Let’s just clear the air right from the start–Baseball Mogul 2009 is not for the arcade crowd.  It’s a stats-loving geek’s dream come true, but it will likely not appeal to most fans of baseball video games.  That being said, those that do fall within its target demographic will find a very enjoyable game with a few unfortunate stumbles.

As noted, the Baseball Mogul series is for those who subscribe to Baseball Weekly, or are just really into fantasy baseball leagues.  It’s essentially the franchise mode of any console baseball game without the excitement of occasionally stepping up to the plate.  Instead, the excitement comes from a well done trade or watching a draft pick make their way from the single A ball all the way to a starting spot in the majors.

The game has a fairly streamlined interface with deep options.  You can set the price of tickets, concessions, or even funds allocated to medical staff.  You can trade, sign, draft, and cut players.  Basically anything you can imagine, and 2009 offers most features accessible from the main screen.  Compare that to 2006 which hid every option under drop down menus.  It’s an improvement, but it could still be a little more user friendly.  Perhaps something more icon driven in the vein of Microsoft Outlook would work?  When it comes time to play you can take on a minute to minute managerial role (a very fun new addition) or simulate mass games at a time.

The game also offers a fairly deep assortment of stats, though maybe not as in depth as you might expect.  You expect things such as batting average, OBP, BB, IBB, etc. in any game these days.  What you miss are some of the more arcane stats such as average outdoors versus dome.  This may seem silly, but past baseball titles have offered it and this is a completely stats driven game.

Stats present another problem with the game versus its 2006 version.  Where that game would routinely churn out somewhat realistic numbers for players, 2009 instead will have 35 home runs lead the league.  That might have been realistic in 1988, but in 2008 multiple players routinely hit 40 or more home runs in a season.  It would be bad as an anomaly, but it seems more the rule.  You’ll also rarely see a 20 win pitcher as they seem to go down with injuries at least a month per season.  Again, this wouldn’t be bad now and then, but it seems like every season the top pitchers are on the DL.

Games like this are hard to judge.  The stats have to be realistic or they’re little fun, but the stats also have to be variable or it becomes too predictable.  Take these issues with whatever grains of salt you will.  This review is not to sound too down on the game.  It’s actually wonderful fun for the geek who loves baseball.  It’s also a nice step up from 2006.  Still, the question for fans of the series will be how much of a step up is it?  For this reviewer, it probably wasn’t enough, though the diehards will love it.

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