MVP Baseball 2004

"That’s Homerun Number 53 on the Year for… #25?"

MVP Baseball 2004 reminds and reassures me that baseball games can be excellent. In fact, this one is the best I’ve played in a long time. No longer am I plagued by crappy graphics with one token face for every player. The game-play is crisp and sharp with just a hint of arcade style while staying true to the baseball simulation formula. This would be enough to push this game onto the “good game” plateau, but what really makes this game shine is the incredibly deep Dynasty mode and the on-line play. But more on that a little later…

Oh Man, Is That Really Tom Glavine’s Face and Not a Slight Variation of Jim Edmonds’?

Judging by years past, baseball games are not known for their stellar graphics. However, by no means is this game spectacular graphically. They are, in fact, plainly good. It seems like extra care was taken with the player models as well as the batting, pitching, and fielding animations. Everything runs at a pretty smooth frame-rate, with only a few hitches here and there. The fields all look authentic complete with “3-D crowd”. The game designers actually go so far as to insert different crowd attendance based upon the teams playing and what time of the season it is. The degree of realism here is debatable, yet everything runs seamlessly, and it is all very detailed, so extra points there. The only minor quibble I had with the graphics is that the players kind of look a little deformed at the plate. But it’s not a big deal, whatsoever. The minor things like menu screens all look presentable and neat, and nothing looks over-complicated or convoluted. A good showing by EA, overall.

Life-Haters and the Haters Who Hate Their Life

I absolutely loathe the music in this game. Baseball is not about this kind of stuff. But, oh well, that’s just my opinion, I guess. Since menu music is not what great games are made of, I will discuss the audio of MVP Baseball 2004. I really like what they’ve done here, with different crowd noises that actually react to the game action instead of just the same monotonous crowd “roar” found in most titles. The game even has its own particular vendors for different ballparks. I heard one vendor selling Fenway Franks during a Red Sox game. The critical term here again is detailed. From the crack of the ball to the sound of a shattered bat to the pop of the ball in the catcher’s mitt, everything sounds very good, especially if one has surround sound.

Way Back… Way Back… Its… Outta Here, Home Run!

This is truly where it’s at. I’ve seen some pretty nice features as far as game modes go, but MVP’s Dynasty mode is one to be reckoned with. Aside from the peculiar absence of Spring Training, this is about as deep as the Atlantic Trench. Dynasty mode starts you off as an owner/manager of a pro team (for 120 years!). But, you can also manage its Minor League affiliates, as well, with the exception of single-A ball. From the manager screen, you can change all the normal things from line-ups to rotations, as well as renegotiate contracts, call-up and send down players. There’s also a half-sim, half-managerial mode, so you can have control of your Minor League teams without dredging through every single game (the game is so good, though, you might as well). There are also 1-year and 3-year goals for the team that you must complete to get a better managerial rating. If you’re no good, then you’re as good as gone. On top of this is a team chemistry meter and a player happiness meter, both of which affect your team’s play. If somebody’s unhappy, put ‘em on the old trade block, release them. Your team has low chemistry? Spice it up with some new players to get things going again. It reminds me of real baseball in a scary, scary way. But a good scary. After you spend countless hours on Dynasty, you can play a good exhibition game, rock through a pitcher’s duel, a batter’s duel, and there’s even a scenario mode to customize your game-play. If that’s not your cup of tea, how about some on-line ball? You can compete in regular games or tourneys, and it all plays like a dream.

Final Recommendation:

You’ll be spending a good, long time with this hearty helping of baseball bliss. I suggest that you go out and get this game… it shan’t disappoint!

9/10, baby! Silver Star!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/15/04