Last year, Sega Sports hit a home run with World Series Baseball 2K3, definitely last year’s choice if you were looking for a perfectly delicious baseball title with a lot to offer.  Well this year, things have changed and the franchise now sports the ESPN label so you can come to expect a game that feels like its being brought to you by the sports maniacs at ESPN.  So, with this in mind, ESPN Baseball looks to bring us a baseball game with an online multiplayer mode and fresh new tricks up its sleeve.  Does this game deliver the goods?  Sit right down, ball fans, and let’s talk baseball.

From the opening credits, we already feel the influence the ESPN brand brings to the game.  We’re talking flashy graphics and the promise of the ESPN K Zone (one of the most in-depth pitching analysis features seen in a televised event).  Well I’m happy to report that this game captures it all beautifully and it does a great job of making each game seem like a real event.  Those little subtle differences that make the game are also present, like broken bats and mound conferences also add more visual punch.  But as good as the presentation looks; it’s all about how the game plays so we’ll get right to it.

ESPN Baseball offers many of the modes we’ve seen in last year--with the exceptions of a few tweaks here and there.  You’ll still play an Exhibition, Season and Playoffs mode but this year we see two new additions: Duel Mode and Gamecast.  Duel Mode has you choosing your favorite pitcher and hitter and go up against an opposing duo.  Gamecast allows gamers to jump into the middle of a game or concentrating on a single play in a game in progress.  While Duel is entertaining enough, Gamecast really caters to those religiously fanatic for the game (like me, for instance) but hardly offers anything a causal gamer might adore or find fascinating.  Then there’s General Manager Mode, a mode that’s been seen before in the 2K games but sees some changes.  GM Mode has an assortment of goals to complete that really push players into the role without being too boring.  One goal might be to take your team to the World Series or get rid of an overpaid staff member or player.  It’s a great mode that just keeps getting better every year.

What hasn’t really changed is the fielding, batting or pitching.  This might not seem like such a bad thing since last year’s game made for a very fluid and addictively fun baseball simulation, but all its few faults are still present and seem to feel more pronounced.  For example, stealing bases can often lead to loss of control over your character.  There’s a button to retreat when you know a pitcher is on to you but your player responds to it way too late.  Thankfully the Options menu allows you to really change the gameplay mechanics to fit your liking and it does help a lot.  Yet changes are definitely needed if next year’s game wants to compete with the far superior MVP Baseball 2004. 

The game does, however, make a good attempt at bringing some change thanks to the Confidence and Effort Meter.  Now pitchers can have the option to put more spit on their fastball for a wilder pitch or sacrifice speed for better control over the ball.  Strikeout a hitter or slam a homer and your Confidence Meter go up.  This makes your pitcher a more relaxed player and your hitter more of a showboat by really running for that base or attempting to hit a dinger out into the parking lot.  These additions work beautifully in the game because, hey, it’s great to be the one to shatter a pitcher’s confidence and prompting a coach to run on to the field to give him a good pep talk.  What doesn’t work, though, is the First-Person Mode (a mode that worked great for ESPN Football).  Baseball in first-person view isn’t a bad idea at all, but it isn’t implemented well during batting.  We can’t see the bat or the strike zone so we have no idea where the pitch is going.  Fielding isn’t fun in first-person perspective, either. 

One of the biggest complaints the series received over the few years has been the lack of an online multiplayer mode.  Well, sports fans, our wish has come true!  This game takes the game online on a Broadband connection so the game moves just as smoothly and with the ability to use a USB headset communicator--this is online major league baseball at its best.  Online you’ll also be able to download current rosters to keep the game updated.  You can even post your current standings on ESPN.com.

Compared to the Xbox version, ESPN Baseball  PS2 is not quite as an attractive-looking game.  The stadiums look authentic and ballparks like Dodger Stadium look close to the real thing.  The same can be said about the players that while a bit on the plain side, move naturally and resemble your favorites far better than last year’s game.  Just check out Louis Gonzalez or Jason Giambi . . . they don’t get any better than that!  The replays also look truly amazing.  Still, it would have been great to see the same detail in the uniforms that the Xbox version showcases.

The game’s sound isn’t bad at all, either, although detailed sound effects seem to be less pronounced this year.  You’ll find the sweet sound of a bat connecting with a ball and the sound of the fans going wild when their team does something truly amazing like successfully steal a base or make a double play.  The hecklers aren’t at all that witty or funny this time around.  A fan might spout out a gem or two but mostly you’ll hear some pretty lame ones like “Your commercials stink, Jeter!”  The two-man commentary team of Jon Miller and Rex Hudler do a great job calling the plays and making surprisingly accurate assessments of a given situation.  The only time the commentary really becomes something of an annoyance is during Duel Mode.  Rex, we love you but those jokes and insults make you sound unlikable.

ESPN Baseball won’t surprise you with something altogether different, but you’ll love the things that make this one addictive PS2 baseball game.  While it doesn’t come close to MVP Baseball 2004, this should be your second choice if you’re looking for a fun baseball game.  

Gameplay: 8.0
Solid controls make this a joy to play . . . just like last year’s game.  Its new additions are welcome ones but it would have been great to see more changes to last year’s weak points.  The ESPN televised presentation rocks, though.  The sight of bats breaking is awesome, but no bean balls are just vexing.

Graphics: 7.5
Once again, not a very great looking game on the PS2 but thanks to the neat motion capture and close-to-the-real-deal face scans, its hard not to be impressed how good the boys of summer look. 

Sound: 7.5
Stadium sound effects sound a lot like an actual televised ball game but the hecklers just aren’t as witty this year.  Jon Miller and Rex Hudler call a great game but why is Rex so annoying during Duel Mode?

Difficulty: Medium
The player AI has gotten a tad more intelligent this year and its good to see the opposing team really hustle out in the field.  You’ll feel really challenged even in the Amateur setting and that’s not bad at all.

Concept: 8
The new Effort and Confidence Meter are a grand slam (they certainly add more to the game than expected) but the First-Person Mode just doesn’t seem to have the right effect (it’s handled far better on ESPN Football) to make it really work.  You can also play as the Cooperstown Legends so Reggie Jackson fans have a lot to cheer about.

Multiplayer: 9.0
We’ve prayed for an online multiplayer mode and our prayers have been answered.  ESPN Baseball brings a two-player match-up using a Broadband connection.  Aside from the fact that you can use a USB headset to taunt a Mets fan, the game runs smoothly on the PS2.  This is baseball the way it should be played . . . online and with plenty of sports fans waiting to take you on.

Overall: 8.5
Okay so it didn’t change much despite its new name, but ESPN Baseball is still very solid and addictive day at the old ball game.  It’s pretty clear that MVP 2004 is the overall winner this year, but this one comes dangerously close to being this year’s favorite baseball title.