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What Could Have Been – A Review of MLB Front Office Manager

Growing up in 2009, my fandom of our beautiful game of baseball had barely begun, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the latest MLB game, MLB The Show 09. I had been eagerly anticipating my birthday to get my 12-year-old hands on it, and I had spent countless hours playing the game at my best friend Mike’s house and could not wait to get the game for myself.

So, when my dad surprised me by coming home with a different MLB game, MLB Front Office Manager, I have to admit, I was disappointed and a little angry. I had never even heard of this game before, so I was skeptical that it could live up to my expectations.

However, as I started to play MLB Front Office Manager, I began to realize that it was a very different type of game than MLB The Show. Instead of controlling the players on the field, I was in charge of managing the team as a general manager, making decisions about which players to sign, trade, and release. Compared to The Show it was night and day.

At first, I found this aspect of the game to be somewhat confusing, as I was used to playing games where I had direct control over the action on the field. But as I continued to play, I began to appreciate the depth and complexity of the game. It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into creating this game, and I found myself getting more and more invested in my team’s success.

As I played more and more, I began to appreciate the strategic nature of the game. I started to pay closer attention to the stats and data available in the game, and I began to experiment with different lineups and strategies. I found that the decisions I made off the field had a significant impact on the performance of my team on the field.

Looking back on it now, I am grateful that my dad bought me MLB Front Office Manager instead of The Show. While it may not have been the game I was expecting, it ended up being a game that I played for many years and one that helped me develop a deeper appreciation for the sport of baseball.

MLB Front Office Manager is a video game that was released for Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and IBM PC (Windows OS) back in 2009. It is a game that is based on Major League Baseball and allows players to take on the role of a general manager for any team in the league. The game was developed by Blue Castle Games and published by 2K Sports.

When it comes to gameplay, MLB Front Office Manager provides players with a deep and immersive experience. Players are given control of every aspect of the team, from hiring and firing coaches to making trades and drafting new players. The game also provides players with a lot of statistical data that can be used to make informed decisions about their team.

One of the standout features of MLB Front Office Manager is its emphasis on statistical analysis. The game includes a wealth of data on every player in the league, including their career stats, injury history, and performance in different situations. This data can be used to make informed decisions about which players to draft, sign, and trade for. The game also includes a variety of different scouting reports that can be used to evaluate potential prospects and opponents.

One of the most impressive aspects of MLB Front Office Manager is the level of detail that has gone into creating the game. The game features realistic player models and detailed animations that help bring the action on the field to life. Additionally, the game’s interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, which makes it easy for players to manage their teams.

Another great aspect of MLB Front Office Manager is its replayability. The game allows players to play through multiple seasons with their team, which means that there is always something new to discover. Additionally, the game’s AI is challenging, which means that players will need to be strategic in order to succeed.

That being said, the game does have a few flaws. The game’s graphics, while decent for  2009, clearly are not as sharp as modern games. Additionally, the game’s sound design is somewhat lackluster, which can make the game feel a bit lifeless at times.

Overall, MLB Front Office Manager is a very decent game for its time and should have been a launching pad for fans of baseball who are looking for a deep and immersive experience that only plays on console at the time. While it does have a few flaws, the game’s level of detail and replayability make it a great choice for anyone who wants to take on the role of a general manager for a Major League Baseball team.

Additional Links

Mobygames entry – https://www.mobygames.com/game/46573/mlb-front-office-manager/

 

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