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WORLD
SERIES BASEBALL
Imagine,
£7.95 cass, joystick
only
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O Classy simulation of the American mega-sport
O
Detailed graphics, with close-up video screen
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It's
the ninth innings, two men out, and the bases loaded,
the visitors have a 4-3 lead. You, the visiting pitcher,
stride to the mound, spit out your gum and survey the
field. Then wind up that infamous sidewinder pitch and
let go. CRACK! The ball spins off the bat and high into
the air, where a grateful first baseman takes the catch
and ensures victory over the computer.
This
tale of thrills and excitement can come true every time
you play this baseball simulation. You can take on another
player or the ace computer side in a struggle of skill
and bluff. The battle is over nine innings of the American
game, which is like rounders, except more sophisticated.
There
are two sections, pitching and batting, and each needs
skilful timing and cunning tactics. The action takes
place on a field of which you have a view of from above
and behind the home plate, where the batter stands.
There is also a close-up video screen in the stadium,
which allows you to see the pitching and the batting
in detail.
When
pitching you have several types of ball, all of which
are thrown using the joystick. These range from fast
and high to slow and low. Some of the pitching options
are illegal, but still very useful when playing a human
opponent (though not the computer!), as you may trick
him into swinging at an unplayable ball.
The
bases are loaded and the batter is on
the video screen as the pitch screams in.
Your
initial aim is to 'strike out' your opponent by getting
him to miss three balls. If he does hit the ball, your
control switches to fielder closest to it. You can either
try to catch it, if it is in the air, or field it and
try to get the runner out at a base. You can throw between
bases as well, and even get more than one man out in
a single play. Once you've got three men out, the sides
change roles and you take over the batting.
When
batting, you see the ball fairly late and have to decide
quickly what sort it is and how to hit it. You have
fast, normal and slow batting strokes. Pick the right
one and time the bat well and you could see the ball
sail for a home run. A little triumphant tune is played
as your man steams around the bases celebrating.
Your
men run automatically when the ball is hit, so well
placed blows are necessary to avoid getting caught or
run out. If you can get the bases 'loaded' (a man on
each base) and hit a 'homer,' you'll get four runs and
a massive psychological boost over your opponent.
The
computer plays a very canny game, fielding brilliantly
and hitting nearly everything you throw at it. The only
way to beat it is to close it down as much as possible
when it is batting and hope to score some home runs
off its pitching. This is easier said than done, though,
and victory over the computer will be harder than against
a human.
It
is a pity that there are no wild celebrations at the
end of a victorious game. However, after the first and
sixth innings there are sets of cheerleaders who come
out and leap about to support their team. These are
accompanied by a tune, and other ditties play at the
start, on the title screen at the start, on the title
screen and for home runs.
BW
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