Yes, but the coupon isn't in this thread.

Wait. Now it is.

http://www.gamepro.com/ads/coupons/images/13040.pdf

/don't forget the sale ends tomorrow.

Damn, my local BB is out of them. I wonder if anywhere else would take the coupon, or if I am going to get a raincheck


Shadow

I think most of the critique you've mentioned about this game is true. So the single player experience leaves some to be desired. And the loading time really wastes precious time, doesn't it? Still, this is my favorite online game by far. Even though I may not be as skilled as some (The furthest I've gotten is 2000 or so ranking), it still is quite fun to play. There are also problems with the rankings since the past few days, its been giving me different ratings. I'd still recommend this game, and hope to see you guys online!

You know, there are flaws in games that I allow since they may not present themselves widely until a game is released (ie The Carth Bug in KOTOR), others are a problem for some but not others (ie the superhuman AI in XIII and SOF 2). I can forgive all that. But to do something as stupid and obviously flawed as to force a player into playing three matches in succession at one seating , especially in such a wonderful all-around game as Top Spin is inexcusable. I mean, cover boy Pete Sampras never had to play three matches in a row, neither did Lleyton Hewett. If Anna Kournakova had ever made it to a finals, I assure you she wouldn't have had to either.

Just started playing yesterday. This game rocks! I am so hooked. I am thoroughly enjoying the one player. I only have minor gripes, like mentioned previously, the challenges for sponsorships are all the same and quite easy.

I do like the star/skill system, it actually makes you plan out what kind of player you want to be. As opposed to other sports games where you can basically MAX everything out. But I agree about the load times, , and not being able to save mid-tourney.

finally:
The Silver Serve coaching is kicking my ass!

Finally got on live. I'm pretty good at the one player. Not mastered yet but good. I got smoked. I was having lag issues though. That sucked. I don't think I would have lost 'as' bad. It would happen right when my opponent would swing at the ball, everything freezes. Next thing you know i'm on the opposite side of the court of where he hit the ball. Very frusterating. Only played two games because of it.

I'll try more later this week.

I got this game about a month ago and finally found some time to play it last weekend. I've never played a tennis video game before (plenty of real tennis though), and this game is fun. I like it a lot.

That said, I'll reiterate the 2 biggest problems with this game that others have already mentioned:
1.) really bad load times. I'm surprised more developers haven't followed Halo's example of caching levels to the hard drive.
2.) not being able to save during a tourney. inexcusable. This is a lot like the DOAX "feature" where you can't transfer save games from one xbox to another. maybe it's to prevent players from "cheating", but I don't see why they do it. why can't you save during a career mode tourney? it's a single player game, who cares if people cheat in a single player game? just dumb.

I've got a question though - does anyone know what the career stars do to the serve,forehand,backhand, and volley skills? Do they improve accuracy? power? both? I mean, I know that more stars means a better ability in that area, but what does having more stars specifically do?

Well, I have maxed my 14 stars out:

Serve **
Forehand ****
Backhand ****
Volley ****

and have 3 skills, Precision, Angle, Ace

I love the Precision & Angle. I can tell a big difference in my shots. Right on the line, and have a huge angle, esp. at the net. But the Ace skill seems to do nothing. Risk shot or not, even with the ITZ all the way in my favor.

I keep getting my ass handed to me in the finals of the 500,000(major pro) tourneys. Same on Live. How do you get the 4th skill?

Can you earn more than 14 stars after beating bigger tourneys?

Ha, I'm having about the same experience you are. I cringe everytime I see that I have to face off against Michael Chang. That guy returns shots that you think he wouldn't have a chance at. There's another guy, forget his name, with maxed out forehand and backhand. That guy is brutal.

I'm also at 2 stars on my serve and picked up the Ace skill to try and compensate...but that seems like a waste now. I maxed out my forehand thinking that shot would be the one I use mostly while my backhand is one star from max.

I tried to tailor my skills and abilities to defensive play...I wanted to create a player who could return pretty much anything hit to him.

you get the 4th skill when you acquire legend status

you can never get more than 14 stars. ever. the only way to get 15 stars is to use a pre-made character like Sampras or Hingis.

If this is true, then . I want to be able to take my character from Joe Shmoe all the way to Tennis Hall-of-Famer.

Actually, it is pretty easy to beat Sampras and what not with a maxed out character.