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Posted on: Mar 05, 2008
Major League Baseball 2K8
WORDS BY: Ryan McCaffrey
How do loyal Chicago Cubs fans remain optimistic every single season? It’s just three years into the Xbox 360 lifecycle, and we’re starting to doubt that we’ll ever get a great baseball videogame.
Still the only game in town (2K’s exclusivity deal runs through 2012), MLB 2K8 takes two steps back for every two it takes forward. Last year’s fielding woes have been cured, only to be replaced by troublesome new ones. We applaud the removal of the turbo button and the inclusion of a right-thumbstick throwing meter, but too many balls clank off defenders. It doesn’t always result in an error (E), but the frequency of Es is way too high.
Also in the field, baserunning controls are the best we’ve ever seen. Just press the button of the base you want your runner to go to, and he’ll automatically sprint past any in-between. Unfortunately, wild pitches are far too common — a problem compounded by the fact that CPU baserunners try to advance almost every time the ball squirts away from the catcher, whether they should or not. And why has the awesome “be the baserunner” option been removed?
MLB 2K8’s all-new right-thumbstick gesture pitching controls certainly pique our interest — pull back then forward for a fastball, twirl around for a curve, and so on. They’re fun and balanced, although you can manually turn them off if you’re puzzled as to how all this Street Fighter got in your baseball.
The entire experience, however, is tarnished by a framerate that bogs down any time a ball is put in play. A simple 5-3 putout turns into a noticeable slideshow as the camera pans across the diamond — which is a shame, as fielders sport some great animations this year.
In the end, MLB 2K8 is just sloppy. It feels like coming to Opening Day in a half-finished stadium…and when you leave, you’re skeptical that it’ll be that nice of a ballpark when it’s completed.
ON XBOX 360
- Unique pitching mechanic that adds challenge without also adding frustration.
- Eye-grating framerate when you're out in the field.
- Annoying fielding and AI baserunning woes.
- Will EA resurrect MVP Baseball when 2K's third-party exclusivity deal expires in 2012?
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 21:22
Posted by wickland
Baseball sometimes ends up being a good game for me, but not this one.
Wed, 05/07/2008 - 19:58
Posted by D0 TH3 D3W
5N4K3 1N TH3 GR455
Every single MLB has been terrible compared to the ol' MVP series...the pitching is terrible they tried doing to much with the graphics and the game is just not fun...its 2008 now and i still play MVP baseball 2005 because its fun, i dont care about the updated rosters if every single MLB is going to be the same it should get a sucky rating such as a 6.0
Sun, 04/06/2008 - 20:06
Posted by celticassassin
i agree with clos2k, its a shit article. yeh, ok ill admit, there are some annoyances. the commentary is the same as last years game, any stadium with a scoreboard is always inaccurate ( how can i be playing the rays and the yankees at the same time) and the standings are never right at fenway, my home stadium. but the article didnt mention shit about bein able to play all the minor league teams, the card teams, real minor league ballparks, and whats with the framerate complaint? he must need a new 360. they shouldnt be able to review a baseball game, or any sports game for that matter, until theyve played at least 1/2 a season a learned how to play. and im not gonna pretend i know this guy, but hes prolly never played real baseball so hes just judging a game based on baseball by polish. learn to play and u'll like it better.
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 17:56
Posted by Bubba L
Like some have already said, I didn't find 2K8 to be as bad as the review stated. In fact, I think it's pretty good game. There some quirks but I didn't find enough that caused me to be heavily influenced by that to think worse of the game. THe new features are pretty well done , though there is a steep learning curve for the new pitching interphase. I do believe the game is good because I'm still playing it. Just wanted to put my two cents in. P.S. Why isn't MVP baseball 2005 backwards compatible? 2004 is but not 2005.
Tue, 03/18/2008 - 11:23
Posted by DAWGOLDSCHOOL1
I personally think 2K8 is a solid game, yeah, it could be better, but, take it or leave it, it's all we have! I've seen alot worse, deserves a better rating, 8.0!
Fri, 03/07/2008 - 16:36
Posted by clos2kmusic
This is a terrible article about the MLB 2k8. I know everyone has their own opinion but this one sucks. A 6.0??? First of all, there is a patch coming out that will fix frame rate and there is a temporary fix to the problem. I thought you were really nit picking about the problems that are in MLB 2k8 like throwing the ball in the dirt...Learn how to pitch and throw a strike and paint the corners like I do its called knowing how to play!!!!! You should sit down and play the game more before you write and article about it, not just play one game or two games because your opinion and rating of the game is insulting to people who really know how to play the game!!!!!!
Fri, 03/07/2008 - 14:59
Posted by Airforce007
Proof to me that
1. Exclusivity deals are a bunch of crap, it only encourages mediocre games stamped with an updated roster, and a new number in the title.
2. Only EA should be granted exclusive deals, if they are to be made, after the triumphs in NHL 08, and Madden 08... stellar games.
Thu, 03/06/2008 - 14:56
Posted by PaperLantern
I'm considering buying a PS3 (not really), just so I can play a good baseball game. And Ryan has been talking about wanting a reason to buy a PS3... maybe this is his excuse to buy one?
Thu, 03/06/2008 - 13:20
Posted by MitchyD
Unfortunate, because The Show 08 is friggin' incredible.
-- http://www.nukoda.com --
Gamertag: MitchyD88