How to Save Virtua Tennis 4 from the Scrap Heap
Virtua Tennis 4 is a great game, but it’s not perfect. Here’s how you can save it from the scrap heap.
Introduction
It’s a well-known fact that the Virtua Tennis series is one of the most celebrated and loved tennis franchises in video gaming history. It’s also a well-known fact that the latest instalment in the series, Virtua Tennis 4, is a bit of a let-down.
Whereas previous Virtua Tennis games were easy to pick up and play but hard to master, Virtua Tennis 4 seems to be more difficult to pick up and play but easy to master. This is not necessarily a bad thing – after all, who doesn’t like a challenge? – but it does make for a less enjoyable experience overall.
There are other problems too. The game lacks the charm and personality of its predecessors, feeling more like a soulless cash-in than a true Virtua Tennis game. The on-court action isn’t as fluid as it should be, and there are few incentives to keep playing once you’ve completed the career mode.
So how can you save Virtua Tennis 4 from being consigned to the scrap heap of history? Here are five suggestions:
The Problem
Virtua Tennis 4 is a great game. Unfortunately, it’s also a game that’s in danger of disappearing into obscurity. The problem is that the Virtua Tennis series has always been a niche series, and with each new release, the number of people playing the game gets smaller and smaller. This is especially true for Virtua Tennis 4, which was released in 2011 and is now five years old.
The good news is that there are still a few things that can be done to save Virtua Tennis 4 from the scrap heap. Here are three ideas:
1) Release more DLC
There’s no denying that Virtua Tennis 4 is starting to show its age. The graphics are starting to look a bit dated, and the gameplay isn’t as tight as it was in previous releases. However, one way to keep people interested in the game is to release more DLC.
2) Make the game free-to-play
Another way to keep people interested in Virtua Tennis 4 is to make the game free-to-play. This would allow people who haven’t played the game before to try it out without having to spend any money. It would also give people who have already bought the game a reason to come back and play again.
3) Release a sequel
Finally, one of the best ways to keep interest in Virtua Tennis 4 alive is to release a sequel. A new release would bring with it new features, improved graphics, and hopefully increased interest from both casual and hardcore fans alike.
The Solution
The solution is actually quite simple and Virtua Tennis 4 can be saved with some very basic changes. The first thing that needs to be done is increase the points for a rally from four to six. This will increase the time it takes to win a set, making the matches more strategic and closer. The second change that needs to be made is in the character models. The current models look and move like wooden mannequins and are incredibly off-putting. They need to be reworked so that they’re less stiff and more athletic. Finally, the soundtrack needs an overhaul. Virtua Tennis 4’s music is forgettable at best and needs some high-energy tracks to get players pumped up.
The Future of Virtua Tennis 4
It is no secret that Virtua Tennis 4 is not the game that fans wanted. It is also no secret that the game is quickly being forgotten as just another forgettable entry in a once-great series. However, there is still hope for the game, and it lies in the hands of the developers themselves.
There are a few things that Virtua Tennis 4 did wrong, and a few things that it did right. It’s time to take a look at what those are, and how the developers can fix them in order to make Virtua Tennis 4 into the game that it should have been.
What Virtua Tennis 4 Did Wrong:
-The game was released too soon after Virtua Tennis 3. This gave players very little time to miss the previous game, and left them wanting more from Virtua Tennis 4.
-The gameplay was not up to par with previous entries in the series. The Serve & Volley gameplay mode was removed, and the World Tour mode was too similar to Virtua Tennis 3’s World Tour mode.
-The AI was not challenging enough, even on higher difficulty settings. This made the game feel more like a practice tool than an actual tennis game.
-The graphics were not up to par with other games released around the same time. This made Virtua Tennis 4 look dated compared to other games on the market.
-There was very little innovation in Virtua Tennis 4. The inclusion of Topspin and Lob play styles was not enough to make up for the lack of new modes or features.
What Virtua Tennis 4 Did Right:
-The controls were solid and responsive, which is essential for any tennis game.
-The inclusion of Touchplay controls was a welcomed addition, and made playing on mobile devices much more enjoyable.
-The roster of playable characters was diverse and contained many fan favorites from previous entries in the series.
-The sound design was excellent, with realistic tennis sounds adding immersion to matches.
