MVP Baseball 2004

"EA gives baseball fans a complete game with MVP Baseball"

MVP Baseball is the first baseball game on the shelves for the 2004 season and is a thriller to play.

GRAPHICS

If you have owned any other EA Sports games you have high expectations for the graphics in MVP. The only let downs in the graphics is the fireworks after homeruns, day or night they look cheesy. EA could have come up with something better than this to celebrate hitting a homer. Some of the stadiums are not quite perfect; I haven't seen anyone in the bay while playing the Giants. But this can be overlooked by the detail spent on the players. If your player slides into a base he will have dust on him for the rest of the game.

GAME PLAY

As Yogi Berra would say ''They have deep depth.'' MVP has stepped it up a notch when it comes to playing. The Dynasty mode is one of the best I have seen in a baseball game to this date. You can play all of your games plus your AAA and AA games.
EA has introduced the Pure Swing batting method this year, no more cursor, this year is all about timing and the pitch placement. You can aim your hit to the gaps and increase your chances of getting on base. For example if a pitcher throws high and inside on a right-handed hitter you aim to hit it high and inside with your batter. But be warned the CPU is smarter this year. Your tendencies will be noticed, if you swing at crap, you will get crap thrown, if you hit a couple of home runs off of fastballs the pitcher won't show you that pitch again for awhile.
Pitching is perfect. An old golf swing system is used and once again the CPU will adjust to your tendencies. One of the best additions is that the CPU will also take some swings at balls, no more eagle eyes. One of the drawbacks though is that umpires are suspect on times calling strikes and balls. A pitch may be a strike once but throw it the same place again (around the outside of the plate) and a ball may be called.
Fielding is one of the biggest problems I have with this game. Your players seem to be slow to the ball compared to the CPU.

Replay

You should find yourself playing this game all season long, and even past that. With the outstanding game play this game is worth every penny and is a must buy for a baseball fan.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/12/04