Not for the purists
CONS - Too arcade like in terms of gameplay and controls, impossible CPU opponent, unrealistic rallies
I like this game but TS4 has strayed away from what made the 3rd one really good. It just too arcadey for my taste in terms of gameplay. Every rally im always finding myself running around trying to get everyball in play and then when I get the chance to dictate play, its so hard to get a shot past a player no matter who it is bc they play amazing defense. Any shot that would be a winner in real life WILL be brought back by CPU most of the time no matter who you're playing. I mean since when did Wawrinka play defense like Nadal? The rallies are not realistic at all and its like virtua tennis except without the diving. Shots are really fast paced and the CPU rarely misses if at all. In TS3 both me or the CPU would get at least 20 unforced errors in a match and now its only like 5 or less sometimes none. I also didnt like that they took away the risk buttons and the stick control to do drop shots. Another factor that has made this game arcadey to me. The only addition I really really enjoyed is the inside out button. What really saves this game is the career mode. I found the career mode in TS3 very dull but the one in this game is much more fufilling. There are objectives to complete and coaches that give you objectives to complete and other stuff like that. Its what has kept me playing this game. The online play is very solid and also a good way to get out of the ridiculous rallies when playing the CPU.
The Verdict - Its not that this game is hard, I can still win matches pretty easily. I just think it took a step back in terms of being a great tennis sim game. What I liked about TS3 are the complex controls which made it a realistic and pure tennis sim. I was expecting A LOT from TS4 but I found myself very disappointed. For casual players its a fun game, but purists will be letdown.