Once again in 2003, Acclaim has established themselves as the frontrunner in the overcrowded race to be the best in baseball video games. Even more competition has jumped into the fray this year, so it is becoming harder and harder for one title to stand out above the rest. All Star Baseball has consistently been at the top for the last two years, and its latest incarnation not only makes sure that this series stays at the top of the mountain, but it actually raises the bar and challenges itself to be bigger and better. Where it once held the crown because of nice graphics, deep game options and realistic gameplay, it has now added a plethora of features that will keep even the most hardcore baseball fan intrigued for months. All Star Baseball 2004 is as good as you are going to get with this year's crop of baseball titles.
I'll start out by talking about the meat and potatoes of the gaming experience - the baseball. With a title so jam-packed with extra features, the baseball at times almost seems like an afterthought. However, the gameplay is just as tight as it has been the last couple of years. Even if you never do anything but play regular baseball games with this title, you will we extremely satisfied. On the other hand, if you ever happen to get bored with just playing plain old boring baseball, there is so much more to be found here.
Since there is literally too much for me to go over without writing a ten page review of the game, I will just briefly summarize the various gameplay modes that are to be found in this package.
Game Modes
Quick Play- Play a one-time game against a friend or the computer.
MLB Play
New Franchise -Manage your favorite team for several seasons, including making the trades, signing new talent, and scouting the minor leagues.
New Series- Play a best of 5 or best of 7 series between two of your favorite teams.
New Expansion- Want Hartford to get their own baseball team? What about Alaska? Make it happen, from designing the stadium to the uniforms to drafting their lineup.
Bonus Play Modes
Pick Up Game Scenario Mode Trivia Menu- Think you know a lot about baseball? Prove it with this in-depth trivia game.
Batting Practice- Choose your batter, including old time legends like Babe Ruth and Rogers Hornsby, and take your cuts in a wide variety of major league ball parks.
Home Run Derby- So could Barry Bonds really out-slug The Babe? Find out in this fully-customizable long ball competition.
Special Features
Player Cards - Spend the points you earn on packs of special cards that unlock hidden players, multimedia, and stadiums.
User Profiles- Keep track of that stellar records of yours.
Roster Management- Make the key roster moves so that the game always reflects the true lineups that you see in the Sunday sports section. You can also create your own personalized ballplayer.
Options- Audio options, difficulty settings, etc.
Stadium Tours- Get interesting facts about each major league ballpark, as well as storied parks of the past, like the legendary Polo Grounds.
Multimedia- Video footage of Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken, Jr, and others answering questions about the grand old game.
Credits- Video footage of the talent behind the making of the game.
Download Rosters- With an internet adapter, you will be able to download all of the latest roster moves.
Is this too much? Quite possibly. However, if All Star Baseball didn't happen to offer the most complete and realistic gameplay out there, you might have a point. Just playing baseball offers a deep and satisfying experience and you will be glued to the console. The physics have been refined to a science: shortstops will have a difficult time diving for a ball and throwing from their knees while an outfielder racing toward the wall will have his momentum carry him a few more steps before stopping. A ball hit off of the end of the bat will crazily corkscrew to the opposite field while a jammed fastball inside will pop up lamely to the infield. Everything feels authentic within the game, and that in itself is an accomplishment. For some reason, developers have found it nearly impossible to bring us a realistic baseball experience over the years. Just the fact that everything seems to be in the right place in this title is very refreshing.
Graphics
Everything is very well done, with one exception. Many of the baseball players' real faces are scanned into the game to give it even more of an authentic feel, and all of the authentic jerseys (road, home and alternate) are there as well. The animations for pitching, hitting and fielding have all been lovingly replicated, down to many players' signature batting stances. The ball parks are all recreated down to every last detail, and you can even get a better look at every detail of the fields with the in-game stadium tours. The only complaint in the graphics department would be the replays of home runs and big plays, because they tend to be a little glitchy, and the framerate seems to drop considerably.
The game itself also offers a charming old-school appeal and graphical layout. The game options are arranged in an old-looking baseball clubhouse, complete with a grain-filter look to make everything appear as if it's from an old newsreel.
Sound/Music
Even though sound is not a gigantic part of a sports title, things are actually pretty well done in this game. Steve Lyons returns to do the color commentary, and his insights are usually pretty upbeat and funny. Batters will come to the plate featuring their own theme music, which is made up of real songs like "Jump Around" by House of Pain, and "Walk" by Pantera.
Gameplay
You could be able to entertain yourself until next season by just playing in franchise mode, or collecting all the various hidden items in the game, but there is so much more to do than just that. The pick up games are an interesting and fun diversion, especially watching professional ballplayers playing in a corn field with chickens running around. It's also interesting to play out different imaginary scenarios within the game, like watching a team of Negro League all-stars take on the present day Yankees to see who would prevail. And putting today's players in the confines of a ballpark from yesteryear like the Polo Grounds is also a nice baseball fantasy come to life.
All Star Baseball 2004 once again claims the crown as the best baseball experience out there in a market that is glutted with baseball titles. It offers the best balance of realistic gameplay, deep, deep, deep options and above all else, fun. For casual fans and bobbleheads alike, this game is sure to please.
