The First Round-Up is Out

**Ed_Farias** · 03-14-2004, 11:50 PM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

Cub take MVP over ASB

. Haha, fat chance.

However, I have to agree. the graphics in ASB are a lot better than MVP to me anyway. Everything just looks real, including the player faces, stances, pitching wind ups, stadiums. Even the crowds look much better than MVP. I don't know what EA was thinking with that polygon crowd, they look ugly, and the rest of the crowd looks even worse. To say ASB is the uglies game of the year is sad. "But I have not played ASB" you say? Well, ASB 2004 looks better than MVP 04 to me, so that is what I am basing my judgement on

. HOWEVER, even graphics quality is an opinion call. Some like the cartooney, bright colorful graphics, the rest of us like the Real ASB and MLB

.

**cub** · 03-15-2004, 12:16 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

People are often talking about two different things when they discuss "better graphics." Some people mean flashier - texturing tricks, specular highlights, bright colors, and so on.

That's not what I'm talking about when I say ASB looks better. I'm talking about which one looks more like a real baseball game.

Some people don't want a more realistic-looking game. Some people like SSX's look as opposed to Amped, or Madden's look as opposed to ESPN Football. They want flash and slightly cartoonish instead of realism. And that's cool. That's why there's choices, and MVP is perfect (visually) for someone with that kind of taste in graphics.

**cub** · 03-15-2004, 12:16 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

People are often talking about two different things when they discuss "better graphics." Some people mean flashier - texturing tricks, specular highlights, bright colors, and so on.

That's not what I'm talking about when I say ASB looks better. I'm talking about which one looks more like a real baseball game.

Some people don't want a more realistic-looking game. Some people like SSX's look as opposed to Amped, or Madden's look as opposed to ESPN Football. They want flash and slightly cartoonish instead of realism. And that's cool. That's why there's choices, and MVP is perfect (visually) for someone with that kind of taste in graphics.

**cub** · 03-15-2004, 12:16 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

People are often talking about two different things when they discuss "better graphics." Some people mean flashier - texturing tricks, specular highlights, bright colors, and so on.

That's not what I'm talking about when I say ASB looks better. I'm talking about which one looks more like a real baseball game.

Some people don't want a more realistic-looking game. Some people like SSX's look as opposed to Amped, or Madden's look as opposed to ESPN Football. They want flash and slightly cartoonish instead of realism. And that's cool. That's why there's choices, and MVP is perfect (visually) for someone with that kind of taste in graphics.

**GTheorenHobbes** · 03-15-2004, 01:10 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
I've got that OXM, and they said ASB's player models/faces are the worst of any baseball game this year.

That alone should invalidate the whole review.

<hr /></blockquote>

I still don't even know why stuff like this matters. If the faces suck and the gameplay kicks ***, who freakin cares.

<hr /></blockquote>

Urm... me.

I mean, all things being equal (or mostly equal) I'd much rather have great-looking players than crappy ones.

The point is, OXM went out of their way to do a box-out sidebar breaking down the player models/faces and how each game ranks, and they ranked ASB dead last. Then in the MVP review they again did another box out stating that MVP has by far the best player models and faces. I mean, some parts of reviewing games is subjective... but I just can't understand how you can look at the players, faces, and stances in ASB, MVP, and ESPN, and say ASB's are clearly the worst. It defies logic.

But, yeah, hopefully the gameplay will be as good as the players.

As a side note, they broke down each game by category (Best sound, stadiums, interface, etc.), and ASB "won" three of the six categories. And that's with them ranking the ASB players dead last.

<hr /></blockquote>

I saw that too, Cub, and thought the same thing. I play as the Cardinals, and ASB had their guys absolutely nailed the past couple of years. Not just guys you would expect, like Pujols, Rolen and Renteria. But up and down the order, from the player faces to the batting stances, they were just about perfect: Vina, Drew, Tino Martinez, etc. And ASB had the best Woody Williams and Matt Morris deliveries out of anybody. I was half hoping that the Cards would land Mad Dog in free agency, just because of how well ASB had his delivery down when he was with the Braves. Now I'll have to look at him in that Cubs uniform, presumably with the same delivery.

I think great player faces and batting stances/pitcher deliveries add a LOT to a game. If the rest of the game isn't solid, then even the best faces, etc. won't save it from the heap. But when a game does so many other things right, like ASB, it can really help put it over the top IMO by making it seem more realistic. I hope that MLB achieves the same thing this year.

One other thing: In that review, OXM didn't even seem to take anything away from MVP by not being online, like ASB and ESPN. Combined with the other points you mentioned, you have to wonder how MVP outscored ASB by so wide a margin. At least I do.

**GTheorenHobbes** · 03-15-2004, 01:10 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
I've got that OXM, and they said ASB's player models/faces are the worst of any baseball game this year.

That alone should invalidate the whole review.

<hr /></blockquote>

I still don't even know why stuff like this matters. If the faces suck and the gameplay kicks ***, who freakin cares.

<hr /></blockquote>

Urm... me.

I mean, all things being equal (or mostly equal) I'd much rather have great-looking players than crappy ones.

The point is, OXM went out of their way to do a box-out sidebar breaking down the player models/faces and how each game ranks, and they ranked ASB dead last. Then in the MVP review they again did another box out stating that MVP has by far the best player models and faces. I mean, some parts of reviewing games is subjective... but I just can't understand how you can look at the players, faces, and stances in ASB, MVP, and ESPN, and say ASB's are clearly the worst. It defies logic.

But, yeah, hopefully the gameplay will be as good as the players.

As a side note, they broke down each game by category (Best sound, stadiums, interface, etc.), and ASB "won" three of the six categories. And that's with them ranking the ASB players dead last.

<hr /></blockquote>

I saw that too, Cub, and thought the same thing. I play as the Cardinals, and ASB had their guys absolutely nailed the past couple of years. Not just guys you would expect, like Pujols, Rolen and Renteria. But up and down the order, from the player faces to the batting stances, they were just about perfect: Vina, Drew, Tino Martinez, etc. And ASB had the best Woody Williams and Matt Morris deliveries out of anybody. I was half hoping that the Cards would land Mad Dog in free agency, just because of how well ASB had his delivery down when he was with the Braves. Now I'll have to look at him in that Cubs uniform, presumably with the same delivery.

I think great player faces and batting stances/pitcher deliveries add a LOT to a game. If the rest of the game isn't solid, then even the best faces, etc. won't save it from the heap. But when a game does so many other things right, like ASB, it can really help put it over the top IMO by making it seem more realistic. I hope that MLB achieves the same thing this year.

One other thing: In that review, OXM didn't even seem to take anything away from MVP by not being online, like ASB and ESPN. Combined with the other points you mentioned, you have to wonder how MVP outscored ASB by so wide a margin. At least I do.

**GTheorenHobbes** · 03-15-2004, 01:10 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
I've got that OXM, and they said ASB's player models/faces are the worst of any baseball game this year.

That alone should invalidate the whole review.

<hr /></blockquote>

I still don't even know why stuff like this matters. If the faces suck and the gameplay kicks ***, who freakin cares.

<hr /></blockquote>

Urm... me.

I mean, all things being equal (or mostly equal) I'd much rather have great-looking players than crappy ones.

The point is, OXM went out of their way to do a box-out sidebar breaking down the player models/faces and how each game ranks, and they ranked ASB dead last. Then in the MVP review they again did another box out stating that MVP has by far the best player models and faces. I mean, some parts of reviewing games is subjective... but I just can't understand how you can look at the players, faces, and stances in ASB, MVP, and ESPN, and say ASB's are clearly the worst. It defies logic.

But, yeah, hopefully the gameplay will be as good as the players.

As a side note, they broke down each game by category (Best sound, stadiums, interface, etc.), and ASB "won" three of the six categories. And that's with them ranking the ASB players dead last.

<hr /></blockquote>

I saw that too, Cub, and thought the same thing. I play as the Cardinals, and ASB had their guys absolutely nailed the past couple of years. Not just guys you would expect, like Pujols, Rolen and Renteria. But up and down the order, from the player faces to the batting stances, they were just about perfect: Vina, Drew, Tino Martinez, etc. And ASB had the best Woody Williams and Matt Morris deliveries out of anybody. I was half hoping that the Cards would land Mad Dog in free agency, just because of how well ASB had his delivery down when he was with the Braves. Now I'll have to look at him in that Cubs uniform, presumably with the same delivery.

I think great player faces and batting stances/pitcher deliveries add a LOT to a game. If the rest of the game isn't solid, then even the best faces, etc. won't save it from the heap. But when a game does so many other things right, like ASB, it can really help put it over the top IMO by making it seem more realistic. I hope that MLB achieves the same thing this year.

One other thing: In that review, OXM didn't even seem to take anything away from MVP by not being online, like ASB and ESPN. Combined with the other points you mentioned, you have to wonder how MVP outscored ASB by so wide a margin. At least I do.

**bkrich83** · 03-15-2004, 01:16 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

I agree stances and faces and those things add a ton to the game. But if it's not there on the field, then it really is a waste.

Like I said in another thread, ASB has so much going for it, I sure hope it can finally suit my tastes on the field this year, as I would really love to get in to expansion mode.

**bkrich83** · 03-15-2004, 01:16 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

I agree stances and faces and those things add a ton to the game. But if it's not there on the field, then it really is a waste.

Like I said in another thread, ASB has so much going for it, I sure hope it can finally suit my tastes on the field this year, as I would really love to get in to expansion mode.

**bkrich83** · 03-15-2004, 01:16 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

I agree stances and faces and those things add a ton to the game. But if it's not there on the field, then it really is a waste.

Like I said in another thread, ASB has so much going for it, I sure hope it can finally suit my tastes on the field this year, as I would really love to get in to expansion mode.

**ESPNFANAZ** · 03-15-2004, 01:55 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
HairyBeanbag said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Mike said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
I've got that OXM, and they said ASB's player models/faces are the worst of any baseball game this year.

That alone should invalidate the whole review.

<hr /></blockquote>

I still don't even know why stuff like this matters. If the faces suck and the gameplay kicks ***, who freakin cares. Hopefully the gameplay will be there this year.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly, it's all about the gameplay. I bet Microsoft is gonna have a great product next year with High Heat and Inside Pitch combined with two years of working on it. Looking forward to more competition!

<hr /></blockquote>

If "it's all about the gameplay", then why are you playing Inside Pitch? Blech.

<hr /></blockquote>

LOL, yeah... the gameplay on Inside Pitch was horrible. The ONLY reason why I bought it was because it was on XBox Live. After a couple weeks of unrealistic games of Inside Pitch online, I set it aside and has collected lots of dust since (I should have sold it on ebay!

). Anyways, what I'm excited about is Microsoft will have access to High Heat's gameplay. I've been a High Heat fan for many years and I say the more competition the more it's in the customers favor.

**ESPNFANAZ** · 03-15-2004, 01:55 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
HairyBeanbag said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Mike said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
I've got that OXM, and they said ASB's player models/faces are the worst of any baseball game this year.

That alone should invalidate the whole review.

<hr /></blockquote>

I still don't even know why stuff like this matters. If the faces suck and the gameplay kicks ***, who freakin cares. Hopefully the gameplay will be there this year.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly, it's all about the gameplay. I bet Microsoft is gonna have a great product next year with High Heat and Inside Pitch combined with two years of working on it. Looking forward to more competition!

<hr /></blockquote>

If "it's all about the gameplay", then why are you playing Inside Pitch? Blech.

<hr /></blockquote>

LOL, yeah... the gameplay on Inside Pitch was horrible. The ONLY reason why I bought it was because it was on XBox Live. After a couple weeks of unrealistic games of Inside Pitch online, I set it aside and has collected lots of dust since (I should have sold it on ebay!

). Anyways, what I'm excited about is Microsoft will have access to High Heat's gameplay. I've been a High Heat fan for many years and I say the more competition the more it's in the customers favor.

**ESPNFANAZ** · 03-15-2004, 01:55 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
HairyBeanbag said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Mike said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
cub said:
I've got that OXM, and they said ASB's player models/faces are the worst of any baseball game this year.

That alone should invalidate the whole review.

<hr /></blockquote>

I still don't even know why stuff like this matters. If the faces suck and the gameplay kicks ***, who freakin cares. Hopefully the gameplay will be there this year.

<hr /></blockquote>

Exactly, it's all about the gameplay. I bet Microsoft is gonna have a great product next year with High Heat and Inside Pitch combined with two years of working on it. Looking forward to more competition!

<hr /></blockquote>

If "it's all about the gameplay", then why are you playing Inside Pitch? Blech.

<hr /></blockquote>

LOL, yeah... the gameplay on Inside Pitch was horrible. The ONLY reason why I bought it was because it was on XBox Live. After a couple weeks of unrealistic games of Inside Pitch online, I set it aside and has collected lots of dust since (I should have sold it on ebay!

). Anyways, what I'm excited about is Microsoft will have access to High Heat's gameplay. I've been a High Heat fan for many years and I say the more competition the more it's in the customers favor.

**HMcCoy** · 03-15-2004, 02:42 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
Like I said in another thread, ASB has so much going for it, I sure hope it can finally suit my tastes on the field this year, as I would really love to get in to expansion mode.

<hr /></blockquote>

Expansion Mode is the Golden God of all sports video-gaming.

**HMcCoy** · 03-15-2004, 02:42 AM

Re: The First Round-Up is Out

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
bkrich83 said:
Like I said in another thread, ASB has so much going for it, I sure hope it can finally suit my tastes on the field this year, as I would really love to get in to expansion mode.

<hr /></blockquote>

Expansion Mode is the Golden God of all sports video-gaming.

The First Round-Up is Out

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