Here's my not-so-quick run-down of each of the games by category.
Graphics & Animations:
There is no clear winner here. ASB has superbly strewn together animations, but an overall 'dull' look. The faces are fairly well represented, but MVP does the best job of letting you look at and identify a player's face. ESPN is the worst in the faces area with some poorly mapped 2D scans that leave most people looking like zombies. ESPN has the 'sharpest' graphics and detail (down to textured uniforms that look like fabric up close), but the proportions (holy calf muscles!) are a bit off, and the animations don't flow together as well as the should. The most well-rounded pakcage is MVP, with a clean and consistent look throughout, but the graphics are no where near as sharp as the other two games, and the players still look a bit short and 'cartoony'. As for stadiums, ASB wins out by a good margin with ESPN second and MVP bringing up the rear. They all look good, but ASB has more detail in the stadiums; ESPN does a good job of giving you a sense of size/scale, while MVP accurately represents the parks but only in a way that meshes with the overall 'cartoon' look of the game.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: B+ ASB: B MVP: B
Presentation & Atmosphere:
MVP takes the crown here with a better replay system, non-distracting overlays (ASB's menus etc. get in the way of the view of the game), and noisy crowd. ESPN is only a short way behind with a great ESPN feel, and probably a more realistic approach (quiet crowds, subdued commentary etc.). ESPN also has some of the best crowd heckles you could ever hope for. ASB has superb commentary, with a unique and very cool continuity by the color man (he'll continue his point after being cut-off by the play-by-play man). MVP's auto replays and manual replay system is terrific, with an interesting view of the events. ESPN does an adequate job in both areas while ASB suffers from bland boring replays that don't come up often enough on big plays (HR) and no complete camera control during manual replays. ASB took a step bakcward this year outside the game by trashing the superb "old-time" Ken Burns baseball feel and music during menus in favor of the ever-obnoxious "we like to party"... ESPN is the best outside the game with clear menus the the ESPN look.
FINAL GRADES: MVP: A- ESPN: B+ ASB: B-
Fielding controls:
I'm going out on a limb by naming ESPN the king of fielding. MVP's throw-meters seem a little unnecessary and still produce a slight lag from the intended throw time. ESPN player control is fluid and predictable, and leaves you feeling as though you control the ultimate outcome of the play on the field. The SPEED BURST is a great option, especially since it can only be used once by a player and only for one action (run vs. throw). I think there is a SPRINT in real-life that is different than a regular run, and it's nice to see that represented. ASB too often leaves you feeling like the game is out of your hands: dropped pop-ups 3-4 times a game, slow fielders that can't ever seem to beat out a bunt, etc.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A MVP: A- ASB: C+
Pitching:
There's no debate that MVP's pitching meter is the best innovation to pitching that's ever been made, and it should just be blatantly copied by the other titles because (like a golf meter) it gives you the ability to hit or miss your spots depending upon skill and concentration. (NOTE: ESPN should incorporate this feature with the CONFIDENCE meter, so that the green section grows/contracts not only with fatigue & power but also based upon CONFIDENCE/GAME PRESSURE: That would be SWEET!). ESPN comes in second with equally accurate pitch speeds/breaks etc. and some randomness to the placement of your pitch. ASB lets you be TOO precise, and doesn't factor in the fact that pitches will almost never hit the EXACT spot they target. ASB is also a bit odd on breaking balls, where balls will only break at the last minute rather than displaying a tell-tale arc. ESPN has the best pitcher animations/nuances with high kicks, pauses, side-arms etc.
FINAL GRADES: MVP: A ESPN: B ASB: C+
Batting:
ESPN wins hands down with the best batting interface of any baseball game ever (let the debate begin). MVP's system is nice, and best reflects being early/late on a pitch and the overall importance of timing to good contact, but I have always disagreed with the "Swing where I want it to go, not where it is" school of batting. A big part of hitting (and indeed the POINT of throwing curves, sliders etc.) is to make the batter MISS by moving the ball away from they're target. MVP ignores this aspect by only weakening your contact when you swing in the wrong place, rather than outright missing. ASB gives you too much control (again), especially with the 3D cursor. Balls in the dirt can be directed into pop-flys if you tilt the cursor up and can get the cursor in place. The 2D cursor is better, but overall ASB's cursors are too sluggish and unresponsive to provide a satisfying experience. Granted, ASB has zone/timed hitting as well, but it's not well-implemented and will be ditched in favor of cursors by most 'advanced' players. ESPN's hitting is like the famed High Heat, but upgraded to the analog world with pressure sensitivity. You get to concentrate on the ball (as you should) rather than a cursor, but still feel the reward of a HR that you know only came because YOU aimed and got solid wood on the ball. Hit locations vary in ESPN based upon swing timing, pitch speed, location, and quality of contact as they should. I can't say enough about this, even in one night's play it's clear that this is the best system yet.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A+ ASB: B- MVP C
REALISM:
The edge goes to ESPN with the most realistic play of the bunch. ASB trails very closely behind, with both games offering realistic statistics, management, and game outcomes. MVP is more arcade than sim, but still provides enough realism to satisfy the casual gamer. ESPN wins out because of the superb fielding/batting control, which leaves you more in control of the outcome while ASB generates too many errors etc. due to it's poor controls. The AI in ESPN is deadly, knowing when to steal, hit & run, bunt, etc.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A ASB: B+ MVP: B-
FUN FACTOR:
This one is entirely subjective, so I suggest you read the realism grades and ask yourself what you're looking for in a game. Baseball is a slow, methodical, and often (seemingly) boring game. EPSN and ASB accurately reflect that. MVP takes the core of the game of baseball and breathes some extra life into it, with shorter pitcher/batter duels, more hits, more acrobatics in the field, and a general tempo that is higher than the other 2 games. If you're not a baseball fan, and you just want some fun, MVP is the way to go...If you are a baseball fan, and fun to you means putting on a cap, chewing tobacco, and playing a game with all of the meticulous management and slow pace of big league ball, then ESPN or ASB will be more for you...Me, I like realism. I like realistic graphics, gameplay, and the "SUSPENSION of DISBELIEF" that comes from the combination...The only way my Red Sox can ever hope to win the World Series is inside my Xbox; I can savor that more if it looks, feels, and plays like the real thing.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A ASB: A- MVP: B+
Online & Extras:
I'm a meat & potatoes 2 mode guy. I could care less about HR derby etc. Give me a good Franchise mode and online play, that's all I need. ASB actually adds a third option by way of recreating some pivotal moments in baseball history. These are a fun and worthwhile diversion and definitely add something to the overall package. All of the games have a Franchise option, and all are well done. ESPN's GM mode seems intriquing given the 'personality' factor of the Owner, but I haven't had time to see if it's a better option. Online play is HUGE for me, and ESPN is the clear winner in this category beacuse 1: it HAS it! and 2: it offers more options for customization/gameplay control than ASB. MVP could be a lot of fun online, but as an Xbox owner I'm not likely to find out until next year (maybe).
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A ASB: A MVP: C
OVERALL: ESPN: B+ MVP: B ASB: B-
No one gets an A because I still want more... I want ESPN to incorporate the pitching meter and clean up the jerky animations, pathetic swings and misproportioned players. I want ASB to tune the fielding and hitting. I want MVP to give me online play and an option for another type of hitting along with a more realistic style of play...Give me MVP's pitching, player faces, and production/presentation values on top of ESPN's game engine, visual clarity, and ESPN feel, and add ASB's stadiums, commentary, and player model proportions with online leagues and I might have something worthy of an A.
Graphics & Animations:
There is no clear winner here. ASB has superbly strewn together animations, but an overall 'dull' look. The faces are fairly well represented, but MVP does the best job of letting you look at and identify a player's face. ESPN is the worst in the faces area with some poorly mapped 2D scans that leave most people looking like zombies. ESPN has the 'sharpest' graphics and detail (down to textured uniforms that look like fabric up close), but the proportions (holy calf muscles!) are a bit off, and the animations don't flow together as well as the should. The most well-rounded pakcage is MVP, with a clean and consistent look throughout, but the graphics are no where near as sharp as the other two games, and the players still look a bit short and 'cartoony'. As for stadiums, ASB wins out by a good margin with ESPN second and MVP bringing up the rear. They all look good, but ASB has more detail in the stadiums; ESPN does a good job of giving you a sense of size/scale, while MVP accurately represents the parks but only in a way that meshes with the overall 'cartoon' look of the game.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: B+ ASB: B MVP: B
Presentation & Atmosphere:
MVP takes the crown here with a better replay system, non-distracting overlays (ASB's menus etc. get in the way of the view of the game), and noisy crowd. ESPN is only a short way behind with a great ESPN feel, and probably a more realistic approach (quiet crowds, subdued commentary etc.). ESPN also has some of the best crowd heckles you could ever hope for. ASB has superb commentary, with a unique and very cool continuity by the color man (he'll continue his point after being cut-off by the play-by-play man). MVP's auto replays and manual replay system is terrific, with an interesting view of the events. ESPN does an adequate job in both areas while ASB suffers from bland boring replays that don't come up often enough on big plays (HR) and no complete camera control during manual replays. ASB took a step bakcward this year outside the game by trashing the superb "old-time" Ken Burns baseball feel and music during menus in favor of the ever-obnoxious "we like to party"... ESPN is the best outside the game with clear menus the the ESPN look.
FINAL GRADES: MVP: A- ESPN: B+ ASB: B-
Fielding controls:
I'm going out on a limb by naming ESPN the king of fielding. MVP's throw-meters seem a little unnecessary and still produce a slight lag from the intended throw time. ESPN player control is fluid and predictable, and leaves you feeling as though you control the ultimate outcome of the play on the field. The SPEED BURST is a great option, especially since it can only be used once by a player and only for one action (run vs. throw). I think there is a SPRINT in real-life that is different than a regular run, and it's nice to see that represented. ASB too often leaves you feeling like the game is out of your hands: dropped pop-ups 3-4 times a game, slow fielders that can't ever seem to beat out a bunt, etc.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A MVP: A- ASB: C+
Pitching:
There's no debate that MVP's pitching meter is the best innovation to pitching that's ever been made, and it should just be blatantly copied by the other titles because (like a golf meter) it gives you the ability to hit or miss your spots depending upon skill and concentration. (NOTE: ESPN should incorporate this feature with the CONFIDENCE meter, so that the green section grows/contracts not only with fatigue & power but also based upon CONFIDENCE/GAME PRESSURE: That would be SWEET!). ESPN comes in second with equally accurate pitch speeds/breaks etc. and some randomness to the placement of your pitch. ASB lets you be TOO precise, and doesn't factor in the fact that pitches will almost never hit the EXACT spot they target. ASB is also a bit odd on breaking balls, where balls will only break at the last minute rather than displaying a tell-tale arc. ESPN has the best pitcher animations/nuances with high kicks, pauses, side-arms etc.
FINAL GRADES: MVP: A ESPN: B ASB: C+
Batting:
ESPN wins hands down with the best batting interface of any baseball game ever (let the debate begin). MVP's system is nice, and best reflects being early/late on a pitch and the overall importance of timing to good contact, but I have always disagreed with the "Swing where I want it to go, not where it is" school of batting. A big part of hitting (and indeed the POINT of throwing curves, sliders etc.) is to make the batter MISS by moving the ball away from they're target. MVP ignores this aspect by only weakening your contact when you swing in the wrong place, rather than outright missing. ASB gives you too much control (again), especially with the 3D cursor. Balls in the dirt can be directed into pop-flys if you tilt the cursor up and can get the cursor in place. The 2D cursor is better, but overall ASB's cursors are too sluggish and unresponsive to provide a satisfying experience. Granted, ASB has zone/timed hitting as well, but it's not well-implemented and will be ditched in favor of cursors by most 'advanced' players. ESPN's hitting is like the famed High Heat, but upgraded to the analog world with pressure sensitivity. You get to concentrate on the ball (as you should) rather than a cursor, but still feel the reward of a HR that you know only came because YOU aimed and got solid wood on the ball. Hit locations vary in ESPN based upon swing timing, pitch speed, location, and quality of contact as they should. I can't say enough about this, even in one night's play it's clear that this is the best system yet.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A+ ASB: B- MVP C
REALISM:
The edge goes to ESPN with the most realistic play of the bunch. ASB trails very closely behind, with both games offering realistic statistics, management, and game outcomes. MVP is more arcade than sim, but still provides enough realism to satisfy the casual gamer. ESPN wins out because of the superb fielding/batting control, which leaves you more in control of the outcome while ASB generates too many errors etc. due to it's poor controls. The AI in ESPN is deadly, knowing when to steal, hit & run, bunt, etc.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A ASB: B+ MVP: B-
FUN FACTOR:
This one is entirely subjective, so I suggest you read the realism grades and ask yourself what you're looking for in a game. Baseball is a slow, methodical, and often (seemingly) boring game. EPSN and ASB accurately reflect that. MVP takes the core of the game of baseball and breathes some extra life into it, with shorter pitcher/batter duels, more hits, more acrobatics in the field, and a general tempo that is higher than the other 2 games. If you're not a baseball fan, and you just want some fun, MVP is the way to go...If you are a baseball fan, and fun to you means putting on a cap, chewing tobacco, and playing a game with all of the meticulous management and slow pace of big league ball, then ESPN or ASB will be more for you...Me, I like realism. I like realistic graphics, gameplay, and the "SUSPENSION of DISBELIEF" that comes from the combination...The only way my Red Sox can ever hope to win the World Series is inside my Xbox; I can savor that more if it looks, feels, and plays like the real thing.
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A ASB: A- MVP: B+
Online & Extras:
I'm a meat & potatoes 2 mode guy. I could care less about HR derby etc. Give me a good Franchise mode and online play, that's all I need. ASB actually adds a third option by way of recreating some pivotal moments in baseball history. These are a fun and worthwhile diversion and definitely add something to the overall package. All of the games have a Franchise option, and all are well done. ESPN's GM mode seems intriquing given the 'personality' factor of the Owner, but I haven't had time to see if it's a better option. Online play is HUGE for me, and ESPN is the clear winner in this category beacuse 1: it HAS it! and 2: it offers more options for customization/gameplay control than ASB. MVP could be a lot of fun online, but as an Xbox owner I'm not likely to find out until next year (maybe).
FINAL GRADES: ESPN: A ASB: A MVP: C
OVERALL: ESPN: B+ MVP: B ASB: B-
No one gets an A because I still want more... I want ESPN to incorporate the pitching meter and clean up the jerky animations, pathetic swings and misproportioned players. I want ASB to tune the fielding and hitting. I want MVP to give me online play and an option for another type of hitting along with a more realistic style of play...Give me MVP's pitching, player faces, and production/presentation values on top of ESPN's game engine, visual clarity, and ESPN feel, and add ASB's stadiums, commentary, and player model proportions with online leagues and I might have something worthy of an A.
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