Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

[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)

[econoodle]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

I stopped reading at this:

The depth in Major League Baseball 2K13 is as deep as the kiddie pool in your back yard.

[RUFFNREADY]

Nicely said, without the profanity! lol
Now most baseball gamers on the xbox360 will be waiting for a major price cut! lol
cheers

[pistolpete]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

Ouch!

I don't think the game is that bad. I also kind of enjoy the soundtrack.

[nemesis04]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

Oh boy!

Spoiler

[malky]

Actually this is a very honest and polite review, probably the best this game is going to get imho, but I'm glad you mentioned the 60 because that is what really irks me. Come on 2k that's just wrong!

[DBMcGee3]

I've tried for years to give this franchise a chance, but to me they just never made the hitting fun. It's simple, I want to aim a visible cursor with the LS, and swing with either the button or the RS. The way this game is set up, you really don't even need to guess on the location of a pitch, as long as it's in the strike zone and your timing is ok. It just isn't rewarding when you hit the ball in my opinion, and that ruins it for me in a hurry.

[Cardot]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

I'm glad you mentioned the 60 because that is what really irks me. Come on 2k that's just wrong!

I believe we have the million dollar challenge to thank for this. It isn't the marketing strategy I would have preferred, but the niche market of gamers who think they can will the million will pay $60.

[dubcity]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

Nicely said, without the profanity! lol
Now most baseball gamers on the xbox360 will be waiting for a major price cut! lol
cheers

Yep. I played it at Best Buy today, then I saw it on the shelf for $60. I had plenty of cash, but I just couldn't do it. Upgrading from 2K12 to 2K13 isn't worth half that much money.

PS: sounds like a good, honest review.

[chris68pj]

MLB Today Season was in last year's game, although it was rather broken. So I wasn't sure if you just meant you hoped it was fixed or if unaware it was in there last year.

[Mt Oread]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

I stopped reading at this:

The depth in Major League Baseball 2K13 is as deep as the kiddie pool in your back yard.

It's unfortunate to see folks that should know better play that game. 2K13 has plenty of faults, and I can even agree that a 4 is an appropriate score considering it is such a slight upgrade. But the game is any thing but shallow.

It competes with a game that throws everything but the kitchen sink in, yet has a fairly abysmal franchise mode that requires one to play as all 30 team to prevent from becoming a joke.

So 2K eschews the details of player movement for a much deeper season mode. The fatigue, pitch count, and team health are far more strategic and useful than a rule 5 draft. The players have ratings that significantly differentiates players in various phases of the game which makes managing a team over a season more compelling.

When I see someone go for the "shallow" dig, it just kind of exposes them for how shallow of a look they really took of 2K baseball.

I wouldn't give it a 4, but I would not expect much else from an SCEA Central forum that caters to style over substance. 2K12 was underrated last year, and I think everyone fully expected it to go that way this year.

I mean, we're talking about a site that ran a poll on how much people like The Show, ad the only negative comments were, "Don't have a PS3" and "Don't like baseball." Did they let SCEA write it for them?

[scottyo60]

I never played 2k12 past demo and can't get enough of how fun this game is. Had I bought 2k12 and even 2k11 at full price (got 11 for $5) I'd be upset probably and not buying it.

[tvman]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

I've tried for years to give this franchise a chance, but to me they just never made the hitting fun. It's simple, I want to aim a visible cursor with the LS, and swing with either the button or the RS. The way this game is set up, you really don't even need to guess on the location of a pitch, as long as it's in the strike zone and your timing is ok. It just isn't rewarding when you hit the ball in my opinion, and that ruins it for me in a hurry.

And yet with the show that is how most like to play the game as they say it brings ratings more into play. I'll agree though that some sort of zone hitting would be a nice option to have.

[Mt Oread]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K13 Review (XBox 360)

I never played 2k12 past demo and can't get enough of how fun this game is. Had I bought 2k12 and even 2k11 at full price (got 11 for $5) I'd be upset probably and not buying it.

I think this is fair. I think reviews should bring up the fact that 2K13 is mostly a paint job with some patches. I don't blame folks for sticking with 2K12. I don't blame folks for being pissed that 2K dumped online leagues.

But it's a solid, fun game that folks in the 2K forum are responding positively, too. Putting a 4 on it is more of a dick move than an actual assessment of the game.

But 2K baseball has been fun to kick around for years now.

[Eski33]

The biggest slap in the face is the price tag. If a company wants to push a mild update out, that is fine but at $60? No thanks. $19.99 would be more fitting. Of course if you get the combo pack with NBA the cost of the game is $20.

People who try to compare this to The Show need to stop. The Show does so many things right from visuals, player movement and animations and gameplay. The sentiment I get is that those that haven't tried The Show think the visuals are the only upgrade over 2K. Well, that is where it starts but doesn't end.

I own both and pine for the return of EA in the baseball world.