Out of the Park Baseball 17

 PC
User Score
3.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 241 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 241
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 241
  3. Negative: 162 out of 241

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  1. dnu318
    Apr 13, 2016
    1
    This is a game that had a lot of promise and potential, unfortunately ignored glaring issues persist and new issues appear.

    The major pluses: licensing has allowed use of all major and minor league players and logos. You can create real life organizations from the Major Leagues right down to short season A ball. A major plus! The 3D engine has grown by leaps and bounds and the    This is a game that had a lot of promise and potential, unfortunately ignored glaring issues persist and new issues appear.

    The major pluses: licensing has allowed use of all major and minor league players and logos. You can create real life organizations from the Major Leagues right down to short season A ball. A major plus!

    The 3D engine has grown by leaps and bounds and the graphics presentation is enjoyable. Gove are the days of OOTP being strictly a text based sim.

    Then there are the issues, which don't seem to get taken seriously unless you have some predetermined number of posts on their message board. In "Historical Exhibition" mode I had the AI play a relief pitcher at second base. I also had the game totally ignore the fact that a relief pitcher made it into the game. You could see he was in the game by go9ing to the screen that shows the current pitcher. You could see he had fatigue from pitching. But he didn't appear in the box score. The response from the head developer: This problem does not exist.

    The Fantasy draft is completely broken. It doesn't display starting pitchers. If you go to a league in the first round of the daft and have the system sort starting pitchers, there are none. I started a season in 1994. If I go to the fantasy draft, like I said no starting pitchers. If I do a search for guys like David Cone, Randy Johnson or Jimmy Key, the come up in the search field. Try to draft them... nope, not happening. I have tried this several ways: with the most recent patch, uninstalling and reinstalling an earlier version or even going all the way back the beta version, which I secured by pre-ordering the game and the problem still persists.

    I guess if somebody who has a couple of thousand posts in the forum ahs these problems they'll be addressed. Right now the game gets a low rating but the one saving grace is they do patch frequently, so maybe this issue will actually get fixed.... we'll see.    … Expand
  2. marc5477
    May 19, 2016
    5
    Absolutely no notably interesting improvements over old versions. Financials are still a mess, AI still does not know how to deal with contracts, nor how to draft (trivially easy even with scouting at very low), and the AI still makes horrible decisions with personnel in games.

    They added 3d stadiums which is lame as hell. This is not a 3d simulator and people do not buy it for that    Absolutely no notably interesting improvements over old versions. Financials are still a mess, AI still does not know how to deal with contracts, nor how to draft (trivially easy even with scouting at very low), and the AI still makes horrible decisions with personnel in games.

    They added 3d stadiums which is lame as hell. This is not a 3d simulator and people do not buy it for that purpose. The addition of MLB licence added nothing to the game. The changes to manager rating remain completely nonfunctional in every way.

    The bad news is this version crashes a lot. There are multiple crashes every season and there is no error log or anything to figure out what is wrong. On top of that, the developer is still telling their fans to go to review sites and rate the game very highly distorting the true score of the game.

    Minus one point for this years version. Don't bother with it. You can buy 2015 and not notice any differences.    … Expand
  3. Robo1234
    Apr 24, 2016
    5
    This game doesn't really have any competition and has a boat load of options that will enable you to create your own custom baseball world if you so choose.

    It isn't what I expect from a 'text simulation' game. The player evaluation model is horrendous. The scouting model doesn't resemble anything like baseball in the real world. The AI, especially the handling of players, is broken    This game doesn't really have any competition and has a boat load of options that will enable you to create your own custom baseball world if you so choose.

    It isn't what I expect from a 'text simulation' game. The player evaluation model is horrendous. The scouting model doesn't resemble anything like baseball in the real world. The AI, especially the handling of players, is broken and doesn't resemble real world baseball. And finally, the game has a lot of bugs (too many to count). I'm sure some of these bugs will be fixed, however some things (scouting, trading, player handling, AI depth charts, DH handling, etc...) need to be rewritten.

    One example... If you have a super star player that has a chance to break a few records or hit a major milestone, don't be disappointed when he is riding the bench and/or is sent to the minor leagues. Since the AI has direct access to his 'ratings', he doesn't have to falter first to be demoted.

    If you can overlook the bad, the game has a lot of good.    … Expand
  4. WhyNotBecause
    Apr 30, 2016
    6
    This is a good game. When you first start playing, you'll be somewhat amazed. However, you'll notice some shortcomings and begin tweaking the vast amount of options. This will lead you to the OOTP forums. It's then, you will understand all the 10 ratings you see here. It's not the developers fault, but they have some posters that aren't doing them any good at all. They dominateThis is a good game. When you first start playing, you'll be somewhat amazed. However, you'll notice some shortcomings and begin tweaking the vast amount of options. This will lead you to the OOTP forums. It's then, you will understand all the 10 ratings you see here. It's not the developers fault, but they have some posters that aren't doing them any good at all. They dominate the threads and are rude and above all, never wrong

    I decided against joining the forum. It's not worth the trouble of dealing with fanboys who have thousands of posts and little between the ears.

    I was going to give the game a 7, but all the 10s and after reading the forum, I settled on a 6.

    This game has enormous potential.    … Expand
  5. edm18
    Jun 20, 2016
    10
    Not a game for everyone. OOTP is a text based baseball sim. But if you've ever played and enjoyed sports sims in the past, ootp is the gold standard.

    I won't get into every feature, there's isn't enough time. But one big addition this year is Authentic minor league systems from 1919 through 2015. So while playing a historical career the game will adjust the minor leagues, as well as    Not a game for everyone. OOTP is a text based baseball sim. But if you've ever played and enjoyed sports sims in the past, ootp is the gold standard.

    I won't get into every feature, there's isn't enough time. But one big addition this year is Authentic minor league systems from 1919 through 2015. So while playing a historical career the game will adjust the minor leagues, as well as import real historical players into the ammy draft, all done automatically by the game. Pretty much everything in the game is adjustable too, so you can make your game as complex or as simple as you like. Whatever fits your playing style.    … Expand
  6. rasnell
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    The gold standard for baseball sims. The purchase includes all 29,000 players to ever play in the major leagues. This year's version also adds the real stats of every minor leaguer in history for the past few decades, all without having to pay extra for season disks, roster sets, etc. The game is officially licensed by MLB, includes 3D play when playing out individual games. Also includesThe gold standard for baseball sims. The purchase includes all 29,000 players to ever play in the major leagues. This year's version also adds the real stats of every minor leaguer in history for the past few decades, all without having to pay extra for season disks, roster sets, etc. The game is officially licensed by MLB, includes 3D play when playing out individual games. Also includes the ability to play any historical matchup ever -- to decide whether the 1927 Yankees, 1976 Reds, 1929 Cubs or your favorite team were the best in history. Can customize this so specifically that you can manage every game or be the GM executing the front-office deals all the way to the frustrations of an owner who won't give you enough money for free agents, forcing you to use all of your best skills to recruit the best prospects and build for the future on a shoestring budget.… Expand
  7. jeremyc9
    Mar 2, 2017
    10
    Game is great, but your review must be 150 characters long, so let's stretch this out. One idiot actually rated this a zero because it had a better rating than a DLC for The Witcher 3.
  8. Griever20
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    The best sport manager game I have ever played, leaves Football Managers, Basketball Managers and the other stuff in the dust due to incredible depth. Gives you the ability to start today as manager or GM of any club in baseball, play any historic season, or gives you the opportunity to create your own fictional baseball league the way you want it.

    The new and improved 3D engine for    The best sport manager game I have ever played, leaves Football Managers, Basketball Managers and the other stuff in the dust due to incredible depth. Gives you the ability to start today as manager or GM of any club in baseball, play any historic season, or gives you the opportunity to create your own fictional baseball league the way you want it.

    The new and improved 3D engine for games makes the games even more funny to watch and the management and especially trade part gets better every version.

    Another big plus: Savegames can be imported out of the previous year's version, no need to start a new game every year, play with the newest version but with your old save...    … Expand
  9. kabeer
    Apr 24, 2016
    7
    I started playing OOTP in 2012, and I'm amazed they keep finding new ways to make it better. I love the new 3-D and GM ratings.
    Unbelievable! Easily to best baseball simulation. The depth and ability to customize to any level the user wants makes this a must have for any baseball fan
  10. Wetfred
    May 10, 2016
    7
    I've been playing for years. Great game if you love baseball,sim/management games. It's no where near FM but is heading in the right direction. Just a few things to mention. Markus, the developer is active on the forum and patches the game frequently. Yes, the forum has a few fanboys who will flame you if you don't agree with them or criticize the game in any way. They're in every forumI've been playing for years. Great game if you love baseball,sim/management games. It's no where near FM but is heading in the right direction. Just a few things to mention. Markus, the developer is active on the forum and patches the game frequently. Yes, the forum has a few fanboys who will flame you if you don't agree with them or criticize the game in any way. They're in every forum but for a small community it can be toxic.
    The game play is great and there only a few issues I have. The first is the Scouting. It's not where it should be. If done right it could be so much fun. Finances need to worked on. Trading has gotten better but can be improved.
    I give it a 7. It's a great game with room for improvement.    … Expand
  11. acgamblers
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    The best ootp yet by far, the platinum standard for baseball simulations. the new relationship ratings for coaches and historical minor leagues provide a new depth I never knew was possible and I have been playing this since OOTP2... Amazing Amazing game. Since coming out I have played this none stop.
  12. awriter28
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    If you're into baseball simulation games - especially from a financial and roster management standpoint - this game is the gold standard. The depth of the game is truly stunning. You can start in 2016 with the current MLB rosters or at any point in baseball history back to 1871. Or you can create a completely fictional baseball universe. Every version gets better and OOTP 17 is no exception.
  13. skywalkr2
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    If you are seriously considering a baseball simulator... there is only one real option. OOTP has been the king of baseball simulation since Puresim went the way of the dodo. Don't even joke by suggesting baseball mogul. If you are a true baseball fan... this is a yearly must purchase.
  14. mastah50
    Jul 21, 2016
    0
    It's obvious this game isn't what the fanboys say it is. Still has the same problems as past versions of OOTPBB. Basically it's just another money grab with a few new perks like the animation on the field which most didn't want anyways but the idiot (imho) developer put it in anyway Now he's suffering with bad reviews of the game. Trading isn't really improved as the AI is just as dumb asIt's obvious this game isn't what the fanboys say it is. Still has the same problems as past versions of OOTPBB. Basically it's just another money grab with a few new perks like the animation on the field which most didn't want anyways but the idiot (imho) developer put it in anyway Now he's suffering with bad reviews of the game. Trading isn't really improved as the AI is just as dumb as ever. AI managers/coaches aren't unique as I see the same strategy every one I play against. Recommend: DO NOT BUY anymore ootpbb versions until he fixed the AI extremely better than it is.… Expand
  15. Charley575
    Apr 14, 2016
    10
    The best keeps getting better. OOTP 17 simulates the experience of running a baseball franchise in an immersive experience that can't be beaten. If you truly love the game of baseball, this is the game for you.
  16. jd200600
    Apr 8, 2016
    10
    This is such a fantastic game! The game is very in-depth on the "basic" settings, and is fully custom down to the details that you are looking for in a game. You get to put yourself in the GM's shoes and be the final decision-maker for your club, or you can just be the day-to-day manager. Want to start a fictional league? Go for it! I also have to say that the development team hasThis is such a fantastic game! The game is very in-depth on the "basic" settings, and is fully custom down to the details that you are looking for in a game. You get to put yourself in the GM's shoes and be the final decision-maker for your club, or you can just be the day-to-day manager. Want to start a fictional league? Go for it! I also have to say that the development team has been doing a great job with updating the game, and they do a great job listening to user feedback. Great game!… Expand
  17. jeffw3000
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    Three things make OOTP the best baseball simulation on the market.

    1. Realism. It is by far the most realistic baseball simulation around. 2. Historical. No game is as serious and deep when it comes to the history of baseball, and this year you even have historical minor leagues. 3. Customization. No game has the amount of customization that OOTP has. Most eveything is optional,    Three things make OOTP the best baseball simulation on the market.

    1. Realism. It is by far the most realistic baseball simulation around.
    2. Historical. No game is as serious and deep when it comes to the history of baseball, and this year you even have historical minor leagues.
    3. Customization. No game has the amount of customization that OOTP has. Most eveything is optional, and you can turn off anything you don't want to use.    … Expand
  18. gabeeg
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    Hands down the best sports management game of all time. I have played a variety of Baseball sims (season replay and management) a variety of other sports sims and it is not even close. OOTP 17 has become more user friendly and more deep each year and now with this year with the 3D game finally mature enough to be enjoyable and useful...it is pure magic. I am a war gamer (the chitHands down the best sports management game of all time. I have played a variety of Baseball sims (season replay and management) a variety of other sports sims and it is not even close. OOTP 17 has become more user friendly and more deep each year and now with this year with the 3D game finally mature enough to be enjoyable and useful...it is pure magic. I am a war gamer (the chit pushing kind)primarily and an occasional RPG player and that said the best game on my hard drive is OOTP and probably the most played...or real close. If you have even a passing interest in Baseball or find you enjoy management games of any sort, you owe it to yourself to purchase this game.… Expand
  19. JaBurns
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    Unbelievable! Easily to best baseball simulation. The depth and ability to customize to any level the user wants makes this a must have for any baseball fan.
  20. jesusfrit
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    The best version of the game for sure. A game for all the sport simulation/management game. Let you do whatever you want. You can create your own league, play with an mlb team, go back in the past and remake the history.

    There is so much to love about that game.
  21. kent8142
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    I started playing OOTP in 2012, and I'm amazed they keep finding new ways to make it better. I love the new 3-D and GM ratings. This game is just so great, I've already spent most of my spring break playing it
  22. ohiodevil
    Apr 22, 2016
    10
    I have been playing OOTP series since version 5 and OOTP 17 is hands down the best version of the game yet. If you are looking for a game that lets you run a baseball team from just about every aspect, this is your game!
  23. Kluge
    Dec 26, 2016
    2
    It's a very complex game with great detail, but you know there's something wrong when right out of the gate, they're telling you all about God mode - and you'll need to use it, because the simulation breaks every few hours without making adjustments for when things go wrong and the game errors out.

    It required far more time and patience than I was willing to give it, and after 4h, I was    It's a very complex game with great detail, but you know there's something wrong when right out of the gate, they're telling you all about God mode - and you'll need to use it, because the simulation breaks every few hours without making adjustments for when things go wrong and the game errors out.

    It required far more time and patience than I was willing to give it, and after 4h, I was still unable to figure out the results of most of my choices. Feedback is very weak. Both the games I played through, I was stopped because my team had weak leadership and I couldn't figure out how to resolve it. Leadership is not a stat which was ever presented to me. After some Googling, you're apparently supposed to look through players bios to see who likes to play pranks, because they're leaders and prevent bad team chemistry. ??? Bad feedback systems.

    Actual baseball games lack any excitement, which is about how I remember real baseball. You're there to improve averages, so games don't count for much given how many there are (the primary benefit of micromanaging games is it sort of helps you understand how numbers translate to play - but again, feedback is very weak), and once they're boiled down to a fatalist game of probabilities, it feels particularly hollow.

    I've never encountered a game demanding I do so much observing and testing for such great lengths of time for so little mechanical information. -But it's the best sports simulator I've played, by far, and it reminded me a lot of the fun I had when I was using NREL's System Advisor Model, given they have a near-identical GUI.    … Expand
  24. Rasmuth
    Dec 29, 2016
    10
    Something smells fishy here in metacritic land (a 3.5 user score?...c'mon this is just stupid)......this is by far the best baseball sim....flat out ever. The scope and depth of the game is mind boggling. For a serious baseball fan...this can't be beat. I've been playing OOTP since version 2 and at this point, I really can't think of anything this sim is lacking. You can pretty muchSomething smells fishy here in metacritic land (a 3.5 user score?...c'mon this is just stupid)......this is by far the best baseball sim....flat out ever. The scope and depth of the game is mind boggling. For a serious baseball fan...this can't be beat. I've been playing OOTP since version 2 and at this point, I really can't think of anything this sim is lacking. You can pretty much create any kind of baseball universe you want. And the depth of statistics is perfect for a stats junkie like myself.

    This game has kept my attention in it's various incarnations for well over a decade...and that says it all.    … Expand
  25. kingdomk
    Apr 26, 2016
    10
    This is the best sports game, period. If you are a baseball fan and always wondered if you could run your favorite team better than the real GM, give it a shot. The possibilities in OOTP 17 are endless. You can run modern teams with real rosters, historical teams (all seasons from 1871 up to 2016 are included) or even create your own fictional baseball world.
  26. Fortifier
    Dec 31, 2016
    0
    How the heck did a broken baseball simulator beat "The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine"?

    This game lacks proper coding and design, making it utterly frustrating to play most of the time.
  27. Nivek
    Dec 10, 2016
    10
    This game is fantastic, realistic, and addicting. By far the best baseball game on PC and the best sports simulation game put there. It is so in depth in everything and there is really nothing else I could ask for. If you are a fan of baseball and are looking for a game where you are the GM or Manager or both then this is definitely the game for you.
  28. HotLawyer
    Aug 10, 2016
    1
    No multiplayer = no game. Who plays single player games anymore, besides chess? This isn't 1990. Include multiplayer, this is the INTERNET AGE, no one wants to play games alone anymore.
  29. kartikgurnani
    Dec 5, 2016
    10
    The Game is Nice .
    It is an inspiration to all stepping up to play Professional.
    It has a nice UI and it is somewhat like Fifa .
    This is a favourable game.
  30. MonkeyChops17
    Jul 11, 2018
    10
    Best pure sports sim by far. No competition for realism by any other franchise, including football manager. Only gripe is the non updated rosters throughout the season, but they have made this easy enough to fix in game.
  31. B00tador
    Dec 4, 2021
    5
    Found it a bit inpenetrable as a non-baseball fan, but I do appreciate the level of depth and number of different ways the game can be played. Would love Football Manager to take a leaf out of this game and allow DoF and maybe even Chairman modes - just because a mode is less active/immersive it shouldn't be taken off the table

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 2016
97
#97 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
85
#85 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. GameGrin
    Jun 30, 2016
    80
    While I'm not a fan of baseball or sport micromanagement games, I can still appreciate Out of the Park for what it is, a solid game that has a butt load of features. Anyone who is a fan of baseball or games like Football Manager should definitely check this game out.
    Read full review
  2. Gaming Age
    Apr 21, 2016
    91
    It'll really only appeal to you if you've got an insatiable appetite for the deepest minutiae of baseball stats, but if you've ever debated WPA, wRC+, or fWAR vs. bWAR, then OOTP 17 will once again be occupying a significant chunk of your time this summer.
    Read full review
  3. Brash Games
    Apr 17, 2016
    90
    A very deep game that has so much to offer to those who enjoy the strategic and managerial part of baseball. If you have always wondered what it would be like to control a baseball franchise you will absolutely love this game. If you have ever dreamt of having the greatest teams from different eras play against each other you will be able to live out those dreams.
    Read full review
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