Out of the Park Baseball 24
- March 24, 2023
- Out of the Park Developments
- 120h median play time
Get on Steam"Out of the Park Baseball 24" is a highly acclaimed sports strategy game with MLB and MLBPA licenses, featuring 3D visuals, in-game analytics, and a vast franchise mode. It offers authentic offline and online gameplay options, allowing you to simulate all aspects of a baseball franchise, from scouting and drafting to trading and managing. The game boasts a long-standing reputation for excellence, having twice won Metacritic's PC Game of the Year.
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Reviews
- OOTP 24 offers an incredibly deep and immersive baseball management experience, allowing players to manage every aspect of their team.
- The game features improved graphics and animations, enhancing the overall visual experience during gameplay.
- The addition of new features like the trading deadline system and international amateur signing adds more realism and engagement to the game.
- The removal of many international leagues and the focus on Perfect Team mode has disappointed long-time fans who enjoyed the broader scope of previous versions.
- The game has been reported to have numerous bugs and crashes, making it frustrating for players who want a stable experience.
- AI trade logic and financial management have been criticized for being unrealistic, leading to immersion-breaking scenarios.
- graphics38 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have seen some improvements, particularly in animations and UI, but they still fall short of modern AAA standards, often described as having a retro feel. While some players appreciate the enhancements, many emphasize that the game's strength lies in its simulation and gameplay rather than its visuals. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for a simulation game, but there is a desire for more significant upgrades.
“Its improved 3D graphics, fluid animations, and realistic ballparks deliver an unparalleled immersive experience.”
“The graphics and animations have undergone significant improvements and they were already spectacular for a text-based baseball sim.”
“The graphics are gorgeously improved with this version too.”
“The 3D graphics, while improved from before, are still stuck in 1998.”
“The new graphics for base runners make them look like they have physical disabilities and can't use their legs properly.”
“Graphically, it's a mess.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of opinions, with some praising the complex yet intuitive mechanics that enhance team management and provide a realistic experience, while others criticize certain aspects as unrealistic or problematic. Improvements in trade mechanics and 3D gameplay have been noted positively, but there are still calls for further enhancements to core mechanics. Overall, the depth and customization options contribute to an engaging experience, though some players feel that certain elements remain flawed.
“The game's mechanics are complex yet intuitive, allowing players to manage every aspect of their team, from drafting and trading players to setting lineups and managing finances.”
“The AI is smart and challenging, providing a realistic and immersive gameplay experience.”
“Depth of play is amazing, the mechanics of the game are phenomenal; I cannot say enough about it.”
“The gameplay mechanics are a joke.”
“Games that are played have crazy, physically impossible gameplay by the players on the field.”
“I just wish that the trade engine was more realistic, but that is not anything new, regardless of new UI/mechanics.”
- optimization17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some users report smooth performance and improvements in the engine, others experience significant lag and performance issues, particularly on less powerful machines. Many players express frustration that a text-based game should not have such optimization problems, suggesting that further updates and fixes are necessary.
“Very in-depth mechanics, a good approach to player ratings, performance, and basically everything.”
“So far, the performance of the players in OOTP 24 seem pretty true to what's actually happening in the MLB.”
“And the game runs very well; no optimization problems when playing individual games visually.”
“Previous iterations did not have this problem and a game like this really should not be having performance issues.”
“It's frigging a text-based game; it should not have performance issues on my machine with a 3090 card and 24GB of RAM.”
“The game definitely needs some optimization though.”
- stability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The latest edition of the game has been criticized for its lack of polish and numerous bugs, leading to frequent freezes and a compromised online experience. While some users note that it runs well on certain platforms, the overall stability issues, particularly with the trading deadline feature, have significantly detracted from gameplay enjoyment.
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches, providing a stable experience.”
“I appreciate how well the game performs; I've had no issues with stability during my playtime.”
“Despite some minor visual issues on the Steam Deck, the overall stability of the game is impressive.”
“Of the most recent versions of the game, this year's edition feels the least polished, most buggy, and frankly most like a game that you can manipulate, even in online leagues.”
“You're feeling pretty good about your managerial skills, when all of a sudden the game freezes.”
“The game freezes constantly.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users highlighting aggressive gacha mechanics and a $500 launch week package designed to exploit players. Reviewers express frustration over the lack of meaningful updates or improvements, suggesting that the focus is solely on maximizing profits rather than enhancing the player experience.
“Compared to prior years, the predatory gacha monetization strategies are on steroids, including a launch week $500 package (hidden behind a checkbox) to buy enough currency to carry a whale team through the entire season.”
“If I was in the stands at a real baseball game, and this game's devs were pitching this, I would be booing this cash grab nonsense!”
“Perfect Team is just a year-to-year cash grab.”
“Compared to prior years, the predatory gacha monetization strategies are on steroids - including a launch week $500 package (hidden behind a checkbox in order to see it) to buy enough currency to carry a whale team through the entire season.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game lacks a significant story element, with players focusing more on team-building and competitive aspects rather than narrative. The community forums reflect a mix of helpful advice and competitive boasting, emphasizing gameplay mechanics over storytelling.
“No story.”
“The forums are a mixed bag of helpful people and those who love to gloat and put down other players. They boast about their achievements, but there's no way to replicate their success without spending excessive time on the auction house.”
“For the same reason I enjoy Madden's MUT and MLB The Show's Diamond Dynasty, the lack of a compelling story makes the experience feel hollow.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it requires excessive time investment to obtain cards and build teams, often feeling tedious due to the removal of quality of life features. This has led to a perception that the game is more about enduring repetitive tasks than enjoying the gameplay.
“TOS violations for playing the cards you worked months grinding to get; the perfect team platform is broken.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Some quality of life features were removed to make the experience 'more realistic', but the unintended consequence is that it just made the game tedious for tasks such as trading, contracts, and dealing with your owner.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the enhanced visuals and realistic player movements that contribute to a more immersive experience, others find the inclusion of distracting and repetitive commentary detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“The players on the field look better and move better, with player movement after plays enhancing the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
“Despite the visuals, the overall ambiance lacks depth and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
“The sound design is underwhelming, contributing to a flat atmosphere that doesn't engage the player.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that this year's version has reduced replayability compared to previous iterations, primarily due to a limited selection of playable leagues and a decline in player animations.
“This year's version actually has less capability in that department than the last two, narrowing the number of leagues that are playable and taking a step back in the player animations.”
“The lack of new content makes it feel like I've already seen everything the game has to offer after just a few playthroughs.”
“Once you complete the main storyline, there’s little incentive to dive back in, as the side quests feel repetitive and uninspired.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is enhanced by features like instant replays, highlights, and the inclusion of traditional elements such as the 7th inning stretch, along with immersive ballpark music and authentic vendor and crowd sounds, creating an engaging atmosphere for players.
“The music really enhances the atmosphere of the game, making every moment feel more exciting.”
“I love how the ballpark music and crowd sounds create an immersive experience that pulls you into the action.”
“The instant replays paired with the perfect soundtrack make every highlight even more memorable.”
“The music in the game feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The background music is often too loud, drowning out important game sounds and dialogue.”
