MLB 2K10 Retail First Impressions - RaychelSnr's Blog

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MLB 2K10 Retail First Impressions Stuck

Posted on March 1, 2010 at 07:45 PM.

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Just got my retail version of MLB 2K10 and played a quick nine inning game with the Rangers against the Royals. Here are my quick thoughts, I'll have further thoughts later tonight with a buyers recommendation.

The Good

This game is clearly much improved- There is no doubt that playing through my first inning left that impression on me. This game is so much better than last year, I can't even begin to describe it. Much more polished.

No graphical problems- The framerate issues from last year didn't pop up once while playing. That's a win. And for those of you freaking out about the bad demo graphics: I told you so. They're just fine in the retail version.

Smart AI- The AI was smart. It pitched around guys like Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. I didn't see any bad decisions or anything like last year.

Pitching/Hitting are solid-2K stressed they wanted this part of the game to shine. I've never been a fan of zone hitting, so 2K's system really is a breath of fresh air. I didn't hit a single home run during the 3-2 game but I did get 12 hits off of Zac Greinke. The pitch counts were good though and the computer will try to work the count if you aren't throwing pitches over the plate.

Defensive Swings- They are cool, they work and they're effective in the sense they offer a low risk/low reward type of swing.

The Bad

Outfielders Arms- They're way too strong I think. It feels like the outfields either aren't big enough or each outfielder has a rocket for an arm. I haven't checked on a slider for this, but if it can be fixed by a slider then awesome.

Lack of help menus- This will only be a problem for newcomers of the series. I haven't really played much MLB 2K (since I have always played The Show), but the lack of help menus did have me scratching my head on how to do a few things. However, this is a very nitpicky complaint.

Computer doesn't take many strikes- At least from my experience in game number 1, the computer didn't take very many first strikes. If the ball was a strike, the AI typically swung and connected which leads me to another complaint....

[b]There were 25 combined hits with Grienke/Harden pitching against each other[b]- I had 12 the Royals had 13 and there were a total of 5 runs scored. The game could be a bit offense heavy in that regards, sliders might work.

Extra base hits were absent-Despite the fact both teams got 25 hits combined, there was only one extra base hit and it was on a stalled ground ball in shallow center with a CF playing way back. The rest were literally singles. Maybe I was that good of a pitcher and that bad of a hitter, maybe I wasn't. Further info will have to be gathered.

Conclusion

I can say one thing with total confidence: MLB 2K10 is a solid game. It has a chance to be a good game and it is light years ahead of last year's effort. I'm going to try to get a couple more games in tonight before really recommending a buy/no buy on the game, but right now I think XBox gamers finally have at least a serviceable baseball game to call their own.

Comments

# 1 AmazingMets @ Mar 1

What you said about the 25 hits. That happened last year. You have to adjust the sliders to get it down to the league average (around 9 per team)

# 2 RaychelSnr @ Mar 1

Yeah, I just did a quick bit of research and that seems to be the case. So no kudos for that 2K...definitely a negative. But this game had so far to come, I'm amazed at how far it has come in a year. I only played a couple of games of 2K9 and this is light years better.

# 3 stlstudios189 @ Mar 1

looking forward to tomorrow.

# 4 Wavebird99 @ Mar 1

Sounds good. Looks like the game is going to need some sliders though. I'm mad about the hits thing, that happened last year but didnt really happen in the demo. Were you playing on pro?

# 5 RaychelSnr @ Mar 1

Yeah I was on pro it seems, didn't even think to check the difficulty before playing...but I still lost. Ah well.

I forgot to add one more negative:

C.J. Wilson is as inconsistent in MLB 2K10 as he is in real life- This doesn't bode well for 2010.

# 6 kaydigi @ Mar 1

Good read, thanks. Really debating on picking this up tomorrow. I bailed on the series after 1 game of 2K8.

# 7 DJ @ Mar 1

Good to hear there weren't any noticeable bugs in the game you played.

# 8 CarryTheWeight @ Mar 1

Looks like I'll be giving 2K10 a shot after all...everything I've heard about the game seems to be encouraging. Here's hoping the series can use this installment to get back on track and intensify the competitive spirit in the baseball gaming market.

# 9 Artman22 @ Mar 1

IDK the 25 hits may have something to do with your pitching skills. I was able to allow 1-2 hits on the 3 inning demo depending on who's pitching..

# 10 WTF @ Mar 1

Excellent... good read man. I'm very excited.

# 11 SDwinder @ Mar 1

Hmm, with the demo, I had a nice variety of extra base hits, including gappers, down the line, and HRs pulled and opposite field. Still not a big fan of the Swingstick though. Also, they need to adjust the camera for plays at Home Plate on throws from the OF. It needs to back up more, instead of just tilting down from a high altitude.

# 12 cowboy_kmoney @ Mar 1

I will be getting the game at midnight release party at game stop.Damn 12 isnt coming fast enough.

# 13 SeerMagicX @ Mar 2

yep, doubles to the wall or down the line will never... EVER happen.

# 14 blackscorpion11 @ Mar 2

Hmmm Thanks for the update, eager to hear how the game plays on higher skill levels?

# 15 StormJH1 @ Mar 2

Thanks for the quick update. I'll be more interested in what Chris and other OS'ers have to say about this game than what IGN thinks. I'm of the opinion that if I don't hear about a ton of game-crushing bugs, I'll pick it up as the week goes on. I am a little concerned about the lack of extra base hits, but honestly, I think the arm strengths are just too strong across the board, and if they toned that down with a global editor in a patch or roster update, it may actually help that problem somewhat.

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