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View Full Version : ASB vs WSB (The Two Best Duking it Out)


Adamski47
03-31-2003, 01:41 AM
In my opinion there is no doubt that these two games are the best out of the 4 console baseball games this year. MVP is a touched up Triple Play and High Heat is a VERY poor man's OOTP.

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I loved ASB last year and anxiously awaited the 2004 release. However, as much as I do indeed enjoy the game this year there are a few things about it that drive me nuts.

1. Hitting vs Righties/Hitting vs Lefties
It's a shame they still have not implemented these splits in this game. It's a part of baseball and shouldn't be too difficult to include. At least give us a statistical breakdown or something.

2. Claiming Players off Waivers
For whatever reason, you will NEVER be notified of a player being put on waivers if you sim each individual game. I like to check my box scores on each game, however by doing so I will forfeit any chance at getting a player off of waivers. The only way you'll be notified is if you sim multiple days and a player is placed on waivers. If I'm wrong PLEASE someone correct me. That would be great news.

These are the two biggies with this game. Besides those, the game looks fantastic. I've never seen such depth in a console game. Rule 5 drafts, Free Agent classes (A/B/C) and so on. The only other thing I would like ot see would be a way to have teams relocate, or expand LATER down the road. I'm sure there are other things that could be done but off the top of my head this is all I'm coming up with.

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WSB I just bought yesterday and I really enjoy it. Sega has done a nice job with their sports titles this past year. The detail is very nice, and although the franchise is tight it is not as deep as ASB. You get a draft and free agency but beyond that not much else. No waiver system and you basically have a solid franchise mode that, as good as it is, can't hold a candle to ASB.

The only thing in one day of playing that I could see adding would be the same things I mentioned above for ASB L/R Hitting and relocation). I know WSB has ratings for hitting L and hitting R but I can't find a place to see actual STATS of these performances. Of course I'd like to see a team relocate perhaps in this game as well.

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One last note on both games (and all video games in general)

There is nothing that drives me crazy like seeing the "NO PHOTO" pic for a created/fake player. I wish console games would do what NCAA 2k3 did with the computer graphic faces. This adds a ton of realism that LASTS years down the road. It really gives your team and the league some much needed character (especially once all of the real players are gone).

Finally, I really wish console games would give you the choice to assume an actual role. What if Iwant to be a player? I should create myself and automatically be drafted by a team. I then follow my player throughout his career. I have no say in team management. However, if I wanted to be a GM instead of a player then I WOULD have control over the team. Lastly, being JUST the manager, where you're not a player or the GM, but you take what you are given to work with and go from there; making your own lineups etc. They could still have the option to keep it the way things are now, where you control everything if you like, but c'mon...please, someone give us specific roles.

That's my take for now. Hope someone follows me.

MizzouRah
03-31-2003, 07:42 AM
MVP is a touched up Triple Play and High Heat is a VERY poor man's OOTP.


Nah, that statement ruins your first post for me.



Todd

GrantDawg
03-31-2003, 08:24 AM
Originally posted by Adamski47
Finally, I really wish console games would give you the choice to assume an actual role. What if Iwant to be a player? I should create myself and automatically be drafted by a team. I then follow my player throughout his career. I have no say in team management. However, if I wanted to be a GM instead of a player then I WOULD have control over the team. Lastly, being JUST the manager, where you're not a player or the GM, but you take what you are given to work with and go from there; making your own lineups etc. They could still have the option to keep it the way things are now, where you control everything if you like, but c'mon...please, someone give us specific roles.



I would love to see this, too. Did you ever play the old arcade game "Relief Pitcher"?

Radii
03-31-2003, 08:53 AM
Adam, or anyone else that has played both, comments on the gameplay of the two games? The depth of the franchise mode is really important to me, but if I buy a console game I want to be able to play the games myself too.

Adamski47
03-31-2003, 08:17 PM
I think both ASB and WSB are very good gameplay. I am used to ASB but I am really liking WSB so far. One thing I like for sure is that when you hit a homerun you don't automatically know it's gone. In ASB however, when you hit a HR 99/100 times it goes to a cut screen which drives me nuts.

WSB has GREAT doubel play detail when your MIFs turn a DP. You can also run the cather at home plate which looks great.

BTW, I've never played "Relief Pitcher."

And, how I 'ruined' my post earlier by stating that MVP and High Heat are both pieces of Shit I'll never know. Ho-hum, I guess I'm just blind.

illinifan999
03-31-2003, 08:42 PM
High Heat is great. The graphics aren't that bad. I enjoy it much more than any of the previous versions of ASB. The baserunning was a pain, and the players just didn't seem to move realisticly. I haven't tried this year's version, and doubt I will based on the last two years, in which I bought them, and haven't touched them since.

Adamski47
03-31-2003, 10:12 PM
How is High Heat better than OOTP5? Other than "it has graphics!"

MizzouRah
03-31-2003, 10:43 PM
Don't get in a ruffle.

First of all, MVP is a blast to play, period. I love the side angle batting camera and the game just feels like baseball to me. Hitting, pitching, and fielding. I also like the 'feel' when batting, when you hit one hard, you know it. I can't get into console games that have friggin sliders to screw with for months. Just my opinion, I'm 31 and want to play a console game for fun, not compare stats with real life. (ootp is for that :) )

Second of all, high heat is a VERY poor man's ootp? Ootp was $35, High Heat is trying to charge console gamers $50 for that outdated game. I know what you meant, I'm just pissed High Heat has turned into this after playing HH 2000 for months and months.

To each his own, but all of this years baseball games have bugs/drawbacks, I just think MVP was a surprise after TP. Just when I think EA has gone to 'kiddish' for my tastes, they prove me wrong with a simple, yet fun game... minus the bs.

I'm done beating the MVP drum, but to say it's a touched up Triple Play, couldn't be more wrong, imho.


There is nothing that drives me crazy like seeing the "NO PHOTO" pic for a created/fake player. I wish console games would do what NCAA 2k3 did with the computer graphic faces. This adds a ton of realism that LASTS years down the road. It really gives your team and the league some much needed character (especially once all of the real players are gone).


Tournament Dreams CB does this well and it really does add some character to your league. Just seeing a face there gives you some visual aid when imagining your players.


Todd

Adamski47
04-01-2003, 12:15 AM
Hey, point well taken. I wasn't trying to get in an argument I just can't stand how EA has gone aout it's business lately. Not to get off topic but, how many years now has the pancake problem existed in NCAA and Madden? It's good to know a company like Sega is finally putting the burner under EA. Granteed, EA will eventually put them out of business but hopefully they'll take something out of good competition. I think the Sega Sports seires is going to be the Sierra of Console games. Great games that no one buys thus leading to them going out of business.

I agree about HH, I really enjoyed the 1999 version for PC but since then they are just a few steps behind. I just don't see what that game offers that OOTP doesn't.

Keep it goin guys!

sabotai
04-01-2003, 01:12 AM
From what I've read, MVP is not just a "touched up" Triple Play...but I haven't actually played it yet.

illinifan999
04-01-2003, 06:26 AM
Originally posted by Adamski47
How is High Heat better than OOTP5? Other than "it has graphics!"

Where did I say it is better than OOTP5? I haven't played OOTP5 yet, and don't want to say anything is better than it. I've only been able to play one baseball game, and it was High Heat, I just said that I enjoy it, NOWHERE did I say it was better than OOTP5.

markprior22
04-01-2003, 07:31 AM
I haven't played ASB but I rented WSB for the PS2 and couldn't believe the lack of walks and HUGE strike zone. HH is far from perfect and doesn't have the best graphics but if you are looking for a solid baseball game, HH is the way to go (PS2 version...haven't played PC).

Butter
04-01-2003, 09:20 AM
HH on XBox is not that great. Lots of little things nag me about it... glad I just rented it. The menus are VERY poorly done, the game play itself is weak, weaker than the HH 2002 I have for my PC. Probably going to go with WSB, seems to be getting the best talk about its gameplay and franchise mode.

Cuckoo
04-01-2003, 09:21 AM
I've now played them all. I hadn't played ASB when I had this discussion with MizzouRah. He thought that MVP was the best of the bunch. I feel it was the worst. So, take that for what it is.

As to ASB vs. WSB, I'm torn. I was ready to buy WSB, but the franchise mode in ASB is even better. However, the player ratings are far worse. ASB only rates a few abilities and doesn't even break down ability by position. That drives me nuts because I like looking for a utility guy that can play 2nd, 3rd, and short. ASB either lists a position or simply IF. That bugged me.

Overall, I'm not sure which one to buy. I like the gameplay in WSB quite a bit better in fact. I agree that there are fewer walks and that the strikezone is big, but it just seems to flow better and has the best graphics of the bunch, imo. Plus, the controls are easier to use, especially base running. ASB can't say that. So, the question for me is: Is the franchise in ASB good enough to overlook some of the gameplay issues, or is the gameplay in WSB good enough to overlook its not having things like the waiver wire, rule 5 draft, and spring training? Hmmm...

I'm sad to say that I feel High Heat comes in a distant third.

MizzouRah
04-01-2003, 10:10 AM
The best of the bunch for 'fun factor', in terms of depth... probably last.

I smacked a HR with JD Drew last night and after watching many replays from different angles, the hitting just looks and plays realistically.

I think EA is definitly feeling the heat from Sega, which is a good thing. I guess most of us have grown accustomed to EA's brand of games, so when MVP came out I thought Triple Play.. to my surprise it's my favorite bball console game.

Todd

Adamski47
04-01-2003, 11:33 AM
Illini fan, I know you never said one was better, I was simply asking a question. I was actual curious as to how it was better than an OOTP game. I assumed most baseball gaming fans had ocme in contact with one version of OOTP. No biggie.

On another note, I've decided to go with ASB, selling WSB to a buddy of mine.

For those of you familiar with the game, I'm thinking of making an expansion team. The only problem is that the uniforms for the expansion teams, at least the logos I looked at, are hidious. I would select a logo and then sim the draft and go to a game real quick. They just look very bland. The idea of building my own team is intriguing to say the least, but I'm not sure how long I could put up with those unis.

MizzouRah
04-01-2003, 11:59 AM
Happy gaming with ASB!



Todd