AbstractHIGH HEAT BASEBALL 2004 goes beyond next-generation, combining exceptional graphics, seamless animation, top-notch presentation, and the deepest, most challenging Franchise Mode ever, with its already highly acclaimed baseball realism, fast-action gameplay, and the best pitcher-batter interface and Artificial Intelligence.
ESRB rating
Full descriptionHigh Heat has always been generous with features in its PC incarnation, and the console version has finally caught up to it. Boasting eleven different modes of play, HH 2004 takes several steps beyond the product offered last year and genuinely tries rather hard to push feature diversity. All the classics are here: Home Run Derby, Exhibition, All-Star Games, Batting Practice, Player Editing devices, and other such goodies await the gamers who patiently explore its every area. Perfect for two-player matches, Two-on-Two Showdown returns from last year's PS2 version and presents itself as a console-exclusive option (you're not going to find it in the GBA or PC versions at all).
High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 features include a brand-new graphics engine, all-new motion-captured player animations, and Franchise Mode containing comprehensive player contracts, financial and free agent systems and realistic player management features. 3DO even tripled the number of pitch types from detailed scouting reports and input from Curt Schilling, himself!
Editorial reviewSource:
AmazonThe High Heat series has always been one of opposites. Each game in the series has played great, realistic baseball--but the graphics never look as good as the competition. High Heat games always hit the shelves before the competition's games, but they're always plagued with stability issues and other bugs. High Heat games are always the best baseball game of the year in terms of realism, but they always sell the worst. Each year hardcore baseball fans hope and pray that developer 3DO will get it right, and each year 3DO improves just enough to keep hope alive (the High Heat series is kind of like the Red Sox). The good news is that the 2004 edition of High Heat Baseball is no exception to the above. The bad news is that, on the PC at least, the 2004 edition is no exception to the above.
As usual High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 isn’t quite as pretty as most of the competition, but the game does have a nostalgic look that’s quite stylish--kind of like the difference between now-torn down County Stadium and the new Miller Park that replaced it in Milwaukee. A major area of improvement is in player animation. The players aren’t stiff anymore; they move like human beings. A bit of graphics sheen was applied to the stadiums too, and while not the best, High Heat is finally a good looking game. Unfortunately, audio is merely okay. The problem isn’t limited to dry and dull commentary. High Heat 2004 pretty much has the same soundtrack as High Heat 2003 and, the music often does not match action on the field.
High Heat 2040 adds some 30 new pitches to the game, and the pitcher/batter interface so crucial to this game’s success (it’s the best in the business and it feels like real baseball) is still in place and looking good. High Heat plays a solid game of baseball that just feels right.--Andrew S. Bub
Pros:
- Good looks, great gameplay
- Best pitcher/batter duel available in a baseball game
Cons: All new motion captured player movements, new animation system, enhanced stadium lighting and new graphics engine; Complete Minor Leagues System; Multiplayer, Unbalanced, and CPU Trading; Comprehensive Player Contract, Financial, and Free Agent System.
- Portions of content provided by Rovi Data Solutions, Inc. and IGN Entertainment, Inc.