OS Review of ASB 2004

[I_Love_Piazza]

Over the past week or two I've gotten a chance to read most of the more interesting threads in this entire section, while trying to figure out whether I should buy this game or not. One thing I noticed is how everyone has a high opinion of this game and the anger at IGN for giving it a relatively low score. However OS has given the game an 83, 10 points less than both HH and WSB this year. Since I give a lot of credit to the painstaking review posted here, this makes me wonder about the hitting and pitching models, as well as the flaws in the fielding. Is it really going to overly bother me?

I've played both WSB 2K3, and found the lack of walks for humans and small OF size was inexcusable, and made it boring by the end of the season. HH was just a presentation disaster and not exciting in any way except it's sim value, which I unfortunately overlooked because of the horrendous commentating, graphics, color scheme, menus, and cinematic qualities. Any opinions greatly appreciated here, Thanks!!

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

Personally, I think ASB gets a bum rap because it takes a little while to get used to, especially the batting. Most people have a heck of a time with hitting for a while. If you're willing to put in some time to adjust to it, it's a great game.

Yes, it has its flaws. The biggest for me is the pitching interface, since it's way too easy to throw strikes. The CPU ball/strike ratio is pretty good, but you're rarely going to walk a guy. You definitely want to turn off the pitching indicator.

As far as overall gameplay goes, there isn't a lot that's going to jump out and wow you, but there's not much bad in there either. I think it's a solid game overall, and has by far the best franchise mode ever.

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

Personally, I think ASB gets a bum rap because it takes a little while to get used to, especially the batting. Most people have a heck of a time with hitting for a while. If you're willing to put in some time to adjust to it, it's a great game.

Yes, it has its flaws. The biggest for me is the pitching interface, since it's way too easy to throw strikes. The CPU ball/strike ratio is pretty good, but you're rarely going to walk a guy. You definitely want to turn off the pitching indicator.

As far as overall gameplay goes, there isn't a lot that's going to jump out and wow you, but there's not much bad in there either. I think it's a solid game overall, and has by far the best franchise mode ever.

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

Personally, I think ASB gets a bum rap because it takes a little while to get used to, especially the batting. Most people have a heck of a time with hitting for a while. If you're willing to put in some time to adjust to it, it's a great game.

Yes, it has its flaws. The biggest for me is the pitching interface, since it's way too easy to throw strikes. The CPU ball/strike ratio is pretty good, but you're rarely going to walk a guy. You definitely want to turn off the pitching indicator.

As far as overall gameplay goes, there isn't a lot that's going to jump out and wow you, but there's not much bad in there either. I think it's a solid game overall, and has by far the best franchise mode ever.

[I_Love_Piazza]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

Thanks a lot for that reply. It seems like it's a good game, it's just that when I go to gamerankings.com it gets an average score of 75, and it's marked well below the other two major games this year here too. It just made me wonder.

I thought WSB was the greatest game ever when I first started playing, but I got really good at pitching and hitting require no patience, so it left a bad taste by the end of its run. I guess most reviewers go with their first impressions, since they're rushing to get their reviews posted for people wanting to purchase a game right out of the gate. I'd love to see some lasting impressions, because it sure sounds like this game would win out in the test of time. I can't wait to get it.

[I_Love_Piazza]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

Thanks a lot for that reply. It seems like it's a good game, it's just that when I go to gamerankings.com it gets an average score of 75, and it's marked well below the other two major games this year here too. It just made me wonder.

I thought WSB was the greatest game ever when I first started playing, but I got really good at pitching and hitting require no patience, so it left a bad taste by the end of its run. I guess most reviewers go with their first impressions, since they're rushing to get their reviews posted for people wanting to purchase a game right out of the gate. I'd love to see some lasting impressions, because it sure sounds like this game would win out in the test of time. I can't wait to get it.

[I_Love_Piazza]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

Thanks a lot for that reply. It seems like it's a good game, it's just that when I go to gamerankings.com it gets an average score of 75, and it's marked well below the other two major games this year here too. It just made me wonder.

I thought WSB was the greatest game ever when I first started playing, but I got really good at pitching and hitting require no patience, so it left a bad taste by the end of its run. I guess most reviewers go with their first impressions, since they're rushing to get their reviews posted for people wanting to purchase a game right out of the gate. I'd love to see some lasting impressions, because it sure sounds like this game would win out in the test of time. I can't wait to get it.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
LetsGoPitt said:
Yes, it has its flaws. The biggest for me is the pitching interface, since it's way too easy to throw strikes. The CPU ball/strike ratio is pretty good, but you're rarely going to walk a guy. You definitely want to turn off the pitching indicator.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That's where my suggestion comes to play, why not instead of having a ball have a circle (two actually, a denser one for where the catcher wants the ball, and a lighter one for the zone of where the ball will go). The size of the circles depends on the rating of the pitcher's pitches and his stamina, the more accurate he is, the smaller the darker circle will be, the better the pitch rating is, the smaller the lighter circle will be. But the darker circle has to be at least twice the size of the baseball and half a baseball size smaller than the lighter circle, which it's maximum size can be half the average strike zone when tired.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
LetsGoPitt said:
Yes, it has its flaws. The biggest for me is the pitching interface, since it's way too easy to throw strikes. The CPU ball/strike ratio is pretty good, but you're rarely going to walk a guy. You definitely want to turn off the pitching indicator.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That's where my suggestion comes to play, why not instead of having a ball have a circle (two actually, a denser one for where the catcher wants the ball, and a lighter one for the zone of where the ball will go). The size of the circles depends on the rating of the pitcher's pitches and his stamina, the more accurate he is, the smaller the darker circle will be, the better the pitch rating is, the smaller the lighter circle will be. But the darker circle has to be at least twice the size of the baseball and half a baseball size smaller than the lighter circle, which it's maximum size can be half the average strike zone when tired.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: OS Review of ASB 2004

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
LetsGoPitt said:
Yes, it has its flaws. The biggest for me is the pitching interface, since it's way too easy to throw strikes. The CPU ball/strike ratio is pretty good, but you're rarely going to walk a guy. You definitely want to turn off the pitching indicator.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That's where my suggestion comes to play, why not instead of having a ball have a circle (two actually, a denser one for where the catcher wants the ball, and a lighter one for the zone of where the ball will go). The size of the circles depends on the rating of the pitcher's pitches and his stamina, the more accurate he is, the smaller the darker circle will be, the better the pitch rating is, the smaller the lighter circle will be. But the darker circle has to be at least twice the size of the baseball and half a baseball size smaller than the lighter circle, which it's maximum size can be half the average strike zone when tired.