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INFORMATION
Publisher by Bluebyte Software
Sport: Tennis
Reviwed by: Salman
INTRODUCTION
Well, it has been a while since there has been a true tennis game for the PC, particularly in the United States.
Anyway, I first read about Game Net & Match! (GNM) about a year ago. I was ecstatic to read that you would be
able to play the game over the Internet. After a year of much anticipation, I finally got my copy. I was surprised by
this one; it was great in some aspects while it was simply horrid in others.
GRAPHICS - 75
The graphics of GNM are okay; the player motion captures are well done. However, it would have been nice to
see a better crowd. The crowd looks like a bunch of cut out boards pasted over the bleachers, even with a 3dfx
card. In addition, during play with the default view the players walk slow and look as if they are robots. Basically
as aforementioned the graphics are mediocre with vast room for improvement.
INTERFACE. - 90
The interface is really easy to navigate, except for locating the exit icon. Other then that everything is
self-explanatory and with in a minute you could get a match started.
GAMEPLAY - 75
Game Net & Match has numerous options for gameplay. To get things started GNM has a great practice mode.
The practice mode really allows one to enhance their skills against the computer or a human opponent.
Moreover, you can also play singles, doubles, season mode, tournament mode, LAN and over the internet.
Season mode allows you to create a player and rate him/her (you can pick from 6 male or female tennis players)
in six different categories with thirty points total, distributing the thirty points in the categories is all up to you
depending on your preferences. Tournament mode lets you play in up to 169 tournaments. GNM basically has a
lot gameplay, and for anyone who just loves tennis this is the one to get. My favorite is playing over the internet,
there is nothing like facing a real human on the other side. Bluebyte has a dedicated 24-hour a day online server
that lets you play people from all over the world. The more you win, the better your online player becomes in the
different skill categories. The server also keeps track of all matches and based on the number of points you earn
you get to be ranked! That's the best part of GNM playing people from all over the world and testing your skills to
become ranked number one. There is also very little lag playing GNM over the internet so I highly recommend it.
Another plus is GNM has a plethora shots to take such as power shot, spin, lob etc. recommend a ten button
gamepad.
AUDIO - 65
Okay I know tennis is a game where not much is said but this is ridiculous. The commentary is very repetitive
and after a few matches you can anticipate what the commentator will say. On the bright side the sounds of the
ball with the different strokes is great. One can tell when their opponent has hit a spin, lob or power shot. Other
then the great sounds hitting the ball on the all the surfaces, commentary is a joke. No, I am not being sarcastic.
DIFFICULTY - 65
I am not going to beat around the bush on this one. The artificial intelligence or "AI" is really bad. GNM looses its
single player gameplay because of the bad AI . I have played in several tournaments under season mode and I
have yet to loose a match. My initial reaction was that maybe when you advance to the grand slams would things
get difficult. I was wrong. GNM has fictitious player names such as Pete Sammer instead of Pete Sampras,
even the number one ranked Pete Sammer was no match for me. I shut him out 6-0, 6-0. The problem with the AI
is simple, if you attack the net the computer player does not try to lob the ball over your head instead he tries to
hit winners. Bluebyte needs to release a patch to fix this problem.
OVERALL - 74
Game Net & Match! is a decent game that could have been better. The best part of GNM is internet play, which
seriously adds to gameplay. While internet play is great, the artificial intelligence it bad detracting from overall
experience of GNM. If you are a serious tennis fan and looking to test your skills against others from around the
world then GNM is the one to get. Otherwise, stay away unless Bluebyte releases a patch for the AI.
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System
Requirements:
Required:
Pentium 133MHz
Win 95
2 MB graphic card
100 MB +
4X CD-ROM
16 MB RAM
DirectX 5 or higher
Recommended:
Pentium 166MHz
32MB RAM
150MB+
8X cd-rom
3Dfx Accelerator
Internet
Cons:
-Horrible AI
-Bad Audio
-Mediocre graphics
Pros:
-Great multiplayer
game
-Simplistic Interface
-Good career mode is
single player
Coolinfo
Bottom Line:
If you like mulitplayer
tennis then GNM is a
good buy other wise
stay away.
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