Matchpoint: Tennis Championships exhibits a distinctly arcade aesthetic, characterized by flat and excessively bright surfaces lacking intricate details. While players boast well-defined musculature in their limbs, facial features, whether your own or NPCs, appear rubbery, resembling expressions seen in our primate relatives. Nevertheless, these visual shortcomings might be overlooked if the gameplay delivered a satisfying tennis experience. Even major titles like FIFA, with substantial budgets, sometimes fumble with awkward character renderings. The less said about eFootball at launch, the better.
The game commences with a tutorial, guiding players through serving, executing flat or topspin shots, volleys, and more. Matchpoint relies on timing shots, with players utilizing a button for power while manipulating an analogue stick to determine shot placement. Although it becomes intuitive with practice, adapting to this system takes some adjustment. Volleys, in particular, feel clunky, requiring players to hold a button down while the character hesitates to move forward, steering me toward a baseline playstyle rather than embracing serve and volley strategies.
Matchpoint features unique elements like the underarm serve, a rarely seen tactic in professional tennis, adding an exciting twist to gameplay. However, the game struggles to maintain a clear distinction between a realistic simulation and a more game-oriented experience. While the tutorial serves as a useful introduction for tennis novices, the commentary occasionally lapses into nonsensical statements that may bewilder those familiar with the sport.
AI opponents exhibit unnatural traits, displaying seemingly limitless stamina during extended rallies as they effortlessly move from side to side. Even when executing shots behind them, a tactic employed by professionals, the AI fails to react appropriately, returning the ball without issue. Despite some interesting features such as discovering opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, Matchpoint: Tennis Championships ultimately falls short, delivering an unpolished experience.
The developers’ lack of sports simulation expertise occasionally shines through, evident in their previous works like Paw Patrol: On a Roll, Praetorian HD Remaster, and Beast Quest. Considering their relative unfamiliarity with this genre, Matchpoint’s gameplay is commendable in its attempt to achieve realism and rhythm akin to Virtua Tennis 2 at times. However, the overall experience may leave players feeling that time slows to a crawl, casting a shadow over the game’s potential enjoyment.
