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| | Title:
Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis
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System:
Xbox 360
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Genre:
Sports
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Publisher:
Rockstar Games
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Developer:
Rockstar San Diego
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Release:
May 22, 2006
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Online:
Yes
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ESRB:
Everyone (E)
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When someone says “Rockstar,” the first thing that pops into a gamer's mind is Grand Theft Auto and all the controversy that comes with the brand. Rockstar has always been a company that pushes the boundaries of what is morally acceptable in videogames making them one of the most notorious companies in the industry. With titles like Grand Theft Auto, Manhunt and the upcoming Bully (all current-gen), gamers wondered what Rockstar's first jump into the next-gen arena would be. Boy did they surprise us all. Not only is their next game not violent, but also touches on a pastime which is not exactly mainstream in the United States. Table Tennis is the name of the game Rockstar has been working on for next-gen systems and surprisingly it looks like it might actually be a blast to play.
Rockstar is not known for making pretty games. While GTA is one of the most open ended games ever created, there is pretty much a universal agreement that the game is a little ugly. That can be expected in a title like GTA since the game has to contain huge cities with thousands of people and cars. So with a game like Table Tennis that just relies on showcasing small courts, two pin pong players, and a crowd Rockstar was finally able to show us the amazing graphics they are capable of. In short Table Tennis is a visual treat. Each of the two pin pong players are incredibly detailed. The clothes react according to their movements, and the ping pong player's faces are crafted even down to individual freckles. The table and the surrounding area also look phenomenal. The coolest thing is an actual fully three dimension crowd. For a change the crowd in a sports game looks realistic. I don't doubt gamers will admire the graphics in this title.
The gameplay in Table Tennis is said to be simplistic and fun. Rockstar wants anyone who can pick up a controller to easily be able to handle this game. Luckily, with next-gen power behind the gameplay Rockstar is able to craft a realistic experience. Basically, the ping pong ball is going to react and bounce exactly how one would expect it to. Anyone who has played ping pong before knows the quirks of hitting the ball just right to either make your opponent miss or have them overshoot the table. Table Tennis looks to bring back this type of strategy. Also promised for Table Tennis is Xbox Live multiplayer. Gamers are going to be able to go online and test their skills against anyone who dares challenge them. Since this is such a laid back experience, its integration with the Xbox Live options opens up some very interesting prospects. Imagine talking to your friend who is in a tough battle online in GRAW while you sit back and enjoy a nice peaceful game of ping pong. Sounds fun to me.
As a whole there is not much else to talk about Table Tennis because it is a very simple game. There is no huge career mode (but there is one), no various gametypes, or any special twist on the game of ping pong. It is just fun, relaxing gameplay. Who would have thought Rockstar games the makers behind some of the most violent titles in videogame history could come out and create a game about one of the most docile but fun sports to be found in the United States.
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L3e
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