Visually, MLB 2005 isn’t the prettiest game on the market, but it does enough to get by. What sets MLB apart from the competition are the superb animations. MLB has the best overall animation of all the games out this year, all running at a smooth 60fps. The swinging animations, to the batter’s signature batting styles and at the plate nuances are here and done right. Nomar adjusts his gloves, Sammy has his hop, and Ichiro…well he does his thing. The awesome animations don’t end there. You will see special cut scenes, such as a base runner chatting with the 1st baseman, signs from the 3rd base coach, Shortstops making diving stabs and throwing from his knees, players falling backwards on high pop flies and poor judgment, and even some cool replays in “Matrix” style for specific double plays. These are just a few of the special touches that 989 have added this year. Lastly, the animations are even fluid in the out and infield. The transitions from diving plays, double plays, running grabs, and leaping stabs are fluid when going from one play to the next. From a distance it almost looks real. The player models are decent, but some of the player’s heads are a bit off. Even with this fact, the player faces are fantastic as they are all mapped on the player models accurately, and unlike ESPN or All Star, they don’t look stretched out or distorted. Use the Eye Toy to add your favorite player or yourself, and your roster lineup will never be incomplete or outdated (at least in Exhibition mode, but more on that later). The stadiums are fantastic and are very accurate to the real life ballparks. What’s more, HR shots have most all of the stadium specific HR flairs; such as Shea’s Apple and Houston’s Train, which are done by game lifting cut scenes with fireworks, close-ups and more! Oddly enough, no game this year has had the pyro coming from the smoke stacks at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Presentation is very nice, with all the information you need to know in the game. From the pitch count, which pitcher are warming up, player and play of the game, and more, give a great telecast feeling. Rounding off the visuals is some very nice lighting and smooth textures and filters eliminating the dreaded jaggies that plague the PS2 at times. Just one look at MLB 2005 and you’ll begin to have faith in what 989 can do with this series in the future. It’s just a shame it took this long to get there.

Audio is better than average but is edged out by MVP when it comes to atmosphere. Commentary seems to be the weakest link, and while at heart I love Vin Scully, his commentary is becoming rather dry. Even with two other men in the booth, they just aren’t chatty enough. What they do well is keep pace with the action in play, and also give insightful info such as how a particular player is doing in the season, or trivia questions that are answered a few innings later, just like a live telecast. Commentary is good, just not interesting. The crowd is very active, but never really quiets down, reacts to rallies or strike out moments accurately enough to feel realistic. The in game sounds are very good, with the wood of the bat never sounding better. While in Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound, the audio does a good job distributing the treble and bass correctly, especially when the replicating fireworks. If the main color guy had more oomph, like a Bob Uecker, and provide more interactive crowds, maybe next year 989 can capture more fans in the audio department.

The MLB series was always known for some incredible game play on the PSOne, yet that magic has never reached the PS2 for 989 Sports, that is until now. MLB overall has the most accurate game play of all the ball games out this year. While it may do things a little simplistic and old school, the end results are great games with accurate box scores. The game even has an element of fun to the great controls and presentation. Everything seems just right, whether it’s the base runner speed, outfielder’s speed, variety of hits, or whatever, you really can’t find fault in the way MLB plays a great game of baseball. It’s not just the brilliant ball physics either, as the A.I. is respondent, fair, and competitive. The result is some of the most erratic games you’ll play in a season. You’ll witness 3 hit shut outs for you and the CPU. You’ll blow out the CPU and you’ll be on the receiving end of a butt kicking too. Pitchers may go 9 innings, or they may go 4 as a starter. It’s all random and gives the gamer the feeling that the CPU is alive and there are no guarantees. The control scheme is simple, which is its weakest aspect. It all works well, but some additions to pitching next year would be nice to see. Pitching this year has you picking a pitch, location, and depending on how long you hold the button, determines your emphasis on a pitch. This also effects stamina, so save those pressure sensitive pitches for the 0 and 2 count fast ball up and away. There are 3 styles of hitting you can choose from. For rookies, you have basic timing. For Veterans, you have 3 zones to choose from, and depending where you aim the swing effects where the ball connects the bat. Lastly, the most accurate and difficult level (all star) finds you aiming at 9 zones and you must guess right or mostly right or it’s a weak dribbler, pop out, or worse yet, the big K. Most players can get by and have accurate totals with veteran, but hardcore gamers will want the challenge of All Star level for the most accurate balls and strikes. Fielding is easy, sometimes too easy. Even if you set the game up for manual fielding, the CPU oddly enough still gets you started towards the ball. This is only a bad thing because it doesn’t leave much room for error or misplayed balls. Otherwise the fielding is great and pulling off critical double plays and running down flies deep to the outfield are done with little frustration. Overall, MLB may not be perfect, but the end results are close to perfect as you can get if you want the most accurate representation of baseball.

MLB 2005 has a wealth of modes to choose from. You have the standard exhibition, HR derby, online, and season modes for your basics. For stat and depth junkies you have two styles of modes to choose from. First mode of play is the Career mode. It is this mode that puts you in control of a single player, as you hold his Career in your hands. You must fight in this mode first for a starting spot on the roster by making goals in spring training that will outdo your competition. Once in the "Bigs" and you have a contract, it’s up to you to make your guy a hall of fame player. This mode is very cool, and with the use of the Eye Toy, living the ultimate Create A Player dream is now a reality. No longer are you messing with face building tools to try and resemble your mug, you now HAVE your mug in the game. Unfortunately this option is only available for single season, Career, and exhibition modes. Why such a great option wasn’t made available for Franchise mode is beyond me. Gamers who want to keep the game fresh and updated are unable to as the rosters are set to default when you start a new Franchise. It is this omission that kept MLB from getting an A-. In the second mode, known as Franchise, you control a team and every aspect of the team to build a dynasty like no other. You must manage you money wisely, and manage it you will. You must manage ticket prices, parking, vendor prices, stadium upgrades, TV rights, advertisements, and more to build your finances. Just when you think you have your finances under control, the team starts to complain that they are tired of riding the team bus and want first class transportation. This is just one instance of things you need to do to keep your players happy. You must also expand their weight rooms, provide them with spas, massage regiments, and more pampering then they can handle. To say the least this mode is deep, so deep in fact you may spend as much time off the field managing your money, as you do on the field. The most impressive fact is that MLB is the only game to utilize actual dollar numbers. No breaking down by points here. You have a budget, everything has a price, and can you keep your fans and players happy enough? Or will you go bankrupt before your time ends as manager. Lastly, there is online play. The lag is almost non-existent, which will make for some great games of baseball. You may also participate and create tournaments. Unfortunately there isn’t a roster uploading option for future trades, but the rosters for the most part are updated quite accurately. Overall, you’ll be playing MLB far into next season, where I hope managing and playing, as minor league teams will be an option.

I can’t help but wonder how 989 made such a drastic turn around from just a year ago, but they did it! I’ve enjoyed playing this game more than any game this year, and the depth, accuracy, animations, and atmosphere is the best all around title this season. The key is MLB doesn’t concentrate on doing just one thing right, it maintains doing all things very well and in the end I can’t help but give MLB 2005 my pick for best baseball game this year.