MLB '08: The Show Review

[Pared]

Great review.

Despite the 6+ pages of bickering, I'll give my take on it briefly:

A game that is obviously created with online vs. play being an added bonus should not be negated in a review for average online play. It can only bring up the score. The core of this game is baseball, made to be played in the many different modes. It's quite obvious online play is there "just to be there" and can only be an added benefit to a solid title.

However, if this game were an online only game such as Warhawk or online play was such a huge factor similar to CoD4, then it most certainly can hinder how a game is scored.

It's all in the perspective. To limit a baseball game for intermittent online play when not ONE baseball game has ever had solid online play would be irresponsible as a reviewer, IMO. You mention it, like Matt has, and you move on. Online is obviously not the core element in this title and should not be treated as such when there are 4 other modes. Mind you... something everyone is overlooking... there is an online community with message boards, downloadable sliders and weekly roster updates.... It baffles me that this is even an issue.

Again, great review.

[Oldschool17]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

Great review. Despite the 6+ pages of bickering, I'll give my take on it briefly: A game that is obviously created with online vs. play being an added bonus should not be negated in a review for average online play. It can only bring up the score. The core of this game is baseball, made to be played in the many different modes. It's quite obvious online play is there "just to be there" and can only be an added benefit to a solid title. However, if this game were an online only game such as Warhawk or online play was such a huge factor similar to CoD4, then it most certainly can hinder how a game is scored. It's all in the perspective. To limit a baseball game for intermittent online play when not ONE baseball game has ever had solid online play would be irresponsible as a reviewer, IMO. You mention it, like Matt has, and you move on. Online is obviously not the core element in this title and should not be treated as such when there are 4 other modes. Mind you... something everyone is overlooking... there is an online community with message boards, downloadable sliders and weekly roster updates.... It baffles me that this is even an issue. Again, great review.

here we go again...I'm having problems with the continual oversight/denial that Online and H2h is an afterthought/added Bonus...I don't think so and here's why:

Online and H2H play is not an added bonus..Sports games in general since their inception were made to be played against other people and opponents...There were no seasons, franchises, editing players etc in the early versions of sports games...But there was always H2H and even ONLINE. ONline and H2H has been and always will be a Major Component of Sports Games. Before there were season/franchise options there was only one game vs the CPU or H2H and Online (anyone recall X-Band)

So to comment that Online is almost an afterthought or an added bonus is IMO erroneous...Its a major feature just as Franchise and it should be treated and scored as such. The CORE Element of this game is ALL that it has to offer. Maybe Chris or one of devs can give their take on how Online is perceived by the people who make the game.

We have ONLINE communities that are based on ONLINE play...ONLINE Leagues...A whole forum devoted to Online play...Now just to make a point where is the Franchise Forum or Online based franchise communities?...I know and realize franchise is huge but to recognize that and not understand that online is as, if not more, important would be naive IMO. In fact your last parting comments even bring it all the more clear as to how Online is a Major Component in all games...Companies just aren't getting it right thus far and reviews are being far too forgiving.

For one moment I'd like to see Franchise mode broken...I think most of you would be singing a far different tune when the Online Community came on here and said..."Franchise is not a major part of the game so this game is still a 9-10"

[Pared]

I'm not going to go back and forth with you for 6 pages so I'll just add this:

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldschool17

The CORE Element of this game is ALL that it has to offer.

That's your take and that's fine. However, you're completely demeaning the definition of the word core here by saying it is the same thing as all. Two different words, two different meanings no matter the context they are used in.

Again, if you look at your comments you're harping on a game for what it could (or should, according to you) focus on in terms of online play instead of what it does. That's not how reviews work.

Happy gaming.

[djep]

I don't see online play as an added bonus. It is a feature that any good sports title should have. When was the last time we had a decent sports game come out without online play? It's as much a part of the landscape as franchise mode, whether it is as important to you or not is a different question.

But Oldschool, you have to look at the total package. Maybe online isn't top-notch at the moment (don't all sports games have initial issues with online play?) but in the grand scheme of sports games, given the standards that have been set how can you not rate this one as one of the all-time greats?

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by djep

I don't see online play as an added bonus. It is a feature that any good sports title should have. When was the last time we had a decent sports game come out without online play? It's as much a part of the landscape as franchise mode, whether it is as important to you or not is a different question.

Again, my comments taken out of context.

When was the last time we saw a sports game without sliders? Yet, how many times do we see a game released with customizable sliders that some don't usually have an effect?

Exactly.

[djep]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

A game that is obviously created with online vs. play being an added bonus should not be negated in a review for average online play. It can only bring up the score. The core of this game is baseball, made to be played in the many different modes. It's quite obvious online play is there "just to be there" and can only be an added benefit to a solid title. However, if this game were an online only game such as Warhawk or online play was such a huge factor similar to CoD4, then it most certainly can hinder how a game is scored.

Is that in context enough for you?

"A game that is obviously created with online vs. play being an added bonus should not be negated in a review for average online play." Online vs. play being an added bonus? Modes like RTTS are added bonuses. Online play has been standard in sports games for most of the past decade.

"When was the last time we saw a sports game without sliders? Yet, how many times do we see a game released with customizable sliders that some don't usually have an effect?" FIFA, Winning Eleven, Tiger Woods, NASCAR, F1:CE, Top Spin 2....none of these have sliders. Yet, they still feature online versus play.

[SoxChamp]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldschool17

here we go again...I'm having problems with the continual oversight/denial that Online and H2h is an afterthought/added Bonus...I don't think so and here's why: Online and H2H play is not an added bonus..Sports games in general since their inception were made to be played against other people and opponents...There were no seasons, franchises, editing players etc in the early versions of sports games...But there was always H2H and even ONLINE. ONline and H2H has been and always will be a Major Component of Sports Games. Before there were season/franchise options there was only one game vs the CPU or H2H and Online (anyone recall X-Band) So to comment that Online is almost an afterthought or an added bonus is IMO erroneous...Its a major feature just as Franchise and it should be treated and scored as such. The CORE Element of this game is ALL that it has to offer. Maybe Chris or one of devs can give their take on how Online is perceived by the people who make the game. We have ONLINE communities that are based on ONLINE play...ONLINE Leagues...A whole forum devoted to Online play...Now just to make a point where is the Franchise Forum or Online based franchise communities?...I know and realize franchise is huge but to recognize that and not understand that online is as, if not more, important would be naive IMO. In fact your last parting comments even bring it all the more clear as to how Online is a Major Component in all games...Companies just aren't getting it right thus far and reviews are being far too forgiving. For one moment I'd like to see Franchise mode broken...I think most of you would be singing a far different tune when the Online Community came on here and said..."Franchise is not a major part of the game so this game is still a 9-10"

The more you drone on about this, the more credibility you lose, IMO. You've stated your thoughts. We've stated ours. Move on. Continuing to whine and complain about this review is not going to change the fact that you think online play sucks. For someone who doesn't care that much about reviews, you sure do care alot about this one. You've contradicted yourself in just about every post. Earlier, you told me to stop focusing on the 6.5 number, yet you can't stop focusing on the 9. The reviewer mentioned THREE TIMES that online play was lacking. Isn't that enough? Stop focusing on the NUMBER. Isn't that what you told me earlier? This entire thread is out of control and on the verge of a lockdown if we can't just agree to disagree and move on. You're turning this debate into a sideshow.

[ChaseB]

Not to continue this argument but I still don't get why some think the online play is so bad. There's some lag at points but it's nothing like last year where most games would lag out or just be miserable to play. Plus there's so much else the online offers outside of the H2H play itself.