MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

[RaychelSnr]

When Major League Baseball 2K13 was announced in January, the usual questions popped up about the game's ability to produce an experience that would be worth a $60 purchase to gamers.

Thus far, fan response has been rather chilly to the new game, as have gaming critics' reviews. In the build up leading to the release of the game, we were not given many details about what was coming, just a vague fact sheet leading up to release which contained features that were already in the franchise. Worse yet, Online Leagues were removed from the game with no announcement from 2K Sports.

Currently, MLB 2K13 is scoring an average of 48 on Metacritic, with our review similarly harsh on the game.

My Press Row Podcast Co-Host Mike Suzek had this to say in his review on Joystiq in summation of the game: "It's as much a shame on 2K Sports for releasing this game as it is for the MLB to carelessly stamp its name on it. Whether it was sheer apathy or contractual licensing obligations that caused MLB 2K13 to exist in this state, it certainly wasn't a love for baseball, sports games, or its fans."

Our own Dustin Toms concluded, "MLB 2K13 is not a bad game by any means, but rather this is more about the principle of the matter. When a company charges $60 for a game with little improvements over a release a year earlier, something has gone terribly wrong. Attaching a $60 price tag to this game is nonsense."

This, of course, leaves important questions to be answered as we move through this year's sports gaming release season. Will 2K Sports be releasing a game next year or will we find out that another company such as EA Sports has plans to develop baseball games to take MLB 2K's place?

[mkharsh33]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

It's very understandable... I purchased it. I see some nice things, but also much of the old. I feel like I wasted $60 bucks, as it was nothing more than a patched version of 12. Simply not worth the money. It has some good to it, but in the end I'm liking what we've done with 2K12 (360) to edit the players for smoother gameplay. As someone who has invested a LOT of time into roster & slider creating for 2K games since 2K10, I can honestly say I enjoy 2K12 more than all of them. 13 had potential, but I don't really care about small tweaks and slightly better coloring. If you like 12, just stay with it (or any prior version). 2K should have just walked away after last year...

[Rodimus13]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

2k13 is nothing more than a slightly upgraded 2k12. The same issues in 2k12 as far as outfielding glitches and other fielding glitches that was in 2k12, is the same as 2k13. So I really don't know what 2k did in there development cycle. They did fix a lot of the colors in the uniforms and upgraded some portraits of players and upgraded commentary. Other than that, I really don't know. So if u enjoyed 2k12, you'll enjoy 2k13. Just don't expect much, at least till the patch come, if they do release one. r

[JerseySuave4]

these game companies wonder why people get so pissed year to year and why their products don't sell better... people don't like paying $60 for roster updates. Too many games these days don't play well out of the box and require patches, too many games remove features people love, fail to evolve features and give minimal updates and expect people to be excited about shelling out $60 for mediocre games. MLB 2k, NCAA Football, NBA Live. Make real improvements and put out a quality game like NBA 2k & MLB the Show do and people will be more than happy to shell out the $60 because the games will be worth it.

[scottyo60]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

Random thought and I'd like honest opinions from higher ups on here. 2k12 got a 7... Shouldn't a game with the SAME features and better tweaked get a better review? Take the online leagues out and make it a 6.5. I'm not sure how a 4 came out of the same game.

If what the company does is apart of the review then EA should never have a game over 6... Coming from a guy who has put hundreds of hours into NCAA and Madden.

[SteelersFan09]

Be smart 360 baseball fans. No need to buy 2K13. Just go out and buy 2K12(which cost less than $20) and get the updated roster on 2K Share. The game is fun(not perfect) and it doesn't cost over $60.

[malky]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

these game companies wonder why people get so pissed year to year and why their products don't sell better... people don't like paying $60 for roster updates. Too many games these days don't play well out of the box and require patches, too many games remove features people love, fail to evolve features and give minimal updates and expect people to be excited about shelling out $60 for mediocre games. MLB 2k, NCAA Football, NBA Live. Make real improvements and put out a quality game like NBA 2k & MLB the Show do and people will be more than happy to shell out the $60 because the games will be worth it.

Awesome you nailed it dude!

[Money99]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

I'm still holding out hope that 2K makes a baseball game next year.
I know it's highly unlikely, but I really like their brand of baseball over any other that I've played in the past decade.

If 2K makes a next-gen ball game, I'll more than likely buy a next-gen console.

[Cardot]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

While I would have liked the series to take a different path, I not am sure why anyone would be upset or even disappointed in this years version. It is exactly what most people said it would be the day it was announced, a roster update/patch of 2K13. I didn't even see 2K make an attempt to suggest anything to the contrary.

The $60 price tag is way too high for me, but I can't say I was offended. It made it an easy to call to stick with 2K12, and I wish them well with the Million Dollar challenge crew.

[crumpled_heap]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

Be smart 360 baseball fans. No need to buy 2K13. Just go out and buy 2K12(which cost less than $20) and get the updated roster on 2K Share. The game is fun(not perfect) and it doesn't cost over $60.

No, 2k12 is still $39.99. I was just at best buy yesterday so I know this for a fact.

[footballfan41]

NFL & MLB should open it up and let the Best COMPANY win...who ever makes the best game we buy and play....(SIMPLE)
And all the Flaming we did/do to EA for being the only Football game, 2K13 is the only baseball game on the 360,. So why would they do much to improve it........Madden & 2K13 games should show everyone why it's good for gamersl to have more then ONE Sport game to pick from,.& to think i did not buy last years to get this years..
Let me ask if 2K was making the NFL games, what would it be LIKE?????????? JUNK also...

[Money99]

Re: MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

NFL & MLB should open it up and let the Best COMPANY win...who ever makes the best game we buy and play....(SIMPLE)
And all the Flaming we did/do to EA for being the only Football game, 2K13 is the only baseball game on the 360,. So why would they do much to improve it........Madden & 2K13 games should show everyone why it's good for gamersl to have more then ONE Sport game to pick from,.& to think i did not buy last years to get this years..
Let me ask if 2K was making the NFL games, what would it be LIKE?????????? JUNK also...

Seeing as how 2K lost a tonne of money during that agreement (blame is on both sides), I would hope that MLB learned it's lessen and will go with a non-inclusive license this time around.

I'm also betting on EA and the NFL to renew their deal too.
I think the NFL is still ticked at 2K for undervaluing their brand when they sold 2K4 for $19.99.
It worked though as 2K5 sold extremely well and is still considered one of the best football games ever produced.

[ManiacMatt1782]

No, 2k12 is still $39.99. I was just at best buy yesterday so I know this for a fact.

Yup they jacked the price back up because 2k12 still has online leagues.

[RaychelSnr]

Random thought and I'd like honest opinions from higher ups on here. 2k12 got a 7... Shouldn't a game with the SAME features and better tweaked get a better review? Take the online leagues out and make it a 6.5. I'm not sure how a 4 came out of the same game.

If what the company does is apart of the review then EA should never have a game over 6... Coming from a guy who has put hundreds of hours into NCAA and Madden.

A review is based upon the value a game brings. If a game offers essentially the same experience as the year prior but at a significantly higher price, you can't give that game a solid recommendation. Games on here and elsewhere, are reviewed based upon what they do that's both new and good. Take into account MLB 2K13 doesn't offer online leagues, which is now a staple of our genre, is a 'patched' version of the last edition, and still has the same bugs as the series' prior games -- it's hard to find a reason to give a game a high score just on those factors alone. Just some thoughts, I didn't personally review the game but I do have final say in everything we put out -- but after playing 2K13 I had no problem with our score which indicates a below average experience on our scale (remember we don't grade games based on their letter grades, so a 4 is more akin to a D type of score in most outlets).

[Goodydog]

Seeing as how 2K lost a tonne of money during that agreement (blame is on both sides), I would hope that MLB learned it's lessen and will go with a non-inclusive license this time around.

I'm also betting on EA and the NFL to renew their deal too.
I think the NFL is still ticked at 2K for undervaluing their brand when they sold 2K4 for $19.99.
It worked though as 2K5 sold extremely well and is still considered one of the best football games ever produced.

"I think the NFL is still ticked at 2K for undervaluing their brand when they sold 2K5 for $19.99."

This is a false argument.

People have used this line of garbage to justify the exclusivity deal between EA and the NFL, but it is not true. If anything, 2K5 probably expanded the NFL's appeal (not that it needed it). Madden's exclusive deal with the NFL HAS NOT EXPANDED THE NFL'S APPEAL. In fact, I would argue that the brand has been diminished due to the monopoly that EA has enjoyed, and I doubt that EA is going to put up the scratch to maintain its position.