Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

[UNC_Pete]

One game impression:

Setup:
Hitachi 51 RP-HDTV (1080i) Component + digital audio
All-Star

First, there is stuttering after hitting the ball and the ball coming in from the outfield into the infield. Using Aerial view helps reduce the amount which tells me it has to do with the amount of graphics trying to be displayed in the infield (due to the amount of players possibly?). It's a pain but I doubt there will be a patch fix but who knows, they made CHoops 2k8 awesome with a patch.

Pitching is a lot of fun. I have no clue what I was doing until I realized you go in the first direction and then abruptly to the second direction and release when the zone is in the green area. I think I was too excited and didn't read it the first time. Fielding is also great with the analog stick. The way the bar is pointing determines how on point the throw is. I've already pulled my 2nd baseman off the bag allowing a double which wouldn't normally be a double.

The addition of these features really helps mimic "human error" in the game. Instead of probability logic, throwing now is dependent on how accurate your throws are by using the analog stick. Pitching is even more sensitive as it takes into account how precise you are with the action of the pitch.

The hit stick is going to take more to get used to. The nice thing is that there is an addition in that the game tells you when you step too early which has really helped with my timing. If you want to take the pitch outside you swing to that direction and pull to the other direction. Depending on how far inside or outside you swing will determine where the ball goes.

Overall it's a very fun game right now, and I think once I get the hang of the throwing/batting functions it'll be great. The only issue right now that is holding it back is the stuttering but if you can look past the occasional stutter I think you'll be in for a pleasant surprise.

[lived]

HOw's the crowd atmosphere. Loud at right times etc.

[Blzer]

Wow, framerate and strike zones were my two main concerns with this game. I just sat down and read every post in this thread for the last 80 minutes, and I can say with certainty that this has guaranteed a future PS3 purchase for me. Now I can't say for certain that I will be getting The Show this year, but I want to keep playing Power Pros and I want some options for next year.

I will probably try and rent this game this weekend, but I'm expecting the worst (when it comes to some visual things mostly). I'll admit that I'm a graphics whore, and so far the lighting changes have already left me disappointed in the videos and screenshots that I have seen.

Let's just hope that most all gameplay issues are resolved now, so they can prioritize visuals and presentation for 2K9. If not, then it will be The Show for me, without question.


It boggles my mind to see they took a step backward this year in some departments.

[ahuey58]

not loud enough

[HK-47]

How are the custom soundtracks?Can you use your own music for home runs and other stadium releated sounds?

I've only heard someone add it to batter walk up music...And that was the dude here on OS who has the beta copy.

Someone needs to truely confirm this by actually adding there own songs to be played when home runs are hit,walks are drawn etc!

[SeaNNyT]

Quote: Originally Posted by lived

HOw's the crowd atmosphere. Loud at right times etc.

Hardly ever loud.

[Hoos]

Well it only took me 2 innings to form my initial and final impression:

THIS GAME IS TRASH!!!

The graphics are a HUUUUUUUUUGE downgrade from last year!!! Started @ 1080i and then went to 720p - garbage at both settings!!! I feel like I'm playing a PS1 game It's not my TV because everything else I have looks fantastic. This game is bull****!!!!

Stutters are as bad as reported, actually worse than reported!!!

Don't believe me?? Rent it and see for yourself. Worse video game purchase I have ever made. Last 2K baseball game that I will ever a buy....what a shame!!! So glad I bought the PS3 and the "other game".

Save the "fanboy" comments because I am about as unbiased as they come.

No wonder 2K kept this game under wraps and delayed their demo!!! I don't buy the whole MS delay for 1 second.................UGGGGHHHH, I feel like I need to throw up

[skeem]

Quote: Originally Posted by HK-47

How are the custom soundtracks?Can you use your own music for home runs and other stadium releated sounds? I've only heard someone add it to batter walk up music...And that was the dude here on OS who has the beta copy. Someone needs to truely confirm this by actually adding there own songs to be played when home runs are hit,walks are drawn etc!

You can add custom music for solo home runs, 2 run hrs, 3 run hrs, grand slams, end of inning, end of game to name a few, even bringing in a pitcher