ProPLAY Changes Up The Game in More Ways than One

In a hands-off preview of the upcoming changes hitting NBA 2K25, I think I was most impressed with the updated Dribble Engine. While 2K has continued to make massive strides in the graphical department, some of its gameplay elements have felt dated for quite some time — especially the antiquated dribble engine. Analyzing professional games, the engine can now make dribbling feel more 1-to-1 than ever before, turning a somewhat cumbersome effort into one that will hopefully change the game around for the better.

Alongside the changes to the Dribble Engine, it appears that the team at 2K Sports is taking a new approach to offensive and defensive gameplay, too. Pro Stick Rhythm Shooting, Custom Visual Cues, and Shot Timing Profiles will allow players to completely customize how they’re shooting on offense, especially after the polarizing changes that NBA 2K24 brought to the table. Veterans and newbies can take to the court and feel like an All-Star from the start now, and that’s a change I’m eager to test out for myself.

Related: When is NBA 2K25 Coming Out?

On the defensive side, there are some additional changes to take note of. A new “defensive cutoff” system is being put into play to ensure that those with a defensive mindset can control the court from the start of a match. Paired with the 9,000 alleged new animations that have been copied from archival footage, the on-court gameplay may finally have caught up with the impressive visual show that 2K brings to the forefront each year.

Ball Is Life, Life Is Ball

This is the year of many firsts for the NBA 2K series, with this also being the first game in the series to feature a Dual-League cover, alongside next-generation support for PC players. Since the quality of the PC version has always lagged behind the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions since their introduction, it’s great to see that they’re finally bringing every feature available on these consoles to PC.

Those playing on previous generation consoles and Nintendo Switch don’t need to worry that they’re being left in the dust, either. NBA 2K25 is bringing some of these enhanced gameplay features, such as Shot Timing Profiles, Shot Canceling, new AI improvements, and more to the aging consoles, so it won’t feel as different as one may expect. I would assume, however, that the story mode and free-roam segments are going to be downplayed on these consoles.

After seeing this preview, I’m cautiously optimistic. Seeing how the teams at 2K Sports have improved on animation and gameplay quality in other games such as Top Spin 2K25 and WWE 2K24, it feels like NBA 2K25 could breathe new life into the franchise. As the WWE franchise continues to see improvement rather than regression in its latest titles, I can only hope that NBA 2K25 is the redemption arc that players deserve.

NBA 2K25 will be available on September 6, 2024.

EA’s latest quarterly earning call underlines that College Football 25 is doing extremely well for the company, even with Madden NFL 25 just around the corner. However, as spotted by Kotaku, it contains the unsettling revelation that the game made major use of AI.

In the call, CEO Andrew Wilson states that the game’s “..150 unique stadiums and over 11,000
player likenesses couldn’t be done without EA’s deep history of being a technology leader and by our incredibly passionate and talented teams harnessing the power of AI and machine learning to deliver truly amazing entertainment.”

Related: Best Offensive Playbook in EA Sports College Football 25

EA’s teams did have to develop each player’s likeness (and presumably make sure they didn’t have one huge eyeball). Wilson does add that “Our very talented artists would… touch up and enhance those heads versus having to go through the full head development programs.”

AI generation is horrendously murky. It’s not a magic machine; it’s generally trained on real art/models, sometimes without attribution or permission of the original artists. Wilson didn’t disclose which models were used or what data it employed, but EA’s deal with the NFL was the impetus for switching to AI generation. “As we were launching… with the world’s largest single sport NIL deal, where image was a really important part of the process, getting 11,000 star heads into the game was a top priority for us.”

The NFL deal was announced in 2023, so it seems likely the company has had AI in mind for EA Sports College Football 25 for a while. EA has brought up the possibilities of AI in previous financials, but given the company laid off 5% of its workforce earlier this year, around 600 jobs, it’s not a great look.

A lot of gamers have already pre-ordered the game because they want to take advanatge of the early access period, but others will wait to avoid hurting their wallets. Well, QVC is here to help those on the fence, offering a very good deal for College Football 25.

Heading to the QVC website will reveal an offer for $30 off of a customer’s first purchase over $60. So, while veteran QVC shoppers will be ineligible, newcomers have the perfect item to use it on. College Football 25 for both the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 are available on the site, and after entering the promo code HELLO30 at checkout, it will be under $50 total with shipping.

Related: All Legends & Alumni in College Football 25 Ultimate Team (CUT)

Now, it’s important to note that the QVC website says that the item will not ship until July 19, which is the game’s release date. That means there will be a brief waiting period while the game is in transit. However, with a discount this large, a few days or even a week isn’t a big deal. It just means there’s more time to say goodbye to NCAA Football 14 before the new game arrives.

With Dynasty Mode returning and the debut of the brand-new College Ultimate Team, College Football 25 has something for everyone. But just because the game is in demand doesn’t mean people should sleep on a deal this good.

EA Sports College Football 25 releases on July 19, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

With four different editions to choose from, players will have a different cover athlete gracing them, with Jayson Tatum on the standard, A’ja Wilson on the WNBA Edition, the dynamic duo on the All-Star Edition, and eight-time All-Star Vince Carter on the Hall of Fame Edition. There’s even more exciting news to share — we’ve got a first look at some of these athletes in-game to share with you.

Alongside the reveal of the cover, 2K Sports has sent a first look at Jayson, A’ja & Vince in-game for a first look at NBA 2K25. While the NBA 2K franchise has always led the world of sports video games with its graphical fidelity, this year looks to push them further than ever. It’s somewhat uncanny how realistic these characters look now.

Related: When is NBA 2K25 Coming Out?

As per the official press release for NBA 2K25, fans playing on PC can rejoice; visual fidelity, content, and settings will be on par with the Xbox Series & PlayStation 5 versions of the game. You can read the official statement below:

• For the first time in the series, NBA 2K25 introduces mode parity between PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with the exception of Crossplay support. Players on PC with compatible specs will now benefit from the enhanced realism of ProPLAY^TM technology, and the ability to compete in modes such as MyNBA, The W, and in The City. Crossplay will only be available on New-Gen consoles.
• With NBA 2K25, players will forge a dynasty in MyCAREER, compete in new MyTEAM modes, and, for those on New-Gen platforms, players will also experience an added sixth era in MyNBA, a more compact and interactive City, along with the chance to cement their G.O.A.T. status in The W. 
• In addition to new updates in MyCAREER and MyTEAM, players on Current-Gen will experience an all-new Neighborhood metropolis to explore where they will complete quests, earn rewards, and eclipse their rivals

It’s about time that PC players could look forward to the latest and greatest version of their favorite sports game, and it seems that NBA 2K25 is shaping up to be the best installment yet.

NBA 2K25 will be released in 2024.

Oregon Ducks

Oregon has so many uniform combinations that everyone is bound to like at least one of them. A few range in the more traditional realm, but most push boundaries and are very forward-thinking. Oregon’s classic green and yellow can be found on most of their uniform designs. If you want something different, though, there are options with gray, black, and other dominant colors. In the Big Ten, where tradition reigns supreme, Oregon’s uniforms will bring a breath of fresh air to EA Sports College Football 25.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Speaking of tradition, fans of classic uniforms will love Penn State’s unis. The old-school navy and white look hasn’t changed much over the years. On top of that, the clean, solid white helmet with the navy stripe is among the most simple and best helmets in college football. You can always feel safe buying a Penn State jersey knowing it won’t be out of date in a few years.

Alabama Crimson Tide

It’s hard to say whether the Tide would be on this list if they weren’t a perennial national championship contender. But they are, so they’re here. Like Penn State, Alabama has a lot of simplicity in the maroon and white uniform. The helmets really stand out, though. The maroon with only the player’s number on the side is easily recognizable to fans everywhere.

Related: Predicting the Top 25 Teams in EA Sports College Football 25

Florida Gators

Florida’s blue and orange really pop, and their uniforms are instantly recognizable. There’s also enough variety with different combinations, helmets, and jerseys. The “Gator green” alternate uniforms were a really unfortunate choice a few years back, but they should absolutely be in College Football 25 for the fun of seeing them in Ultimate Team.

North Carolina Tar Heels

There’s something about that Carolina blue that just pops. The design of UNC’s uniforms is great, too, and has been through several iterations in past years. The addition of navy into the jersey really brings it to another level. But the best part of it all is the oversized logo on the chrome helmet — the Heels have a perfect blend of tradition and trendiness.

Florida State Seminoles

Another team that blends tradition and trendiness quite well. Florida State’s helmets are great, and the gold offsets the garnet dominance throughout the rest of the uniform. In recent years, the Seminoles have introduced a lot more combinations than just the standard home and road unis. Among the best is the all-white version, including a white helmet that really stands out with the garnet and gold trim. Florida State has the advantage of having one of the best color schemes. Now they’re beginning to maximize the potential of it.

Ohio State Buckeyes

It’s hard not to include Ohio State. The scarlet and gray color scheme is sharp, and even haters (like me) have to acknowledge that a little. The real reason they’re on this list, though, is the introduction of those amazing gray uniforms that offer such an interesting and impressive contrast to a uniform set that’s so traditional it could be seen as boring.

Related: All EA Sports College Football 25 Cover Athletes, Listed

TCU Horned Frogs

Aside from having one of the best names in college football, TCU is adding to an impressive color scheme of purple, silver, and black with brand-new uniforms in 2024. Chrome helmets are returning, and the removal of the spike-like things around the collars gives the jerseys a cleaner look. The number style also gives these uniforms a futuristic look, despite a more simple and sleek design.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

I feel almost required to include Notre Dame on a list like this, but it’s for good reason. The Irish have had among the most recognizable and best-looking uniforms in college football for decades. The contrast of the gold helmet against the navy jersey is iconic. The newest version of the all-green uniforms, to be worn against Ohio State this season, is really nice too.

Michigan Wolverines

The maize and blue of Michigan’s uniforms have always been popular. When the school signed with Nike, though, the unis really took off. The always classic look has come into the current era with designs that protect tradition while appealing to those who crave new. It’s the winged helmet that makes the Wolverines’ uniforms stand out, though. Because they’re the defending national champions, Michigan’s uniforms should be something you see quite often when playing online in College Football 25.

EA Sports College Football 25 is available July 19, 2024, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Young Sheldon recently came to an end, wrapping up its seven-season run on CBS, and the last couple of episodes featured plenty of heartbreak. George Cooper lost his life due to a heart attack, leaving his family devastated. But what made it an even harder pill to swallow was that George was about to accept a job at Rice University as the football team’s Special Teams Coordinator.

While George may not have been able to live out his dream of becoming a college football coach, plenty of gamers are about to get the chance, and they want to bring the patriarch of the Cooper family with them.

Related: All Pre-Order Bonuses & Editions for EA Sports College Football 25

College Football 25‘s most popular mode will undoubtedly be Dynasty, which allows players to take control of a college program and attempt to win a national title. Social media has been inundated with posts debating which schools are the best options, but not everyone is in it for the glory. More than a few Young Sheldon fans are planning to choose Rice and bring a title back to Houston, Texas, for George.

With Rice finishing 6-7 in 2023, that’s going to be easier said than done. However, George was ready to put his trust in the Owls, and if they were good enough for the King of Brisket, they’re good enough for anyone starting a Dynasty in College Football 25.

EA Sports College Football 25 releases on July 19, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

With a nearly two-minute reveal trailer, EA flexes its muscles by showing how its upcoming game will look and play. Travis Hunter makes a ridiculous catch, Quinn Ewers tosses a ball down the field, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. You can check out the trailer below:

Before the players take the spotlight, the trailer for College Football 25 focuses on some iconic college traditions, such as Clemon’s hill run and USC’s sword stab. It’s all an effort to prove that the game isn’t cutting any corners in bringing the college football experience to life, but that’s only half the battle.

Related: Is EA Sports College Football 25 Coming to PC?

The EA website details the CampusIQ gameplay feature set that “introduces an all-new composure system, player Wear & Tear, screen-shaking homefield advantages, and dozens of diverse playstyles across 134 FBS teams.”

The Wear & Tear feature is probably the most intriguing of the bunch, as it’s meant to limit players’ fatigue. In previous EA games, such as Madden, fatigue has been a massive issue, with players being subbed out for seemingly no reason and never coming back into the game. Giving gamers more control of how much players actually play is a major win, especially when it comes to game modes like Dynasty.

Speaking of Dynasty, College Football 25 will make use of the transfer portal, which college football fans have been all too familiar with. It’s sure to make building a team that much more interesting.

With nearly two months to go before the release of College Football 25, more gameplay and features are sure to be revealed.

During the pre-order phase, 2K announced that anyone who hit the top Collector Level in MyTEAM would be eligible to receive a Kobe Bryant card in April. And with Kobe meaning so much to so many, it’s fair to assume a lot of players worked to achieve the top level in hopes of landing the card. However, 2K has decided to change the rewards at the last minute.

“Players who achieve the top Collector Level will now receive an Option Pack for two picks out of ten previously released 100 OVR Cards,” 2K announced. “We appreciate that players have dedicated time and effort throughout the year to achieve this reward and 2K is committed to ensuring players continue to earn valuable content as their reward.”

Related: Take-Two Beats LeBron James’ Tattoo Artist in Lawsuit Over Copyright

That statement fails to mention anything about the Kobe card, and it’s left fans either scratching their heads or fuming. The Washington Post’s Herb Scribner reached out to 2K to inquire about the switch and whether it stems from a change in licensing rights, but the company declined to comment.

No matter what caused the Kobe card to end up on the cutting room floor, players are demanding answers. Some are even speculating that this is a greedy move on the part of 2K, and the Kobe card will end up in packs in the store at some point. There’s no evidence at the moment to corroborate that, but without an explanation, 2K is opening the door for those kinds of conversations.

How To Change Camera in Top Spin 2K25

If you’re hoping to switch the Camera, you can do so directly during a match. Bring up the Pause Menu, and navigate to where it will either say TV Camera or Zoom Camera. You’ll have 6 available options to you, including the following:

• TV Camera Normal
• TV Camera Close
• TV Camera Far
• Zoom Camera Normal
• Zoom Camera Close
• Zoom Camera Far

Related: Is Top Spin 2K25 on Xbox Game Pass?

While there may only be a few options available for Camera angles, you’ll find that they both offer a unique perspective on the match unfolding in front of you. Since there are ways that each camera can be tweaked, mess around with them until you find the perfect option for you.

On the left, you’ll see a picture demonstrating how the Zoom Camera looks, whereas the right photo shows TV Camera. Zoom Camera is going to put you nearly on the court, so you’ll be one with your created character. TV Camera, exactly as it sounds, shows the match more like you’d see it on TV.

Should You Pick TV Camera or Zoom Camera in Top Spin 2K25?

There is no perfect camera angle for everyone, so pick the option that works best for you. While I initially played all of my games with TV Camera Normal, I’ve recently switched to Zoom Camera Far, as it makes me feel closer to the action. On higher difficulties, however, I’ve had to switch back to the TV Camera options, as I feel they help me get a better view of all the action.

Experiment with all of the available options and see which feels the best to you, really. You may initially struggle after changing the camera around and getting used to how everything feels once again, but you may find your new favorite way to play.

Top Spin 2K25 launches on April 26, 2024, on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S.

Round One

The favorites largely prevailed in the first round. Edmonton, Vancouver, and Florida were all particularly dominant, each winning in 5 games. The President’s Trophy winning New York Rangers needed 7 games to get past the Washington Capitals, and the Jets defeated the Avalanche in 7 games in what would be considered the only upset according to oddsmakers.

Dallas defeated Las Vegas in 5 games. Apparently NHL 24 doesn’t account for the Mark Stone’s superpower to magically completely heal on the eve of the playoffs.

In the most Maple Leafs thing ever, Toronto blew a 3-0 series lead and lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins. Sorry, Leafs fans. Even NHL 24 is in on the joke, it seems.

At the end of the first round, Teuvo Teraveinen is the scoring leader with 12 points in six games. His team, the Carolina Hurricanes, advanced with relative ease over the New York Islanders.

First Round Results

• Dallas Stars defeat Vegas Golden Knights in 5 games
• Winnipeg Jets defeat Colorado Avalanche in 7 games
• Vancouver Canucks defeat Nashville Predators in 5 games
• Edmonton Oilers defeat Los Angeles Kings in 5 games
• New York Rangers defeat Washington Capitals in 7 games
• Carolina Hurricanes defeat New York Islanders in 6 games
• Florida Panthers defeat Tampa Bay Lightning in 5 games
• Boston Bruins defeat Toronto Maple Leafs in 7 games

Second Round

Things get interesting in the second round, as some really enticing matchups take center stage. While favorites dominated the opening round, the underdogs control the narrative in Round 2. The President’s Trophy winners don’t need to download EA Sports PGA Tour—they’re golfing for real after falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in 6 games. The other division winner in the Eastern Conference saw their season end, too, as the Bruins defeated the Florida Panthers in 5 games.

In the Western Conference, Winnipeg defeated Dallas in 6 games to advance to the Western Conference Final. The real story out West, though, is Edmonton. The Oilers swept the Pacific Division-winning Vancouver Canucks, setting up an all-Canada Western Conference Final. At 8-1 in the playoffs so far, the Oilers are looking absolutely dominant.

Teuvo Teraveinen is still the points leader after Round 2. He has an impressive 19 points in 12 games. Second is Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl with 16 points in 9 games.

Second Round Results

• Winnipeg Jets defeat Dallas Stars in 6 games
• Edmonton Oilers defeat Vancouver Canucks in 4 games
• Carolina Hurricanes defeat New York Rangers in 6 games
• Boston Bruins defeat Florida Panthers in 5 games

Conference Finals

Even a runaway locomotive has vulnerabilities. Edmonton had been absolutely dominant in the first two rounds, and it looked like this might finally be the year for Connor McDavid and friends. But as it turns out, jets are faster than runaway trains. Winnipeg wins the Western Conference Final with relative ease, defeating Edmonton in 5 games behind the great goaltending of Connor Hellebuyck.

In the Eastern Conference Final, Carolina’s dream of finally hoisting the Stanley Cup with their current talented core came to an end. Quickly. Boston was dominant again, defeating the Hurricanes in 4 games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

We have a new scoring leader at the end of Round 3, and it’s a familiar face to anyone who watches scoring leaderboards. David Pastrnak has emerged as the top point-getter with 22 points in 16 games played.

Our Stanley Cup Final is set. The Boston Bruins vs. the Winnipeg Jets in the battle of “if you bet this as your Stanley Cup Final matchup at the beginning of the season you’d be rich today” teams.

Conference Final Results

• Winnipeg Jets defeat Edmonton Oilers in 5 games
• Boston Bruins defeat Carolina Hurricanes in 4 games

Stanley Cup Final

Winnipeg hits the road and wins Game 1 in what was undoubtedly a raucous TD Garden atmosphere in Boston. Josh Morrissey led the way for the Jets with 2 points. He has an impressive 23 points in the Jets’ 19 playoff games.

In Game 2, Winnipeg gets out to an early lead with goals from Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers. Charlie McAvoy gut the lead to 2-1 before Cole Perfetti sealed the win by beating Jeremy Swayman before the midpoint of the third period. Winnipeg takes a commanding 2-0 series lead heading home to the True North.

I can only imagine that the whiteout in Winnipeg for a Stanley Cup Final game would be an absolute madhouse. The Bruins are up to the task, though, as they grab an early 2-0 lead in Game 3. However, the Jets won’t be denied, as three third period goals give the home team the victory and a 3-0 series lead.

It turns out to be a lopsided Stanley Cup Final, as the Jets win 6-4 in Game 4 to capture the franchise’s first ever Stanley Cup. That ought to give Jets fans some hope as they navigate a tough playoff road this spring.

Connor Hellebuyck was phenomenal and takes home the Conn Smythe trophy—the award isn’t given in Tournament Mode, but he deserves it in this simulation. The leading scorer for the playoffs was David Pastrnak with 28 points in 20 games played.

Stanley Cup Final Results

• Winnipeg Jets defeat Boston Bruins in 4 games

And that’s the Stanley Cup playoffs simulated in NHL 24. If you’re looking for more, check out our best center build.

Top Spin 2K25 Is Poetry in Motion

Tennis has always been one of my favorite sports — a skillful dance between two opponents as they demand control of the court. Many sports titles lose that feeling in their transfer from the real world to the digital world of video games, but Top Spin 2K25 takes home the win here. The on-court animations are extremely lifelike, thanks to a masterful blending of animations to keep things from looking stilted or janky — it’s easily one of the smoothest-looking sports titles available to date.

Watching each player on the court is like magic, especially when playing with higher-skilled Professionals. Each hit feels satisfying, with a pleasing thunk of the racket to accentuate the power behind each hit, no matter the type of court you are playing on. There is a small issue, however — dated visuals keep Top Spin 2K25 from reaching its full potential on this end.

From a distance, such as on the court, Top Spin 2K25 looks rather nice. Great lighting and accurate court details make each match feel alive. Paired with the top-shelf animations, it looks fantastic to watch. That is until the game decides to zoom in after a point has been scored. Dated character models that look like early-generation Xbox One or PlayStation 4 models can quickly jar you out of the experience.

Top Spin has always been a series that melds fantastic graphical prowess with a stellar set of animations. So it was slightly jarring to see the game look as dated as it does. To be fair, most players are going to skip through the after-point celebrations to get back to what is important — the detailed and fantastic gameplay.

Graphics Don’t Demean the Gameplay

It’s hard not to address the elephant in the room. Top Spin 2K25 is a very visually inconsistent game. As mentioned above, it looks fantastic in motion. But, when the action comes to a halt, the seams begin to show. While the bodies of each character look fantastic, it’s hard to ignore the faces. They’re not up to par when it comes to the rest of the game, which does feature fantastic lighting and a great framerate.

It can be a little distracting, even seeing the extra detail put into the Pro models. It seems that Top Spin 2K25 may not have the budget of some of the other games in 2K’s library, but I can only hope the next entry prioritizes extra detail. There is also a small amount of ghosting, with trails following character models. You may have never noticed it if I didn’t point it out, and I’m sorry for doing so.

Beyond that, however, the game does look quite nice. Physics, for the most part, are fantastic and true to life, with hair and bandanas flapping in the wind as they could be expected to do. The way characters will slide across clay courts and grassy layouts is also incredibly satisfying.

But, once again, gameplay over graphics is my mantra. Top Spin 2K25 delivers strongly on that front, with some of the best sports gameplay I’ve ever experienced. For that reason, I can forgive the graphical inconsistencies that I experienced because I just can’t put the game down no matter how hard I try. Plus, it’s not like the game is hideous by any means — it’s just not as polished as some other 2K games in this department.

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

It’s been a while since a sports game has hooked me quite like Top Spin 2K25 has. When I’m playing Top Spin, I’m having the time of my life. When I’m not playing Top Spin 2K25, I’m thinking about playing Top Spin 2K25. Even as I’m writing this review, I’m taking small breaks to push through a quick match. This simulator has its hooks in me, and that’s partially thanks to how good it feels to play.

I’m willing to personally look past the dated graphical presentation and the rather boring general presentation, thanks to the fantastic game feel that has been brought to center stage. While it’s been quite some time since I last played a tennis title such as this, I was immediately caught up in the more realistic gameplay. Sure, an arcade-style Tennis game is fun, but sometimes you need it to feel like the real deal.

Utilizing nearly the same Timing System from Top Spin 4, this is going to be an easy pick-up and play for veterans. For those just tuning into the Top Spin franchise for the first time — buckle up. I strongly recommend going through the tutorial, even if it’s just a refresher. It took me a while to re-learn what I needed to, but since then I’ve been smashing through opponents like it’s going out of style.

Finding the game too easy? Crank up the difficulty and get humbled like I absolutely didn’t do. Top Spin 2K25 isn’t afraid to make you feel like a chump — and I appreciate everything about that. From my humble beginnings in MyCareer to intense match-ups between Professional players, there’s something here for everyone.

MyCareer Is the Standout in Top Spin 2K25

With a variety of different single and multiplayer modes, my favorite has to be the MyCareer option. Ever since I was younger, playing Mario Tennis on my Gameboy Color, the idea of taking a no-name rookie to the top of the Tennis world is still as appealing today as it was back then. And MyCareer mode delivers on that promise, with plenty of detail to make it more than it appears.

Not only do I need to improve my skills by winning and losing games, but also by partaking in different training and special events. I could challenge players for their homes, to save energy between matches. I smashed through countless tournaments and became the best that I could be while defending my global ranking. I’ve already sunk hours upon hours into the MyCareer mode, and I won’t stop until my character is better than Federer.

As I continued to progress through the MyCareer mode, dumping Attribute Points into my character, I slowly began to make my rise through the ranks. To be upfront and honest — I got my butt kicked a lot through the early stages. I started out with 30 points in each of the eight categories available to upgrade and had to put in the work and effort before I could finally start to excel. And excel, I did.

While MyCareer is little more than navigating between menus in between matches, a majority of my time spent with Top Spin 2K25 was in this mode. Between perfecting my character and taking home victories, I could hardly stop until I reached the top and became a Superstar.

While I would love to see this expanded in future entries, I know that I’ll be spending the upcoming months perfecting my created character. It’s my goal to make him just as recognizable as any Pro when facing off against other players online. We’ll see what we need to do to get to that point, however.

Gameplay for Days

Beyond the MyCareer offerings, there are a variety of local and online options for players. Top Sin Academy can help players learn the ropes and tighten up their skills. Local Exhibition allowed me to play Local Multiplayer or Single Player modes against AI opponents. Online Multiplayer was smooth as silk and offered a great experience. The ability to take my MyPlayer against other players, or jump into the shoes of a Pro to challenge other players felt fantastic.

Training modes also offer quite a bit of excitement. You never realize how much you’ve improved until you try some of the more challenging training options available in MyCareer. I remember struggling with Bronze, and now I’m excelling in Platinum. It’s a game that helps you feel rewarded for your improvements and helps you achieve your desired results.

No matter, Top Spin 2K25 is a terrific return to form, and I’m beyond ecstatic to see a proper Tennis game available once more. The gameplay on offer is some of the smoothest I’ve ever experienced, sports game or not, and it’s a strong contender for sports game of the year.

Top Spin 2K25 is a well-rounded package that offers something for everyone. I’d love to see further improvements made to the overall presentation and graphical fidelity of the series in the future, but as it stands, it’s easily one of my favorite sports games of all time.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to catch a flight to Wimbledon.

Verdict: Strongly Recommend

Top Spin 2K25 launches on April 26, 2024, on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S. Reviewed on Xbox Series X. A code was provided by the publisher for review.

Let’s get this out of the way: I rarely spend money on The Show. Each year, I’ll buy Stubs right when I get the game, so I have a halfway-decent team when I start playing Ranked Diamond Dynasty. After that, though, I dive into the grind and work to earn cards that I like or think will help my team. It’s a great change of pace, especially because I got way too into Madden Ultimate Team back in the day and made some poor financial decisions.

But the grind in MLB The Show 24 has been a bit different than in past years. Good cards are being taken out of programs and stuck in packs, leaving the fanbase upset that the game is going the way of other sports titles, where money is becoming the deciding factor in how good a team is. That’s why it’s unbelievable that, in a year where money is the major topic of conversation, I pulled arguably the two most important cards in the game without spending much at all.

However, the purpose of this piece isn’t too gloat. Sure, I’m excited to talk to my friends about how good my lineup looks, but in reality, I’m the last person who should’ve pulled these cards. Pulling Mike Trout can net a player over 150,000 Stubs, which is enough to fund a team for the game’s entire life cycle, and Ohtani goes for nearly as much. But the fun in pulling something is using it, and unfortunately for me, Trout and Ohtani probably won’t find much success if they stay on my team in MLB The Show 24.

Related: How to Get the Free Jackson Holliday Card in MLB The Show 24

Like so many others, I’ve been plagued by the pitching issue in this year’s game. I struggle to find the strike zone, and I’m not even using pinpoint pitching. Then there are the issues with hitting. I’ve always performed better with left-handed batters and have yet to truly figure out why. But this leads me to fill my lineup with lefties, so if I run into a formidable left-handed pitcher online, it’s a loss more times than not. That’s not to say I’m awful at the game; I have a winning record online, and my stats are respectable. However, I rarely get my rating above 700 and never find success at Hall of Fame difficulty.

I guess that makes me the Los Angeles Angels of MLB The Show 24. Yeah, I have Trout and Ohtani in my lineup, but the one pulling the strings (or, in this case, the controller) isn’t up to snuff. That leaves me between a rock and a hard place; do I keep Ohtani and Trout and try my best to improve at the game, or do I sell them and keep the Stubs until 99-overall cards show up in the marketplace that will do the work for me?

The latter scenario sounds a lot more practical, but there’s little fun in giving up. So, if you come across a player with Trout and Ohtani online who seems like they have no business having the cards, don’t feel bad for them. You can strike them out knowing that they’re willing to fail time and time again for the love of the game.

MLB The Show 24 is available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.