I haven't had too much experience with various baseball games in the past, but I did have MLB 2k5, and let me say that the 2008 release has vastly improved the realistic look, feel, and control of the American pastime. This is the first time I've seen a baseball game, and even a team-sport game in general, where you can control every aspect of the game, even down to manager arguments! I'm from Chicago and a huge Cubs fan, and I love seeing Lou Pinella come out and argue on wide strike 3's and player ejections. About the only slight issue with the game is the graphics. Although impressively animated during player reactions on the ball and also down to the jerseys just barely blowing in the wind, the players' faces still look blocky and funny, and with the greatness of these 'Next-Gen' consoles, I really do expect higher than they deliver here. Also, some of the player movements still seem very non-realistic, but other than that, the game is very, very good.Read full review
Let me start by saying that I have been a huge fan of the 2K Sports games since they first appeared on the Sgea Dreamcast. MLB 2K8 boasts incredible visuals and sound, awesome options, and an unfortunately complicated play. Visuals: Ever been to a real ballgame, or even seen a professional telecast on your television, that's what MLB 2K8 looks like!!! The on-field players are crisp and clear in every respect, the spectators are all 3D and quite active - just like real game audiences. The field, stadiums, and surrounding environment were spectacular sights indeed. The only issue I had with the visuals, and this is being rather nit-picky, is that several audience members within a small area would be perfoming the exact same moves, dressed the exact same way, at the same exact times. A little more random-ness would have been nice here. Sound: The stadium PA, spectator, in-game sounds were right on. The game allows for you to customize the stadium music if you wish, but has some appropriate material on-hand as a default. The one thing I thought should have been done better was that random localized words thrown into the audience sounds. For example...in Saint Louis, we are very familiar with the Mississippi River and the Arch (obviously). These words, or ones like them, are inserted into each stadium's audience tracks to make it feel more real or familiar. Anyone paying attention will notice this and most will find it annoying at best. Options: All of the usual options are in this one...quick play, season, VIP, Home Run Derby, etc. Play the way you like, because 2K Sports thought of you when making this title. My main issue with the options may be 1) There may just be too many options - confusing many, or 2) Although good intentions were meant, batting and pitching have become steadily more difficult - making playing a simple game of baseball, as difficult as (or maybe more than), the real thing. It took me quite a while to learn the pitching system, and I am still learning how to bat well enough to hit enough balls to register RBI's. Part of the issue is me - I got used to the 2K5 version (not compatible to the XBOX 360 which I now own), and part of it is 2K Sports for over-tinkering with the system. One last note, there is what is called the "classic" play style option. This is supposed to allow those used to the older system to continue playing in the style to which they are accustomed - not exactly. I cannot bat the same way I did for the 2K5 version. Yes, the one-button control is there, but I am luck to hit past the infield - a problem not encountere in the 2K5 version. So, if you liked the old batting system, you are about to get the shcok of your life. Enough said about that... In all, MLB 2K8 is a solid game with a few minor glitches that prevent a gamer from truly enjoying the simplistic game of baseball. And 2K Sports owns the exclusive rights to the MLB license until 2012... If you can get past the negative issues, then MLB 2K8 is a solid and well-rounded game. ***Ratings (on scale of 10, 10 being best)*** Graphics: 9.5 Sound: 9.5 Gameplay: 7.5 Overall: 8.8 (yes, an average of the above scores)Read full review
I'm a huge baseball video game fan and have bought the new versions of the 2K series for about 5 years now. This year they really did a lot of different things with the gameplay that takes some getting use to. The new throwing in the field function takes a lot of getting used to but in the end I like it as it makes throwing more realistic. The pitching is still maddening to me as it's tough to master the new three step control. But it seems to make it more realistic so far to me which I like. Batting seems a little too easy for me, it's the swing stick function that has been around for a couple years ago and nothing has changed. There are some graphic problems though in the game which should definitely not be there, during some action scenes the graphics blur a bit in the background. The announcing has a lot of glitches in it, more than usual it seems. And the replays such on HR's is not that good at all. All in all I like how they're trying to put functionality changes into it though to make it more realistic. Good game in the 2K series, can't wait to see next years when they should iron the details out after having this new functionality down for over a year...Read full review
First off this is my first baselball game for 360 i have ever played..Well i like the new pitching even though alot of ppl say they dont.. its realy not that hard to do.. also the batting and fielding seem to be alot easier if you use the classic mode.. Some downers i would say is mainly just liitle things, such as the rosters arent really to this years real rosters.. i played as the twins and Johan Santana is still on the twins and the lineup isnt even close to this years real twins team.. for example.. also something pretty lame is.. they have scoreboards running all over the bottom of our screen, and for instance ill be playing as minnesota vs boston... but the scoreboard will say like minnesota vs kansas city... boston vs tampa bay.. its pretty lame!! anyways the got the game because i wanted to try a baseball game.. thats about it.. i dont know if i would reccommend it or not.. doesnt seem to be anything special.. and i have a feeling its prolly going to get boring fast!!Read full review
This is a solid title. I hear that "MLB The Show" for PS3 is a way better baseball game. But if you are like me and don't really care for a PS3 and rather play your 360, then this is the game to go with. As far as MLB 2K8 goes it's a fun game to play if you are really into baseball. I know its 2009 and MLB 2K9 is already out but I can't imagine it being much better than this seeing as 2K7 and 2K8 are almost identical. If you don't care about roster updates then i say go ahead and just buy older versions of the game because it's all the same to me. I would also recommend "The Bigs 2" if you're into a more fast paced arcade style baseball game that is fun and addicting, and it's also made by the same company. But overall good baseball game, even though you don't have much choice if you have a 360.Read full review
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