88 lines
4.9 KiB
Plaintext
88 lines
4.9 KiB
Plaintext
|
||
TABLE TENNIS SIMULATION
|
||
|
||
TABLE TENNIS SIMULATION is a ping-pong game written by Starbyte Software (of
|
||
Germany) and published and distributed in the U.S. by Star Games. TTS offers
|
||
excellent graphics and gameplay physics, two-player mode, unlimited practice, 20
|
||
World Cup opponents, mouse/joystick control, and copy protection. The Atari ST
|
||
version (for which you'll need 512K and a color monitor) is the basis of this
|
||
review.
|
||
|
||
Promoted as a family game, TTS occupies the unique position of being the only
|
||
ping-pong simulation on the planet. (My knowledge of existing software markets
|
||
does not extend as far as, say, the Acobamba Abyss, so I could be mistaken.) If
|
||
we take the Star Games press release at face value, then TTS shall always be
|
||
unique, because not only is it a one-of-a-kind program, it's perfect, too.
|
||
Although TTS is a fine package, the labels "family game" and "perfect" are,
|
||
unfortunately, not altogether true.
|
||
|
||
The TTS main menu offers Practice and Competition. Practice takes place in a
|
||
basement, where a machine cranks out shot after shot; speed, slice, and
|
||
direction can be adjusted. Your returns are unimportant -- no points are
|
||
involved -- but you'll be able to work on mastering the rackets and the
|
||
different return strokes. Competition can be a single match or the World Cup
|
||
tournament.
|
||
|
||
In single-match competition, you can play against any of the 20 computer
|
||
opponents whose numerical rankings correspond to difficulty level. You'll have
|
||
to specify an opponent, a racket, the racket's controller (either mouse or
|
||
joystick), the number of sets to win a match (1-3), the number of points to win
|
||
a set (11 or 21), and whether to switch sides after each set.
|
||
|
||
The ST graphics display in Competition mode features a ping-pong table and two
|
||
hands (each of which holds a racket), along with grinning ping-pong fans in the
|
||
bleachers. (Practice mode displays the ball machine, no appendages.)
|
||
|
||
TTS can be controlled via either joystick (for beginners) or mouse (for
|
||
experts). The stick automatically moves into the path of a serve, but you must
|
||
pull the stick back and release it to return. Push the stick left, right, or
|
||
forward, and then release to effect different returns. Serving, which is
|
||
accomplished by pushing the button and moving the stick back, is erratic at best
|
||
and demands luck rather than skill.
|
||
|
||
The mouse is directly connected to the hand/racket: Move the mouse, move the
|
||
racket. A serve is accomplished by pressing the button (which tosses up the
|
||
ball) and keeping the racket steady -- far easier to describe than to do. Simple
|
||
block returns are automatic, as long as you position the racket in the path of
|
||
the ball.
|
||
|
||
The mouse buttons invoke different return strokes whose relative effects depend
|
||
on how long you hold the button(s) down. Press and hold both buttons for a very
|
||
high speed return; press and hold the right button for a return with high speed
|
||
and topspin. As with serving, these trick returns are easier explained than
|
||
executed, and their performance is erratic at best. You're going to have to
|
||
spend some time in that Deutschland basement.
|
||
|
||
Using the joystick and mouse in the two-player mode led to weirdness: Each
|
||
device took turns controlling the other racket. What's more, the manual is
|
||
mistaken about the controller ports. TTS considers the ST's ports (which are 0
|
||
and 1) as 1 and 2. This would be okay if it were only a numerical error: In a
|
||
one-player game against the computer, you must select Port 2 (which is actually
|
||
Port 1) or nothing will happen. Using two joysticks (in a two-player game) means
|
||
you'll have to replace the mouse with a second joystick. ST users know what this
|
||
entails.
|
||
|
||
Twelve human players can be added to the World Cup Tournament roster. World Cup
|
||
matches continue until only the champion remains; the world rankings are then
|
||
updated. The TABLE TENNIS package comes with one copy-protected disk and an
|
||
instruction manual written in English and German.
|
||
|
||
TTS's graphics are excellent, but its best feature is great physics. You can
|
||
make the ball spin, slice, take off like a cannonball, skim the net, or head for
|
||
any point on or off the table. Although these things can be done, there is no
|
||
guarantee that they _will_ be: Potential is not reality, a truism that seems
|
||
inherent to TTS.
|
||
|
||
Serving, returns, and basic mouse control all demand precision handling, which
|
||
more or less eliminates kids under 12 and anyone with an itchy trigger finger.
|
||
The joystick's auto-positioning makes things a lot easier for youngsters; then
|
||
again, serving and trick returns are lost causes. Despite its controller
|
||
problems, TTS is a fine-looking game. To prevent yourself from melting into a
|
||
lump of goo, and to counteract the urge to head for the local arcade for a few
|
||
rounds of DOUBLE DRAGON (I or II), it's best that you have your local dealer
|
||
serve up a playtest.
|
||
|
||
TABLE TENNIS SIMULATION is published and distributed by Star Games.
|
||
|
||
*****DOWNLOADED FROM P-80 SYSTEMS (304) 744-2253
|
||
|