Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu '94
Cute exterior, hardcore simulator interiorGenre: sports - baseball
Publisher: Konami
Year: 1994
System: SFC
Gameplay Score: 4
Gameplay Notes:
Where did this come from? Playing this after all the other 16-bit baseball games is like reading Shakespeare after finishing a pile of Archie comics. This is a friggin masterpiece! There is so much depth to the gameplay and the AI is leaps and bounds beyond anything else I've seen. Hitting and pitching are particularly interesting, but also incredibly challenging. Instead of setting speed and direction via simple d-pad presses, here you've got to move your reticle to a specific part of the strike zone. When pitching this isn't an exact science and the ball has a bit of randomness. The accuracy is amazing, but this is what makes it so difficult. Use an emulator to give yourself a chance of hitting the ball now and then. The physics when fielding or base running are spot on, although the button mapping is different from most games. I'm honestly in awe at how detailed the game engine is. You will never win a rundown, and baserunners even run through first base and round out toward the baseline on any infield hit. Incerdible to detail!
Level Design Score: 4
Level Design Notes:
So many modes! Practice, tournament, exhibition, and even a scenario mode! The only thing holding it back is the Japanese on all menus. It can be hard to navigate.
Theme Score: 3
Theme Notes:
The cute graphics mask the deep simulation and accuracy of the gameplay. Also, copious amounts of Japanese text.
Art Style Score: 4
Art Style Notes:
Incredible graphics and animation. Light-years ahead of any other baseball game. However, you'll either love or hate the chunky, cartoony character models. I'm not a huge fan.
Audio Score: 3
Audio Notes:
Nothing to complain about, but the constant announcer taking gets old.
Overall Score: 77
Review ID: 1700
No comments:
Post a Comment