Baseball Superstarts 2011–(insert catchy tag-line here)

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We live in the wild west of digital information–and it's amazing. The rate at which picture, information, news, etc. can travel is absolutely astounding. Not only does this apply to the aforementioned, but it also applies to video games. Take, for instance, the game I am about to review–Baseball Superstars ’11 (Gamevil Games of Korea). I bought it through the “App Store” on my new iPhone 4s for $0.99. Before anybody says anything, please read the following: No, this is not an article that celebrates the iOS system and degrades the wonderful Droid OS or any other OS system out there. This is not an article that praises the iPhone above all else, or talks about exclusivity, tech specs, or any of that other garbage. There is no fanboy-ism here. This article is beyond that.

 Up until two weeks ago, I was sans smart-phone. I decided to get in on a family plan with my significant other, through a cell phone provider whose name rhymes with "Sprint" (shit…), on the cheap and ultimately chose to get the iPhone because it looked cool. This article celebrates the future, and the exciting things that are to come, not the phone in which the game is reviewed. Ok? ENOUGH OF THAT. 

Prior to purchasing my first smartphone game, I was under the assumption that games on the smart phone were targeted towards the “causel gamer”. People who would like to play a round of angry birds here or there and update facebook while they wait for their exotic starbucks drink. Gag me. Go protest something, you hipster. Maybe this was the case two or three years ago, but I for one have changed my naive way of thinking. Baseball Superstars ’11 is a nearly flawless, complete game. It is pack full of features that you would normally expect from a full fledged relsease title, not a 99 cent app game. I thought the price tag was too good to be true; but it wasn’t. Much in the light of MLB Power Pros (which was released for the wii and ps2 systems back in like ’08) this is an rpg style game full of quirky characters and scenarios. Albeit a little watered down compared to the console version of MLB Power Pros , this is still a VERY deep game for $0.99.

The sound is out of this world. I don't think a virtual ball sounds better coming off a virtual bat on any other baseball game out there–on any platform. Everything is sharp, crisp, and of great quality. The announcers are perfect and the crowd noise is entertaining. In the sound department, Baseball Superstars '11 (wait for it…) hits it out of the park!

The stylized baseball visuals are remarkable. The over-the-top big headed players are beautifully animated. The swings are fluid and graceful, and the pitchers have windups and deliveries of all types. If you get solid contact on a home run, prepare for some awesome stop/slow motion action as the ball leaves the bat. It FEELS how it looks–amazing. If the vibration setting is on you will get a nice solid buzz when you get ahold of one. If you pop one up, ground out, etc. then you get a weak vibration. The visuals and vibration certaintly add to the experience. 

There are a bunch of deifferent gameplay modes that players can dive into: exhibition, season, home run derby, challenge mode, etc. You can either play as an individual who is looking to make the big leagues, become an allstar, an mvp, and by the end of the career beceome a hall fo famer–OR–you can go the manager route, manage a team and bring in multiple titles and cash flow! You can also download other player data from around the world and challenge them to games in Match Play. 

All created characters are cutomizable with hats, gloves, shoes–all giving seperate attributes that the players will enjoy. You can gain wicked sick repuation staus’ by becoming a fierce hitter or pitcher, and you can also get a horrible reupation for failing to perform. Your earned titles will either benefir or hurt you. For instance, if you’re in a huge slump, you can become depressed and your performance will drop damatically. Workout hard, have a few good games to pull yourself out. It can be rough at times, but work through it and you'll be ok!

 

Created players can be picked up by any team in Season mode (where you manage a team) and a maximum of nine created players can be kept at one time. You can also send your players to other people! Why? I don’t know. Why trade pokemon? Because you can…

There are also some fun little side stories; including four different love interests—all with their own personalities and agendas (good and bad). There are also a TON of unlock-ables and a challenge mode that is completely dedicated to running you through every possible baseball situation imaginable! Suicide squeeze make your butt-hole pucker? Try doing it in the bottom of the 9th with two outs, hipster!

 

I’m not much of a baseball gamer, yet I’m a huge fan of the sport. I can barely stomach playing an actual simulated video game of baseball. Its too tedious. Too real. The only joy I ever found in playing a baseball game was when the presentation was over-the-top arcade style circa Neo-Geo’s Baseball Stars series. I need zany characters, power ups, and funny cut scenes in my baseball game. 

 

Baseball Superstars '11delivers all of this in a $0.99 package that not only changed the way I feel about iOS and other cellular phone OS engines, but it has me excited for the future! I  will keep my DS and future Vita purchases with me, but this cell phone thing…this could be something wonderful. There is nothing like the smartphone anywhere in the world. Some people say that these smart phones are used as way for “big brother to keep tabs on us”, but I don't see how (outside of the gps system and applications that give away your location at every waking moment…only if you wish, though…wait a second…maybe it is a government conspiracy!?). It is a beautiful achievement which should be praised. I was on the fence but after a few days of utilizing  and understanding the capabilities of the smart phone, I have come to the conclusion that there has been no greater technological  advancement in mankind's recent history that is as readily available, accessible, and entertaining as the smart phone. This is not just a game changer, this is a life changer. It has me excited for the future.

Don’t sleep on this growing genre of game; give it a whirl and see what you think. I’m impressed. I think you will be too.