MLB 2004

MLB 2004 represents one of 989 Sports? finest efforts on the PS2 and will be a welcome resurgence for fans of the PlayStation series.

989 was wise to hold off on releasing a PS2 baseball game until it readied a competitive effort, and the payoff comes in this game?s impressive, original roster of features. MLB 2004 offers deep, creative Spring Training and Franchise modes, two-player seasons, a Career mode where you control a team or an individual player, and even cool little touches like realigning the divisions.

As with other 989 games like NHL FaceOff, be prepared for a blinding, almost overcaffeinated pace as pitches rip by at a murderously fast clip. It makes batting a demanding challenge that will engage some gamers and intimidate others, but regardless of where you fall, an inherent flaw in the pitcher/batter confrontation deadens the action. The pitching interface blatantly tips off where the pitch is going before it?s thrown, and this lack of a poker face robs the at-bats of substance and depth. The fielding and base-running controls are smooth, though, and you can bat with or without a cursor.

MLB 2004?s average graphics and sounds won?t help it fill seats. The facial detail and frame rate are great, but the player models and ballparks need better texture detail and lighting.

Deciding whether to spring for this game will boil down to individual preferences. Several other baseball games are far more polished, but if you?re intrigued by MLB 2004?s features, and if its pace and batting work for you, it?s worth the price of admission.

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