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Setup & Timing
The opening credit sequence in Rafa Nadal Tennis is long, and unskippable. Other than that, Multiplayer is right on the main menu. Download time is average.
Menus & Navigation
For the most part, the selectable areas in the menu system are large enough and appropriately space. One odd exception, however, is in the Multiplayer "Create A Group" menu, where the lower screen is split into two halves that describe the two multiplayer options. In this area, you cannot tap on the top half of the screen or the bottom half of the screen; only on the words "Normal" or "Easy" but not on their descriptions.
Ease Of Use / Play Control
Play control in Rafa Nadal Tennis' Single-Card Download offering is primary touch controlled, with an option of special hit types by holding in specific buttons (or directions on the control pad, depending on whether you are right- or left-handed). Inputs are taken for type of swing and direction, actual intended destination, which causes accuracy to fluctuate. Sometimes you'll hit the ball where you want, and sometimes you'll get a better hit that you'd tried for, but somtimes you'll be off enough to cost you the shot. The control scheme takes some time to get used to (especially the specialty shots), will be easy enough once you've learned, but will become frustrating when you're kept where you're at and can't proceed further.
Content
The look of Rafa Nadal Tennis is actually pretty good 3D (for an attempt at "reality" graphics). The sound, like an actual tennis match is based on sound effects, without in-game music. Features-wise, the game will allow for a play-through of an entire match with a similar set of in-game options. Other options, like the ability to create and save a player are missing (obviously). One major omission in Rafa Nadal Tennis - and in far too many other Single-Card Downloadable games - is a mode that teaches the guest(s) how to play. In Rafa Nadal Tennis, that is more problematic than in other games, where the play controls may be more self-evident. While the controls are easily learnable, they still need to be taught. In the main game, there is an option called "Tennis School" that, one control at a time, teaches you the game. When this option is so intentionally created, it should be made available to Single-Card Download guests, either through the existing Vs Play (prior to play) or via a separate Single-Card Downloadable demo. There is also no single-player downloadable demo of the main tennis game, short or otherwise.
Overall Fun
Rafa Nadal Tennis is not a horrible game, but it is also not a great game. It undoubtedly needs some work. The idea of automating parts of the game work well, but not telling guests about the manual controls leaves that task to the host. Like with many other games, the host can leave out something that might cause the game to appeal to the guest(s) as both a fun-creator and a game-seller. Accuracy should really be improved as well. I enjoyed some aspects of the game and was overly frustrated by others. I think making some changes to the game could easily flip the game from the "mediocre" category to the "terrific game" category -- if they're done right!
Offer an in-download option (or a separate downloadable demo) of the main game's Tennis School option.
Include a single-player downloadable demo.
Shorten up the opening credit sequence, or make it skippable.
Overall Single-Card Download Rating: 74 / 100 (a.k.a. 37/50)
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