High
Heat Baseball, one of the most acclaimed baseball game series on the PC, returns
in this year’s installment, High Heat Baseball 2004. This version features a
great revamped graphics engine and the same solid gameplay that has made the
series famous. However, the game does have a couple major problems, namely a
frustrating interface, poor franchise AI, and complete lack of mouse support.
While fans of the series and people looking for deep and engaging franchise and
career modes will probably be disappointed, anyone looking for a quick and easy
arcade-exhibition baseball game will enjoy High Heat 2004 for a while.
High
Heat’s gameplay has always been the highlight of the series, and High Heat 2004
is no different. Player’s attributes are very similar to their real life
counterparts, in terms of batting and pitching. The batter-pitcher relationship
is also very well implemented, thanks to the game’s pitching engine. The game
features over 27 authentic pitches, from two-seam fastballs to cutters and
forks. The pitches are only available to the pitchers that specialize in them,
so you need to utilize each pitcher’s strengths in order to succeed. Fielding
is also done very easily, only the occasional awkward selection of control made
by the game stands out as a problem.
While
the gameplay is great, the experience is marred by several major problems.
First off, the series has inexplicably nixed mouse support. In previous games
in the series, you were able to click-and-drag the mouse in order to do all
kinds of great things, like trade players, arrange lineups, and access stats.
However, in this installment, you are limited to the keyboard or gamepad. This
wouldn’t be such a problem if the game had an easily navigable interface.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t. The interface mixes important info around with
things you wouldn’t need, making it that much harder to find. Certain facts
that are necessary to see within the game, like rosters, aren’t available unless
you pause the game. Overall, the interface is very frustrating and convoluted.
The
franchise AI is also a problem. Computer players won’t trade with each other,
only with the human player. Plus, the deals that they do make are pretty
counterintuitive. They seldom make offers to free-agent all-stars, and are
chintzy with their money overall.
The
graphics are definitely an improvement in the series. The players are made up
of a ton of polygons, and the use of motion-capture technology means great
animations and more moves. However, the players are a little devoid of
expression and look kind of lifeless. Also, there are some clipping issues that
weren’t resolved, but overall the graphics look pretty good.
The
game’s sound is decent, but not that great. The commentary has largely been
carried over from the last game, and its pretty buggy. The announcers don’t
really match up with the action, and they tend to repeat themselves and cut out
mid-sentence often. The sound effects are pretty nice, however, and don’t have
the fuzziness that previous games in the series have had.
With
its revamped graphics and nice gameplay, High Heat Baseball 2004 could have been
great. However the game’s highlights are negated by spotty franchise AI, a
nasty interface, and no mouse support, rendering the game average. Fans of the
series and its previously easy point-and-click interface will probably be
disappointed.
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Gameplay: 7.5
The on field
gameplay is great and the game’s extended pitching options allow for a great
deal of depth. Off the field however, the game leaves a lot to be desired. The
blemished AI sours the franchise mode, and the frustrating interface will
undoubtedly turn away some players. Not to mention no mouse support.
Graphics: 8.5
The players have
a much better look to them, thanks to the new graphics engine. However, the
game does have some issues with clipping and textures.
Sound: 6.9
The buggy
commentary is pretty much recycled, so don’t expect anything new. The sound
effects are improved, however, and don’t feature the fuzzy quality that the last
game had.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 6.0
The exhibition
play is very fun, but the poorly implemented interface and franchise and career
AI are very frustrating.
Multiplayer: 6.9
The game features
a two-player mode, but the lack of online support is pretty inexcusable in this
day and age.
Overall: 7.0
Anyone looking
for a fun exhibition game should check out High Heat 2004, but anyone who wants
a deep franchise mode and an interface that won’t make you tear your hair out.
