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This tennis sim from Ocean is sponsored by Adidas. (Do you pronounce that A-dee-das or Addy-das? Answers on a postcard to...) Is that endorsement worth anything?! Well, it's an unusual game in that the player doesn't actually move his on-screen counterpart around but concentrates on the type of shot to be played. The movement is carried out by the computer, which may sound a wee bit odd but does leave you free to concentrate on the more cerebral aspects of the game rather than those nasty physical bits that are abhorrent to someone as bone idle as me.

At the start of the game, you are given three play options: World Tournament, which pits you against the planet's sixteen best players in the ludicrous hope that you'll rise through the ranks to become the bee's knees; Tournament, which allows you to play against up to three friends (but only if you send off for a special four-way joystick adaptor costing 5.00) and finally there's Practica, which lets you get used to the control system before you make an utter nerd of yourself in the proper events. Incidentally, you can play computer-assisted doubles games without that adaptor.

The World Tournament option 'eads you through a series of menus from which you can input the number of players involved (these can be computer- or human-controlled) and the playing surface changes between grass, artificial grass, clay and PVC, depending on where you play. You can even choose the type of racquet you wish to use; anything from 20 to 35 kilos (that's string tension not weight, by the way).

Before long, it time for your first thrashing. Make no mistake matey, in your first few games the opponent will whip your ass good.

The controls are very simplistic so good playing is solely dependent on the skill of the player, not on lucky breaks.

Push the joystick forward and the player swings back, release the stick and the shot is completed. Use the same method for each of the four joystick positions for different types of shot. Pressing the fire button merely increases the strength of each of the shots.

This all becomes fairly straightforward with practice. The real skill is in timing your back-swing so that the ball goes where you want it. Swing early and you'll hook it left, swing late and it'll take a sweep to the right. Eventually, you'll be able to land the ball in your opponent's half so that he or she hasn't got a hope of returning it. But you've got to work at it.

Tie Break's graphics are simplistic but neat. The animation of the players and balls, as well as details such as ball boys, is all accomplished with finesse. Play messages are quite pleasingly presented. The ball even seems to zoom out of the screen when you lob it. Sound effects, however, are few and far between: you get a simple thwack when you hit the ball and a variety of thuds when balls hit the courts. Quiet on court, please.

Above all the game is very playable: when you miss the ball you know it's because you're not very good at that type of shot. Tie Break is clever but it's not outstanding. Sport sim fans will love it anyway but everyone else should give it a try first.

1. Could be a bit repetitive to all but the most ardent tennis junkies.
2. A little more sound next time?

1. Computer-controlled movement is a real blessing for those who like a more tactical challenge.
2. Graphics are very neat. Their clarity and definition avoid any confusion.
3. Doubles option with three of your friends sounds like a real hoot (remember that fiver though)
4. Choice of racquets and playing surfaces adds a certain amount of realism.
5. Simplistic controls for complex tactical shots are excellently done. Precision play is within anyone's reach.
6. Reasonable sound effects.