It's about that time of year again where the MLB games for all systems come out. I was wondering which ones you guys think are going to be good. Which one do you recomend buying, due to past experiences with older versions of the game etc. I have heard that Allstar Baseball 2005 is supposed to be pretty dang good this year. Allstar Baseball 2005 is supposed to have a lot of extras in it including historic players and teams.
I would go with Sega's ESPN Baseball. Looks incredible and I am just a sega/visual concept fanboy, plus its going to be on XBox Live this year!
from what i've read EA Sports seems to have a pretty good baseball game "MVP Baseball". This is the first year without the High Heat series so i have no clue which game i'll buy. I've actually been waiting to see some reviews of each game posted here once they are released before i buy. One thing i like about MLB 2004 is all real life Triple A and Double A teams are licensed. You can play all minor leagues games with Round Rock along with big league games.
I was actually reading up on this topic earlier...haven't bought a baseball game in a couple of years, so I may get one for my Xbox. My impressions from various previews (mostly IGN) of the games available... *ESPN Baseball (formerly Sega's World Series Baseball): seemingly took a step backwards instead of progressing. New third person camera hurts gameplay. If you've never played World Series baseball before, you probably won't like this. *MVP Baseball (EA Sports): very in-depth franchise mode. Control AA and AAA teams and even play their games if you want. Out of what I've read this one sounds the best so far. *All Star Baseball 2005 (Acclaim): I've owned this game before and its an incredible simulation with great graphics, but its always seemed to easy. Another game with very in-depth franchise mode. If I really can't decide in the end which game I want I'll likely go with this. *MLB Slugfest (Midway): more arcade style, but this year they add in a franchise with the Baseball Mogul engine. Could turn out to be very fun to play, and people like me who love being the GM could find it entertaining. So really the only one I'm sure i won't buy is ESPN. MVP sounds great, but All-Star is the old reliable and Slugfest could be great solo and multiplayer (always a fun multiplayer game).
ESPN baseball will be the best. I've been buying that franchise (formerly known as World Series Baseball) since the first one came out on the Dreamcast. Every one of the games has been the best each year, minus the 2K2 edition. That thing about the camera in the upcoming game worries me a little, but it will still be the best of all the baseball games I'm sure. Like mentioned before, the addition of online play will really help make it better.
I was really dissapointed that High Heat won't be releasing another installment... but it was pretty clear that they had gone as far as they could in creating a baseball game. Hands down, the best simulation and hitting interface there was. Now that we've eliminated that option, ESPN seems to be the most logical choice for XBOX users, mainly because of the online play. I am intrigued by MVP's minor league system, but I have my concerns... being able to play a complete minor league season has to take some features away from the real gameplay. IGN has some pretty good reviews up so far...http://sports.ign.com/baseball.html
Thanks for the link Nick. I have broken down my choice to either: MVP Baseball or Allstar Baseball 2005 I really like Allstar baseball in the past, it's a great simulation driven game. I haven't played MVP Baseball yet. I have read, and heard things about it though. Such as the new "revolutionary" controls of pitching, batting, fielding, and base running. It's said to have added greatly to the game. The AA and AAA control sounds really neat. I am definetly going to buy one or the other this year. With the Astros with their new arsenal.
If you asked me last year, I would be bashing the heck out of EA for all the triple play and live they made me buy that just simply didn't live up to the hype. Including many years in which the game actually starts taking steps backwards in term of gameplay. But the 2004 Live series completely restored my faith in EA. It was 100x better than the 2003 Live and is the most adequate as far as gameplay of any basketball game (including NBA 2k series/espn). So I would say rent both, but definitely give MVP a shot, I think EA has finally turn the corner from a pure marketing company to one that can actually make good games.
MVP is nothing but EA hype. Horrible game. High Heat, although lacking in graphics. was by far the best franchise. Sad to see it gone, though Micrsoft bought the engine and will likely incorporate it into their Inside Pitch series next year. ESPN/World Series is now king of the mountain. The Accliam All Star series is very deep and realistic, but lacks any sort of fun/replay value.
Why will Allstar Baseball 2005 be worth buying? Why will ESPN World Series baseball be worth buying? I've played both of these series. Allstar didn't do much for me last year. What are the pro's to buying this years copy. From all the previews i've read MVP seems to have the deepest franchise mode along with all new batting, fielding and pitching controls. I have no clue which game to buy, but am leaning toward MVP. What improvements have been made in the others?
MVP Baseball 2004: Astros season roundup Please and I mean please check this link out and give it a read. It is amazing. For you lazy few; i'll post it. It makes me want to play this game today. Check it out! from ign.com 120 years is quite a commitment. But when it comes to the Houston Astros, I feel like it's my duty to build them into the National League dynasty that Terry Puhl would be proud of. Forget the Cubs, under my guidance the Astros will be the dominant force in the National League. I'm convinced of it. Only thing is, in MVP Baseball 2004, I have more to worry about than the simplicity of statistics. Things like team chemistry and player happiness now need to be worked on, and I have to be cognoscente of the progress of my young players on the Zephyrs and Express. The polygonal Astros, like my real-life favorites in H-Town, are becoming a more and more complicated bunch to handle by the mnute. When I take over my team, here are the goals I'm given: 3 Year Contract Goals 1. Win 1 World Series 2. Sweep a rival 4 times 3. Hit 600 HRs with MLB team 1 Year Stretch Goals 1. Hit .270 with AAA team 2. Lead AA in HRs (Individual) 3. Win 2 Silver Slugger awards 4. Lead MLB in saves (Individual) 5. Have most runs scored (MLB) No problem. I plan on winning it all the first year anyway. I have more than enough bats to slug 600 homers in three seasons, and should score plenty of runs. The one problem might be leading the MLB in saves now the Billy Wagner is gone, but Octavio Dotel might be the next Mariano Rivera, and if he plays to potential, it should be a clean sweep on goals. You have the option to play, manage, or simulate every game of the season. I decide to play my first game and send the Rocket out to the mound to face the Giants. I check my inbox and the scouts tell me that the Giants are one of the worst hitting teams in the baseball. Sounds like the perfect opening day opponent. When the game starts, Berkman goes deep for three in the first, the train is on the move in the outfield, and all is well with my boys from Houston. During the game, you can hop out at any time and switch from actually playing the game to managing or simulating the remainder of the contest. Like last year's game, you can also interrupt a sim at any time to jump in and play a crucial point in the game you don't want left up to the computer. One game, one win. Like I said, the Astros are going all the way. I decide to simulate the remainder of the games for April and check my inbox once again to find Jeff Bagwell leads the majors with 10 home runs. At this pace, he will knock 73 for the season. Look out Barry. The scouts also tell you about your pitchers and batters of the month from AA and AAA. Brandon Duckworth is looking impressive with an ERA of 0.99 and 34 strikeouts while Marlon McKnight of the Express has been lighting up opposing pitchers and could be my left fielder of the future. At the end of the first month, Houston sits on top of the NL Central with a mark of 16-7. Team chemistry is looking good and my manager rating is a B-. But as I move on to the month of May, things start to get complicated. Down in AAA, John Lorraine is complaining about his contract and Jonathan Johnson is pissed about his lack of playing time. Must be something with the name John/Jon. Then, to make matters worse, Kurt Bullinger shoots me an e-mail and says he's unhappy about his lack of playing time. Isn't first place good enough for anyone anymore? The worst news comes from Octavio Dotel, my savior of saves who, although already has 13 saves early on, has lost 2 games in a row, his ERA is 8.40, and is so frustrated with his own performance, it's affecting the locker room. So I do what any owner would do to boost his confidence, I throw him some money on a contract extension, and designate him my closer in his profile, upgrading him from mere reliever. As I roll through June, Brandon Duckworth is still tearing up AAA, so I decide to call him up to the big show. Jeff Bagwell is upset about his contract, Lance Berkman is upset about his slump, and I'm upset that my once promising team is being undermined by a bunch of complaining players. But then the news arrives. The Blue Jays are looking to trade Carlos Delgado and are listening to offers. Maybe I can send one of my complainers for the all star. A few clicks of the controller and Jeff Bagwell has been shipped and my lineup has been upgraded. I then moved Berkman up to the third spot to get him a few more at bats, plus with Delgado now batting behind him, he should see some better pitches. As I head into the All-Star game, my team is 49-40 and three games back of the first place Cardinals. My team chemistry is starting to get back on track, though, and Lance is working his way out of his slump. I also slide Brandon Duckworth into the rotation and watch as he continues his hot streak by winning his first three games. I also continue to check the trading block and try to swing a deal for Sammy Sosa, but the Cubs don't like my offer, so I search instead for an answer to my lack of team speed, but donn't find anyone worth messing up my chemistry for. Maybe in the off season I'll pursue Juan Piere, but right now, it looks like I'm sticking with my crew for the home stretch. As I play, one thing I notice that's cool is that each game has it's own impact rating, so if you're playing a rival like the Cubs or Cardinals, it might be an eight or nine out of ten, but if you're just playing a random game against the Reds, the impact might only be a five. This helps you decide what games you'll want to simulate and what games you'll want to stop the sim and play. Anytime my team starts hitting a bad streak, I try to take over and win the next couple of games myself to right the ship, but by keeping a constant eye on my lineup and tinkering here and there with my callups from AAA, I'm able to keep things fresh and my players are finally all pretty happy as we move into a tie for first by late August. Like the real-life Astros, however, my team falters down the stretch and we have to settle for the Wild Card. I was just happy to make the playoffs, though, as I figure my duo of Clemens and Pettitte will carry me through to the World Series, and I was right. Clemens, who was 11-7 in the regular season and Pettitte who was only 13-13 were unhittable in the games that counted, while Lance Berkman finally found the stroke that makes him one of the best switch hitters in the game. Carlos Delgado also proved to be a valuable pickup, blasting six postseason homers as the Astros advanced to the World Series. At the same time, my AA team, the Round Rock Express, had also made the playoffs, and I had to manage them through their series against the San Antonio Missions. If anything, it looks like I've set my franchise up to be successful for many years to come. But I'm greedy. I want to win right now, and thankfully, my RR Express win their way to the Texas League Championship Series against the Tulsa Drillers. Unfortunately, the Express get, well, drilled, and are swept out of the finals. That's okay, though, because the big club is still playing and we're going head-to-head with the Evil Empire for the rings. Once again, it's Clemens and Pettitte who are clutch, shutting down their old team, even if they do feature a lineup of hired hitters, but that's where my Astros clutchness ends. My lineup goes cold, and nobody else besides the two ex-Yanks can deliver. We take the Yankees to seven games but lose on a two-run home by eventual MVP Hideki Matsui. The Stros lose, the Stros lose. My first season is over and I have failed. But that is what the offseason is for. Everyone is in first place in the offseason, and if you make the right moves, you can run the table. The only Astro who retires is Orlando Merced. We somehow convinced Clemens to come back for another year and one more run at the title. During the draft, I target starting pitchers and speedy outfielders. I need to continue to build my team for the future while still trying to win the Series in the next season. To do this, though, it's going to take some serious negotiations. Delgado, Clemens, Oswalt, Berkman, Hidalgo, Kent, and Biggio all want new contracts, not to mention all of the rookies I need to sign. Now I know the headaches of a real-life General Manager. Only difference is, if my team starts to lose again, I could always hit the reset button. The Astros will win the World Series in 2005. And I'll do everything in my power to make sure it happens. Written by Jon Robinson
All those things are awesome, but if you win 100% of your games when you takeover it makes it terrible. All I want is a game that plays competitively. I don't want to strike out 20 per game. I don't want to shut out each team. Which game gives you a real challenge, some drama, and yet provides some sense of realism. I've always liked football games because it makes you feel as though each decision counts in the heat of the moment. Sometimes I panic. hit the wrong button. And screw up. I like that. I want to panic. And all the stats end up close to real. In baseball I've always felt like I could find the perfect pitch eventually and shut down my opponents. And the stats became inflated. Which game plays competitively and yields real stats? .
If Microsoft bought the High Heat engine, when do they plan on coming out with this year's version of Inside Pitch? Wouldn't it make sense for them to get it done at the start of the season? While all those cool features for MVP make it seem intriguing, it says absolutely nothing about the most important aspect of any baseball game... the gameplay. I still remember getting the last version of Triple Play, and hitting a home run with Jose Vizcaino every at bat. That is horrible. High Heat didn't have all these gizmos and gadgets... but had the best gameplay, by far. You don't need all the extra stuff when you simply have fun playing a game of baseball... and when you do get the extra stuff, its just gravy. Even though WSB/ESPN has taken a step back (according to IGN), their game play was the closest to High Heat's, and their graphics are still top notch. Since I run w/ the Xbox, the deciding factor for me is online play. Cause after you're done w/ all the franchise,season, career play, there's nothing like just goin online any time of the day and engaging in a battle of skillz. It prevents the game from getting old and stale. Inside Pitch could intrigue me, if it really becomes like High Heat with better graphics... and online play... but I haven't heard anything yet.
PhiSlammaJamma I could not agree more. I want a competitive game also. I don't need to hit 100 homeruns with just one person or anything like that. Not to jump ships, but that's what NBA live 2003 was like. Mobley would get 8-10 blocks a game and you could dunk from just about anywhere on the court. I'm looking for a competive basketball and baseball game with a good franchise mode. Please help. Thanks.
MVP has all new batting, fielding and pitching controls which is why i bring it up. I'm probably just going to end up going down to gamestop and asking to try all 3 out before i buy. why did high heat have to be bought out.
