Everybody’s Tennis (PSP) review

Everybody’s Tennis for PSP is a not-too-serious take on the sport with as much in common with the RPG genre as it does the sporting one. You take on the role of globetrotting tennis players as the play against athletes from across the world gaining new skills, items and costumes along the way in one of the most inviting pick up and play tennis games around. Stephen Ebert finds out if it’s a smash…

The Good

Most Tennis games feel samey. Everybody’s Tennis injects a heavy dose of RPG-flavoured goodness to lend what is a genuinely refreshing take on the sport.

The gist of the story (yes there is one) has you traveling to a variety of locations to teach tennis players how to fall in love with the game again. This involves playing and beating them. You travel the globe challenging and talking to opponents just as you would in game such as any from the Final Fantasy series.

Thankfully the exchanges never drag on, and are occasionally amusing. They’re short, leaving you plenty of time to play tennis. There’s a real sense of progression. Beating other players gives you access to new rackets, shots and clothing that offer more than cosmetic changes, getting you into new areas that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise visit.

The core of the game, actually playing tennis, is joyful, fast-paced and arcade-like. As you’d expect strokes, lobs and slice shots are assigned different buttons. A marker indicates where the ball will go as you move the direction button making it great for beginners, though this can be turned off. It’s not too easy though, with an emphasis on timing your shot at the precise moment rather than bashing and hoping for the best there is an element of skill.

Points are also awarded for good tennis shots, aces and for beating your opponent by Roger Federer-sized margins. Loyalty bonuses are also given for sticking with the same character (you unlock more as you progress) making you actually care for your chosen player.

The graphics are fun and welcoming. The surroundings are bright and inviting. Likewise the characters are cute without being annoying. As things get frantic there’s no sign of judder or slowdown.

It’s not all chit-chat and exploring. An exhibition is available for those that want to dive into tennis matches instantly without interruption.

The Bad

The RPG element won’t be to all tastes. Some players won’t have the patience to amble around chatting to in-game folk when they can hop onto the exhibition mode for a quick game.

Play Everybody’s Tennis for a while and the matches can start to feel repetitive, despite being able unlock new shots. New costumes do add to your attributes but you won’t always notice the difference.

There will be times when you swing your racket at the ball, thinking you’re about to hit the sweet spot only for the ball to bounce, and then frustratingly bounce again behind you. You’ll find yourself wanting to tear the fur off that virtual tennis ball when it happens. That said, it’s more a gameplay quirk observation than an outright criticism.

The bottom line

Everybody’s Tennis is arguably the most fun tennis title on PSP right now. In not taking itself too seriously Everybody’s Tennis does a marvelous job of capturing the fun of the sport. Its odd mix of RPG hi-jinx combined with madcap tennis gameplay really pays off to deliver a title well worth reigniting your interest in tennis for.

Read Everybody’s Tennis (PSP) review on FiveFWD

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