Racket Club is a virtual reality game developed by Resolution Games that combines various racket-based sports. It was released on December 14, 2023 for VR platforms Meta Quest, Pico and SteamVR.[1] The game offers both single and multiplayer modes.

Gameplay

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Racket Club combines elements of tennis, squash, racquetball, pickleball, padel and table tennis.[1][2][3]

The game takes place on a playing field measuring around 2 x 2 meters, which avoids artificial movement (with analog sticks or by teleportation) common in other VR tennis games. The indoor court is surrounded by transparent waist- to head-high walls. This allows for creative playing strategies, as the walls can be used to return the ball from different angles.[1][4]

Using VR controllers conveys an authentic feeling when hitting the ball, which can also be given a spin.[5]

Racket Club can also be played in a mixed reality mode, where the player's own side of the court is in the physical environment, while the opponent's side can be seen through a portal.[4]

Players can compete against AI-controlled or human opponents, who are shown as avatars. In a career mode, the AI opponents become increasingly stronger.[4] Human players can be found in virtual sports clubs, which offer playing fields for singles and doubles matches. The players can communicate via audio chat and/or with gestures.[6]

Playing games earns experience points that unlock new rackets with better features, as well as cosmetic items such as sneakers and sweatbands that can be used to customize the avatar.[4]

There are various training modes in which players can practice hitting techniques with AI opponents or a ball machine,[7] as well as a game mode based on badminton called “Spinminton”.[7]

Reception

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Racket Club received positive reviews from critics.[1][8][5][6] The ball physics,[6] the game mechanics[5] and the feel of the game[4] are particularly praised. The matches are described as “short and intense”, the gameplay as “easy to learn but difficult to master”[4] Although the single-player mode is seen as limited, the multiplayer mode is described as compelling[1] and a clear focus of the game.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Henry Stockdale (2023-12-11). "Review: Racket Club Delivers A Strong Serve". UploadVR. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  2. ^ "Racket Club - Racket VR Game". Resolution Games. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  3. ^ "'Racket Club' Update Brings More Flexibility with New Rules and Fan Favorite Modes". Road to VR. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Tomislav Bezmalinovic (2023-12-14). "Racket Club review: I didn't know I loved tennis". MIXED. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  5. ^ a b c d Nathaniel Stevens (2024-02-01). "Racket Club VR Review (Meta Quest 3)". digitalchumps.com. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  6. ^ a b c Krist Duro (2024-02-19). "Racket Club Review". Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  7. ^ a b Henry Stockdale (2024-05-08). "Racket Club Update Adds Two Courts, Ball Cannon & More". UploadVR. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  8. ^ Shaun Cichacki (2023-12-11). "Racket Club (VR) Review | A New Challenger Emerges". Prima Games. Retrieved 2024-08-20.