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How Metascores Are Calculated
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ESPN Major League Baseball raises the bar with Power Pitching, Online Gameplay and a stellar ESPN presentation featuring Jon Miller and Karl Ravech. A new name, a new season, a new way to play! Power Pitching - Take complete control of the mound with new pitches, pitch speeds, pitch interface, pitch animations, pitcher momentum and exclusive ESPN K-Zone pitch analysis. Take Your Game Online - Experience seamless online gameplay for both PlayStation 2 and Xbox. ESPN Presentation - An all-star cast featuring Jon Miller and Karl Ravech delivers insightful game analysis along with everything youd expect from an ESPN Major League Baseball broadcast. Broken Bats and More - Hundreds of new, breakthrough animations including broken bats, mound conferences, on-deck batters, curtain calls, and player reactions. New General Manager Mode - Now youll have to answer to the owners if you cant keep your club running on all cylinders. If you dont make wise decisions, you can get fired by your team or, if successful, be lured away by other teams. Clutch Gameplay - A new momentum meter allows you to tap into the power of your player when you need it most. The Trophy Room - Earn and display trophies by accomplishing in-game goals and surpassing MLB milestones. [ESPN]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 88
Playboy
The exclusive first-person-perspective mode is an interesting gimmick, but the online play is what separates this from the minors. [May 2004]
86
GameZone
I simply can’t give this game as high a score as I did last year (9.3) because not much has changed. While I still think this game is superior to "MVP Baseball," it’s purely because of gameplay.
 85
GameSpy
The single-player game is beefed up with a tweaked pitching interface and the ability to save games at any time. Its biggest coup over its competition from EA Sports, though, is the ability to play online.
84
IGN
Most of the changes were bad, which is why the score is quite a bit lower than last year. So much of Sega's latest feels thrown together. This is a collection of good ideas without a single one being fully realized.
83
Entertainment Weekly
ESPN's game gives you a nice ground-level view of the action, while its Confidence Meter rises and falls depending on your on-field performance. [16 Apr 2004, p.L2T 19]
83
Gaming Age
A very, very good game. The only real issue I have with the game overall is that it feels too much like last year’s title. For some that may be a good thing. I just don’t believe the term; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
82
Team Xbox
Even though the game boasts online play, better animations, and a more accurate hitting system, it still doesn’t catch up to MVP’s dazzling action and ultra-deep franchise mode. ESPN MLB definitely gets the nod as far as online play goes.
81
Official Xbox Magazine
But by releasing the same core game three years running and refusing to incorporate other games' innovations, ESPN is content to take its single, rather than go for extra bases. [Apr 2004, p.75]
81
GameSpot
Unfortunately, contrary to what Sega Sports would lead you to believe, the first-person setting is more of a gimmick than a playable mode.
80
Gamezilla!
It doesn’t do much right in the way of modes, but what it does do correctly it has nearly perfected.
80
GamePro
The gameplay is certainly realistic, but overall, the physics of how the ball moves feel a bit floaty at times. In the final analysis, ESPN MLB trails after "MVP Baseball" and "MLB 2005," making it a good choice for those who aren't satisfied with those league leaders. [Apr 2004, p.89]
80
Electronic Gaming Monthly
ESPN may lack the innovations and overall polish of "MVP," but it's otherwise a serious contender. [May 2004, p.90]]
80
Operation Sports
The on-field aspect of the game is greatly improved, and I get realistic gameplay and accurate results - and that’s about all you can ask for in a game.
80
1UP
Its core gameplay mechanic meets, and in some ways excels over, EA's baseball game... and yet, the window-dressing features are all fairly useless compared to MVP's innovative pitch meter and other extras.
77
netjak
While this game is far from perfect, if you’re a fan of World Series Baseball or baseball games in general, this purchase is a no-brainer. In fact I’d go so far to say that ESPN Major League Baseball could be the game to beat "MVP Baseball" this season.
75
Game Revolution
ESPN MLB isn't a bad game at all, but is functionally a step backwards from last year's game and just can't quite keep up with "MVP."
75
Game Informer
Without solid pitching and batting interfaces, you can't help become disenchanted by this title's play. I applaud Blue Shift's decision to innovate, but the formula still needs a lot of work. [Apr 2004, p.92]
75
Next Level Gaming
I really can't imagine why Blue Shift would go three steps back in the graphics and sound department.
70
GamerFeed
MVP seems to capture the feeling of hitting and pitching more realistically, but ESPN is certainly easier to pick-up-and-play.
70
Cheat Code Central
Nothing but a spruced up version of last year's "World Series Baseball."
70
GMR Magazine
Aside from a single heckler who insists that Andruw learn how to spell his name, you only ever hear a light roar—even when the ball is hit. As a result, you simply don't feel all that enthralled.
60
G4 TV
Ditching the nauseating first-person camera altogether and instead focusing on delivering a playable behind-the-shoulder fielding cam would also be a good start. This one will be warming up in the bullpen until next year.
50
Xbox Nation Magazine
This year's ESPN Major League Baseball seems less polished than its brethren, its new features seem halfhearted at best, and its graphics don't pack the punch they used to.
Zachary S. gave it a 10: Jim W. gave it a 10: Dave R. gave it a 9: Kevin H. gave it a 6: Joe gave it a 5: Jude S. gave it a 10: |
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