MVP Baseball 2004

"MVP Baseball 2004"

EA Sports has done it again with MVP Baseball 2004. The game is solid in both playability and graphics. I give this game an 8/10 for a couple reasons, however. First of all, the controls are somewhat complicated for a PC gamer, as this was made to be played on X-Box. However, using correct customizations to your own controls, you can create a setup that will suit you. Secondly, the graphics are somewhat sketchy in certain places. For instance, the camera view of a pitched ball shows the ball clipping right through the catcher's mitt, instead of the catcher catching it. These are minor bugs in a great game.

Multiple camera views, settings, and modes allow you to be in complete control of your players and your view of the field. If any of you are familiar with the ease of batting in the Triple Play Baseball series', you will recall the ''above and behind the catcher'' batting view. EA Sports eliminated this view as a choice, even for the Rookie setting. This game has been made to be a challenge on all difficulty settings.

MVP Baseball 2004 contains many different Game Modes, including variations of home run derby and a new ''Pitcher Showdown.'' One of the things that makes this game great is the ''Dynasty'' mode, which allows you to take command of a pro team, as well and its minor and farm teams and guide it through a dynasty. MVP Baseball 2004 allows you to play the role of MLB Manager and manage every aspect of your team, including the baseball games themselves. Although this is extremely entertaining, it would be nice if EA had included a ''Season'' mode, where one could just play as their favorite team through one season. Lacking this, this game falls short of 10.

All in all this game is extremely entertaing. Playability is very high, and replayability is strong as well. I recommend this game to any person who loves baseball games and also to the gamer who loves sports games in general. With the few errors it contains, the game is still solid. What is in store for MVP Baseball 2004? A multiplayer would also be nice. EA could already be in the works with a patch. The few errors that MVP Baseball 2004 earned it an 8/10, instead of the 10. Should EA Sports fix these minor problems, this game is a surefire hit!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/15/04