While it seems that all
eyes are on EA Sports and Visual Concept’s baseball game this year, it’s easy to
overlook other interesting prospects out there. While MVP Baseball 2005
and MLB 2K5 are near and dear to my heart, it’s the overlooked ballgame
that I root for and with good reason. You see, while MLB 2005 didn’t
exactly light our fire last year, MLB 2006 is a game you’ll want standing
side by side with those other two ball games. So pull up a lawn chair and see
why this year 989 Sports has really outdone themselves.
Last year’s attempt was
nothing to sneeze at although there seemed as though there was something
missing. It didn’t lack solid controls because the controls, while there were a
few shortcomings in the fielding department, worked like gangbusters. It wasn’t
the Career or Franchise Mode because they were good . . . just not deep enough
for die-hard fans. And it wasn’t the neat use of the Eye Toy’s built-in USB
camera because what fan doesn’t want their own face on their created player. It
just lacked a few of the things that could have completed the game enough to
leave sports gamers satisfied. Well, this year is a different story and the
reason is simple: they gave us more of what we loved about the game and fixed
what we didn’t like.
The result is a game
die-hard fans can really get into and the less serious fan can just pick up and
start playing without struggling at all. The game modes range from Quick Game,
Exhibition, Career, Season, Franchise, Home Run Derby and online multiplayer.
Both Career and Franchise Mode now feel more complete in that it’s deep enough
to keep fans more than busy until next year’s game. Franchise Mode has you
running your club, dealing with every aspect of the business from the business
end and a managerial standpoint. You’ll be keeping an eye on budget and your
team’s morale. Career Mode, on the other hand, has you creating your own player
(using the Eye Toy you can snap a photo of yourself and plant it on a head model
to create a player that looks exactly like you) and then put him on a team.
You’ll take your player through an entire season so this is, by far, one of the
most personal Career modes you’ll find.
The AI of the
computer-controlled team has improved greatly, adding more challenges and,
better yet, more surprises to each game. You’ll find the other teams reactions
to pop flies and line drives vary from inning to inning so you won’t expect
Sammy Sosa catching pop flies the same way. Sometimes they even miss, thus
adding more realism to the mix. Here some more goodies, you can tweak almost
every aspect of the game’s settings such as turning on (or off) the Guess Pitch
Display, the Auto Baserunning or even turning off the Hot Zones. Want more
goodies? The game also offers loads of teams even the AA teams are available.
Batting is handled a bit
better this year with the R2 button that brings up a pitcher’s pitch history.
Using the same button you can guess the pitch type and anticipate it. Speaking
of pitching, the game adopts a MVP Baseball 2005-styled pitch meter that
works beautifully in this game and thus makes pitching all the more fun. Hold
the X, release and hit the X button again at the appropriate indicator and you
can release accurate fastballs. Fielding feels right as well, although
Baserunning in this game is my new true love. You just have to love a game that
allows you full control of whether you’d like to forget stealing third and head
back to second with the push of a button.
MLB 2006
is also a multiplayer dream come true and I
just don’t mean because the online multiplayer mode works great whether you’re
using a Broadband or Dial-Up connection. I’m talking about the fact that you
can play just about every mode (with the exception of Career Mode) with a
friend. You can even play Franchise Mode with a friend and, of course, Home Run
Derby.
Visually the game is a
whole lot prettier than last year and MLB 2005 wasn’t a bad-looking game
at all. This year, though, we’re looking at players that are now looking a lot
like the real deal. I’ve seen Mike Piazza rendered horribly in past MLB
games but when the camera panned over to him as he walked back to the dugout I
had to pick up my jaw from the floor. From the creases on the uniforms and
various player animations, it’s great watching these boys of summer at play.
The stadiums are also nice to look at although you’ll find areas within the same
stadium that look a bit on the plain side. Still this isn’t really a complaint
seeing as how you’ll easily recognize your favorite ballpark and the little park
introductions are downright neat. Overall, this is one good-looking game.
Sound-wise you’ll hear a
lot coming from the fans, fellow players, the umpire and even coaches–although
what we hear isn’t loud enough to really make out. You’ll hear umpires call out
strikes and you’ll hear players cheer on their teammate who steps up to the
plate. You won’t hear any hecklers but the sounds of fans chanting and
enthusiastically clapping their hands with a “Let’s go, Padres! Let’s go!” is
great stuff, indeed. Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell handle the commentary
and it’s great. Campbell’s chimes in with some great little comments here and
there but it’s Vasgersian that steals the show since he calls the plays like he
sees them and even interrupts himself to point out some great plays as they
happen. Occasionally you’ll hear some of the more witty comments repeated again
and again (sometimes within the same inning) but it never gets way out of hand.
989 Sports’ MLB
franchise blossomed from a baseball game fans should be keeping their eyes on to
a complete package that fans should seriously consider buying. If you’re
looking for a solid baseball game with excellent modes, good looks and online
multiplayer done right then MLB 2006 is a game you should definitely
check out. Sure it’s not as overly flashy as the other major contenders but
it’s certainly well worth the price of admission.
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Gameplay: 8.6
Last years game showed a lot of
promise and was almost worthy of competing with the two current Big Boys but
this year MLB 2006 just feels more complete and plays even better than
before. With a few tweaks and improvements we’re looking at a fun PS2 ball
game.
Graphics: 8.8
Once Derek Jeter steps up to the
plate you’ll really see the visual improvements. While there are some plain
spots here and there in the environments and the fans look extremely bland,
there are some great stadium introductions and more natural player animations.
Sound: 8.0
The stadium sounds are nicely
detailed and you’ll really hear the fans and the coaches out there. The
licensed tunes aren’t really great but if you like bands like Papa Roach or
Chevelle you’ll like this. As for the play-by-play and color commentary it’s
great but some comments just get too repetitive.
Difficulty: Medium
The opponent AI is excellent this
year and they do manage to pull off some really excellent plays so you’ll be
really challenged even in the Rookie difficulty setting.
Concept: 9.0
989 Sports really piled on the
extras this year bringing back great features like Eye Toy support that allows
you to snap a photo of yourself and create a player that looks exactly like
you. Career Mode and Franchise Mode are a lot deeper and you can play online.
In short, this is one complete baseball game and mama likes.
Multiplayer: 10
It’s all about the multiplayer and
you’ll be able to play just about every mode with a friend. Top that off with
an online multiplayer mode that uses both a Broadband or Dial-Up connection and
you’re in multiplayer heaven. Broadband works best here, though.
Overall: 8.9
MLB 2006
is a whole other ballgame that not only looks
great but plays like a game worthy of giving this year’s MVP Baseball and
MLB 2K game a run for their money. The new additions and improvements
just make this one a solid and engaging PS2 baseball game.
