I have 04 and I played it to death, so I was ready for a change, not just roster updates, but a change in the game to make it fresh and appealing. Yes, as you read above, the new Owner Mode will keep you playing until you're in a nursing home, but the the big addition this year of course is the ability to take your skills on XBOX Live which is a big plus compared to 04 and if you have XBOX Live, this certainly gives it more replay value by allowing you to play with anyone anytime.
Putting it to the test, I looked for some other changes in the game. E.A. added the "batters or hitters" eye feature. It gives you a quick glimpse with a flash of light right when the ball leaves the pitchers hand. The ball changes colors as it's thrown to show you what type of pitch is being launched. The ball leaves a contrail, a lot like a comet that helps players to tell the the speed and trajectory of the pitch. The better a player's batting attributes, the longer a pitch will retain its color and contrail as it comes down the shoot. It gives you a split second to determine where the ball will probably end up giving you the chance to swing accordingly. It's definitely in favor of the batter and can be turned on or off in the options screen. For me, its just for a little glitz and something new, but I don't feel it's a neat or cool addition to the game. I also don't seem to hit better with or without it, I suppose in the end, it's up to you.
The graphics are better than last year, this time supporting 780HD TV's and people with wide screen will be in love. The graphics overall have also been heaved up the mark. The players faces looked quite bad last year, flat faces, with no character. E.A. listened, the players faces look more lifelike and show more emotion than ever and you can recognize the big name boys at first glance. Signature batting stances are also more pronounced this year and each year I see them getting closer to the real guys signature moves and stance. I'd like to see a little spitting and player mannerisms before they go to bat, but the stances will have to do. Crotch grabbing also is not one of E.A.'s focuses this year either, thank goodness. I noticed a few more diving catches and some fantastic motion captured throws and dives than '04. I really couldn't notice them at first glance, but the more you play, the more you appreciate the time spent in the varied and countless motion captured moves througout the game. The most important part of any baseball game is fluid gameplay and MVP baseball plays as smooth as you could want especially when you field, it just seems so natural.
The sound is right on the mark, teriffic sound effects, sounds of the bat smaking the ball, trash talking in the stands, screaming fans, good announcing and great Digital Music, they got that right. The owner mode is right on mark too and is the dynasty mode for baseball. It's a bit different than other E.A games though, it's more or less about pricing tickets for your stadium, concessions, and trying to get fans to the games that don't bring in revenues usually. Owner mode is about making money and keeping your players happy. If you got the time, and shame on you if you do, the game allows you 30 years to make your organization successful. 30 years of gaming, hmmm, how do people find time to do this??
But don't cry, sports games is about multiplayer action anyway, and with the ability to go at it online and play with a friend on your couch, that is how the game should be played anyway.
Anyhoo, as many people know, this could be the last MVP baseball, at least for some years anyway due to the licensing issues with other companies, but since E.A. stole the NFL license in return, I'm happy to see someone else do it to them. I find it appauling the world allows rich game companies to buy out licenses to keep other game companies from competing. E.A. may say otherwise, but that is basically what they are doing. Mind you, I love E.A. but with less competition for the future, does this mean less quality for their games? Let's pray and hope not.
Back to the game, this game is very fun. The graphics are a lot better than 04 and I was happy to see it on XBOX Live too. I have to say it plays great so far, and I have not seen any XBOX Lag issues for it yet.I just hope more people join the bandwagon, (I think everyone is playing NBA Street) If you don't have XBOX Live, the Owner mode will keep you happy for 30 years though, so don't think this game doesn't have any replay value. Enjoy it this year, it could be the last E.A. baseball game this decade. Pooh!
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MVP Baseball 2005 is the closest game currently on the market to give you the most in-depth baseball experience possible. In my opinion, the only people not liking some aspects of this game will be New York Yankees fans. It's not only Manny on the cover, but also the intro video, cracks and comments throughout the games and even a song praising Boston's first title in 86 years. Well, all I can say is, if you can't overlook those things, you're missing one fantastic game. Let's break it down:Owner Mode:
New this year is Owner Mode where you begin with picking a stadium (not one of the existing ballparks, but a starter stadium) and making a few upgrades (seating, lights, whatever you can afford before opening day). You can add a restaurant, set ticket prices, make promotional days and on and on.
You have a financial advisor for the season, budget reports, player contracts, etc. One note: Yes, you can be the owner and play the game just like you would in Dynasty Mode. You can sim, play individual games, manage the game or sit in your luxury box and watch it all take place. There is so much to this mode that I couldn't possibly fit it into this review.
Dynasty Mode:
This mode is essentially the same as last year. Keep the owner happy, the players, do contracts and play the games. It's been updated and tweaked for more user friendly experience. And I can't leave out that this year, you even have single-A teams in addition to AA, AAA, and MLB.
Mini Games:
Instead of just a Home Run Derby, EA has included a variety of features that can teach you different aspects of the game. There is batting practice, pitching practice and also a scenario editor. To me, I found it to be an enjoyable experience especially when hitting the cars and busses over the outfield wall. This seems like a throw back to Triple-Play 2000 when you had target practice.
Graphics:
Simply amazing. Need I say more? The players faces and stances are mirrored to their real-life counterparts. Cutscenes, and animations are gorgeous. The only thing I found a proble with was the crowd...even in 2005, they are still wooden-looking. That's a sacrifice you have to make and it doesn't detract from the game experience.
Gameplay:
What a shift from last year! Pitching is now a lot more realistic with the way you use the meter. Instead on the old meter where you set power and tried to hit right spot, they have upgraded it to you having to stop it and exactly the right moment, if not, you risk and early or late breaking pitch. In rookie mode, it's not as big of a deal as it is in MVP mode. Make some mistake pitches in the higher levels and you're asking for trouble.
Batting is great! When you foul off a pitch, a little screen comes up and shows you how you hit it. Fouling off a pitch is a mistimed swing, same as a swing through. Gone is the animation where you swung, missed the ball and it popped up the crazy box to show you missing it. Instead, this year, they have the popup box, yet include the ball trail so you see how you missed it.
Fielding & baserunning is comparable to last years version with some great upgrades to visuals. There are plenty of dives, showboating grabs, wall jumps, and take-out slides.
Ok, I could go on & on with this review because, like I said, this is the most in-depth baseball game I have ever seen. If you want the best out there, MVP Baseball 2005 hits a Home Run.
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i know that there are still a bunch of loyal original Xbox people out there like myself, and i'm telling you, MVP Baseball 2005 is still one of the best overall baseball games and stands easily in competition with today's The Show and 2K baseball games.think of The Show but much easier to player and as less high definition graphics.
the game is awesome, very simple to play, commentary is good, and the graphics are excellent.
there isn't much weather option, just day or night, that's it.
soundtrack is good, i just wish you could add custom soundtracks because it's always the same songs and after a while, you know all the words.
MVP has over 100 top prospects, many of real baseball stars but with hidden names.
my only real con against the game is no extras like long sleeves shirts, glasses (Eric Gagne) or walk off homerun celebrations.
my last con is the colors like on the redsox and braves aren't as sharp as the 2k series or The Show, but overall, GREAT game.
If they would update the entire game, rosters, ballparks, jerseys, coaches there would honestly be no reason to buy any other baseball game.
it's that GOOD.
Honest reviews on MVP Baseball 2005 - Xbox
You know what really irks me about the recent exclusivity licenses given to EA (Football) and Take Two (Baseball)? It's the fact that the licenses had been taken away from the games I liked (NFL 2K5 and MVP Baseball) and got awarded to their statistically worse opponents, Madden and MLB 2K5 (at least in my mind they are). Sigh! At least MVP doesn't give a dismal, or even a decent performance in it's final show (for at least a while anyway), MVP stole the show and then burned the stage to the ground! I will be looking forward to the ending of the exclusive licensing of the MLB, since I will have this game to come back to when it ends...Pros: 1. Owner Mode (Choose to be a George Steinbrenner or a Bud Selig with your franchise for 30 years!)
2. Better fan sound (very loud chants of LETS GO BUCS in my stadium... and I only have a 12,000 seating capacity!)
3. The A league farm teams are added to round out the minor league system (who doesn't want to be the Lynchburg Hillcats?)
4. Oodles and oodles of Unlockables (I haven't unlocked anything yet, but I hear that is is deeper than last year)
5. You can still manage a ball club long after your grandkids are dead in Dynasty Mode (it and Owner mode are two separate modes)
6. Mini-games to give that extra boost to a prospect or star player (in Dynasty or Owner Mode)
7. Common bugs from last year are fixed (progression is less erratic and Players develop into stars and the lefty bug is gane as well)
8. Hitting and pitching are a lot harder this year (realism)
9. Allows for 720p picture on a high definiton TV (If I had my Xbox hooked up to one, i'd still be ogling right now)
10. The Hitters eye (have an easier time hitting... It hasn't helped me though...)
11. Send the manager out and argue with the umpire!
12. Filters on the managers e-mail (no more spam!)
13. Online play
Cons: 1. Hitting and Pitching are a lot harder this year (frustration)
2. Hitter's eye (too hitting-oriented?)
3. The EA Trax stink (the Trax this year are all forgettable and at many times annoying songs from who-the-heck-is-this bands)
4. No custom soundtrack options (this has always irked me about EA. They have custom soundtrack options for titles such as Madden and NASCAR, but they do not have it for some of the other titles)
5. The commentary is basically recycled from last year and with no new dialogue
6. Curse the Vortex from the hitting mini-game... it makes the ball fly back beyond the foul line
7. Online play is just so-so
Final Verdict: Definite buy. This is probably going the be the last MVP title for a long time and even with the limited online options, the single-player modes will keep you busier for most likely longer than the actual MLB Season this year. I probably wouldn't be suprised if some people actually play MVP 2005 until the exclusive license agreement has ended... that's how addictive this game is.
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This game is without a doubt the single best baseball game to ever come out. Surpassing the old All-Star baseball franchise and the Triple Play franchise. The game is rich in color, sound and deep gameplay. The graphics are excellent and all players, stadiums and rosters are accurate as of January 2005. There are several different modes, including; exhibition, dynasty, owner, mini game, homerun showdown, and manager.The game is just amazing, and so addictive.
Buy it.
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