Ever since Triple Play 1998, EA Sports has been trying to break into the baseball market with mixed results. While it's difficult to argue against the game's graphical appeal, it's always been a strange mix of simulation-like aspects with strong arcade gameplay. The game has survived on the arcade roots, but the series has in general been shunned by critics and simulation fans as having little depth and too much flash. For Triple Play 2002, EA Sports is hoping to address the depth issues while maintaining the arcade feel.
Best with a gamepad, the control is both intuitive and complex. Simple moves like swinging and pitching are handled with ease, while basic fielding is as simple as the D-pad (or analog stick) and a button press. For more complex moves, a combination of button presses and directional moves is required, which becomes easier after the "memorization curve" is overcome.
To keep the arcade roots, Triple Play 2002 includes things such as Big League Challenge Mode, which is basically a home run hitting contest. There's even a target mode, where extra points are earned for hitting the ball into specific targets. The game also features signature moves for popular players such as Garciaparra, Randy Johnson, El Duque and the like. There are also scripted events including umpire arguments, high-fives after good plays and end-of-game celebrations. Commentary is provided by Buck Martinez and Jim Hughson, and both add an air of believability.
Rounding off the arcade aspects of the game, there is a unique World Tournament that takes place after winning the World Series. The World Tournament pits the player against all-star teams from around the world; when they're defeated, they're unlocked and available for regular season play. In addition, points can be earned during regular season play and after enough are accumulated, they can be used to "purchase" things like cheat stadiums and player powerups. It's all very console-like in this aspect.
In an attempt to appeal to the more simulation-oriented baseball fans, EA Sports is including the ability to trade players, edit rosters and even edit the attributes of each player. The computer will also offer trades throughout the season with other computer-controlled opponents as well as the player. To help determine each player's strengths, there are in-game overlays that appear between innings to display the locations of the previous inning's homeruns. So if, for example, all the homeruns are going to left field, the player can adjust his pitching style and outfield positioning to better defend against future dingers.
Whether or not EA Sports will win over the simulation fans is yet to be determined, but even without that, Triple Play 2002 is in fact fun to play. It's still in a relatively early stage, but the fielding and most of the animations seem to be in place and working correctly. The graphics are still a little dark and the shadowing could also use some help. The gameplay, though, seems to be intact, and that is where the importance lies. We'll know in a matter of months if EA Sports can pull off the perfect blend of sim and arcade play, but either way, it looks as though arcade baseball fans will have another four-bagger this Spring.
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