Classics are that for a reason...
Some four years ago, just a year removed from "The Comeback Nobody Thought Possible", EA Sports put out its final MLB video game on any console. They took the concept, since 2K got the MLB license and applied it to college baseball which virtually nobody really cares about. I played MVP Baseball 2004 and thought it was hands down, one of the best games I've played baseballwise since the days of Bases Loaded. (Of all the games that have been remade, why hasn't this classic been touched yet I inquire?) 48 hours ago, I picked up a copy of MVP Baseball 2005 ignoring the more recent editions of MLB games that have been and are out now. I felt like I owed it to myself to see what EA Sports's last Major League game was....
And it didn't disappoint either.
Virtually everything you remember about 2004, is in place for 2005. EA Sports true to form, didn't try to reinvent the wheel or add spinners. If it rides well and gets you from point A to B and back, let it do what it does. It's the formula that has kept people happy with NCAA Football all these years (and in my personal opinion, it's what has made it BETTER than Madden), it's why in my mind, EA Sports was shut out of the MLB game making business for the past few years. I don't think anyone could really keep up with how deep MVP Baseball is and to this day, I still think it is. Now for those of you Bonds heads out there who are curious, he is in the game, but only in BALCO induced spirit. Since he refuses to let his name be attached to the product, you'll be able to play with the Giants and have Jon Dowd slamming balls into McCovey Cove for all the kayakers of the video realm.
Gamespot complains that there isn't a stand alone Season or Playoff mode and I'm not liking that at all. If anything, most games get a bum wrap because there's nothing that lets you play on past one year. MVP Baseball 2005 gives you 120 seasons to play through. That's a century and TWO DECADES people. You realize in that time, you could turn the Kansas City Royals into a juggernaut. The Washington Nationals could become relevant! The Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs could win World Series titles! (Looks at last sentence and shakes head sadly.)
Okay, I got ahead of myself with that one, so I digress. I just started a Dynasty with my beloved Mets, call it therapy of sorts as I try to wash away the chokejobs of the last two seasons and the abysmal mess that has been this injury filled year. If you played the 04 version, the only thing that has really changed in terms of playing is the "Batter's Eye" which tells you what's coming...but not WHERE. (What? Thought they'd turn it into tee ball for you?) The animations are great from what I have seen thus far and it's deep. You have to pay attention to every aspect of your organization, not just what the big leaguers are doing, because they're not going to be around forever. If your farm system goes to crap, you're going to have virtually nothing to build on and free agency is hit or miss at best (just ask the Yankees, who haven't hoisted a World Series banner in 9 years).
All in all, this game is great. The nostalgic factor will kick in the second you get into it and you'll be reminded that EA Sports made some damn great baseball games once upon a time.