Out of the Park Baseball 21

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Out of the Park Baseball 21 is a highly detailed and customizable baseball simulation game. It allows players to manage any team from the past or present, and features a realistic AI, full MLB license, and in-depth player development. Experience authentic baseball action with real player stats, strategies, and events.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,393 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Incredibly deep and immersive baseball management simulation with extensive customization options.
Perfect Team mode adds an engaging card-collecting aspect, allowing players to build their dream teams.
Offers a realistic experience of managing a baseball franchise, with historical seasons and player stats available.

Frequent crashes and bugs, particularly with the 3D gameplay and user interface.
AI decision-making can be frustrating, leading to unrealistic trades and player management.
The game can be overwhelming for new players due to its complexity and steep learning curve.

graphics
71 mentions
13 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, with many users comparing them to titles from the 90s or early 2000s, and noting that they lack polish and sophistication. While some improvements have been made in recent versions, particularly in 3D representations and UI, the focus remains on simulation and management rather than visual appeal. Players who prioritize deep statistical gameplay over high-quality graphics may find the experience satisfying, but those seeking a visually impressive baseball game are likely to be disappointed.
- “The graphics during the game also deserve a special shout out.”
- “The graphics are vastly improved and lead to a far more immersive experience than in previous versions.”
- “While not a graphics-driven game, they continue to get better and absolutely add to the fun factor.”
- “I have a Dell Alienware gaming computer and the game is barely watchable; the graphics are so horrible.”
- “The graphics look 20 years old and are terrible.”
- “There is an in-game mode with 3D graphics that lets you watch the players play, but it's pretty rudimentary and looks like something out of the 90's - it's obviously not the focus of the game.”
gameplay
38 mentions
32 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in OOTP 21 is praised for its depth and realism, particularly appealing to fans of historical seasons and management simulation. While it retains the solid mechanics of previous versions, it introduces improvements and enhanced graphics, though some users note occasional bugs and a desire for more polished gameplay. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience for strategy enthusiasts, despite some concerns about specific mechanics and the presence of monetization elements.
- “OOTP 21 contains the same great gameplay OOTP 20 has, but also adds a lot of nice improvements as well.”
- “Very satisfying, and the gameplay is pretty realistic.”
- “The gameplay continues to be terrific, the MLB licensing is a really nice touch they added, and the level of depth you can go in analyzing stats, building your rosters, and implementing strategies are second to none.”
- “The gameplay consists of nothing more complicated than having the option to pitch the ball, walk the batter, hit the batter, or stare at the screen and do nothing.”
- “And that’s nothing to say of the dozens of graphics bugs on every other menu screen, that, while not painfully disruptive to gameplay, are demonstrative of a serious lack of polish that a $40 game in its 23rd year of existence should sport.”
- “My biggest problem is with the mechanics of defense while managing games.”
optimization
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players noting that it struggles to perform well on high-end PCs, despite its potential. While the disconnect between scouting evaluations and in-game performance adds depth, the overall performance does not align with players' historical data, leading to a less satisfying experience. Improvements in optimization could enhance gameplay and immersion significantly.
- “The connection and sometimes disconnection between your scouting evaluations of a player and their in-game performance really make this game enjoyable.”
- “Baseball is vastly more independent in performance for the players compared to the team structure of European football, but talking with Bryce Harper about his hitting slump and boosting his morale into a reclamation of his dominance would make this game so much better.”
- “One of the last leagues I played in, there was only one other team making changes based on player performance (out of 30).”
- “This is a very promising game, but it's poorly optimized for high-end PCs.”
- “Knowing that what your scouting director is telling you does not take into account statistical performance added an extra layer of depth and immersion to one of the deepest sports strategy games.”
monetization
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating that the perfect team mode is not paywalled, while others criticize the prevalence of microtransactions and constant ads that disrupt gameplay. Many feel that the lack of innovation in monetization efforts, particularly with the "cash grab" nature of card purchases and the inability to transfer progress between game versions, detracts from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, some players still enjoy the game, rating it positively while noting the monetization issues.
- “While I haven't spent a dime on the in-app purchases, I have a roster that competes with gold and diamond league teams.”
- “I also like that the perfect team mode isn't paywalled in any way despite in-game purchases being possible.”
- “If you are a fan of microtransactions, they seem to be putting all their effort into a MUT clone to drain customers via cards.”
- “Perfect Team is well done and fun as far as it goes, but pay-to-win card purchasing and the fact that the online team you build up over many months in one version of OOTP Baseball does not transfer to the next version (you have to start over from zero in each version) is the 'cash grab' part I mention in my scoring below.”
- “I do enjoy the game; however, how developers think it is appropriate to have constant ads pop up when you start the game and also when I click to go into a game mode within the game, I get another pop-up.”
stability
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-22 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing minimal glitches while others report significant bugs that hinder gameplay, such as hard crashes and UI issues. While the overall setup and features are appreciated, the frequent technical problems detract from the experience, leading some to prefer older versions of the game for a more stable experience.
- “It is the most recent edition I own, and I've had no glitches (knock on wood).”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
- “I've played for hours without experiencing any stability issues.”
- “It's too buggy to play, so if I want to scratch this itch, I'll go back to '18, which, as far as I can remember, never crashed nor suffered from all of these weird UI bugs and black screens.”
- “If you don't want to spend as much time troubleshooting as playing, this isn't the game for you.”
- “The UI is a buggy mess that hard crashes the game at any given moment when you hover over any part of it.”
story
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is engaging for players who enjoy simulation and emergent storytelling, allowing them to create their own narratives through gameplay elements like rival games and player interactions. Users appreciate the depth provided by various modes and missions, which contribute to a rich tapestry of individual stories, although some express frustration with the availability of certain mission cards. Overall, the game fosters a dynamic storytelling environment that keeps players invested.
- “Very interesting storylines if you like simulation games with no direction, and like to fill in the blanks yourself (think RimWorld or Dwarf Fortress storytelling engines). I find myself popping in to watch rival games or the playoff games of my future opponents, and see how those games play out.”
- “Actively collecting new packs of cards, trading your old cards in the auction house, or looking to complete collection missions via the auction house (which rewards you better cards for your lineup) has gotten me through 2 weeks of the coronavirus lockdown.”
- “My only gripe with the game is the availability of diamond mission cards at times.”
- “Many, if not a majority, of diamond cards belong to missions and are severely demand-based.”
- “Every mode, every game, every player, every in-game award -- they all have their own story.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its lighthearted moments, particularly the amusing AI decisions, such as teams being filled with identical pitching staff. While some players feel the humor could be more refined, others appreciate the game's depth and variety, suggesting that adding quirky elements like character traits or merchandise dynamics could enhance the comedic experience. Overall, the humor contributes to the enjoyment, even for those who may not be baseball fans.
- “One thing I found humorous was the teams getting filled with the same exact pitching staff by the AI.”
- “Hilarious.”
- “Which is funny, because some reviews think it's too watered down.”
replayability
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional replayability, offering countless options and scenarios that ensure players can enjoy a fresh experience each time. Many users highlight its status as the best baseball simulation, emphasizing the unlimited replay value it provides.
- “There are thousands of possibilities to play the game with unlimited replay value.”
- “Best baseball simulation to ever exist, unlimited replay value.”
- “Best statistical sim of baseball ever, replayable with options I may never use.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply resonant, as it effectively simulates the highs and lows of being a dedicated sports fan. The experience of following a team through seasons, including triumphs and heartbreaking losses, evokes genuine feelings akin to real-life baseball fandom.
- “Watching your team go through an entire season over the course of a real-life week is exciting, heartbreaking, and just reminds me of following along with actual baseball during the summer.”
- “It manages to simulate the emotional experience of following a franchise as a fan.”
- “I'm 8 seasons in with 4 division titles and 1 World Series appearance that I lost in heartbreaking fashion.”
grinding
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious at times, although the overall gameplay remains engaging and not overly slow. While the experience is enjoyable, many do not anticipate investing extensive hours into grinding through long-term progression.
- “I'm enjoying the game, but it can be super tedious at times.”
- “Despite all this, I don’t sense that I will be putting in serious hours and grinding through decades of a career.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The new single game interface enhances the immersive atmosphere of gameplay, despite some bugs in player animations. Overall, it represents a significant improvement in how players experience and manage their games.
- “The new single game interface has some bugs in terms of player animations, but it is a huge step forward in creating a more immersive atmosphere while you watch and manage your single games.”
music
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is not characterized by a high-definition, dynamic soundtrack typical of 3D games; instead, it lacks the energetic and immersive qualities often expected in such titles.
- “The music in this game feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I expected a dynamic soundtrack, but the music is bland and forgettable.”
- “The sound design is disappointing; it doesn't enhance the gameplay experience at all.”