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Baseball Mogul 2008

Score: 86%
ESRB: Everyone
Publisher: Enlight Software
Developer: Sports Mogul
Media: CD/1
Players: 1
Genre: Simulation/ Sports (Baseball)

Graphics & Sound:

Baseball Mogul 2008 is a different sort of baseball experience. Whereas most games focus on putting you behind the plate, Baseball Mogul puts you behind the checkbook behind the guy behind the plate. Although the series has always been one of the better baseball simulations on the market, competition from other management sims have brought about an evolution on the series, resulting in a game that should appeal to both stat-crazy baseball fans as well as baseball fans in general - at least the type who have always watched their favorite franchise as said, "If I were the owner..."

For a game that is composed mostly of menu screens, Baseball Mogul 2008 looks good. Everything is easy to read and well-organized. The only time you aren't staring at menus is during games, when you see screens that show both a close-up of what is going on during the game and an overview of the entire field. In all truth, the presentation is what it is; it doesn't stand up to other baseball games, but at the same time its not like you're watching 8-bit stick figures on a green screen.


Gameplay:

As general manager of a Major League franchise, it is your job to set ticket prices, concession prices and manage a team of players. You are put in charge of signings, negotiations and basically trying to build a team that can go all the way to the series. Between games, you can access a player's screen that gives you an idea of what is going on around the league. You can check on the status of certain players, see who the up-and-comers are and basically just try to keep up with the Steinbrenners.

Although a majority of the game takes place in the back office, you can also make in-game decisions like deciding the batting order, pitching rotation and implementing a team strategy for each of your opponents. You don't have to sit through every game if you don't want to. The number of simulation options is flexible and lets you go through a single week, month or even the entire season.

Nearly every player in the league is featured in the game, although there are a few noticeable roster errors that might annoy more ardent fans. A number of minor league players are also available. In addition to playing as current teams, you can also choose to replay past seasons going all the way back to the early 1900's. Better yet, the game adjusts the economic model to fit the era. Speaking of prices, you can also set a league-wide cap, placing teams on even ground.

For the more creative types, you can also create your own teams and stadiums.


Difficulty:

Baseball Mogul 2008 is, like its predecessors, a game based solely on stats. The only reflexes you are judged on are your mental ones. Is this the right move? Should I take a gamble on this player? Who gets the TV rights to my game? The questions are endless and all of them require some number-crunching and extensive stats to figure out, all of which are right at your fingertips. Everything from player ERAs to scouting reports to lefty-righty splits are tracked in the game; if you can't find it, you're not looking hard enough.

For casual baseball fans, Baseball Mogul 2008 will come off as overwhelming. Although the interface and underlying mechanics are player-friendly, there is still a lot to take in as you play. The game gives you a lot of information to comb through, all of which is needed when making a decision. For example, when it comes to drafting a player, you can look at his stats and match it against a projected performance curve to try and get an idea of whether or not he'll be a bust.


Game Mechanics:

While playing through a season, you can enter a Play by Play Mode that gives you a little more control over what your players do during the game. While not as action-packed as typical, reflex-based baseball games, you can still make some of the bigger decisions like what pitch to throw or when to bunt or swing for the fences.

Baseball Mogul 2008 is 100% interface. The implementation of the menus is well done and it is generally easy to find the information you are looking for. As already mentioned, there is a lot to comb through, so even the simplest of decisions could involve a few minutes of intense research. Your primary source for information is the Baseball Mogul Encyclopedia, which is a series of hyperlinks that lead you to just about any stat you would want. This source, along with everything else, is handled really well and tries to make the task of research as easy as possible.

That said, Baseball Mogul 2008 is an accessible game, though at the same time, it really won't appeal to every baseball fan. The interface is easy to follow and while you can't drop in and instantly build a dynasty, it is possible for newcomers to set one up in a few seasons. It all comes down to patience and a love of numbers.


-Starscream, GameVortex Communications
AKA Ricky Tucker

Minimum System Requirements:



Windows 98/ME/XP/2000/2003/Vista; P600 or better (or Pentium-compatible); 128 MB RAM; 500 MB HDD Space; At least 1024 x 768 screen resolution
 

Test System:



Windows XP; Pentium 4 1.7 GHz; Radeon 9100 128 MB; 40 Gig HD; 640 MB RAM; DirectX 9.0c

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