First MLB Front Office Review

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:04 pm

http://www.pastapadre.com/5609/early-ml ... ger-review

The latest OXM has the first review for MLB Front Office Manager. They gave it a 5/10 citing awful menus and a worthless manager mode though they did state the game was very in depth. Thanks to Jesse Behr from The ‘Burgh Blues for sending the tip in.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:29 pm

Honestly... anything from 2k related to baseball or football is a wait and see anymore...

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:25 pm

I did some trade-ins at Gamestop and pre-ordered FOM, so I hope its good.

Honestly, I think a lot of the reviewers just don't "get" management type games, so the reviews from them aren't worth much to me. And since I think I'm one of about a half dozen people who actually likes (and still plays) MLB 2K8 I'm not concerned about 2K Sports making this game.

Head Coach didn't get super reviews, but I've been having a blast with it (even though I've run my Seahawks into the ground financially!) And wasn't there an IGN review of Worldwide Soccer Manager that had to be pulled because the reviewer had no clue (par for the course for IGN sadly).

I'll take my chances, and let you guys know if I regret it or not!

hellbent · Post by **hellbent** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:06 pm

Thanks for the link BD. Hopefully, the menu problems are largely the result of the console interface and the PC version will sport a superior mouse and keyboard driven UI.

It's likely going to be hard for 2k to gain foothold in the sim market, with how solid the competition is for baseball management games (since OOTP, BB Mogul & PureSim are all solid titles). Despite the initial bad review, I'd still love to see a PC demo of the game out on Steam soon so I can test drive it myself.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:32 pm

Just received my copy of GI and it got a 3/10.. OUCH...

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:50 pm

I had forgotten about this game, nice work 2ksports marketing team.

IGN had a video for the game yesterday.

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/142/ ... ids_1.html

Might be a repeat of the video above but they had a two part dev diary (on facebook)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=40254917126

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=50415132126

dave360 · Post by **dave360** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:02 am

I'm still on the fence about whether to get it. I just need it to hold my attention till mogul 2009 comes out and The Show comes out.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:38 am

You mean Baseball Mogul 2010

I'm sure the pc modders will do something to help this game.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:38 pm

Well I'll have it in a few days so I'll let you guys know how I like it.

Of course I'll need to actually find time to play it.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:05 pm

Gurantsu wrote:Well I'll have it in a few days so I'll let you guys know how I like it.

Of course I'll need to actually find time to play it.

Please do!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:25 pm

I had it preordered with free overnight shipping but canceled the other night after the hideous reviews started flowing. I may still grab it if the reports from real players are good.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:57 pm

I'll also be eagerly awaiting the opinions in this thread. As much as I love my baseball games I just can't see playing this AND OOTP together along with MLB and 2K9.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:43 pm

IGN Review

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/948/948583p1.html

Closing Comments
I love the GM aspects of sports games. In fact, I spend more time building the league's best team than playing the actual games. So something like MLB Front Office is exactly the kind of game that appeals to me. Unfortunately, there are a considerable number of issues holding MLB Front Office Manager back. Lack of three-team deals, a mediocre interface, and questionable AI logic are unacceptable even from a new IP. I hope 2K gives Front Office another go next year, because with some fixes to very obvious issues, this could be a great game.

IGN Ratings for MLB Front Office Manager (X360)

5.5 Presentation
The menus are a real hassle to deal with. A visual representation of your office would have been a nice touch.
5.0 Graphics
Mediocre animations and unspectacular ballparks, but it's not like the visuals are meant to be a focus for this type of game.
6.0 Sound
The music isn't half bad. It's surprising that Billy Beane doesn't provide any voice work.
6.5 Gameplay
Building a championship caliber team can be a great and enjoyable challenge, but the sub-par interface and questionable logic of the AI hurt considerably.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
If you can get past some of the rudimentary interface issues, there's a long career ahead of you as GM. Online leagues are a great inclusion.
6.6
Passable OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:56 pm

Good to see a mediocre review at least, although it doesn't follow the typical IGN pattern of "this isn't good, that isn't good, but we give it an 8.0"

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:58 pm

Yeah, I read it earlier and thought it was actually a good and fair review.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:13 pm

I was planning on getting the game as i've started to really like management games like Head Coach, Football Manager and FIFA Manager. But after reading the reviews and impressions on other forums i'm going to pass on it this year. I'll revisit it next year.

nyisles16 · Post by **nyisles16** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:16 pm

I've heard several "bad things" about the AI trade logic.. but have yet to see it.

In one deal, I was offered from the A's OF Emil Brown and Carlos Gonzalez (supposed to become a stud OF) for Hunter Pence.

Sure there was a laugher (sadly by my Mets - Trot Nixon and Castillo for Pence), but I think there are deals GM's just laugh at themselves..

I am enjoying this one so far.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:40 pm

nyisles16 wrote:I've heard several "bad things" about the AI trade logic.. but have yet to see it.

In one deal, I was offered from the A's OF Emil Brown and Carlos Gonzalez (supposed to become a stud OF) for Hunter Pence.

Sure there was a laugher (sadly by my Mets - Trot Nixon and Castillo for Pence), but I think there are deals GM's just laugh at themselves..

I am enjoying this one so far.

PC or console?

I think the pc version has the most potential and the only one I'd consider buying - if the modders can get into the code.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:30 am

Reason for optimism?

http://www.pastapadre.com/5958/mlb-fom- ... #more-5958

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:05 pm

I was all excited to get this yesterday, but none of the Gamestops in my area got their shipment of it. I'll have to snag it when I work there tonight.

I take most reviews with a grain of salt, I find I need to search through them to find the aspects of the game that appeal (or don't) to me.

When I finally get to play it I'll let you know how it goes.

Question is, do I play as the Phils, Pirates, Orioles, or Nationals?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:08 pm

Everything i've read from the users reviews seems to be positive for the most part.

Tim

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:33 pm

I'm amazed at how many times a review or early impressions of a game gets posted and the masses turn against those who criticized the game only to find out they were right all along. I remember last year Bill Abner and others pointed out glaring issues with NCAA Football 09 and Madden 09.

In the end he and the early impressions were right. I'm going with the early reviews. If they say the game has issues then i'm not plunking down $40 only to find out they were right.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:38 pm

Rodster wrote:I'm amazed at how many times a review or early impressions of a game gets posted and the masses turn against those who criticized the game only to find out they were right all along. I remember last year Bill Abner and others pointed out glaring issues with NCAA Football 09 and Madden 09.

In the end he and the early impressions were right. I'm going with the early reviews. If they say the game has issues then i'm not plunking down $40 only to find out they were right.

When was the last time a game didn't have ANY issues? All games have em...it's just a matter of if you can deal with em.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:43 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
When was the last time a game didn't have ANY issues? All games have em...it's just a matter of if you can deal with em.

I have absolutely no problems with that and to that end you are right. What I do have a problem with is someone reading reviews or impressions that clearly state is a problem only to read people gloss over or ignore it and in some cases defend it. Then to come back later and to say they've had it with the game because of XYand Z. Except that the reviews and impressions clearly said that XY and Z were a problem.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:05 pm

Rodster wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:
When was the last time a game didn't have ANY issues? All games have em...it's just a matter of if you can deal with em.
I have absolutely no problems with that and to that end you are right. What I do have a problem with is someone reading reviews or impressions that clearly state is a problem only to read people gloss over or ignore it and in some cases defend it. Then to come back later and to say they've had it with the game because of XYand Z. Except that the reviews and impressions clearly said that XY and Z were a problem.

How can you have a problem with it? It happens with every game. I'm used to it by now. That's why I don't read early impressions on games that I'm interested in. I'd rather make my own impressions. They are always correct, no matter what.