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Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001 (PSX) ReviewRelease Date: April 2000 Background Info
Graphics : 55
Fortunately, High Heat Baseball 2001 has a decent frame-rate and acceptable stadiums, but I couldn't imagine why it wouldn't, since there is not much polygon crunching taking place here. I don't claim to be a "graphic tart," but after seeing such great graphics in other baseball games on PlayStation, it's hard to settle for anything less. If your buying decision is based solely on a game's visual presentation (shame on you), there is no reason to finish reading this review.
Audio : 50
In some ways, I am more disappointed over the sub-par audio featured in this game than I am about the horrible graphics (better audio could have given this game a much needed shot in the arm). As it stands, High Heat 2001 fails to impress on both audio and visual levels.
Interface/Options : 75
The following modes are included in High Heat 2001: Exhibition, Quick Play, Home Run Derby, Family Mode, Season, and Playoffs. Most of these modes are self-explanatory, especially if you're a seasoned baseball gamer, but I'm sure most are wondering what the "Family Mode" is all about. Basically, this mode is geared toward young children or those who have never played a baseball game, as the computer controls everything but batting (sounds fun, eh?). Simply put, this mode seems like a slap in the face to the same hardcore baseball fan 3DO is trying to target with their game; I'm sure most gamers would have preferred a more innovative mode in place of this one. Still, there is a nice amount of player editing and team management options included to help make up for the lack of modes and gameplay options.
If there is one thing 3DO's baseball game has over its competitors, it's the in-depth manual and free strategy guide that are included with the game. The manual does an excellent job of explaining and detailing every mode, option, and gameplay element found in the game, while the free strategy guide makes a good accompaniment and offers some great tips. However, the included strategy guide seems to concern itself more with the real game of baseball than it does with its virtual counterpart, since it reads more like a baseball guidebook than a video game strategy guide. Nevertheless, there is plenty of useful information to be found, most of which can easily be applied to almost any baseball game released over the past several years.
Gameplay : 77
Though it is not without flaws, the batting interface in High Heat 2001 is very realistic and challenging. Instead of displaying a cursor showing where the ball will be pitched (MLB), or allowing control over the type of hit (Triple Play), High Heat 2001 forces you to maintain a keen eye and constantly work the count. There are eight possible locations where you can swing the bat (not counting the "basic" swing), and it is up to you to keep your eye on the ball and swing in the same general location by pressing the D-pad in that direction (simply timing your swing to meet the ball will not work here -- although timing is equally as important). To help you figure out how accurate your sense of timing and/or swing location was after a hit, one of three different types of trails will follow the ball: a white trail follows a weak, inaccurate hit, usually resulting in pop flies or grounders to the infield; a red trail follows a good hit, meaning high hit accuracy; and a flaming ball trail comes as the result of perfect contact, which greatly increases your chances for a home run. You can also try to guess the pitch type before the pitcher's windup, allowing for even greater accuracy -- and therefore a greater hit -- if correctly guessed.
As much as I liked the batting interface, I did have some issues with it. First off, you cannot position your batter or move him around at the plate, which felt very limiting. Also, I found it particularly hard to swing at certain areas, namely any area that requires a diagonal button press on the D-pad (e.g., high/left, low/right, etc.).
While not nearly as fresh or solid as the batting interface, the pitching in High Heat 2001 certainly gets the job done. There are a total of nine different pitches in the game and each pitcher has between two and six pitches in his repertoire. A pitch menu displays the available pitches and can be called up by pressing either the L2 or R2 buttons. Once you decide which pitch you want to throw, simply press the D-pad in the direction corresponding to that pitch. Once you have made your pitch selection you can do any one of the following things: pick off a base runner, pitch a strike or a ball, and even throw a bean ball (of course, this may get you ejected from the game). And since this is a realistic simulation, pitchers do eventually tire and become fatigued, so you will need to manage your bullpen accordingly. You can also align your infielders and outfielders while on the mound using the R1 & L1 buttons (respectively) with the D-pad (pressing the L1 & R2 buttons can move both simultaneously).
Base running in High Heat 2001 is very familiar in terms of control and feel, with options to steal/retreat individual runners or all runners. You can also increase and decrease the lead of individual runners, or adjust them simultaneously. It should be noted that it's much easier to steal bases in this game than in the other two PlayStation baseball games, mostly due to some weak AI.
Much like the base running, the fielding in this game is anything but innovative, and is perhaps the weakest part of the gameplay. While you can make players jump and dive, they move around the field and throw the ball very slowly. Some may argue that this makes the game more realistic, but it won't take very long before most players turn on the automatic fielding.
Depending on the difficulty level and gameplay options you choose, the game can play out simplistically or offer some fairly realistic play. The artificial intelligence does, however, fall prey to some basic gameplay "tricks" (i.e., certain pitches and double steal attempts will give you an edge over the CPU), which may single-handedly nullify 3DO's "best baseball game" claim for many.
Replay Value : 70
Overall : 65
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