Enter any game shop today, and
take a glance at the vast rows of software titles. One thing becomes instantly
clear: franchises reign supreme. Whether it’s a shooter sequel or a
movie-to-game adaptation, companies seem to throw around substantial money
getting such licenses slapped on the covers of their games. Has this franchise
frenzy made our games any better? Probably not.
With the legendary brand recognition of Major League Baseball being controlled
by a larger company, the folks at Activision have found some degree of relief
in an often overlooked source – Little League.
You may laugh, and ask yourself
“Why would I play a Little League baseball game? If I’m going to experience a
baseball fantasy, it should be in the Big League!” This is a perfectly sound
line of thought. However, to discard this title merely because of its league
would mean ignoring an excellent game. Another potential excuse to avoid
buying Little League 2009 would be the game’s cartoonish
art style. No self-respecting adult could be seen purchasing such a
childish-looking game, right? This is nonsense, of course – anyone who has
ever taken a look at the graphic styles of Zelda or Mario (two of the most
successful video game franchises of all time, mind you) knows that a game’s
visual style has absolutely no impact on the level of fun you’ll have with the
game.
Little League World Series
Baseball 2009 actually utilizes its unique visual design to revitalize the
baseball gaming genre. Rather than being forced to stare at a bunch of
square-jawed pretty boys, frowning their way throughout the entire season,
you’ll be treated to vibrant display of color, lively animations, and perhaps
even the occasional display of emotion. Little League manages to achieve that
rare balance of accessibility for younger audiences and enjoyable gameplay for
veteran players. This extends far beyond the cosmetic surface of the game,
however. The controls scheme is adaptable for several styles of play. An
inexperienced player can choose a setting that enables simple swings with the
Wii-mote in order play most of the game. More
advanced users can take advantage of the more extensive controller
functionality, which can be used to manipulate the subtlest of angles when
batting and pitching. There’s even a special skill meter than will reward
players for their success in the game by letting them unleash outlandish
maneuvers that may turn the tide of a rigorous play session.
The casual observer might be quick
to point out the similarities between this title and the popular
Wii Sports baseball game. However, there’s a lot
to be said of a game that devotes itself entirely to this great American
pastime. One of the immediately noticeable differences is the level of
customization available to the player. It’s not quite on the level of some
fancy baseball simulations, but adding these personal touches really does help
to foster a sense of pride with the team that you helped design, from logos to
uniforms. It’s certainly a deeper baseball experience, although it is worth
noting that this is not intended to be hardcore game for players to get
heavily entrenched in. It is simply good, clean fun that doesn’t require
tremendous commitments or hours of training. This makes it particularly
appealing for groups of people or parties, with up to four-player gameplay
supported.
Speaking of training, Little
League offers a set of challenges that will greatly help players hone their
skills. Some of these can get rather grueling at higher levels, but for the
most part, they can help to raise the player’s confidence and comfort with the
game’s mechanics before setting foot in the league itself. Perhaps more
important than their purpose is the fun they offer, and this is truly the core
of the entire game. Little League World Series 2009 may not be the next
revolution in baseball gaming, but its charm and style certainly earn it a
distinctive spot within the library of sports games on the
Wii.
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Gameplay: 8.0
Perhaps a bit too
simple for some tastes, but the fun factor is difficult to ignore.
Graphics: 8.0
Clean and
colorful, and extraordinarily exaggerated in every way.
Sound: 7.0
A bit more
variety would be nice, but overall pleasing to the ear.
Difficulty: Medium
An
adequate array of training challenges to make them feel as fair as possible.
Concept: 7.0
An
interesting spin on the classic baseball genre.
Multiplayer: 7.0
Nice and simple
for party play, there’s little to complain about here.
Overall: 8.0
The Little
League has never looked this good. Given the amount
of fun you can have without getting caught up in a bunch of complicated
mechanics, this is a great pick for casual ball fans.
