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Right. Here you are, about to enter a tennis tournament. You've got your trendy shorts, your Adidas shirt, your Puma trainers and a designer racket: what else do you need? Ah, yes. That's it. *You need to learn how to play tennis!*

The game starts by selecting a match type and length, as well as choosing which player you wish to control. Play can take place in one of three locations: Centre court, Seaside or Country club, each with their own backgrounds.

The action is controlled via a tactics box and continues up until the selected limit (one set, best of three or best of five), with the winner being nominated cup-holder on the title screen.

I always considered Accolade a force to be reckoned with when it came to sports simulations, what with classics like Hardball and 4th & Inches to their credit; but now that we have Serve And Volley, I'm not so sure.

The idea of a more tactical approach is fair enough, but when it plays as slowly as this, the idea falls a bit flat. Sometimes the opponent's serving is like never! Also (he shouts, adding to the moans) it seems to play a bit unfairly.

Just when you think you've got used to the sluggish timing bars and player movement, the bar rockets down past the line and causes you to miss the shot. This kind of thing I can do without!

On the other hand, if you're a dedicated sports-sim fan and *need* to have a tactical tennis game in your collection then you may overcome these difficulties. All the time I played it, however, they just stayed screamingly obvious.

When I first looked at this, I thought it was all a bit dull - the action is *very* slow. But once you've accepted that fact, and you get used to the complex control and play methods, you've got a lasting and fairly enjoyable tennis game.

It's a lot like Matchday 2 in that it moves like a crippled sloth, but the extra features just about make up for it.

The graphics and sound are nothing to shout about, but the presentation is very much up to the high Accolade standards; if you're a Tennis fan, check it out, especially if you've got a friend (aaaah!).

Presentation 71%
A lot of options, but the tactical play boxes can be overly confusing.

Graphics 69%
Slightly blocky sprites and poor animation, barely good enough to portray the action.

Sound 48%
Poor tunes and a few bland effects.

Hookability 63%
Initially very confusing due to all the things you've got to take into account before actually playing a shot.

Lastability 73%
When you get used to it, you may grow to enjoy it. The two player option could extend its playability too.

Overall 71%
An unusual tennis simulation that doesn't quite hit the mark. Not one of Accolade's best.