MEMBER PROFILE FOR 50/50
Average Overall Score Given: 10.00000 / 10
Total Forum Posts: 3
Reviews
World Series Baseball 2K3
Overall: This is the baseball game to get this year. Again, Sega has managed to jump up and slam one deep against the comp. ASB is good, and MVP is, well - let's just say EA will have to revisit the ol' drawing board again next year. WSB2k3 seems to have fixed the AI problems from last year and being that I play this one in single player/franchise mode the most, this game really makes the most of re-creating a realistic approach to baseball. This one is the total package.Gameplay: Where to start? This one has all of the bells and whistle needed to make any gamer happy. Deep franchise mode and TV style ESPN presentation. But the real sticking point, as with any game, is gameplay. Renderware really does another great job with this one. The calculations involved to recreate the ball jumping off of the bat and into the field are unmatched- The AI has been tweaked and really make you pay when you gamble at diving for a ball or throwing to the wrong base. At times you feel overmatched, but at the same time, purist of the sport will realize that this is what makes up the ebb and flow of the real game. A simple lead-off walk to start the inning can destroy a pitcher that works himself behind the count when facing the heart of the line up in real life, and Sega has placed that feeling right into the game seamlessly. In last years effort, I think I ran off about a 25 game winning streak on the toughest difficulty setting. I never finished my season because it was just too easy. This year, I have already lost 12 games and feel like I had the power to change that, but in all truth, poor pitch selection and placement cost me a few runs. You can even look at the box scores on your favorite sports web site and view the numbers, and find the same type of numbers for your game. Each game, you may get the feeling that you are getting way too many hits, and boom, the CPU pitcher either regains his control, or the manager pulls him all together in an effort to stop the barrage of hits. Either way, the ending stats look like the real world counter parts, around 7 to 12 hits a game, and about 5 to 4 as final scores. Depending on the team you are using, you should have some realistic numbers. This game is the bomb! The only gripe is that you cannot play two players on the same team. I know it is a minor gripe, but I would have loved to see that option. Bottom line here is that this game is fun and challenging. Months and months of 1 player fun ahead if you own this one...
Graphics: Graphics - Well, what can I say here except again Sega has done a great job. All Sega does with there sports franchise's is place attention to detail. If you look at the NFL, NBA or WSB2k series, then you know you are in good hands. No dwarfs here, no washed out colors. Just great graphics and above average animations. There are a few guys that look a bit off, and there are a few times that the bat does not meet the ball, or the bat is not in the hands of your hitter on the replays. But overall, it is a very solid effort. The stadiums are recreated beautifully. Everyone that plays the game with their home team and been to the home ballpark should be able to spot the details. For me, Minute Maid Park is right on the money. The buildings behind the park, all of it. I mean, you want intricate, just visit the Reds new ballpark and look at the cars going by on the bridge behind center field. The presentation and menus are good. The ESPN look is a welcomed addition to all of Sega's titles. The interface is good, and the only gripe would be that the instant replay's start at the beginning of the play instead of just getting the tail end.
Audio: The sound is great. From the play by play, to the fans calling out to the players - "Hey Scott! Your team ain't Rolen!" Or, "Hey Chipper! Chip, Chip, Chipper!" Funny stuff. All that is missing is the "Hey Piazza, you swing like a homo". At any rate, the sounds and ambiance are perfect. The bat cracks, and the stadium sounds make the title complete.
Suggestions: I really only have a small issue - Why doesn't the announcers say created players names? If the names are names that are already in the game - For example - Williams, Brown, Miller etc. NFL & NBA2k3 has name recognition, this needs to be in next years version.
Overall Score: 10.0 / 10
