Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Baseball Game, With Major Bugs, March 21, 2002
Right off the...um...bat, any fan of 3D0's High Heat series of baseball games (simulations?) will tell you that the gameplay is what separates this franchise from the rest of the PC clowns. The pitcher-batter interface is truly a masterpiece, and the entire rundown in season play is marvelous, from inning-ending double-plays to painting the corner with Clemens. And that's all good, believe me. But with each new hardball season comes a new High Heat game, and unfortunately, this year's version is only slightly different than last year's game. But again, that's good, since HH 2002 was an awesome representation of America's Pastime.In this year's version, the graphics have received an overhaul, albeit a minor one. You'll see third-base coaches performing signals to the batters, some new sliding and catching animations, updated stadiums, more realistic player models, and other eye-candy that works just fine. And believe me when I tell you that that's really it. HH 2003 plays exactly the same as last year's version, although with a new color commentator. Because I gave HH 2002 a good review, I must do the same with 2003. However, I can't give it more than 4 stars simply based on the fact that, like 2002, the game is buggy. I have a powerful system (Athlon 1.2GHz, 256MB, GeForce 3, Soundblaster Audigy Gamer), and for whatever reason, the sound is horrible in the game. Not just some of the sound -- ALL of the sound. From the opening credits music to the play-by-play commentary, sound effects and voices are choppy and unbearable to listen to. I'm figuring it has something to do with my Audigy card, but I still can't believe 3D0 ships the game with such a basic bug like this. A patch will hopefully resolve the issue, but who knows? So, if you're like me and like the updated rosters, graphical tweaks, and the excitement that starts every MLB season, pick up High Heat 2003. For [item price], you won't find a better baseball title out there. ADDED: Well, after playing this for awhile, I'm a little disappointed by 3DO's effort this time around. Basically, until a patch is released (unlikely), I cannot recommend this game simply because of the sound and some of the graphics. You're better off sticking with last year's version, which is the same game. 3 Stars, 2 with the bugs.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
nailed going to third..., March 18, 2002
The high heat series still remains the best action duel between pitcher and batter; I have not seen a better portrayed game (excepting the pure stats sims) representing walks, strikeouts and put outs.The reason I gave this three stars is, while it's mostly stable on my system (running XP Pro on 1.6 ghz, 312 meg, 32m TNT2, SB live) there some notable problems. The primary `problem' is really to do with the fact that this game is only a marginal improvement over HH 2002 (more like HH 2002 v2 and yes, the mount visit works) with graphics that are just slightly better than the uninspired graphics in HH 2002 - given the low price for this game, it makes you wonder. The sound glitches still occur (sputtering announcing, music is completely offkey, etc) and the game fps gets so choppy beyond an 800x600 resolution that they shouldn't even give options to run it up to 1280x1024. There are really odd looking models being used... there are three complexions for the players, light, medium and dark but the head/face color seems independent. For example, Roger Cedano when he turns in as he avoids a ball has a face this very light while Alomar's arms are very dark but his head is medium (alright, I'm playing the Mets, so what). I know this sounds minor but it looks horrible. The stadium and the ads/billboards still look like they are in very lo-res. As for the game play, itself... it's fine so i wasn't expecting major changes (and there were none), it's one of things keeping this series alive. Personally, I would prefer that HH builds in a player salary function - even though there isn't a cap, I think it's something that should be a consideration in trading. Also, I think the minor leaguers' stats need work... I'm routinely able to bring in AAA players that will start dominating right away. I would like to add that there are several exceptional HH communities that provides updated rosters (including all minor leagues), updated/corrected stats, pictures, numerous types of play tuning files, corrected stadiums and ads, uniforms and sounds (the game's only been out for a week and there are updated rosters and tune files already for HH2003). These people are simply amazing and perhaps without them, this game may be rated a star lower.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Can't get enough of this game, March 22, 2002
I have played at least one game a day since the day after it hit the store shelves. Great Fun! There are improvements that needed to be made in the graphics, most notably the backgrounds around the stadiums, but overall the game looks good enough. The real test comes when you examine the gameplay- it passes the test with flying colors. If you need a game to look like the latest super XBox video test, you don't need to look at this game. If you care more about how the addictiveness of baseball can be traslated into a PC game, step into the batter's box and take a couple of swings. Wonderful, excellent, fun game. Certainly not perfect (would get five stars) but it has really hit the mark on the things that I think are most important in a baseball game.
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