R.B.I. Baseball 20

R.B.I. Baseball 20 is another part of the popular series of sports games that focus on baseball. It is worth noting that the roots of the series date back to the 1980s - its first releases appeared on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console. The game boasts a license from the American MLB so that we can see real players and teams in it (they are also updated on a weekly basis). Developers who have been working on the cycle from the very beginning are responsible for creating this game, i.e. the Major League Baseball Advanced Media studio established by MLB.

Mechanics

Gameplay in R.B.I. Baseball 20 is not significantly different from what the previous parts used to do. We are not dealing here with a simulator, but with a game that offers a simplified, arcade mechanics (although it is not devoid of depth). The developers focused primarily on evoking great emotions in the player.

Thanks to the full MLB license, we receive dozens of faithfully reproduced stadiums and a similar number of teams. In total, there are over a thousand players and they are all present in the R.B.I. Baseball 20. The developers have even prepared the option of playing old baseball stars.

Apart from controlling the players on the pitch we have the possibility to perform managerial duties - this requires, among other things, taking care of finances, buying players or hiring agents looking for talented players.

Compared to the previous edition, the control system has been significantly improved - we have the possibility to choose different types of throws, based on information about a given player. When throwing the ball, the game uses a completely new view, which resembles what we know from TV broadcasts. The system responsible for the behaviour of the ball has also been improved.

Game modes

In R.B.I. Baseball 20 we can play alone or with others. The main mode is the Franchise Mode - it allows you to play the full season (including post-season games), while Exhibition allows you to play casual, single matches with a computer or another player (on PCs and mobile devices only via the Internet, but on consoles also locally, on one screen). The last option is the Home Run Derby mode, which allows us to challenge another user or AI - we win if we knock out more balls.

Technical aspects

R.B.I. Baseball 20 has quite a nice, three-dimensional graphic design. It has been significantly improved from the previous edition. Models of athletes (hair, eyes, outfits) have been improved, who are also getting dirtier and dirtier during the match (mud and grass stains appear on clothes). The stadiums (e.g. better animation of the audience) and the general presentation of the matches were also significantly improved (animated scenes and the camera were changed to ensure greater authenticity of the show).

The production also includes a new soundtrack, with songs by twenty different musicians.