Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

All-Star Baseball 2005 delivers a refined baseball experience that balances accessibility for newcomers with depth for veterans. The introduction of analog batting brings a new layer of precision to plate appearances, allowing players to control swing timing and power with more nuance than ever before. Whether you’re aiming for a contact hit or swinging for the fences, the analog stick responsiveness makes each at-bat feel dynamic and engaging.

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The game modes in ASB 2005 have been significantly expanded. The much-loved Create-a-Player feature now offers more customization options, letting you tailor your slugger’s appearance, batting style, and special abilities in greater detail. On top of that, the new Franchise mode gives you full control over your team’s destiny—managing trades, scouting up-and-coming rookies, and navigating a full season schedule to chase World Series glory.

Online play on both the Xbox and PlayStation 2 platforms brings head-to-head competition to the forefront. Roster updates are now automatically refreshed via online connectivity, ensuring that your digital lineup mirrors real-world MLB transactions. This connectivity, combined with two new camera angles (the immersive fieldercam and the classic broadcastcam), keeps each match feeling fresh and broadcast-worthy, whether you’re playing a quick exhibition or duking it out in ranked matches.

Graphics

Visually, All-Star Baseball 2005 stands out with its detailed player models and authentic stadium recreations. With the official MLB license, you can race through approximately 80 ballparks, each accurately depicting the color palettes, architectural quirks, and field dimensions that fans know and love. From the green outfield walls at Fenway Park to the cavernous right field of Comerica Park, the scenery alone is worth exploring in every mode.

The two camera angles introduced this year enhance the visual presentation. The fieldercam puts you right behind your infielders or outfielders, giving you a ground-level perspective on line drives and diving catches. Meanwhile, the broadcastcam emulates a television-style presentation, complete with dynamic zooms and cuts that would feel at home on Sunday night sports coverage. Both angles are beautifully rendered, with smooth transitions and minimal pop-in.

Lighting and animations have also received careful attention. Day-night cycles look especially realistic, and the way stadium lights cast reflections on players’ helmets and uniforms adds a layer of polish. The player animations—from batting stances to celebratory high-fives—flow naturally, helping you stay immersed in the action without noticing repetitive motion or clipping glitches.

Story

While All-Star Baseball 2005 isn’t a story-driven game in the traditional sense, it weaves narrative through its season and challenge modes. The “This Week In Baseball” feature lets you relive iconic moments from the 2003 MLB season, from walk-off homers to no-hitters, turning each challenge into a mini historical showcase. Completing these scenarios feels like stepping into the shoes of your favorite players at their defining moments.

The game’s Franchise mode fosters its own narrative as you guide a chosen team through highs and lows. Trading veteran stars for promising prospects or grooming a rookie phenom creates an evolving storyline that mirrors real-world baseball drama. Keeping tabs on player morale, contract negotiations, and clubhouse chemistry adds emotional stakes to every game, making wins feel earned and losses sting all the more.

Commentary by Steve Lyons and Thom Brennaman in English, with Spanish play-by-play from Oscar Soria, enhances the storytelling. Their dynamic banter and contextual insights help set the scene—whether you’re in the bottom of the ninth or the early innings of a spring training matchup. The full gameplay tutorial, complete with live commentary, ensures that this narrative flair is accessible even to those new to baseball simulations.

Overall Experience

All-Star Baseball 2005 strikes an impressive balance between simulation depth and pick-up-and-play fun. The variety of game modes—ranging from quick online exhibitions to multi-season franchise campaigns—caters to a wide audience. Combining robust customization tools with licensed teams, stadiums, and historic challenges ensures that there’s always something fresh to explore.

Technical performance remains solid across both Xbox and PS2 platforms. Load times are reasonable, frame rates stay consistent even in intense late-game situations, and online matchmaking is generally stable. Minor hiccups, like occasional commentary repeats or brief pop-in during stadium transitions, are rare and don’t detract significantly from the experience.

For fans of baseball video games, All-Star Baseball 2005 is a comprehensive package. It honors the sport’s rich history, offers modern gameplay conveniences, and presents a polished audiovisual presentation. Whether you’re chasing nostalgic moments with the This Week In Baseball challenges, dominating friends online, or building a dynasty in Franchise mode, ASB 2005 provides countless hours of baseball excitement.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10