I don't know whether to thank FOFC or punch them

[Izulde]

So yesterday I decided to do a little video game shopping.

I'd been thinking about The Show 08, as I have every other version in the series and I've been in the mood for a new graphical ballgame.

But then I saw The Political Machine 2008 and MLB Power Pros sitting there for the combined price of what it would cost me to get The Show.

So I'm standing there debating, when I remember FOFC's singing the praises of the Political Machine and in particular, MLB Power Pros.

Ergo, they win out.

I go home, install TPM and fire it up with the intention of starting an 1860 scenario and dynasty... only to realize to get anybody realistic to run against, I have to unlock them.

Okay, no problem. I'll just try running a slavery and Manifest Destiny-favoring Northerner to run on the Democratic ticket to see if it's possible to win without getting New York and Pennsylvania.

Milt Romney's in the process of kicking my butt as he runs around building up headquarters and buildings, running ads... but he's not giving any speeches, etc. Still, he's cleaning up with me on Awareness which is winning him states.

Then I start bouncing back, carving myself out a corridor of strong support on the Atlantic seaboard in the south on the platform of slavery and in Maine on Manifest Destiny.

I kick ass on a radio show, ironically by sticking to the candidate platform of pro-slavery and I'm feeling like I'm at the point where I can overcome Romney...

...when the game CTD.

I arghed, but didn't feel like starting back to the last auto-save point, nor was I all that interested in playing again.

Initial impressions of TPM: Fun little light-strat game, but it still can't compare to Doonesbury Election Game 96, which to me is still the most fun election game.

All right, so I figure it's time to tackle MLB Power Pros.

I go through Success Mode as a batter and don't make it. So I try it again as a pitcher and this time I make it, by concentrating on developing specific traits and ignoring everything else.

I'm a little burnt out on Success Mode after that, though it was nice to see different storylines and events my second-time through, so I tackle Season Mode with the White Sox.

Two innings in, I realize my fatal flaw with baseball console games is kicking in again---my tendency to consistently press the wrong button when throwing to bases. On the other hand, it was fun striking people out with Garland.

It's only that I look at my cellphone and realize it's 1:20 am. I'd literally been playing MLB PowerPros for hours.

Then when I woke up this morning, I started a new Season mode with expansion teams, creating and taking over the Orlando Icedragons (supposed to be Ice Dragons, but one character too long).

I also set fielding to automatic. Cheap? Maybe, but it's a lot more fun than me struggling to field.

I sign my Success Mode pitcher to the team, sign Mota and Wright out of free agency and head on to my first game against the Florida Marlins. Lombard, a surprisingly decent ace for an expansion team, goes 7 and 1/3rd innings with 4 Ks before he starts getting hammered and we go from a 4-0 lead to a 4-1 lead and a lot of baserunners.

I panic and put in my Success Mode guy as a reliever. Before I know it, it's 4-3 and I'm swearing, but we induce a popup out to end the inning.

And then some kid named Goodwin comes on for the save, because he has the strongest set of pitches it looks like and because I can't remember who the hell I set as my closer.

He walks the first batter.

Ugh.

But then... double play!

And then... strikeout!

Goodwin was Game MVP for his save and protecting a 1-run lead.

I noticed that players definitely play to their ratings, at least in fielding. My noodle-armed 3B turned a lot of easy outs into singles because he sucks at arm strength.

No extra-base hits in the opening game on either side, though we'll see if that changes.

I just wish the leader tracking was a lot more expanded rather than just the top few guys.

But all in all, this is the most fun I've had with a console baseball game since Super Baseball Simulator 1.000.

Okay, this post is too long.

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by Izulde

But all in all, this is the most fun I've had with a console baseball game since Super Baseball Simulator 1.000.

I've said it before, but MLB Power Pros is the most fun baseball game ever made. I still play regularly, but my son plays every day and has so since we bought it last summer. I can't wait until the new version comes out next month.

[Izulde]

Argh! My save game didn't take! I went to reload the season and it reloaded on Opening Day, so I lost that entire first game.

[Big Fo]

I want a new Super Baseball Simulator 1.000, it's a shame there aren't more purposely unrealistic sports games like that, Base Wars, NBA Jam, Mutant League Football/Hockey today...

[Balldog]

Heck ya! Power Pros is a blast, can't wait until my son is old enough to play.

[Izulde]

Replayed the first game and came out on top 2-1. Saw my first XBH after Miguel Cabrera hit a double, the bastard. My team also had 2 errors, rather fitting for an expansion team.

So as long as I kept my opening win, I'm fine with it. Hrm, wonder if I can sneak in another game before work.