Free Web Site - Free Web Space and Site Hosting - Web Hosting - Internet Store and Ecommerce Solution Provider - High Speed Internet
Search the Web

toppick.gif (4926 bytes)
MICROSOFT BASEBALL 2000
 Manufacturer: Microsoft Games/Wiz Bang (1999)
Genre: Professional Baseball Sim    
System Requirements:  Win95/98, Pentium 133 or faster, 32 MB RAM, Mouse, CD-ROM, Sound Card, 100 MB HDD space, DirectX 6.1, 3D accelerator card recommended.

  Baseball season is here- and that means baseball sims hitting the shelves as fast as a Randy Johnson fastball. EA has normally been the hardball sim of choice for most die-hard PC baseball fans with excellent graphics, gameplay and features. Other baseball sims have really not measured up to the outstanding EA package- notably in the graphics department. Microsoft entered the baseball sim arena a little over a year ago with Microsoft Baseball 3D. While a noble attempt (the first baseball sim to actually include helmet/hat logos and player portraits ON the polygon figures) it was something of a disappointment. The polygon figures looked blocky, bulky and disproportionate (big legs, big chest, twiggy arms) to begin with. Bats looked more like a straight wooden dowl and some of the field texturing was ugly. Needless to say, Microsoft Baseball 3D didn't last long on my hard drive.

What a difference a year makes! Microsoft Baseball 2000 is a "GRAND SLAM". Truly, it's like night and day when comparing last year's model. Just about everything has been revamped and upgraded to offer what may be the best baseball sim to date. Gone are the blocky, dowel wielding players- replaced by something short of a photograph. The detail is incredible to say the least, at maximum detail with a Voodoo2 card one can almost see muscle tension as a player goes into his batting stance. The texturing gives players a decidedly more "rounded" look (as opposed to a blocky 3D look) al la 2,500 polygons per figure and the use of Gouraud shading. The animation is excellent as players now scoop grounders and throw on the fly, jump at the wall in order to attempt to take away a homer- it looks like the real thing! What great to watch is a outfielder make a spectacular diving catch (al la Tim Salmon of the Angels) on a dead run. Another nice touch is the fact that you can actually SEE the players close their gloves as they field or catch a ball. From the double play pivot to the first baseman's stretch all the action is here. The stadiums and accompanying backdrops are excellent to say the least.

The interfaces both in menus and in gameplay are well designed and easy to use. Setting a batting strategy or delivering a pitch involves nothing more than punching a key- no exiting to a menu or dealing with pop-up options. While it all appears rather simple don't be fooled into thinking that MS Baseball 2000 is devoid of depth and detail. Game options include just about everything from a Quick Game (a full nine innings for those on, say, a lunch break) to Home Run Derby to a full season simulation.  Also included is a General Manager utility that allows editing, creating, trading, releasing of EVERY player in the game down to batting stance and pitch delivery.

My only gripes where the ommission of any kind of career or dynasty mode and that some of the stadiums were not upgraded to 1998/99. Also, the third or alternate uniforms may very rare appearances- even in Sunday games.   But even with these shortcomings- this is a game with a retail price of $19.99!! Most games that cost double that don't offer these features or such stunning graphics.

MS Baseball 2000 has to be one of this year's biggest surprises and one of the best (if not THE best) baseball game on the market.

 

THE SCOUTING REPORT:

The Pros:

The Cons: 


Reviewed by Steve Ellis


Previewed by Steven Ellis