High Heat Baseball, one of the most acclaimed baseball game series on the PC, returns in this year’s installment, High Heat Baseball 2004.  This version features a great revamped graphics engine and the same solid gameplay that has made the series famous.  However, the game does have a couple major problems, namely a frustrating interface, poor franchise AI, and complete lack of mouse support.  While fans of the series and people looking for deep and engaging franchise and career modes will probably be disappointed, anyone looking for a quick and easy arcade-exhibition baseball game will enjoy High Heat 2004 for a while.

High Heat’s gameplay has always been the highlight of the series, and High Heat 2004 is no different.  Player’s attributes are very similar to their real life counterparts, in terms of batting and pitching.  The batter-pitcher relationship is also very well implemented, thanks to the game’s pitching engine.  The game features over 27 authentic pitches, from two-seam fastballs to cutters and forks.  The pitches are only available to the pitchers that specialize in them, so you need to utilize each pitcher’s strengths in order to succeed.  Fielding is also done very easily, only the occasional awkward selection of control made by the game stands out as a problem.

While the gameplay is great, the experience is marred by several major problems.  First off, the series has inexplicably nixed mouse support.  In previous games in the series, you were able to click-and-drag the mouse in order to do all kinds of great things, like trade players, arrange lineups, and access stats.  However, in this installment, you are limited to the keyboard or gamepad.  This wouldn’t be such a problem if the game had an easily navigable interface.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t.  The interface mixes important info around with things you wouldn’t need, making it that much harder to find.  Certain facts that are necessary to see within the game, like rosters, aren’t available unless you pause the game.  Overall, the interface is very frustrating and convoluted.

The franchise AI is also a problem.  Computer players won’t trade with each other, only with the human player.  Plus, the deals that they do make are pretty counterintuitive.  They seldom make offers to free-agent all-stars, and are chintzy with their money overall.

The graphics are definitely an improvement in the series.  The players are made up of a ton of polygons, and the use of motion-capture technology means great animations and more moves.  However, the players are a little devoid of expression and look kind of lifeless.  Also, there are some clipping issues that weren’t resolved, but overall the graphics look pretty good.

The game’s sound is decent, but not that great.  The commentary has largely been carried over from the last game, and its pretty buggy.  The announcers don’t really match up with the action, and they tend to repeat themselves and cut out mid-sentence often.  The sound effects are pretty nice, however, and don’t have the fuzziness that previous games in the series have had.

With its revamped graphics and nice gameplay, High Heat Baseball 2004 could have been great.  However the game’s highlights are negated by spotty franchise AI, a nasty interface, and no mouse support, rendering the game average.  Fans of the series and its previously easy point-and-click interface will probably be disappointed.

Gameplay: 7.5
The on field gameplay is great and the game’s extended pitching options allow for a great deal of depth.  Off the field however, the game leaves a lot to be desired.  The blemished AI sours the franchise mode, and the frustrating interface will undoubtedly turn away some players.  Not to mention no mouse support.

Graphics: 8.5
The players have a much better look to them, thanks to the new graphics engine.  However, the game does have some issues with clipping and textures.

Sound: 6.9
The buggy commentary is pretty much recycled, so don’t expect anything new.  The sound effects are improved, however, and don’t feature the fuzzy quality that the last game had.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 6.0
The exhibition play is very fun, but the poorly implemented interface and franchise and career AI are very frustrating.

Multiplayer: 6.9
The game features a two-player mode, but the lack of online support is pretty inexcusable in this day and age.

Overall: 7.0
Anyone looking for a fun exhibition game should check out High Heat 2004, but anyone who wants a deep franchise mode and an interface that won’t make you tear your hair out.