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Its 2004 all over again which isn't a bad thing
MLB 2005 is essentially the same game as 2004, with some new added animations and more detailed faces. EA has also given us some new Play Modes, most of which aren't very fun to play.
There is a mini-games mode, which allows you to play a Tetris-like pitching game as one of the games. These mini games might add a couple of hours of playing time to the overall game. I have tried them once and have no desire to play them again.
There is also a Dynasty mode where you take control of a team for 3 years. Depending on which team you take on, the expectations are different. Pick the Yankees and you are expected to win, and win a lot. Take the Brewers... and well... have a good number of stolen bases I guess.
In the Dynasty mode you control your team and all the minors. Now you can let the CPU pick rosters and more, and you get constant updates about players. One big gripe I have is players keep complaining about playing time. Even if you play them every day. So I sit the guy for a few games and he is still unhappy. Are they complaining about playing too much or too little? I cannot tell.
There is an owner mode also where you can build your own stadium. The caliber of stadiums you get to build in no way matches what a MLB team would play in (unless you are the Expos/Nationals).
My biggest complaint is the lack of a shortened season. Something like a playoff tree series would be fantastic, instead of a 162 game season or 1 exhibition game.
One other complaint is the menu system. There is too much clicking involved to pinch hit or to swap positions.
Also, the announcing is almost the same as last year, and many times does not match the game play. How many times do I have to hear the announcer use the term "big boy"?
Okay, what is good about this game? The gameplay, like I mentioned, is the same as last year - and this is a good thing. I love the pitching controls. Batting is still hit or miss (literally). In 2005 they have added the ability for the hitter to "pick up" the type of pitch about to be thrown by giving the ball a color. Red means breaking, green is offspeed, white is normal.
You can now have your manager argue calls, and even get kicked out of the game. Adds a nice touch.
If you have MLB 2004, you will probably want 2005 for the updated rosters and teams (Nationals). Just don't expect a different game. If you don't have 2004, then you will like what 2005 has to offer. 2005 feels like an upgrade to 2004, and should have been priced as such. Still, it is a solid baseball game and if you are a baseball fan, it is a must have for the PC.
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