Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

[The Gamer]

didn't someone say the MLB were making these mandatory release dates? If that's the case that's probably why things weren't finished and a patch was probably being worked on prior to release.

[arichzona]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Gamer

didn't someone say the MLB were making these mandatory release dates? If that's the case that's probably why things weren't finished and a patch was probably being worked on prior to release.

hmmm?

MLB can't make their employees drug test but they can make gaming companies release games on the date that they create?

Now that I think for a second, that is very possible

[Pared]

Great post, Mizzou. I'm sure if they had extra time the framerate wouldn't even be an issue.

Quote: Originally Posted by brendanrfoley

Not only to some games require instant patching. But now, some PS3 games require mandatory 5 gig install processes that take 20 minutes. It's a joke.

Don't agree with you there at all. The installs to the hard drive are to speed up load times (or in some instances, eliminate them completely) as games are using textures now that aren't a few MB's in size. It's either that, stare at a loading screen for 5 mins or get a game with terrible textures.

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I've spent more and more time with the game and it's not the HUGE disappointment it first was. They really lowered a lot of the graphical effects and that's sad to see. Others may say the downgrade isn't that bad but I don't agree with them. The graphics were really nice last year and they're just ok this year, especially with some strange looking animations at times. At least last year these animations look strange with the graphics at such a high level. It's frustrating because you expect the game to look better every year, not worse.

Gameplay though... very, very nice. I love how loose everything feels. Very MVP-ish on the field. I'm really liking the pitching the more I spend time with it, but as someone else said, it's still a meter. The only difference is the motions you're inputting. Still is a nice diversion from the norm. I still hate the meatball thing. Such a stupid, stupid idea. The way the CPU always hits a no-doubter where they pose and everything is another stupid inclusion. Makes you wonder who was in charge of this aspect of the game. I can understand the CPU making you pay with a nice double down the line but to have it practically a HR most of the time is... ugh. That's a very arcade aspect that I hate and this series always seems to have something like that. WHY???

I'm seeing the CPU throw a decent variety of balls/strikes but the lack of walks is killing me. Once you get the hang of the meter you can still pinpoint your pitches. Again, get rid of the meatball and make the player miss his spot out of the zone sometimes as well.

This series is just beyond frustrating. If it's not one thing it's another. Last year it took heavy slider work to get the game to play a sim-game of baseball, but it looked great and the camera angle they added after the patch was tops. This year, the game looks flat and dull at times as it took a graphical hit with the gameplay being a bit better and more involving. Still needs heavy slider work, again.

It's just frustrating to think this could be the only baseball game out there because of exclusivity. It certainly is nice to have a choice. If only we had the same thing in football.

[dmfreck]

Ok, I've been a fan of 2K baseball ever since 2K3, which was a break-out year for the series - but this game is an unmitigated disaster on just about every level. I highly advise anyone with a choice to steer clear of this and pick up MLB 08 The Show for the PS3.

EDIT: I'll go one step further - this series is in desperate need of a total reimagining, like the MVP series had that produced the excellent MVP05.

[whosgotcha]

Just played a great minor league game. Zephyrs beat the Sounds 7 to 3 in the 13th inning. I scored 5 in the top of the 13th to break the game open.

Funny enough I had three pitchers ejected for hitting batters (I argued each one and received +1 boosts). Game was 2 to 2 up to the 13th inning.Zephyrs had 15 singles and 2 doubles while the sounds had 6 singles and 6 doubles. No homeruns for either team.

While I had no noticeable framerate issues when I first played MLB 2k8 I decided to sign out of my profile to see how it would play. It appears to play a bit smoother. Pitching for me definitely seems easier. I love the pitching and fielding meters. I liked the fielding meters in MVP also so this is a very nice addition. If the fielder throw meters really make a difference in the outfielders then this will be an excellent addition.

As I play the game gets better and better.

[123456dan]

WOW! Just noticed a little thing that blew me away. In my Phillies franchise I traded away Shane Victorino to the D-Backs. I am now playing them and he is their lead off hitter. The thing is, that I can see his inside edge report (hot/cold zones) since he was on my team at the start of the year.

[belljr]

Something cool happened to day. Deep fly to left. I move Burrell back back back, the ball looks like it's going out of the park, he starts to climb the wall, ball comes down hits him in the glove, pops out and into the stand for a HR.

Freaking Pat Burell

[y2dan]

A couple quick questions for some of you:

1) When using swing stick 2.0, when should I be stepping back for my swing? I'm always late or early, I can't seem to get it right.

2) When pitching with runners on base, why does it seem like the effectiveness meter doesn't matter? I always have such a small "green" zone when choosing the accuracy for my pitch when not pitching out of the stretch.

Thanks