding the possibility of reintroducing the option. However, since serving can only be performed using the analog stick, there are no guarantees that this feature will return.
I could continue to detail the gameplay and its subtleties, but we will wait until the game’s release in April next year for a more in-depth analysis. All I can certify is that Top Spin 2K25 does not disappoint; its gameplay is so fluid, natural, and deep that it promises months of relentless play. You will be transported, even galvanized by these incredible exchanges where only the mind game can take over once you know the game inside out. Just an afternoon on the game and already the emotions were strong, whether you’re playing with a controller or just watching; it’s pure gold, especially since visually, the game has been refined. However, we are not talking about next-gen graphics rendering here. The game is very nice overall; the different courts are beautiful, with the added choice of three daily time slots that can change the atmosphere of a match, and it is in character modeling where Top Spin 2K25 gives the impression of being a game from the previous generation.
GRAPHICALLY NOT NEXT GEN
The audience portrayal has improved significantly since 13 years ago, although there is still considerable room for enhancement. Similarly, the modeling of athletes varies widely. For instance, while players like Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Carlos Alcaraz are well-represented, others such as Taylor Fritz, Emma Raducanu, or John McEnroe seem less accurate. However, this was necessary to bring back Top Spin in 2024 without incurring excessive financial risks. As previously stated, developing a tennis game is extremely costly, particularly when it comes to compensating top players and securing official licenses. Hangar 13 has informed us that Federer participated in motion capture sessions to ensure the accuracy of his movements, which are indeed featured prominently in the game. Not all athletes underwent motion capture like Federer did, but Hangar 13 employed semi-professional players to replicate each movement as realistically as possible within the game.
The full roster has not been disclosed yet, but for our demo access, players could interact with Roger Federer and Venus Williams, both of whom will also appear on the game’s cover. Other notable athletes available included Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, Emma Raducanu, and Coco Gauff. Among the legendary figures present were McEnroe, Agassi, and Steffi Graf. As for whether Nadal and Djokovic will be part of the game, at this point, I am unsure; I have inquired but 2K Games, along with Hangar 13, has opted not to reveal that information, preferring instead to unveil the complete roster during the promotional campaign leading up to the game’s release.
Critical Analysis of Top Spin 2K25 Gameplay:Top Spin 2K25, an eagerly awaited tennis game, is scheduled for release on April 26 (or April 23 for early access) across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and Xbox One. Developed by Hangar 13 under the leadership of Rémi Ercolani, it seeks to enhance and build upon the gameplay elements of Top Spin 4, emphasizing timing, player positioning, and strike force—areas that were often neglected in previous iterations. The game incorporates a charge gauge for improved shot control and personalized player statistics. A new solo career mode enables players to create and nurture their own male or female tennis avatar on the ATP circuit. Among the notable changes is a revamped serve system requiring precise analog stick direction, which has elicited mixed responses from long-time fans. Visually, the game offers refined graphics but falls short of next-generation standards, featuring stunning courts and convincing crowd animations, although athlete modeling remains inconsistent. Confirmed players in the roster include Roger Federer, Venus Williams, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, Emma Raducanu, Coco Gauff, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, and Steffi Graf. The inclusion of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic remains unconfirmed for the current roster.
