MLB 2K13 News Post

Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

02:24 PM - March 11, 2013 by RaychelSnr

We were all surprised when 2K Sports announced the release of MLB 2K13, the next Major League Baseball game to surely leave 360 owners pining for a separate system. For baseball lovers without a Playstation 3, time stood still for a brief moment and excitement took over.

But inevitable questions loomed. From thoughts of 2K and MLB just trying to pocket extra money, to gamers wondering if they need to shell out $60 for what seems to amount to a roster update and nothing else.

2K kept quiet, didn’t promote or talk much about MLB 2K13, but sure enough MLB 2K13 released with that hefty $60 price tag. But something happened once I opened up the game and placed it in my system: MLB 2K13 really isn’t that bad; it’s honestly a very enjoyable game. It’s a blast to pick-up-and-play with friends and feels very familiar on the field. It's not in the same league as The Show at this point, with many legacy issues marring the experience and with no real sizeable upgrades over 2K12 waiting on you, but it's hard to say the entire experience is just bad.
It's more like way too familiar.

The depth in Major League Baseball 2K13 is as deep as the kiddie pool in your back yard. Yes the game has some slight improvements, but MLB 2K13’s issues, both hidden and glaring, keeps this franchise from enjoying its presumable swan song.

Read More - Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

Game: Major League Baseball 2K13Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 14 - View All

Major League Baseball 2K13 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 Armor and Sword @ 03/12/13 07:09 AM

Hey I picked up MLB 2K11 this past christmas for my son as he played it at a friends house and liked it. We have played that game and had some great post season series (all we play is post season mode with that one)

I am a massive Show fan as most know. And imo it is a superior baseball title and quite frankly the best console baseball game ever made for 5 years running now (every iteration just get's better and better). However 2K is a good, fun, easy to pick up and play baseball game. I think 4 is far too low of a score for game you can have fun with.

If your having fun with a game....automatic 7 minimum. I think there is enough depth to the 2K series to have a decent franchise, make some classic rosters with 2K share etc.

There are some who feel it is better than The Show. I am not in that camp at all. But is it a good game? Yeah it is.

Should 2K13 be 60 bucks? No way. wait for the bargain bin as nothing was really done except a patch to 2K12 (from everything I have read and seen posted).

# 22 pistolpete @ 03/12/13 09:00 AM

I do enjoy the fact the game doesn't get graded at all based on fun.

When your buddy sees a movie is the first thing you ask him "how was the audio?" No, of course not. You ask "was it good".

The reviewer is clearly pre-disposed to giving it a bad grade when he finds a way to negatively comment on the control scheme.

We know the control scheme is the same. Is this bad? Is this good? Anyone who enjoys 2k would consider this a good thing. I am willing to bet the fans of 2k love the game a great deal bc of the control scheme.

EDIT: With that said, I think the fun factor is kind of lacking in this year's version.

# 23 rcp225 @ 03/12/13 10:25 AM

Question: How can 2K Sports develop such a great game like the NBA2K series, yet consistently put out crap
on the baseball diamond?

# 24 bigfnjoe96 @ 03/12/13 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcp225


	Question: How can 2K Sports develop such a great game like the NBA2K series, yet consistently put out crap on the baseball diamond?

Because MLB Series has never had a consistent developer during this generation. MLB 2K6- Blue Shift, MLB 2K7-2K9 Kush Games/Blue Castle, 2K9-2K13 Visual Concepts

Not to mention 2K Sports choose to port over the xbox engine instead of building a baseball engine from the ground up.

It's not an excuse, for the games we've seen, but it plays a BIG part in what we've seen

# 25 Bulls321974 @ 03/12/13 11:43 AM

All I can say is: OUCH!

# 26 Schmackity @ 03/12/13 12:54 PM

Very accurate review. Having originally played The Show and now owning an XBOX and playing the 2k Series, I feel it accurately describes how the game plays.

Thanks for it.

# 27 pistolpete @ 03/12/13 03:58 PM

Yeah, I can't defend this series any longer. The more I play 2k13 the more it completely sucks. I believe it has ruined 2k11 and 2k12 for me as well.

# 28 tvman @ 03/12/13 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete


	Yeah, I can't defend this series any longer. The more I play 2k13 the more it completely sucks. I believe it has ruined 2k11 and 2k12 for me as well.

Everything in general or what in particular?

# 29 Jgainsey @ 03/12/13 04:51 PM

I'm also offended by the kiddie pool comment...

I work for a pool/spa company, and to compare a terrible game like this, in any way, to a kiddie pool or spa, is simply insulting to those of us who install and maintain quality products.

As a long time supporter of Operation Sports, I expect a prompt and sincere apology.

-Jgainsey

# 30 pistolpete @ 03/12/13 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvman


	Everything in general or what in particular?

The graphics have taken a serious hit since 2k11. The camera angles have taken serious hits since 2k11.

2k11 was a charming game w/ passable graphics. 2k12 and now 2k13 are so horribly ugly I cannot look at it.

I don't enjoy trying to find my left-fielder behind the infield icon on fly balls.

# 31 MizzouRah @ 03/12/13 06:34 PM

I played my first game today.. lost 5-0 to the Royals.. LOL..

It's definitely 2k12.5 and I believe most of the sliders from last year will work well this year. I'm meh after 1 game, but the pitcher/hitter interface just draws me into this series like no other baseball game.

# 32 Mets2014 @ 03/12/13 08:00 PM

i cannot hit to save my life. i dont get it.

i have 2-3 hits a game and lose 2-1 or 1-0 every game.

any tips? im not striking out a lot or swinging at bad pitches. everything i hit is either a fly out or a weak ground ball.

how important is the timing when you pull back on your power swing?
does it matter how fast you move up when you contact swing?

# 33 wisdom less13 @ 03/12/13 09:45 PM

This reminded me of an Intervention letter.

# 34 pistolpete @ 03/12/13 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete


	The graphics have taken a serious hit since 2k11. The camera angles have taken serious hits since 2k11. 2k11 was a charming game w/ passable graphics. 2k12 and now 2k13 are so horribly ugly I cannot look at it. I don't enjoy trying to find my left-fielder behind the infield icon on fly balls.

I went back and played a game of 2k11 to see if maybe it was a me thing, maybe I was misremembering my love for that particular version. Nope, I wasn't. It's easily the best in the series. It makes 2k13 feel like hot garbage.

# 35 tvman @ 03/12/13 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete


	I went back and played a game of 2k11 to see if maybe it was a me thing, maybe I was misremembering my love for that particular version. Nope, I wasn't. It's easily the best in the series. It makes 2k13 feel like hot garbage.

I'll have to fire up my PC version again, just loved the fielding camera in that game.

# 36 TheBlvckMamba @ 03/13/13 12:24 AM

A precise review about this game .

# 37 ryan36 @ 03/13/13 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDQ


	Was this a review or another thread started to try and make witty and sarcastic remarks about the series? It's interesting, the review hardly scratches the surface on what is really wrong with the game (other than it's trendy to hate on it), and then complains about the price tag, claiming it's a "get-rich-quick" scheme. But the game is what's shallow...not the review...right? This review relies more on the negative tone many have already given this series, rather than thoroughly explaining why the game lacks. It's really more a rinse and repeat of a review. It's entirely too predictable: Claim the game is fun Mention how it doesn't compete with The Show Throw out a gripe about Franchise Mode Try and reinforce the above by giving it a very low numerical score The MLB 2K series is far from perfect. It has some key issues that can be frustrating. But please go beyond what everyone else is saying and prove it. Otherwise, post something like this in the MLB 2K vs The Show thread.

In fairness, I think the point of the review was largely, "Go look at the 2k12 review."

# 38 DaveDQ @ 03/13/13 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan36


	In fairness, I think the point of the review was largely, "Go look at the 2k12 review."

Maybe so, but look what it created in this thread alone. It wasn't a review, it was a jab at a game that is far better than a 4. And from there people jumped on board here and helped poke fun, some already predisposed to not touch the game.

Calling this series out has become the thing to do. Maybe it originated with good intent. 2K Sports is largely seen as the sports gaming developer that can do great things, and they flubbed it this gen with the MLB 2K series. There is no doubt about that. But this review is more a gathering of various postings and themes among sports gamers and then posting it here.

There is room for sarcasm and witty banter in a review, but at least genuinely touch on some things and don't get caught up with the overblown reaction to the series.

# 39 buckeyedawgtribe @ 03/13/13 10:05 AM

if its a slight improvement over 2K12 like it sounds then a 4 is a despicable score. a 7 i could understand. Sticking with 2k12 anyway. the "REAL" review should be the 2k company which should receive a 0 for charging 60 bucks for a roster update and polish.

# 40 SteelersFan09 @ 03/14/13 01:17 PM

As a 360 owner who has no intentions of buying a PS3 for MLB The Show I find it sad that 2K gave up on this game completely. I was looking forward to it. However all I did was go out and buy MLB 2k12(for under $20) and with 2K Share you can get the most up to date rosters. Saves me $40 and I won't have to be disappointment with a new game that is the same as the last one.

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