High Heat Major League Baseball 2004

Other baseball games might have a more unique feature or two, and several absolutely have better graphics, but only High Heat delivers such consistently riveting gameplay. For the third season in a row, it's the top ballgame on the market.

Thankfully, the crowd noise has improved, with not only the voices of vendors selling their wares, but fans taunting opponents or encouraging the home team – or even exclaiming “oh no!” when the enemy hits a home run (even if you are up 10-0). And in some places, the fans in the stands will actually toss the ball back, such as Wrigley Field in Chicago, which the announcer duly notes. Now that’s a nice touch!

For PS2 owners, baseball comes in many flavors this season. There's the whack-him-upside-the-head silliness of SlugFest 20-04, the flashy-looking arcade play of MVP 2003, and the familiar ESPN-themed look of World Series 2K3. High Heat 2004 should be able to steal some fans away from these high profile releases. Its improved graphics and easily customizable gameplay give it a much more user-friendly feel. The game will still draw the stats freak to it like a magnet, but now maybe the casual fans will finally get to see what they've been missing out on all of these years.

The heat is definitely on and baseball fanatics will surely appreciate the improvements High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 showcases this season. Although it hardly branches out into an altogether new baseball experience, this game is a real blast to play. If you’re looking for a great baseball title, this one is a sure bet.

High Heat Baseball 2004 is a love/hate situation. The gameplay really is as solid as it's ever been, there are more options (including the Franchise mode to keep things fresh for more than a season), and the gameplay sliders make High Heat 2004 more customizable than any of its competition.

Surprisingly High Heat's entry into the 2003 baseball market can best be described as a hardball analogy itself: As the market is full of new contenders and stars entering the prime of their careers, our old friend High Heat laces them up for just one more season to prove it still has what it takes. One of the last remaining players of a bygone era, it does its job well and does it well. Even if it can't keep up with younger and more flexible newcomers.

Even though the High Heat Major League Baseball series doesn't run with the competition in terms of visuals or audio, 3DO closed the gap a bit with this year's release. More importantly, the numerous modest additions and adjustments in High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 add up to a sequel that warrants an upgrade for owners of last year's game and a second look from prospective players who were turned off by the series' formerly unyielding adherence to a simulation design. All that's missing are the kitchen sink, home run celebrations, online play, and a means to download roster updates.

Surprisingly High Heat's entry into the 2003 baseball market can best be described as a hardball analogy itself: As the market is full of new contenders and stars entering the prime of their careers, our old friend High Heat laces them up for just one more season to prove it still has what it takes. One of the last remaining players of a bygone era, it does its job well and does it well. Even if it can't keep up with younger and more flexible newcomers.

Just like it predecessors, High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 puts authentic gameplay ahead of any other detail. The game is a joy to play because it simulates baseball exceptionally well. For those of you who've followed the series on the PlayStation 2 for the past three years, the improved visuals and the addition of downloadable roster updates should offer ample incentive to embrace the Xbox version.

All in all there are 11 game modes in High Heat. Added to the standard modes of play this year are a 2 on 2 challenge mode, where you go and a buddy go pitcher batter to the death (so to speak); a new Home Run Derby mode; and Batting Practice. There is also a full Create A Player, Player Editor, and Playoffs. And of course, as all the Baseball games have this year, a full franchise mode where you take a team through season after season trying to be the best. Complete with trades, drafts, minor leagues and more, it's up to you to create the new MLB Dynasty.

High Heat Baseball 2004 can't measure up graphically to the competition, and though this is a solid baseball title, it can be a little arcade-like and easy. The control elements go from too simplistic to overly complex. There is a learning curve for the control elements, so be prepared for that.

High Heat 2004 verwöhnt Fans der amerikanischen Brennball- Variante mit der vollen Simulationspackung: Bei satten 27 Pitch-Varianten behalten nur Baseball-Experten den Durchblick. Die freuen sich außerdem über einen neuen Franchise-Modus, der sogar die Minor Leagues verwaltet. Steuerungstechnisch bleibt alles beim Alten: Pitching und Batting steuern sich präzise, allein die Feldverteidigung geriet etwas ungenau. Grafik und Sound hat 3DO nur dezent überarbeitet – beides hechelt der EA-Konkurrenz ziemlich hinterher. Außerdem gestaltet das gnadenlos überfrachtete Menüsystem den Weg in den Ballpark zum Hindernislauf. Fans der Vorgänger werden auch die 2004er-Saison mögen, alle anderen Keulenschwinger spielen lieber MVP Baseball 2003 von EA Sports.

Reichlich Features hat die 2004er Ausgabe von High Heat Baseball: Abwechslungsreiche Minigames (Home Run Derby; Two on Two Showdown, dabei gibt es keine Feldspieler, sondern nur Pitcher und Batter), einen Schlag-Übungsmodus, All-Star-Games, einen Karriere-Modus, in dem Sie eine oder mehrere Saisons samt aller Draftphase erstellen und spielen dürfen und einen Editor, der Ihnen ermöglicht, alle Spielerattribute zu verändert.