I have a confession to make so I’ll just go ahead and say it: I’ve played MVP Baseball 2004 until there were blisters on my fingers and somehow the early evening became early morning. Yes, I’ve spent many an hour taking the Cubs through a most brutal campaign in the game’s amazing Dynasty Mode. I’ve locked eyes with Randy Johnson as he stepped up to the pitcher’s mound and pitched a perfect game against the Yankees. Now with MVP Baseball 2005, I’m prepared to gladly lose more sleep all in the name of bringing you this review. So is it as good as last year’s game, you might ask? All I can say is that I haven’t seen daylight in quite awhile.

MVP Baseball 2005 is the stuff virtual baseball dreams are made of and that’s not easy to say considering the fact that Visual Concept’s 2K series is nothing to sneeze at. Yet somehow, in this reviewer’s opinion, EASports delivered a game that has all the appearances of a thoroughly detailed baseball simulator without the strict regulations that hold gamers back from actually enjoying the game. In other words, all the sights, sounds and rules of Major League Baseball are present and accounted for, but thanks to the gameplay we’re looking at a seriously fun and addictive game. 

All the returning game modes are back such as Exhibition, Dynasty Mode and Home Run Showdown, but this year’s game sees some new additions such as Owner Mode and Mini-Games. There’s even Manager Mode here and, of course, online multiplayer action. The real meat and potatoes here, though, is once again the game’s Dynasty Mode that puts you in control of your team and its season schedule so you’ll be taking your team to the very top. On the other hand, the new Owner Mode puts you in charge of an entire staff that ranges from hitting coaches to managers and talent scouts. As owner of your own dynasty you’ll even get the chance to build your own ballpark with the Create A Ballpark editor. Yet don’t expect to go wild with plentiful creation options since the game’s few options just allows you to add turf and decide on the color scheme of your seats. You will, however, be in charge of making sure the fans are satisfied with the service of your ballpark so you’ll be paying close attention to their reactions to what types of concession stands you purchase or if you include T-Shirt Night Thursdays every month.

The new additions just don’t apply to the game modes themselves but the actual ballgame as well. You’ll be able to climb the fence to steal a home run and read a pitch far better than last year’s game. You’ll be able to send out a manager to argue a play with the umpire (a meter will appear, allowing you to control the pressure you can place on the umpire). New to the series is the Hitter’s Eye function that allows players to read the pitch before the pitcher releases it. You’ll be able to tell whether you’ll be faced with a fastball or even a knuckleball just by the color the ball changes before the pitch. You’ll even be treated to a replay of the pitch, which is a good indictor of how the pitch managed to find itself in the catcher’s mitt. The Pitch Meter is back again ... thankfully. For those who aren’t familiar with it, when you’re pitching a curved meter pops up and with the press of a button you’ll attempt to hit the green zone otherwise your pitch will go wild. Trust me when I say that the Pitch Meter works beautifully.

If you’re having trouble pitching or hitting, the Mini-Games mode serves as a Spring Training mode. Here you’re faced with a few challenges to beef up your batting skills, for example, so you’ll be hitting some dingers across an elaborate field complete with ramps and rusted vehicles you can hit for points. Pitching offers a few challenges that will help you throw curveballs, fastballs and sliders so when you’re going up against the likes of cover boy Manny Ramirez you’ll be able to pit him against an appropriate pitcher.

When you’re up to bat, a picture-in-picture view of the mound allows you to check out your runner on first and second so you know what they’re up to before you attempt to swing. You’ll also be able to move in the batter’s box, which also moves your hot and cold zones. This basically means that the pitcher won’t be able to easily target your cold zone. 

My biggest complaint is the online multiplayer mode. I love the fact that you can play the game using Broadband or Dial-Up and the use of a USB Headset just makes my day. However, using the Dial-Up connection often knocks you out of the game or will treat you to some slowdowns that ruin the game. Broadband plays a lot more smoother but you’ll still encounter some framerate problems. If you’re looking for online baseball action, Major League Baseball 2K5 is the clear winner this year.

As far as the graphics are concerned, last year’s game didn’t exactly get the faces right. Sure you were able to point out your favorites but then again players like Jason Giambi didn’t look, well, lifelike. This year, though, the faces look downright amazing to the point that you’ll be impressed with the expressions and detailed facial features. There are new animations so you won’t see the same player step up to bat the same way he did back in the first inning. Even the fans look great and the ballparks themselves are amazing. 

The sound isn’t bad at all either, but when it comes to the soundtrack I’m afraid this is where EASports failed. Forget the fact that the musical talent comes from some unknown artists (well, except for the Dropkick Murphys), the tunes are basically just generic rock. Still, the commentary team of Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper do a great play-by-play and color commentary that just go nicely with the flow of the game. The stadium sounds are also amazing and you’ll hear a vendor calling out his wares while a heckler or two has a thing to say to Mister Jeter.

EASports hits another homerun with MVP Baseball 2005, making this the most solid and wonderfully addictive ballgame on the PS2. With various improvements and some very neat additions to the game, there’s just no denying the fact that this is the closest to baseball gaming heaven we’ll come this year. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up right away, sports fans. 

Gameplay: 9.6
It seems like EASports was well aware of the little blemishes the plagued last year’s near perfect game because they’re nowhere to be found in this year’s game. The Pitch Meter is back again and the new Hitter’s Eye is a welcome addition to a game that now plays like a fan’s dream come true. Really, I don’t want to put the controller down.

Graphics: 9.0
This is one amazing-looking PS2 game and even more so now that the player faces have been neatly polished to the point that all your favorite players can be instantly recognizable. The visual presentation has definitely improved and the picture-in-picture view of the mounds is more than appreciated.

Sound: 8.5
The soundtrack might not be everyone’s cup of tea since most of it is generic rock tunes from some pretty unknown bands like Louis XIV. The commentary, though, is at the top of its game and it doesn’t get any better than Kuiper and Krukow. The rest is composed of stadium sounds that are nicely detailed enough that you’ll hear everything from hecklers to fellow teammates.

Difficulty: Medium
The opponent AI will also make you work up a sweat but thankfully the game allows for player mistakes like a real game (unless, of course, you’re playing Home Run Showdown). Still, you’ll be constantly attempting to match up against strong pitchers while you’re on the mound or tightening your fielding when the heavy hitters are batting. 

Concept: 9.5
Owner Mode is a great addition to the series as is the Mini-Games that help tighten up your game. While the Create A Ballpark isn’t as deep as we’d like it be it still allows us to build our fantasy park and be in charge of its littlest details in Owner Mode like purchasing concession stands or inventing fan appreciation days. Dynasty Mode will steal most of your weekends and nights.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Online multiplayer goodness using a Broadband or Dial-Up connection is available for up to two players. The good news is that you can use a USB headset to chat with other players. The bad news is that I’ve encountered a few hiccups that slow the game down on both the Broadband and dial-up connections. Still you can play against a friend offline.

Overall: 9.3
If you’re looking for a true baseball simulator that’s just too much darn fun to put down, MVP Baseball 2005 will more than satisfy your hunger of a ballgame worthy of any sports fan out there.  If this year’s game is any indication of where the franchise is going then we can expect some great things next year. Good job, EASports, chalk this up as another hit.