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MLB 2K8 News Post

Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

  02:24 AM - February 26, 2008 by Steve_OS
Matt Blumenthal had an opportunity to demo Major League Baseball 2K8 this afternoon. His official writeup of the event will be up later this week, but we wanted to get some quick thoughts up here for you guys.
  • This game looks beautiful, the player models have improved but the real leap is in the animations. The animations move silky smooth and there is no need to worry about herky jerky animations of the past anymore.
  • I'm impressed with how intuitive and fresh the analog controls are. The pitching takes a little time to get the hang of but the new mechanics add a whole new dimension to the pitching model.
  • The baseball cards feature is surprisingly cool, expect me to have more on that later on this week.
  • In-game saves are officially in the game this year.
  • Check swings don't seem to be a chore anymore. They are now accomplished by pulling back on the right analog stick - no more right trigger necessary.
  • Stadium-specific animations are in. The Yankee Roll Call was mentioned specifically.
  • There should be plenty of foul balls this year. I saw several in the few at-bats I played.
  • No spring training games this year.
  • I counted eight unlockable classic stadiums. I think more might be available by default as well.
  • No co-op play
  • You will have the option to make trades for CPU-controlled teams in franchise mode, but you won't be able to edit their rotations and lineups.
  • It was suggested to me that the demo is done and has been submitted. If that's the case, it's in Microsoft's hands now.
  • I will hit on a few of the big questions from the forum here.

Game: Major League Baseball 2K8Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 74 - View All
Member Comments
# 841 MizzouRah @ 03/04/08 05:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottd
Cool, I'm going to rent this game or go see if it is showing someone.
That would be your best bet... especially since you have The Show as well. I don't have that choice and this game is good enough so far for me to keep from spending $400. :P
 
# 842 MizzouRah @ 03/04/08 05:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevytrev11
Can someone answer this regarding fielding:

I understand the circle (ball icon dissapears) when you turn away from the ball. With that being said, are you able to make over-the shoulder catches? When running back and at an angle, does the fielder look over his shoulder to locate the ball? Or how does this work in the game? Are you able to run back and at an angle and still locate the ball?

Does it only dissapear when running straight back?

Yes, Ankiel just made an over the shoulder catch.

I'm seeing alot more offline throws and errors on defaults too so far. I now check who's in CF before going from 1st to third.
 
# 843 Pared @ 03/04/08 05:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPTO
7.4 is bad? OOOOKAY.
It certainly isn't good.

I would read more into the content of the review than the number. I've never understood why people get so hung up on it.

From most of the impressions here the game plays better than last year... and the controls are immersive... isn't that what matters?
 
# 844 ability @ 03/04/08 05:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MizzouRah
That would be your best bet... especially since you have The Show as well. I don't have that choice and this game is good enough so far for me to keep from spending $400. :P
Exactly. I have no doubt the show is great. It was in 06 when I had it for PS2. But one game isn't going to get me to buy a PS3. 2K8 is a good baseball game. Enjoy it for what it is.
 
# 845 kiz5 @ 03/04/08 05:19 PM
A few more things, after playing a bunch of games this afternooon...

Cleared the cache, playing with ball trail off, and things are good. Some stuttering, but nothing bad. I turned off the commentary, and switched to On The Field, and In The Stands, and the transitions for new batters were better. I actually kind of liked it with just the PA, but then again, I like the same for Madden.

This game plays better over time. It's what I expected, and it's coming to be true. You adapt to the little things in this game that aren't perfect, and overlook it for what it is -- a solid gameplay baseball game.

Home runs don't seem to happen for me, except when I use the left-analog for 'aiming'. I'm not sure if it is in the instructions or not, but it still works to hit it up there I seem.

Chien-Ming Wang is still annoying to play against. That windup adds 15 minutes to a game.

The replays after the game look perfect.

You need to call off the other fielder on pop-ups, or else you risk a collision.

Players sometimes go through the umpires.

I'm loving the throwing meters more and more, game after game.

Haven't had anyone thrown out stealing, though it's with great stolen base guys (Reyes, Crawford, Pierre).

The probability of winning is cool.

Doesn't seem like LH or RH hitters have an advantage.

After 5 complete games...
W/LH - .328, 4 HR, 11 RBIs ... 51.7% Ground Balls, 41.4% Fly, 6.9% K
W/RH - .355, 13 HR, 26 RBI ... 50.0% Ground Balls, 48.2% Fly, 1.8% K

Considering I've played with players that have had their best hitters as RHers, the numbers are like that for a reason.

On Pro...
Scoring 5.3 game / Giving up 4.1
Average .345 / Opponents .345
Throwing 11% meat pitches

I do like this game more than I did 6 hours ago.

With some adjustments, this game has the potential to be very, very solid.

After 3 months, this game might be an 8.6 or so in our minds, once sliders are incorporated into this game.
 
# 846 UNC_Pete @ 03/04/08 05:20 PM
Yeah, heck, I bet if 2k release a patch to address the framerate the game would be getting much much better reviews. A lot of people have a hard time looking past it. If you can play through it (like the past 2 years), you'll really enjoy the level of immersion the new controls offer.
 
# 847 bluengold34_OS @ 03/04/08 05:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by scott4171
Yes thats your opinion, but I shouldn't have to change things like sliders,ball trail and set my TV to 760p for better frame rate and make the game play better.Thats Bullcrap. I hear its a big step down from 2k7 besides the pitching and fielding. Very sad 2k. And its so funny still no demo. 2k did that on purpose becuase they know the game is bad and I am not even own a PS3 or the show. I am unbiased.
Ok, you win, didn't mean to piss you off, was just saying you really should form your own opinion based off how you liked or disliked the game..that's it.

But its your right to hate the game and be pissed LOL
 
# 848 kiz5 @ 03/04/08 05:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fatalah
++XBOX Live has an update for the game as soon as you pop the disc in.
Though I'm not sure, but ... that update wasn't there last night. I remember it happening this morning, and thinking nothing of it ... but the frame rates got better after that.
 
# 849 Pared @ 03/04/08 05:22 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kiz5
This game plays better over time. It's what I expected, and it's coming to be true. You adapt to the little things in this game that aren't perfect, and overlook it for what it is -- a solid gameplay baseball game.
FINALLY. This is what I expected out of the game. Once you get past some of the quirks it should be a solid game.

Thanks for the continued impressions. It is appreciated.
 
# 850 Metsui @ 03/04/08 05:22 PM
Someone please refresh my memory on what the ball trail is again.
 
# 851 JT30 @ 03/04/08 05:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNC_Pete
Yeah, heck, I bet if 2k release a patch to address the framerate the game would be getting much much better reviews. A lot of people have a hard time looking past it. If you can play through it (like the past 2 years), you'll really enjoy the level of immersion the new controls offer.
A patch for framerate issues? Interesting
 
# 852 Pared @ 03/04/08 05:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kiz5
Though I'm not sure, but ... that update wasn't there last night. I remember it happening this morning, and thinking nothing of it ... but the frame rates got better after that.
Maybe someone can do this:

As soon as you get the game, decline the update! Maybe that is what is ruining the framerate... or it could be the other way around. Then, try the game again and update... and let everyone know which looks better.

Try playing the same exact game under the same conditions.

If someone would be willing to test this out it would be appreciated.
 
# 853 SPTO @ 03/04/08 05:23 PM
Just so I know, how do you clear cache on the X360?
 
# 854 Motown @ 03/04/08 05:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPTO
7.4 is bad? OOOOKAY.
Well, seeing that this game was rated...what 7.8 LAST year?
I agree w/ Pared...it AIN'T good.
 
# 855 HK-47 @ 03/04/08 05:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fatalah
++ You can set customized music for just about every situation. i.e. "Game winning home-run", or the batting music for a certain player. I just CANNOT figure out how to do this! Apparently, you select a player's name, and select a "playlist". Why not just a single song? I ripped 20 songs to my HDD, but I don't see them. Just playlist files.
After you rip the songs into the 360, you have to create a playlist and put the songs you want in there.After doing this pop in 2k8.Now the songs should be there when you try to add custom music for batters,pitchers etc..

But since your songs are already in the 360, all you need to do is create a playlist, then add the songs you want to that playlist.

*Warning*Adding songs to a playlist can be a little tricky your first time.
 
# 856 kiz5 @ 03/04/08 05:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPTO
Just so I know, how do you clear cache on the X360?
HEXUS.gaming reports that a cache clear code has been discovered for the Xbox 360 hard drive via the dashboard's system blade. To perform the function, access 'memory' in the system blade, and then highlight the hard drive. Now press: Y, X, X, LB, RB, X, X. The following message should appear: "Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?"
 
# 857 bullpen @ 03/04/08 05:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tswells
Best pitching ever in a video game. In a lot of baseball games I feel like half the inning is just a waste, going through motions so I can bat. Not anymore.
Looking forward to getting it (in a few minutes), because this is exacly how I've always felt about baseball video game (and I'm a former college pitcher)...

Thanks
 
# 858 Bat @ 03/04/08 05:25 PM
Has anyone tested out franchise mode and to see if the computer kept good players in the minors? Lineup AI?
 
# 859 kiz5 @ 03/04/08 05:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pared
Maybe someone can do this:

As soon as you get the game, decline the update! Maybe that is what is ruining the framerate... or it could be the other way around. Then, try the game again and update... and let everyone know which looks better.

Try playing the same exact game under the same conditions.

If someone would be willing to test this out it would be appreciated.
I actually cleared my cache, got the update, and played a game ... and things were better. Seems to be above 45 fps for most of the game.
 
# 860 RunN1st @ 03/04/08 05:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluengold34
Ok, you win, didn't mean to piss you off, was just saying you really should form your own opinion based off how you liked or disliked the game..that's it.

But its your right to hate the game and be pissed LOL
Hey, Blue. Looks like you took the plunge and bought 2k. As tempting as it is, I'm holding off. (I'm having a blast with MLB '08.)

A couple of questions for you?
  • Are the cheats in the game this year? Rocket arms last year helped the framerate isssue.
  • Are you getting ARCA?
 


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