There are two things I looked for when purchasing a baseball game for my PS2. One is realism (i.e. Yankees kick the shit out of everyone) and two is the ability to bean Mike Piazza in repeated at-bats. I am pleased to report that World Series Baseball 2K3 delivers on both accounts, and then some.
The advances in sports video games over the years are countless, but one of the most important is the ability to vary the computer's skill level in one-player games (this one has four modes: rookie, pro, all-star or legend). That way, the game remains competitive whether you're an 11-year-old novice or, worse, a Red Sox fan.
This 30-year-old is satisfied hovering between pro and all-star and not even contemplating such advanced features as create-a-player and franchise mode, which includes a loyalty rating for each player that will determine how long he stays with one team as users go through several seasons. And the day I play enough to find out how many seasons it takes Jason Giambi to leave the Yanks is the day I call god and see if he's got room on the couch.
Among the cool features that even casual players can enjoy are throwback uniforms for each team, five historic ballparks, a team made up of Hall of Famers, and the ubiquitous home run derby. You can even play an All-Star Game that doesn't end in a tie.
The game is not without its flaws. The hot zones in retired outfielder Dave Justice's strike zone outnumber those in Alfonso Soriano's and Derek Jeter's combined, but it's a small price to pay for a pretty cool baseball game that doesn't end beer sales after the sixth inning.
In Five Words or Less: Like Yanks, a Winner
Links:
• MetaCritic's Composite of Reviews
• World Series 2K3 Message Board
Pitchers must bat and there should be no DH or DR. MLB should be a reflection of the pure baseball we all played growing up whether organized or in the field by our neighbor's house. I hate it when I go to an Astro's game and there is introductory music for every batter and the sheer number of diffent concessions (pizza, sushi, and all kinds of other crap that you will spill on your lap). Give me the foot-long National Hebrew hot dogs with mustard onions and a little relish, a corn dog, peanuts, Cracker Jacks, cotton candy and a ton of adult malted beverages. OK, I must admit the smoked turkey leg was awesome, but it is time to go back to basics so the purest can enjoy the game for the game's sake. This is not football, basketball or hockey for Christ' sake.
Posted by JC at May 12, 2003 9:20 AM