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OOTP 13
(PC Download)
It’s not just the extremely devoted fans
that make this a really good game franchise. It’s the quality of the
product. Out Of the Park Baseball 2013 (OOTP), yet another comprehensive
drive out into center field and the fans go wild. Fully loaded like the
early renditions of the game comes with network play, so you can get
together with other fans and friends and get your baseball fantasy
league going.
Out of the Park Developments a company based in Germany has once again
hit a home run with Out of the Park Baseball 2013. The staple baseball
simulator ups the stakes with one of the most comprehensive gaming
experiences around. Though if you are looking for something with motion
graphics that let’s take controls and throw, hit and run bases. Look
elsewhere. On the other hand OOTP 2013 provides the most mind bending
amount of options for any baseball simulator we have ever seen.
Better
yet, players grabbing the latest incarnation of the game can even import
their OOTP 12 league over to the new OOTP 13. So that league you created
and sweated through those hundreds of games and seasons can play on!
Players can take on the role of a manager, or general manager or even
both at the same time. With massive amounts of customizability at hand
and more stats and information and history of baseball than any fan can
ever want this game has it all.
Setting up as a new manager starts the journey, this is also when the
player sets up the management options. Deciding what parts of team
management they want to control. Here is where you also set up what kind
of information is filtered to you through manager mail. Those folks new
to the game itself can get a good tutorial here
www.ootpdevelopents.com/ootp
Not having a head for baseball, let alone the multitude of stats in a
game like this, I was happy to see that the developers worked in a very
user friendly interface and a multitude of help and guidance for the
game.
Anytime during game play pressing the F1 key brings up detailed
information on the game page you’re on. An excellent well thought out
tool and user interface make the game open to beginners learning their
way around the game. Which is a good thing because each menu option
brings up sub menu options making this a baseball’s fan ultimate game.
As it is, there are some controls that anyone at home with internet
browsing will be at ease at right away. A home button, and a page back
and forward button make checking out the different pages of the game a
snap.
The
franchise is already fully loaded with features; the latest outing
already has some patch tweaks to the game. OOTP 2013 also has newer
features that bring even more control to this control intensive game.
One of the new features that stand out for me is the Real Time
Simulation mode, this allows players to check out all the league
transactions and news bits while the whole day simulates in the back
ground. It also allows the player to take control at any given time and
handle the baseball game going on so they can give it that personal
touch if they feel the team could be doing better.
While the improvements are numerous it all streamlines the interface and
players experience rather well. One of the things I found rather amusing
is the Interactive Storyline mode.
Storylines had been introduced by OOTP 12, and they are punched up with
new depth for OOTP13. You may find yourself having to handle a player
that is bad mouthing to the press about other players or management.
What do you do? Whatever choices you make can make things better or
worse. Placate, or trade them or give them their walking papers.
Anything decided has an influence on the storyline and wider ripple
effects as well. It can affect fan interest, the team morale, player
ratings and more. Now for those that do not want to have to deal with
the drama, Storylines are optional and this option can be turned off or
on in the game.
It’s a
game of stats; it’s a game of numbers, and lots of information. It also
gives history and quotes from players and baseball personalities
throughout the history of the game. If you have a passing interest in
the game of baseball this series may not be for you. For those baseball
fans, those real baseball fans, if you have not discovered this
franchise yet, then you are in for a real treat indeed.
Have fun, play games
Edwin Millheim
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