Reviews / previews
Accolade decided to have its Hardball series sit out
this season, opting instead for a roster update and a
couple of minor tweaks as Hardball 6 2000.
While you do get the entire game for $20, it's still last
year's edition, and it looks it. The blocky graphics
distract rather than
add to the
enjoyment. The lack
of detail in the
stadiums and
players looks
particularly bad
when placed beside
Microsoft Baseball
2000 and EA's
Triple Play 2000.
The sound effects--especially Greg Papa's
monotonous commentary--are equally lackluster.
Even the roster update seems incomplete. Mark
McGwire is listed as having a big ol' goose egg for
homers last year,
and his stats page
still has a picture of
him sporting an
Oakland A's
uniform.
The enhanced pitcher AI does fix some
problems from last year's version--notably
with intentional walks--but the fielding AI is
amazingly unrealistic. You'll get thrown out
from anywhere closer than the wall most of
the time.
The only thing HardBall's got going for it is decent Internet play, now offered
over Mplayer.
But compared to the rest of this season's offerings, it looks like Accolade's
playing softball.-- Joel Strauch / GamePro
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