Steve Hates Sammy Sosa

Posted by Steve on April 16 2004: New comic here. My struggle to find a good baseball game continues. None of them have jumped out at me, but at least I have lots of games to hit Sosa in, so that's something.

I did pick up ESPN Major League Baseball though, and I have to tell you that it's...how to put this...frustratingly bland. I have no problems with it as far as gameplay. It's the same engine as last year's game, with a few tweaks, like stealing being a lot harder than it was last year, where pretty much anyone with mediocre speed could could steal 100% of the time. The controls are smooth and easy to pick up, and the ESPN touches during the game (telling you a player's current stats, including his rank in the league if he's high up there) are well done. Overall, I'm pretty comfortable saying ESPN plays the smoothest game of baseabll out of the bunch I've tried.

My main problem with this game is that it's basically the same game I played to death last year. Other than the previously mentioned ESPN touches for stats and the like, some bug fixes, and a handful of new animations, there's just not much new in this game. There's an "effort" meter when you pitch, with holding the pitch button down longer resulting in a faster pitch, but a bigger hit on your stamina, but all the meter really is is a fancy frontend for a function that was already there in last year's game. There's also a "confidence" meter for all players, which is a nice idea, but it really seems unfinished. Supposedly the player's actions in the game raise or lower his confidence. But it seems kinda random, and doesn't seem to make a huge difference in anyone's performance. That's about it. Last year's horribly exploitable trade A.I. seems a little better, but it's still way to easy to rob the cpu.

So basically, ESPN is the best game available if you've never played any of the previous World Series Baseball games. If you've already played those to death (like I have) then it's little more than a roster update and some bug fixes.

That's about all I have today. Bob's not online right now (because apparently you guy's just aren't worth his time. He's kind of a dick like that.) but he left me his news post. So I'll add that, and maybe come back and make fun of him a little. We'll see.

Posted by Bob on April 16, 2004: Hey gang. Not much new this week with the site other than the comic. I wish I could say there was news, but Steve's dragging his heels on something I'd like to do. To be totally honest, he's kind of a dick like that.

All right, lets get the links started. Click here to watch Antarctica's Funniest Home Videos. I wonder how many people believe this is a real movie? I dunno, but it's pretty funny.

So, have a look at this. Man oh man, some people have problems. Scary problems. Although, I have to believe this is not a totally legit site. Still, it's comic gold. Like this line here: "She knows a lot about everything, mainly because she reads a lot of books. I also read a ton of books, though mine are mostly sci-fi paperbacks that I pick up at library sales for about $.25 a piece." Man, that's better than anything Steve and I could come up with.

You know, I have spent my life comfortable with the thought that the Easter Bunny and I were cool. I thought we had a nice little friendship; He doesn't bother me, and I only talk to him once a year when I want candy. Turns out I was wrong, as he's been delivering better gifts to other kids who were not likely as deserving as I am. Well, I'm ending it here. The Easter Bunny is a whore, and I will have no more to do with him!

You know how I often talk about how robots are going to dominate mankind at some point in time? Turns out I'm not the only one who thinks so. Now, this video may not be terribly real, but dammit, it's like looking in on the future. The mechanical future. *Dun dun duuuuuuun!*

Well, that's all the links I've got in me this week. I'm writing my post earlier than usual, so that may be why. There hasn't been enough time for cool things to happen this week. Ah well. Maybe next time.