Tennis Manager 2022 is an exciting new sports management game. Like Virtua Tennis 4 and Tennis World Tour, TM2 helps you get ready for the 2022 tennis season. However, it stands out from other tennis games because Tennis Manager lets you get a behind-the-scenes look at how the industry is run.
In this game, you’re the leader of an academy for tennis stars. In addition to selecting the right players for matches, you also handle the press, negotiate sponsorship deals, and even navigate your employees’ moods. The ultimate goal of the game is to run a successful tennis academy and gain prestige and profits.
Getting started with your first save
Character creation is fairly simple, but Tennis Manager 2022 does do a decent job of providing diversity. Characters get to choose from a variety of genders, ages, and races as they select their character. However, adult players will end up chuckling over the fact that most of the portrait options for “senior” managers look like people in their late 20s.
Tennis Manager 2022 also brings in more manager customization options than the previous version had. You are able to adjust your personality, management style, experience level, and abilities before starting the game. All of these have an impact on your later gameplay, so they’re fun to tinker with.
Choose from a variety of playing techniques
Tennis Manager 2022 is compatible with a lot of play styles. Those who just want to play around and have fun can choose to manage an existing academy. If you’re tired of the premade options, you can create your own academies and players. This gives you the opportunity to really micromanage your game and get involved in the details of tennis management.
The game easily adjusts to your desired difficulty. If you love the satisfaction of seeing an underdog win, you can choose to start with a few resources or talented players and gradually work your way to the top. Meanwhile, those who want a less frustrating experience can choose to start the game with top-tier players and a successful business.
Tennis Manager 2022 gameplay
The bulk of Tennis Manager 2022 gameplay is making decisions for your academy. You start each day with a set of emails to open and a set of questions from your assistant. Depending on the day, you might be doing things like choosing a new player for your academy or designing a training regimen for your athletes.
Though much of Tennis Manager 2022 might involve looking at stats and numbers, you also get to enjoy plenty of personal interactions. Things like speaking at press conferences and talking to your players about their goals will give you the chance to test your charisma and charm. You’ll get to choose from multiple reply options that all have different outcomes.
The opportunity to negotiate player contracts also gives you opportunities to explore your creativity. You can tinker with equipment to help your players perform better, or you can pick outfits that you think look neat. A lot of this equipment is based on real-world brands, so you can see actual items you like in the virtual world of Tennis Manager 2022.
The soundtrack and graphics are mediocre
The soundtrack is loud and busy enough to be noticeable, but unfortunately, it’s not really pleasant to listen to. It won’t necessarily distract you from the game, but you’ll probably find yourself turning the volume down after a few minutes.
Graphics also tend to be fairly mid-range. The UI itself is clean, simple, and pleasant to look at, and it runs seamlessly on most computers. The game easily renders a variety of stats and equipment options. However, if you choose to watch your players play their games, you may notice that the computer-generated graphics look a little awkward.
What you need to know about Tennis Manager 2022’s UI
The user interface manages to provide a lot of information while still being very simple to navigate. Your homepage is divided into tabs that give you access to things like player stats, academy staff overviews, financial objectives, and emails. There’s also a search function that lets you filter players based on things like play style and age.
The UI is certainly complex, but it’s not too overwhelming. The game includes a lot of tutorials and tips. Even if you’re new to sports management games, Tennis Manager 2022 makes it easy to understand what’s going on. And if you’re an old pro who doesn’t need any help, the game lets you turn off the tutorials and make your own choices.
How long does the game last?
Tennis Manager 2022 is a fairly open-ended game. If you’re enjoying it, you will find yourself quickly racking up hours of playtime. Keep in mind that gameplay remains essentially the same no matter how long you play. There are no end-game objectives and no changes to mechanics.
Essentially, you just keep doing the day-to-day aspects of management while you constantly try to improve your academy. For those who truly love grinding and constantly optimizing your performance, this is an excellent experience. However, the consistency of the game is also its downfall. There aren’t many special events or big shake-ups in the league to look forward to.
Tennis Manager 2022 vs. Tennis Manager 2021
Of course, with any game that has so many releases, it’s important to consider whether the new version actually adds any new content. Even if you already have the 2021 version, Tennis Manager 2022 is definitely worth a buy. Tennis Manager 2022 keeps all the same promising features mentioned in Tennis Manager 2021 reviews, but it really fleshes out the gameplay.
There are a lot more customization options, and you get more frequent tasks like responding to emails and managing press conferences. Ultimately, Tennis Manager 2021 ends up feeling like the beta version of the game while Tennis Manager 2022 is the finished product.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, if you love analyzing graphs and rows of statistics, this is the game for you. Sports management games aren’t for everyone, so TM2 might feel a little slow and overly detailed to those who prefer platformers or first-person shooters. However, Tennis Manager 2022 is an excellent example of the sports management genre.
The game is endlessly customizable and includes a lot of opportunities for fine-tuning details. Ready to give it a try yourself? Download the game now to start your own tennis academy or find more tennis action with Tennis World Tour.
PROS
- Clear and helpful UI
- Extensive customization opportunities
- Deep focus on statistics and numbers
- Funny dialogue and cute outfits
CONS
- Clunky animation during tennis matches
- Repetitive and uninteresting soundtrack
- Lack of any unique end-game content
Developer: Rebound CG
Publisher: Rebound CG
Game Modes: Single-player
Game Engine: Unity Technologies 3D
