Often overlooked, the PlayStation
game console has still managed to steadily draw in gamers with steady titles.
MLB 2004 from 989 Sports
proves that the console is still a viable gaming system, and can be downright
enjoyable. The Major League Baseball game manages to combine some of the
best elements of console baseball games with solid graphics and sound for
an enjoyable outing at the old ballgame.
There a several ways to play
this game, including exhibition, all-star, season as well as franchise
and manager mode. In franchise, you are challenged to take a team of “low-end”
players, earn points with play and acquire new talent to build your team.
The manager mode allows you to call the game from the dugout. You call
the plays, set the lineups and allow the CPU to actually carry out the
decisions you have made based on probability in the given situation.
If nothing else, 989 has
packed a lot of baseball and options into this game.
The graphical elements bear
some arcade-like features, notably in the way the ball bounces around in
the outfield. And the players, which bearing the names of their Major League
counterparts, are modeled on the same general batting and field animations.
The ballparks though, are crisp and well rendered, and sparkle alongside
other PS titles.
When it comes to the game
sound, MLB 2004 is very well done. Vin Scully provides the play-by-play,
and while some of color commentator Dave Campbell’s comments border on
the trite, the overall atmosphere is fun and enjoyable. The rudimentary
sounds of MLB ballparks are merely average.
Care has been taken to make
this a user-friendly game. The player interface is simple to use. Even
the managerial side of the game (as in signing free agents, et cetera)
is easily accessible.
The game does have some of
the drawbacks that seem constant for most of the games in the genre. The
ball is driven to the shallow outfield and the batter sprints toward first.
The fielder charges in, scoops up the ball and fires it, cross-diamond,
to first and almost gets the runner. Would that happen in real life? Not
really.
The ball physics, also are
a little off. The ball will not bound around too long in the outfield,
but rather dies quickly.
However, there is much to
recommend this game. The options package is very good and the overall gameplay
is solid. 989 has packed a lot into this title, and baseball fans that
enjoy the style of gameplay offered by the PlayStation are likely to enjoy
this game.
This game is rated for Everyone.
Gameplay: 7.8
The fundamental elements
of the game have been created here rather well. The ball may not bound
about in the outfield, or roll like the real thing, but the game itself
plays well and looks good.
Graphics: 8
For the platform, this game
has a very good look. The animations are very strong and the environments
are well rendered.
Sound: 8.5
Like most baseball games,
sometimes the commentary doesn’t exactly match the on-screen action, or
they can be downright hokey. However, Vin Scully’s familiar voice still
makes this game a delight to listen to.
Difficulty: Medium
The game does indeed have
challenges and whether you play the game or disdain from actually fielding,
throwing and hitting for the manager mode, you will find the game suitable
to almost every skill level.
Concept: 8.5
This game comes loaded with
options. It has depth of play, and a solid player interface.
Multiplayer: 8
As with any sports game,
the true fun starts when you go head-to-head with another player. There
may be nothing unique or unusual about the style of the game play.
Overall: 8.2
This is a solid title for
the platform. The game has animation repetition, but has some arcade-like
factors, but overall, the look of the game, the options package and the
sound point the way to a well-designed PlayStation title.
