Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

[CMH]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

The only thing that really needs slider changes is the CPU not throwing a bunch of balls.

Seeing as how that is a problem in almost every baseball game created to date I'm not going to let it ruin my experience.

Do I wish it could be solved? Of course. But, switching to another game or playing previous versions won't solve that issue so the only reason I'd complain is to push developers (on every platform) to offer an option to have the CPU throw more balls.

Not sure what people mean by a lack of hit variety but I see plenty. Hitting is improved. My opinion is that you're wrong when you say it isn't. You can say I'm delirious or stubborn but I can say that same to you.

Also, I find it amusing that people are quick to say that those that like MLB2k8 are trying to justify their purchase or that they are simply wrong by suggesting that the game is good. Why can only an MLB2k8 fan be those things? I can turn around and say that those that like MLB The Show are just trying to justify their purchase by suggesting MLB2k8 is terrible.

It's a silly game that people play by believing others are crazy for liking something. OS has really disappointed me with their shallow, biased opinions on a product. The many people that have come into this impressions thread and have continued to suggest that MLB2k8 fans are wrong for thinking the product plays good baseball or saying that the fans are justifying their purchase should consider looking in the mirror.

Justifying purchases is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever read on these threads. It's surprising and damn well shameful that it's the Show fans that keep throwing the word out there. Only makes me wonder who is justifying what.

And I'm sure now this will get me some heat and I don't care because I never put down any product here. I've always maintained that it's about preference.

I'm positive now that preference goes way over people's heads here on OS.

[Scottdau]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

The only thing that really needs slider changes is the CPU not throwing a bunch of balls.

Seeing as how that is a problem in almost every baseball game created to date I'm not going to let it ruin my experience.

Do I wish it could be solved? Of course. But, switching to another game or playing previous versions won't solve that issue so the only reason I'd complain is to push developers (on every platform) to offer an option to have the CPU throw more balls.

Not sure what people mean by a lack of hit variety but I see plenty. Hitting is improved. My opinion is that you're wrong when you say it isn't. You can say I'm delirious or stubborn but I can say that same to you.

Also, I find it amusing that people are quick to say that those that like MLB2k8 are trying to justify their purchase or that they are simply wrong by suggesting that the game is good. Why can only an MLB2k8 fan be those things? I can turn around and say that those that like MLB The Show are just trying to justify their purchase by suggesting MLB2k8 is terrible.

It's a silly game that people play by believing others are crazy for liking something. OS has really disappointed me with their shallow, biased opinions on a product. The many people that have come into this impressions thread and have continued to suggest that MLB2k8 fans are wrong for thinking the product plays good baseball or saying that the fans are justifying their purchase should consider looking in the mirror.

Justifying purchases is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever read on these threads. It's surprising and damn well shameful that it's the Show fans that keep throwing the word out there. Only makes me wonder who is justifying what.

And I'm sure now this will get me some heat and I don't care because I never put down any product here. I've always maintained that it's about preference.

I'm positive now that preference goes way over people's heads here on OS.

I don't know, I hate the game, and I was a big 2k fanboy. I think they had something great going last year, but then they decided to make it a different game. The real reason for me is I'm a graphic whore first and this game is a joke in that department at least too me it is! I'm glad some are having fun with this game, but too me it just wasn't doing it for me.

[SportGamer24]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

I've only played the demo, but I'm hoping there is an option not to display the pitch cursor. Is this possible in the retail version?

[CMH]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

I get that. Graphics are definitely down from last year.

But the gameplay is better and that's what everyone wanted.

It seems to me that if people can complain they will.

Obviously, if the complaint is that the graphics are worse than last year and that's why you don't enjoy the product then I can understand that.

I'm speaking mostly for the people that are saying that the product does not play baseball. I just don't understand that.

My opinion is that the audio aspect of the game is what kills it. If you have Sony's announcing team (and their actual comments) on this product then people will feel like they are listening to a broadcast.

2k7 was a nightmare with homeruns all over the place. It was Slugfest without the title. Now that's not there and people still aren't satisfied with the gameplay. I don't understand why.

Maybe if the people putting down the gameplay explained why they don't think it plays good baseball then I would understand. Instead all I see are blanket statements like, "This game is horrible. It doesn't play good baseball." I'm not sure what that means because it's wrong.

[CMH]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

I've only played the demo, but I'm hoping there is an option not to display the pitch cursor. Is this possible in the retail version?

I don't think so. Perhaps in classic pitching. But if you're playing with the new pitching mechanic then you wouldn't be successful without the orb.

I haven't tried classic so I honestly can't answer this question for you.

[muggins]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

Is the not being able to choose your power with pitches when there is a player on base an intended feature or a bug?

[Scottdau]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

I get that. Graphics are definitely down from last year.

But the gameplay is better and that's what everyone wanted.

It seems to me that if people can complain they will.

Obviously, if the complaint is that the graphics are worse than last year and that's why you don't enjoy the product then I can understand that.

I'm speaking mostly for the people that are saying that the product does not play baseball. I just don't understand that.

My opinion is that the audio aspect of the game is what kills it. If you have Sony's announcing team (and their actual comments) on this product then people will feel like they are listening to a broadcast.

2k7 was a nightmare with homeruns all over the place. It was Slugfest without the title. Now that's not there and people still aren't satisfied with the gameplay. I don't understand why.

Maybe if the people putting down the gameplay explained why they don't think it plays good baseball then I would understand. Instead all I see are blanket statements like, "This game is horrible. It doesn't play good baseball." I'm not sure what that means because it's wrong.

Too me it start with the animation. They need to work on that big time. Also, how players react after the ball is hit. If they can fix that for next year I would be happy, but I doubt they will.

[CMH]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

Is the not being able to choose your power with pitches when there is a player on base an intended feature or a bug?

This is being discussed elsewhere and I don't know what to say anymore.

I havne't had this problem but enough people are that perhaps there is something going on with the product.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

This is being discussed elsewhere and I don't know what to say anymore.

I havne't had this problem but enough people are that perhaps there is something going on with the product.

I only had this happen once for two pitches in a row and then haven't seen it since...not a clue as to what caused it. Really weird.

[CMH]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

Too me it start with the animation. They need to work on that big time. Also, how players react after the ball is hit. If they can fix that for next year I would be happy, but I doubt they will.

To me the animations are done well but could all be better.

Players no longer lose their heads and fly out of their swing after hitting a ball. I'm not a huge fan of the running animation or the slowdown animation when fielding a flyball. So that I agree needs to be addressed.

Pitching too me is amazingly fluid. The Show, in my opinion, doesn't come close to grasping this aspect of a pitch. When 2k pitchers throw it looks like they throw with authority. Now their body position after a pitch is ugly. They stand there with their arms just laying flat on their sides. It looks stupid.

Most fielder throwing animations are ugly too. Some bodies look backwards when throwing from a specific position and guys still crow hop like crazy on easy throws from the outfield to the infield. I dont understand why that can't be changed.

However, catching animations and fielding grounders is done very well. Guys look good when fielding balls backhanded or scooping balls. Looks nice.

[NEWYORICAN]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

I don't know, I hate the game, and I was a big 2k fanboy. I think they had something great going last year, but then they decided to make it a different game. The real reason for me is I'm a graphic whore first and this game is a joke in that department at least too me it is! I'm glad some are having fun with this game, but too me it just wasn't doing it for me.

I agree with you here. All I had was 2K7 360 before I went out a brought a PS3. 2K7 was an excellent first step into this three year project that Ben started. The graphic and some of the gameplay were wonderful, except for the fielding and and the issues with the GM mode/roster movements. Even with those issues, it was/still a fun game to play! My son and I we played for hours online it was so much fun.

Now 2K8 comes in year two hoping for some new action and to my surprise, they took 10 steps backwards! Oh my how awfull it looks now! and the frame rate!! What did he (Ben Brinkman do to my 2k Baseball!!) Noooo!. Question, was last year framerate running on 60FPS? because this year,it looks like a turd turtle is powering it!

Yea I know we wanted the gameplay fixed but I don't remember saying; Yea, take out all that nice looking graphics for gameplay and give us SwingStick 2.0 and baseball cards yea we need baseball cards!! I think baseball cards went out of style in the late 90's man!, people don't collect them like they used to. Or do they still do?..I'm not in touch with that anymore.

If you are going to release a game looking good in the the first year of this project and then come out in year two with regressed ugly looking player models and ugly grass stadium, then why teese us with beautifull graphics? I can say the fileding is better which to a degree it is, but there are still some things I'm seeing that are not good.

The smooothnees of 2K7 is otta here!! Now we get nice choppness in-between at bats!! that god awful bat sound that's been in 2KBB since the first WSBB for XBOX . Also no more dynamix foul ball cut screens, all you get now is the batter looking up,down,left,right, no more down the line fouls or fair for Hr's off the fould pole excitements. The catcher now throws the ball to fist base on strike outs w/no one on base when a right handed batter is punched out..it throws it to third(like it should) on left haned batters. Is this something new that MLB baseball does now? Did I miss something from real baseball? And all the "little things" of baseball we love as far as I can see by playing are gone. I also saw a lefty catcher for Boston playing. It was the new guy Elsbury(sp?) The AI I guess still thinks it is ok for a lefty catcher!! it's not that it is not possible to have playing in real life, but I think now a days, it is very unlikely.

I'm sorry, I was really looking foword to this game being so good this year, that's why I'm so dissapointed. I love Baseball games, I don't care who makes them just as long as they are done with some pride and effort which to me looks like 2k didn't do. Sorry, it has to be said. This looks like a rushed-out non-completed product. This is my opinon only.

peace!
Ernesto

[Scottdau]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

To me the animations are done well but could all be better.

Players no longer lose their heads and fly out of their swing after hitting a ball. I'm not a huge fan of the running animation or the slowdown animation when fielding a flyball. So that I agree needs to be addressed.

Pitching too me is amazingly fluid. The Show, in my opinion, doesn't come close to grasping this aspect of a pitch. When 2k pitchers throw it looks like they throw with authority. Now their body position after a pitch is ugly. They stand there with their arms just laying flat on their sides. It looks stupid.

Most fielder throwing animations are ugly too. Some bodies look backwards when throwing from a specific position and guys still crow hop like crazy on easy throws from the outfield to the infield. I dont understand why that can't be changed.

However, catching animations and fielding grounders is done very well. Guys look good when fielding balls backhanded or scooping balls. Looks nice.

I thought that too about the pitchers not throwing right in the the Show, but then I watched some real pitchers and they look like they are hardly throwing it. It is all in the legs and being on a mound. If you are on a mound you are going to throw harder then you would throwing on a flat surface.

[michaeldu]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

I agree with you here. All I had was 2K7 360 before I went out a brought a PS3. 2K7 was an excellent first step into this three year project that Ben started. The graphic and some of the gameplay were wonderful, except for the fielding and and the issues with the GM mode/roster movements. Even with those issues, it was/still a fun game to play! My son and I we played for hours online it was so much fun.

Now 2K8 comes in year two hoping for some new action and to my surprise, they took 10 steps backwards! Oh my how awfull it looks now! and the frame rate!! What did he (Ben Brinkman do to my 2k Baseball!!) Noooo!. Question, was last year framerate running on 60FPS? because this year,it looks like a turd turtle is powering it!

Yea I know we wanted the gameplay fixed but I don't remember saying; Yea, take out all that nice looking graphics for gameplay and give us SwingStick 2.0 and baseball cards yea we need baseball cards!! I think baseball cards went out of style in the late 90's man!, people don't collect them like they used to. Or do they still do?..I'm not in touch with that anymore.

If you are going to release a game looking good in the the first year of this project and then come out in year two with regressed ugly looking player models and ugly grass stadium, then why teese us with beautifull graphics? I can say the fileding is better which to a degree it is, but there are still some things I'm seeing that are not good.

The smooothnees of 2K7 is otta here!! Now we get nice choppness in-between at bats!! that god awful bat sound that's been in 2KBB since the first WSBB for XBOX . Also no more dynamix foul ball cut screens, all you get now is the batter looking up,down,left,right, no more down the line fouls or fair for Hr's off the fould pole excitements. The catcher now throws the ball to fist base on strike outs w/no one on base when a right handed batter is punched out..it throws it to third(like it should) on left haned batters. Is this something new that MLB baseball does now? Did I miss something from real baseball? And all the "little things" of baseball we love as far as I can see by playing are gone. I also saw a lefty catcher for Boston playing. It was the new guy Elsbury(sp?) The AI I guess still thinks it is ok for a lefty catcher!! it's not that it is not possible to have playing in real life, but I think now a days, it is very unlikely.

I'm sorry, I was really looking foword to this game being so good this year, that's why I'm so dissapointed. I love Baseball games, I don't care who makes them just as long as they are done with some pride and effort which to me looks like 2k didn't do. Sorry, it has to be said. This looks like a rushed-out non-completed product. This is my opinon only.

peace!
Ernesto

I agree with everything you said. This game stinks! Brinkman, come out and make a statement.

[pistonpete]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

That's my biggest beef with games like this. People want to say "well with the right sliders it's great."

Why is the game not "great" out of the damn box? Did I not spend $400 on a gaming system and $60 on a game? Why should I have to do all this patchwork for the game to be solid.

I'm used to doing slider work but only to make a great game better. When you have to put in all this work to get the game under control it annoys me.

amen, amen, amen. i have a headache trying to figure out how to make the CPU pitch more realistically.pitchers guys like anthony reyes and jason marquis should not be nipping the corners all day everyday like they are santana or maddux. and the umpire calls the game like he is on the take. i can't even work the count because i know sooner or later, mr. 5th starter in the rotation is going to throw a slider with a 12 inch break that will hit the black, striking me out, after going down 3-0 and throwing 2 pitches just like the one described above. this game is sloppy, just sloppy. the more i play
2K's baseball games the more i think they quality test their games with a bunch of trained howler monkeys at the controls.

[sva91]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K8 360 Impressions

At first I was a bit dissapointed with how much of a hit the game took graphically, but after playing it for a couple of days of come to really enjoy it. With the Framerate fix and using arial cam, the game plays much smoother than last years. I like the new pitching interface, and the hit variety is awesome. For some reason, the pitches are much easirer to read and using classic batting and the wide hitting camera, the response time is awesome (check swings actually work this year).

For those graphic whores (much like myself), just forget about the Show and 2k8, and tell yourself this is MVP 08. The graphics are much better than MVP and all the sig stances are really well done.

FYI: The graphics look much better using arial cam(field texture looks much better, and using Wide batting cam lets you see the entire backdrop of each stadium.