Triple Play 2002

Graphically, no one can touch the stunning visuals and attention to detail that EA Sports has given to every ballplayer and stadium. Most players' faces accurately resemble their real-life counterparts (albeit with oversized heads), and they come complete with customized batting stances and perfectly rendered uniform detail. The ballparks themselves come alive in breathtaking beauty as a variety of camera angles put you right on the field and in the seats.

But too many inconsistencies and omissions hold this game back from greatness. Most unrealistic is the frequency of home runs and the ease with which you're able to score runs--the novelty wears off pretty fast after swatting long ball after long ball and finding yourself tied 9-9 in the 4th inning. Playing at the rookie, pro, or all-star level does little to stem the outpouring of runs, and does even less to shorten the tedious game pace, perhaps the most unintentionally realistic part of Triple Play 2002. Fielding could use some fine-tuning as well. And when does EA Sports plan to reintroduce injuries to this series?

Game modes still feature fully customizable season options and the home run derby, either one-on-one or tournament (up to eight players). But gone from the derby, strangely, is the option to choose from past legendary players and members of the 500-home-run club.

Calling the action this year is the two-man announcing team of Bob Costas and Harold Reynolds. Costas thankfully keeps things more low-key than his real-life persona, while Reynolds dishes the sass like a pro ("This isn't an eye test--swing the bat!"). --Larry White

Pros:

• Best visuals of any baseball sim
• In-game music builds up dramatic moments
• 8-player home run derby

• No injuries
• Unrealistic gameplay
• Slow, uncustomizable game pace
• Player heads are too big for their bodies

With that said, there are a few things that bother me about this game:

1) In the game, the home team takes the 3rd base dugout in every stadium. What's up with that?
2) Where are the injuries?? I beamed Mike Piazza in the head, ribs, and back a half-dozen times in this game and he kept coming back for more!
3) Fighting (like in the NHL series) would be nice (see point #2 above).
4) It's pretty easy to score runs, which will make the game kinda boring after a while. I guess if we face facts that it's a computer, we should realize that there will be repeatable scenarios under which you can always score.

I've been a baseball fan all of my life and pros and cons aside - this is a terrific game to play. I think it might cure my offseason blues.


homerun derby   September 13, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I have had this game for a while let me tell you Ive also have high heat and all star baseball and triple play is better than those two no matter what anybody says those two are not better.
The graphics on triple play are better stadium wise and player wise.My only complaint is I think the graphics could be better and the players heads are too big just like everybody else has said. I think the people who play the game say its too easy are playing on the rookie level or pro.They should try the all star level when playing a game. During home run derby though its too easy.Also what [makes me mad] is the repeating replays when there is men on base and you the hit the ball it also bothers me when you are playing defense. Thats basically my opinion triple play is better than high heat and all star baseball.


The Great American Game gets Better Every Year   August 21, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is the third installment of the Triple Play series that I have owned. Each one has been a bit better than the previous year. Since it is such a solid product, I am only going to focus on the negatives. My short list should really serve to reveal how hard it is to find flaws in this game.

First, I found the levels of play a bit unbalanced. The "Rookie" level is, as intended, very easy. The problem comes between the two top levels. In the "Professional" level, it takes a short period of time to easily dominate the game. Yet if you move up to the "All-Star" level it is nearly impossible to win consistently without a top team, no matter how good you are. The problem is that suddenly EVERY computer comtrolled player makes All-Star plays on defense on EVERY play and you cannot sneak a fastball by anyone when pitching...even with Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. The realism is lost at this level in order to make the computer more competitive. The problem is that this punishes players who really would be unbeatable otherwise. Second, the graphical representation of the uniforms is not as good as in some competing games. This is only a minor criticism and most people would not even notice it. I am nit-picking to be sure. Finally, there is a limit of 24 slots for created players. If you are someone who is interested in keeping rosters current, this will grow frustrating late in the year when more and more rookies get called up and suddenly you are out of spots to creatr them. If you do not care about keeping the rosters in line with the "real world", this is of no concern.

Even with these criticisms, this is a fantastic game. It has outstanding playability, incredibly detailed stadiums, complete rosters that are current as of January 15th, plenty of player info and ratings, and tons of statistics to give you every aspect of your game or season. While future versions are sure to continue to improve on the Triple Play brand name, this one is certainly worth the price of admission for true baseball fans.


The Best Baseball Game This Year. BUT!!   August 12, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I game is good, but it needs to be realistic. True too life. There have to be injurys. There has to be something were you can give a player a day off. Like catchers and pitchers need at least 3 days off. and so on and so on?