IGN Review---8.4

**bucs44** · 04-06-2004, 03:21 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

ESPN should have focused on 1)ball physics, swing animations
2) player faces and lighting compared to NFL 2k4
3) improved crowd audio--chants, organ music,etc
4) lots of new animations--smooth like Nfl 2k4

However that said I think it will be my game this year with LIVE. I did not like MVP personally.

**jordan0386** · 04-06-2004, 03:29 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

I think you guys are being a little harsh. It was as well-thought out a review as you're going find on a major site or magazine, even if you don't agree with the reviewer's opinions.

There are certainly things in the game that could have been better, but that's going to be the case with every game out there. I agree with him that realistic gameplay and online play are the strong points of the game, and that the Duel and First Person mode are more throw-in than fully fleshed out and polished modes.

There are a few things that apparently didn't catch his eye that I think are worth mentioning:
- there are several new wall jumps for outfielders, as wall as some outfield-only dives
- there are also new infield dives, as well as forehand and backhand variations
- you may not notice the differences between good fielders and bad ones right away, but they are definitely there, as much as they are in real baseball. A good shortstop may have a fielding percentage of .980, while a bad one has a percentage of .960. That's only a 2% difference, not something you really notice until you've got half a season's worth of stats or so. Also, good fielders are better at making diving and jumping plays. Bad ones are more likely to have the ball bounce off their arms/heads/chest/etc. Since there are only a handful of these plays every game, you're not going to see a big difference unless you're keeping track of this kind of thing from game to game. We could have exaggerated the difference between good and bad fielders, but then it results in unrealistic outcomes and stats...kind of like how in some sports games, the superstar players are 20X better than the average joes and can catch passes or shoot 3's or drive the lane or what have you at will. That's not how it is...you hit .250, you're mediocre; you hit .300 and you're a star. That's only 5% more hits. If you watch Sportscenter, it's not always Vizquel or Andruw Jones making the great plays, because, quite simply, you have to be a great player to play at the big league level.
- the stadiums, especially the grass and dirt, are far better than last year, as you can see from the side by side comparisons on this site
- player faces are a lot better than last year. They're not all great or perfect, but I think if you pop in last year's game, then this year's, you'll notice a huge difference
- the batting system is much more akin to zone (high heat) than cursor.
- you can edit lineups and rotations in the roster editor now, and there are handy tools like the player finder to help you (or if you're just curious how that guy you released a couple years back in franchise mode is doing).
- there are more throwback unis that there were last year, not just recycled ones
- there are a bunch of new player slides. They aren't controllable like in MVP, but they do look cool.
- there's a trophy room for your in-game and franchise trophies
- confidence carries over to your next game, but not quite the level you had at the end of the last game. It tends toward the middle. So if you were 100% full, you might be 75% full for the next game
- there's collision beyond the HR fence. Lots of people were asking for that one

Anyway, I agree that it's not a vast improvement over 2K3, and that we probably should have put in fewer features and modes and done a better job of polishing up those extras we did put in, but I think if you're getting the game for the realistic gameplay or for online play, you'll be happy with it. I think GM Career mode is reasonably entertaining and bug-free, too.

from the man himself

**jordan0386** · 04-06-2004, 03:29 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

I think you guys are being a little harsh. It was as well-thought out a review as you're going find on a major site or magazine, even if you don't agree with the reviewer's opinions.

There are certainly things in the game that could have been better, but that's going to be the case with every game out there. I agree with him that realistic gameplay and online play are the strong points of the game, and that the Duel and First Person mode are more throw-in than fully fleshed out and polished modes.

There are a few things that apparently didn't catch his eye that I think are worth mentioning:
- there are several new wall jumps for outfielders, as wall as some outfield-only dives
- there are also new infield dives, as well as forehand and backhand variations
- you may not notice the differences between good fielders and bad ones right away, but they are definitely there, as much as they are in real baseball. A good shortstop may have a fielding percentage of .980, while a bad one has a percentage of .960. That's only a 2% difference, not something you really notice until you've got half a season's worth of stats or so. Also, good fielders are better at making diving and jumping plays. Bad ones are more likely to have the ball bounce off their arms/heads/chest/etc. Since there are only a handful of these plays every game, you're not going to see a big difference unless you're keeping track of this kind of thing from game to game. We could have exaggerated the difference between good and bad fielders, but then it results in unrealistic outcomes and stats...kind of like how in some sports games, the superstar players are 20X better than the average joes and can catch passes or shoot 3's or drive the lane or what have you at will. That's not how it is...you hit .250, you're mediocre; you hit .300 and you're a star. That's only 5% more hits. If you watch Sportscenter, it's not always Vizquel or Andruw Jones making the great plays, because, quite simply, you have to be a great player to play at the big league level.
- the stadiums, especially the grass and dirt, are far better than last year, as you can see from the side by side comparisons on this site
- player faces are a lot better than last year. They're not all great or perfect, but I think if you pop in last year's game, then this year's, you'll notice a huge difference
- the batting system is much more akin to zone (high heat) than cursor.
- you can edit lineups and rotations in the roster editor now, and there are handy tools like the player finder to help you (or if you're just curious how that guy you released a couple years back in franchise mode is doing).
- there are more throwback unis that there were last year, not just recycled ones
- there are a bunch of new player slides. They aren't controllable like in MVP, but they do look cool.
- there's a trophy room for your in-game and franchise trophies
- confidence carries over to your next game, but not quite the level you had at the end of the last game. It tends toward the middle. So if you were 100% full, you might be 75% full for the next game
- there's collision beyond the HR fence. Lots of people were asking for that one

Anyway, I agree that it's not a vast improvement over 2K3, and that we probably should have put in fewer features and modes and done a better job of polishing up those extras we did put in, but I think if you're getting the game for the realistic gameplay or for online play, you'll be happy with it. I think GM Career mode is reasonably entertaining and bug-free, too.

from the man himself

**jordan0386** · 04-06-2004, 03:29 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

I think you guys are being a little harsh. It was as well-thought out a review as you're going find on a major site or magazine, even if you don't agree with the reviewer's opinions.

There are certainly things in the game that could have been better, but that's going to be the case with every game out there. I agree with him that realistic gameplay and online play are the strong points of the game, and that the Duel and First Person mode are more throw-in than fully fleshed out and polished modes.

There are a few things that apparently didn't catch his eye that I think are worth mentioning:
- there are several new wall jumps for outfielders, as wall as some outfield-only dives
- there are also new infield dives, as well as forehand and backhand variations
- you may not notice the differences between good fielders and bad ones right away, but they are definitely there, as much as they are in real baseball. A good shortstop may have a fielding percentage of .980, while a bad one has a percentage of .960. That's only a 2% difference, not something you really notice until you've got half a season's worth of stats or so. Also, good fielders are better at making diving and jumping plays. Bad ones are more likely to have the ball bounce off their arms/heads/chest/etc. Since there are only a handful of these plays every game, you're not going to see a big difference unless you're keeping track of this kind of thing from game to game. We could have exaggerated the difference between good and bad fielders, but then it results in unrealistic outcomes and stats...kind of like how in some sports games, the superstar players are 20X better than the average joes and can catch passes or shoot 3's or drive the lane or what have you at will. That's not how it is...you hit .250, you're mediocre; you hit .300 and you're a star. That's only 5% more hits. If you watch Sportscenter, it's not always Vizquel or Andruw Jones making the great plays, because, quite simply, you have to be a great player to play at the big league level.
- the stadiums, especially the grass and dirt, are far better than last year, as you can see from the side by side comparisons on this site
- player faces are a lot better than last year. They're not all great or perfect, but I think if you pop in last year's game, then this year's, you'll notice a huge difference
- the batting system is much more akin to zone (high heat) than cursor.
- you can edit lineups and rotations in the roster editor now, and there are handy tools like the player finder to help you (or if you're just curious how that guy you released a couple years back in franchise mode is doing).
- there are more throwback unis that there were last year, not just recycled ones
- there are a bunch of new player slides. They aren't controllable like in MVP, but they do look cool.
- there's a trophy room for your in-game and franchise trophies
- confidence carries over to your next game, but not quite the level you had at the end of the last game. It tends toward the middle. So if you were 100% full, you might be 75% full for the next game
- there's collision beyond the HR fence. Lots of people were asking for that one

Anyway, I agree that it's not a vast improvement over 2K3, and that we probably should have put in fewer features and modes and done a better job of polishing up those extras we did put in, but I think if you're getting the game for the realistic gameplay or for online play, you'll be happy with it. I think GM Career mode is reasonably entertaining and bug-free, too.

from the man himself

**Radja** · 04-06-2004, 03:37 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

ok, i need an answer, is hilary a guy? i thought he was a she who liked baseball.

**Radja** · 04-06-2004, 03:37 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

ok, i need an answer, is hilary a guy? i thought he was a she who liked baseball.

**Radja** · 04-06-2004, 03:37 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

ok, i need an answer, is hilary a guy? i thought he was a she who liked baseball.

**Badgun** · 04-06-2004, 06:21 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Radja said:
ok, i need an answer, is hilary a guy? i thought he was a she who liked baseball.

<hr /></blockquote>

yes, he is a guy.

**Badgun** · 04-06-2004, 06:21 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Radja said:
ok, i need an answer, is hilary a guy? i thought he was a she who liked baseball.

<hr /></blockquote>

yes, he is a guy.

**Badgun** · 04-06-2004, 06:21 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Radja said:
ok, i need an answer, is hilary a guy? i thought he was a she who liked baseball.

<hr /></blockquote>

yes, he is a guy.

**Leaper** · 04-06-2004, 06:45 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

The following is a quote from the review that was presented by Hilary as a potential problem, that I look at as a HUGE positive:

"I must admit that I've had a bit more of a problem pitching this year than last year, as the pitching effort sometimes too greatly affects location or ball movement, making it a bit more difficult to hit the spots. I'm not really sure if it's intentional or not, but I'm a seasoned veteran of the series and it took me a few games to get accustomed to the sensitivity of this year's pitching system."

To me, this is beyond excellent (assuming he is correct of course). If this is a true statement, pitchers with a better control rating will become even more important. It won't be all about the fireballers!

Did anyone else pick up on this little comment and think it was actually a GOOD thing!?!

**Leaper** · 04-06-2004, 06:45 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

The following is a quote from the review that was presented by Hilary as a potential problem, that I look at as a HUGE positive:

"I must admit that I've had a bit more of a problem pitching this year than last year, as the pitching effort sometimes too greatly affects location or ball movement, making it a bit more difficult to hit the spots. I'm not really sure if it's intentional or not, but I'm a seasoned veteran of the series and it took me a few games to get accustomed to the sensitivity of this year's pitching system."

To me, this is beyond excellent (assuming he is correct of course). If this is a true statement, pitchers with a better control rating will become even more important. It won't be all about the fireballers!

Did anyone else pick up on this little comment and think it was actually a GOOD thing!?!

**Leaper** · 04-06-2004, 06:45 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

The following is a quote from the review that was presented by Hilary as a potential problem, that I look at as a HUGE positive:

"I must admit that I've had a bit more of a problem pitching this year than last year, as the pitching effort sometimes too greatly affects location or ball movement, making it a bit more difficult to hit the spots. I'm not really sure if it's intentional or not, but I'm a seasoned veteran of the series and it took me a few games to get accustomed to the sensitivity of this year's pitching system."

To me, this is beyond excellent (assuming he is correct of course). If this is a true statement, pitchers with a better control rating will become even more important. It won't be all about the fireballers!

Did anyone else pick up on this little comment and think it was actually a GOOD thing!?!

**captaink** · 04-06-2004, 06:56 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Leaper said:
The following is a quote from the review that was presented by Hilary as a potential problem, that I look at as a HUGE positive:

"I must admit that I've had a bit more of a problem pitching this year than last year, as the pitching effort sometimes too greatly affects location or ball movement, making it a bit more difficult to hit the spots. I'm not really sure if it's intentional or not, but I'm a seasoned veteran of the series and it took me a few games to get accustomed to the sensitivity of this year's pitching system."

To me, this is beyond excellent (assuming he is correct of course). If this is a true statement, pitchers with a better control rating will become even more important. It won't be all about the fireballers!

Did anyone else pick up on this little comment and think it was actually a GOOD thing!?!

<hr /></blockquote>

Yeah, I picked up on that too. The review reaffirmed my decision to purchase the game. The gameplay is slightly improved which is a good thing since the gameplay did not need an overhaul like some other products on the market and online play added is a bonus, although baseball online does not interest me as much as the other sports. In the end the game appears to be pretty much bug free, at least the CPU controlled teams won't have 15 pitchers and 10 positional players on their 25 man roster and it also appears that the player progression works fine in ESPN too.

**captaink** · 04-06-2004, 06:56 AM

Re: IGN Review---8.4

<blockquote>Quote:<hr />
Leaper said:
The following is a quote from the review that was presented by Hilary as a potential problem, that I look at as a HUGE positive:

"I must admit that I've had a bit more of a problem pitching this year than last year, as the pitching effort sometimes too greatly affects location or ball movement, making it a bit more difficult to hit the spots. I'm not really sure if it's intentional or not, but I'm a seasoned veteran of the series and it took me a few games to get accustomed to the sensitivity of this year's pitching system."

To me, this is beyond excellent (assuming he is correct of course). If this is a true statement, pitchers with a better control rating will become even more important. It won't be all about the fireballers!

Did anyone else pick up on this little comment and think it was actually a GOOD thing!?!

<hr /></blockquote>

Yeah, I picked up on that too. The review reaffirmed my decision to purchase the game. The gameplay is slightly improved which is a good thing since the gameplay did not need an overhaul like some other products on the market and online play added is a bonus, although baseball online does not interest me as much as the other sports. In the end the game appears to be pretty much bug free, at least the CPU controlled teams won't have 15 pitchers and 10 positional players on their 25 man roster and it also appears that the player progression works fine in ESPN too.

IGN Review---8.4

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