EA has made no secret of the fact that Triple Play Baseball is simply Triple Play 2001 (covering the 2000 season) with the roster and stats for the 2001 season. The graphics in Triple Play Baseball are the same as last year's, and the interface is exactly the same. It uses the same sound effects (including the cannon sound which accompanies a home run and the Jim Hughson-Buck Martinez commentary), and has the same 30 detailed stadium models. Triple Play Baseball adds the new Miller Park and PNC Park, as well as a couple new features. The old school Home Run derby returns to the Triple Play series as the Big League Challenge. It's made more interesting because of the unique stadium used--Las Vegas' Cashman Field to be exact--and the addition of a mode which challenges players to hit targets with their homers. Also, if you win the World Series, you can participate in what EA calls the End of Season World Tournament. It challenges you to lead your pennant-winning squad against all-star teams from around the world.
Perhaps in a nod to the simulation crowd there are new in-game overlay screens that appear between innings. Using that information you can see where your opponent is hitting the ball and move your fielders to compensate. So if your opponent is striking right field time and again, you can move Sosa closer to the wall to nab those deep balls. EA also seems to be trying to deepen the trading and management options as well. Triple Play Baseball may not offer anything new, but it does have the flashy graphics, blistering arcade gameplay and the satisfaction of power baseball that have made Triple Play the bestselling baseball series. Hardcore baseball fans will likely prefer the upcoming High Heat Baseball from 3DO, but for the arcade casual gamer, Triple Play Baseball is a steal. --Andrew S. Bub
Login
Add tags