MLB 2K8 News Post

Major League Baseball 2K8 Review

07:51 PM - March 10, 2008 by RaychelSnr

After some database problems this afternoon, we have finally posted our review of Major League Baseball 2k8, written by Dave Branda (aka BlyGilmore).

Quote:

"Taking one step forward and two steps back isn�t new to sports gaming. Nonetheless MLB 2K8 falls into that exact pitfall this year."

Game: Major League Baseball 2K8Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 74 - View All

Member Comments

# 21 ChaseB @ 03/11/08 01:28 AM

So we talked about a re-review type deal post-patch Brophog, but I actually think that's a bad idea and I don't think we'll do something like that. I'll explain my thought process on that though:

In the same way it's shaky ground to criticize a game for something it's not, it's also shaky ground to praise a game for what it could be. That's my general philosophy at least, and I think since the game comes boxed one way, that means some people won't be able to get a patch etc.

Now all that being said, I do agree it would make sense to take a second look once patches and all that come out, and I think we certainly will. But I just don't think it will be under the guise of a re-review.

# 22 gallandro @ 03/11/08 03:21 AM

It's MLB2K6 all over again. Remember they had to release a patch to fix a freezing and frame rate problem??? Which again seemed to stem from an issue with the way VIPs loaded (just like this latest glitch).

Yancy

# 23 rsnomar05 @ 03/11/08 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slizeezyc


	So we talked about a re-review type deal post-patch Brophog, but I actually think that's a bad idea and I don't think we'll do something like that. I'll explain my thought process on that though: In the same way it's shaky ground to criticize a game for something it's not, it's also shaky ground to praise a game for what it could be. That's my general philosophy at least, and I think since the game comes boxed one way, that means some people won't be able to get a patch etc. Now all that being said, I do agree it would make sense to take a second look once patches and all that come out, and I think we certainly will. But I just don't think it will be under the guise of a re-review.

I wouldn't re-evaluate the game at all, not even take a second look. If past history serves as any indication, we'll have to wait months for a patch. And even if they patch it up quickly, they still shipped out a flawed game. It seems these days that companies think "don't worry about the problem, we'll just let everyone know we plan on patching it, and then we can fix it whenever we get around to it." There is no way they didn't know about the frame-rate issue, just as the Madden crew definitely knew about the turnover glitch. And the supposed Madden patch that would fix this issue? Never happened, as the turnovers still happen post patch. Game companies shouldn't be rewarded unless their patch comes out quickly and fully addresses the issue. Waiting months for a patch to fix something that never should have been a problem in the first place is outrageous, especially when people plunked down $60 on the game. We bought the hype hook, line, and sinker. They said they "were tired of playing second fiddle to the show," promised smooth frame-rate...I could go on for ages, but then this post would be novel-length. I can't wait to see a sports game released that doesn't need to patched, but I won't hold my breath for one. At least with games like NBA 2k8 the game wasn't flawed and in drastic need of a fix.

The 6 rating is perfect, and to me it will remain a 6 unless a patch comes out A.S.A.P. If I've had to play with terrible frame-rate for months, sorry, but no ratings increase.

# 24 Blzer @ 03/11/08 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abcd


	What a company lol I used to love 2k but how can anybody continue to make excuses for 2k. I cant wait till EA buys them ! PS How do you go backwards graphically 2k7 to mlb 2k8 ?

Like I said in my post earlier... I understand losing detail, but to completely dumb down the lighting intensity (and change it all for the worse) and make all of the colors very saturated to a gross extent is just totally inexcusable. It doesn't even make sense.

But again, the loss of detail was optimizing for the 60 FPS and anti-aliasing, which I would take over more detail any day of the week and twice on Sunday. But they really need to step up as much as they can, especially if the "other game" can do this stuff so well without suffice in detail.

# 25 larma @ 03/11/08 04:44 AM

Good review, nailed my thoughts exactly.

# 26 BrianFifaFan @ 03/11/08 06:02 AM

Spot on review. Man this is just the latest bummer in a year that 2k Sports really lost ground. All Pro flopped, NHL2k was a buggy mess, NBA2k lost a lot of graphical polish and College Hoops got canned. I've been a 2k fan ever since NFL2k5( I bought my Xbox just for it) but I'm really starting to lose faith. Other than CHoops (which wasn't really earth-shattering save 2k Share) the other titles have all been "meh" this year. I thought that Ben could save MLB but this game is just another Bargin Bin effort out of a year of poorly-executed half games. NBA was probably the second best game, but I couldn't take how the graphics degraded from last year. (fluidity of animations) All-Pro was too targeted for the online crowd (no franchise) NHL2k was a lesser game than its EA competitor. (realism, old control scheme)
Man I never thought I'd say this but maybe EA should win this war. Games like Fifa08 and NHL08 are clearly games that are headed in the right direction. NBA Live/MM and Madden/NCAA not so much. Well maybe Top Spin will be a winner. If,IF it is I'll drop the 60 bucks. But I can't continue to support games that are inferior. And that does include Madden/NCAA

# 27 Skyboxer @ 03/11/08 08:06 AM

Very good review. Totally agree.
The game has so much potential and time could have been better served working on the main core rather than a card system.
Also to a previous poster, you can get patches via the silver account also. You don't need gold.

# 28 CMH @ 03/11/08 08:30 AM

This is one of the better reviews of this game. You dug deep into it's positives and negatives. Maybe I feel that way because everything is exactly how I feel. It's a good game of baseball that has inexusable negatives that should have been fixed before retail.

The audio and presentation should have been the downfall of 2k8. It should have been something that people would say, "Lets wait for 2k9 because I love 2k8!"

Instead, because of the frame rate issue people are experiencing, online lag, downed graphics, and minor bugs here and there, people are ignoring the good of the title and rendering 2k8 unplayable.

Honestly, I don't blame people for feeling this way because the above issues are, again, inexcusable.

Solid review that covers everything. When you consider it all I think a 6/10 is fair. The graphics taking a hit is a full point right there. The lack of audio and presentation is another point. And then I'd say if framerate was ironed out we'd have another point. It's crazy to know that if those three things are fixed then MLB2k8 would have been a 9/10 title easily.

Hopefully, the gameplay remains the same or continues to improve and 2k9 focuses on their above negatives. Because if it does then Brinkman and team weren't wrong.

# 29 BlyGilmore @ 03/11/08 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim416


	The game "crashes"? You mean you'll be playing then, bingo, crashes like a computer game would?

Yep. Completely freezes. You push buttons, nothing happens. after a few minutes of waiting all you can do is turn off the console and start over.

# 30 BlyGilmore @ 03/11/08 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brophog


	For the review, I agree that a 6 is a tad harsh, but I don't know his scale.......everyone has a different 1-10 scale. On mine, it's a tad harsh. On his, it may be generious.

Funny you bring this up because it was a topic of our staff meeting last night.

We have some review guidelines. I thought they were live but they weren't. Look for them to be posted later in the week or first thing next week.

In the case of MLB 2K8, here's the description for games in that range ...

5 to 6.5 � Average to slightly above average. While fun at times these games generally have some glaring issues that need to be addressed before it can be considered a good game. These games tend to have some design issues and an overall lack of depth. In other words a little more time in development probably could have done these types of games some good. You are also firmly in, "if you're not a fan of that sport you shouldn't pick up this title" land.

# 31 BlyGilmore @ 03/11/08 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slizeezyc


	So we talked about a re-review type deal post-patch Brophog, but I actually think that's a bad idea and I don't think we'll do something like that. I'll explain my thought process on that though: In the same way it's shaky ground to criticize a game for something it's not, it's also shaky ground to praise a game for what it could be. That's my general philosophy at least, and I think since the game comes boxed one way, that means some people won't be able to get a patch etc. Now all that being said, I do agree it would make sense to take a second look once patches and all that come out, and I think we certainly will. But I just don't think it will be under the guise of a re-review.

Yeah i agree, a full blow re-review probably won't happen. we'll certainly have some "MLB is patched - its better now!" coverage - assuming it is better.

but IMO you can't give companies mulligans. patching a defective product doesn't make up for the several months gamers had to deal with it being broken. If the patch was released in the first week it might be different, but weeks to months after release?

# 32 roadman @ 03/11/08 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlyGilmore


	Funny you bring this up because it was a topic of our staff meeting last night. We have some review guidelines. I thought they were live but they weren't. Look for them to be posted later in the week or first thing next week. In the case of MLB 2K8, here's the description for games in that range ... 5 to 6.5 � Average to slightly above average. While fun at times these games generally have some glaring issues that need to be addressed before it can be considered a good game. These games tend to have some design issues and an overall lack of depth. In other words a little more time in development probably could have done these types of games some good. You are also firmly in, "if you're not a fan of that sport you shouldn't pick up this title" land.

Ah, thanks Bly, that makes sense.

I'm in the minority and don't have the frame rate issues some people are having, plus I thought 2k did a great job with all the animations and signature styles.

The other part of the article was spot on.

# 33 gallandro @ 03/11/08 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlyGilmore


	but IMO you can't give companies mulligans. patching a defective product doesn't make up for the several months gamers had to deal with it being broken. If the patch was released in the first week it might be different, but weeks to months after release?

Exactly, this problem is nothing new for the 2K Baseball line. MLB2K6 practically had the same problems (slow fram rate and periodic freezing) which stemmed from the VIP system. You'd have thought they learned by now.

I used to be the biggest 2kSports fanboy. I'd take NHK2K over EA's NHL series any day, I'd take NFL2K over Madden in a heartbeat, NBA2K or CH2K without a second thought... my how things have changed...

I've turned to EA for hockey this year. LOVE NHL 08. I now get my football fix with the NCAA series, and The Show for my baseball addiction. The only 2K standby that I turn to on a regular basis now is College Hoops and now that's been canned.

Yancy

# 34 Pared @ 03/11/08 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlyGilmore


	Yeah i agree, a full blow re-review probably won't happen. we'll certainly have some "MLB is patched - its better now!" coverage - assuming it is better. but IMO you can't give companies mulligans. patching a defective product doesn't make up for the several months gamers had to deal with it being broken. If the patch was released in the first week it might be different, but weeks to months after release?

A patch should fix minor issues and improve the game.

A retail copy of a game should be able to stand on its own. Glad to see you guys are following the same mind set.

What kills me is had EA had done this with the exclusive license they'd get killed for it.

# 35 belljr @ 03/11/08 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	A patch should fix minor issues and improve the game. A retail copy of a game should be able to stand on its own. Glad to see you guys are following the same mind set. What kills me is had EA had done this with the exclusive license they'd get killed for it.

You mean like Madden 08 and the franchise freeze glitch - or I think Madden 06 and the exchange disc program

Seriously. I think the review was pretty spot on. I think with the framerate fix it's a 7.5 maybe 8 to me. The commentary I also turn off by being "on field" sound option - makes me feel like I'm in the game more. I know 2k6 it took about 3 weeks to get the patch done and through MS. Here is hoping that it is sooner rather than later.

# 36 Pared @ 03/11/08 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belljr


	You mean like Madden 08 and the franchise freeze glitch - or I think Madden 06 and the exchange disc program

Not sure what you're trying to suggest as that has nothing to do with 2k getting a pass here.

# 37 brendanrfoley @ 03/11/08 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	But, far and large, as everyone else says... graphics over gameplay. Surprisingly, "gameplay" isn't one of your bolded terms at the end to go over... but baseball is purely nothing else other than hitting, pitching, fielding, and baserunning. Aside from some herky-jerky looking animations, the gameplay has improved ten-fold, and that's what everybody claims they wanted fixed... though now it seems some people are showing their true colors, and that visuals certainly may matter.

Quoted for truth.

# 38 belljr @ 03/11/08 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	Not sure what you're trying to suggest as that has nothing to do with 2k getting a pass here.

I don't think 2k should get a pass much like EA should not had a pass for their major bug last year.

I thought you were implying that EA never did that. I apologize. I don't want to take this thread off-topic. I have issue with both companies and their games.

While I do enjoy them - I'm very frustrated with the lack of QA'ing with games the past couple years, regardless of company.

# 39 spankdatazz22 @ 03/11/08 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	Not sure what you're trying to suggest as that has nothing to do with 2k getting a pass here.

I don't understand what you mean by it getting a pass. Seems people have been allowed to be pretty critical of the game from jump. The Madden forum has a thread that was apparently created a week or so after Madden launched just to keep people from creating negative threads or littering legitimate threads with negative comments - I don't see that courtesy extended to this game or most games for that matter. So I don't think it's an EA-would-be-treated-unfairly-in-the-same-situation thing.

I didn't read the review, so not going to comment on it. But from what most are saying they feel the score was justified - some say a tad low, some say a tad too high. And of course there are the extremes on either end that may say "it's fantastic/best ever" or "it's so wretched I paid $450 just to get The Show". Are you saying NO ONE should like the game at all? From what people are saying, it seems the biggest issues are with the framerate and the downgrade in graphics. I don't see how it's that outlandish that some aren't bothered by the framerate issue; it's not like the game was 60fps last year. And we've all played great games that didn't move at 60fps. Regarding graphics, it was debateable that MLB2K7 was the best-looking sports game to date last year - it's not like it went from cream to crap with 2K8. Just a matter of how much emphasis people put into the differences.

What some may be also weighing into the equation is that sometimes improvements in gameplay aren't given the appropriate weight they should. And unless someone knows OS's scoring scale, sometimes a number score can be confused with what would be it's appropriate letter grade. When I see 6, I think 60/100 which means poor - but someone explained the OS scale a bit earlier in the thread and that makes sense. Just saying that some will look at 6 and immediately think poor. Letter grades are easier to understand imo

# 40 Zackdawg @ 03/11/08 11:48 AM

"The 800-pound gorilla in the room, of course, is the frame rate issue. Quite simply it is inexcusable and unprofessional to release a game on a console with this kind of problem. To think, at some point somebody at 2K Sports made the decision the game could go to market as is, with gameplay often looking like its waiting for an art school student to draw it on screen for you is hard to fathom. "

After being bitten by 2k7's (still unfixed) franchise bug, there was no way I was going to buy 2k8 until months after the release date. Boy, am I glad I rented.

The review is spot on -- 2ksports made a deliberate decision to push an unfinished product out of the door and charge consumers $60 a pop to be a part of its development cycle. At some point, sports gamers have to stop being a willing accomplice in this trend and punish companies that treat its consumers with such disrespect.

Game companies may feel a duty to release a game every year, no matter how flawed and unpolished, but I have no duty to keep purchasing their flawed products until they get it right. I am not a part of Brinkman's "three-year plan" for this series.

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