MLB '08 news and info

[JRod]

And that's some awesome quote-work Jrod...lol.

Don't mention it.

[RallyMonkey]

I forgot to write this earlier but had a very cool moment last night in reference to the crowd. Game one of my season and Beckett is tight, carrying a perfect game into the 8th. The game is in Oakland (important note). Two out in the eighth and it's broken up. They show Beckett on the mound, clearly upset. The crowd in Oakland gives him a raucous ovation to which Beckett waves his hand in the air to thank them. Very cool.

I know the gameplay is the same as years past (with good reason because it kicks a**) but when you can still "Oh wow" moments like that one you know you're playing a damn fine game.

[snate]

Anyone else feel like there are too many balls hit the other way ala HH 2001-03? Even with pitch speed all the way down it is nearly impossible to turn on a fastball.

[Slumberland]

Anyone else feel like there are too many balls hit the other way ala HH 2001-03? Even with pitch speed all the way down it is nearly impossible to turn on a fastball.

My first couple games I had that impression, then things started turning around when I got used to the timing. Seeing hits to all fields now.

I love the awkward swing animations for when get jammed or over-reach for one outside... and doubly love that sometimes those awkward hits can still get flared over the infield for base hits.

[bkrich83]

How hard is it to hit your spots in this game. And is pitcher accuracy an issue, meaning average pitchers are a little too accurate?

I don't think it's that easy to hit your spots. However, I do think it's not difficult to throw a strike, if that makes any sense. I might aim inside and low and the ball might end up towards the middle of the plate. I think it definitely depends on the quality of the pitcher, and whether or not they are in the zone.

I should add it also depends on where you stop the meter. If you're in the blue, you seem to have more control over the location of the pitch. If you hold down until you're in the red, you better be sure you hit the mark.

That's why I use classic pitching...it's a lot harder to hit your spots consistently with the bottom of the rotation guys. With the meter it's easier to nibble...resulting in less walks. Classic pitching seems to give me a nice balance with the ease of use (just pressing a button short/long depending on how effective it will be) and the ability to miss your spot often.

Agreed. Classic pitching the pitchers abilities and ratings matter more than me getting the timing of the meter down. I want the ratings to matter, so for me it's ideal.

[GTHobbes]

I'm busy working on my laptop and have the game playing on the big screen tv in the background, and I even love being able to just sit here and watch the game play itself in demo mode. What a great game.

[spooky157]

All Star plays a much better game than HoF for me. I don't know what it is but the CPU offense is useless against me in HoF. On All Star things are so much better. Very odd...

I get just as many hits on AS as I do on HoF, except a lot of my hits nn HoF feel cheap. Too many opposite field hits. On All Star I can actually pull a fastball and hitting feels just right.

[Blublub]

Here are my PSP impressions I previously posted on OS:

Just played my first game and here is my take:

I agree that not much has changed since last year's version, but what has changed is worth my $40.

Thanks, that's just what I wanted to hear. I was very afraid that they'd monkey around with the stellar core gameplay from last year and break something in the process. Bummer about the lack of umpires but I can live with that.

I wish I could find a copy over here in my corner of the world, but folks have barely heard of baseball. Maybe it's not so bad to play last year's and pretend Santana and Hunter never left the Twinks.

[Jackdog]

Here are my PSP impressions I previously posted on OS:

Just played my first game and here is my take:

I agree that not much has changed since last year's version, but what has changed is worth my $40.

Thanks, that's just what I wanted to hear. I was very afraid that they'd monkey around with the stellar core gameplay from last year and break something in the process. Bummer about the lack of umpires but I can live with that.

I wish I could find a copy over here in my corner of the world, but folks have barely heard of baseball. Maybe it's not so bad to play last year's and pretend Santana and Hunter never left the Twinks.

If you want to paypal me the cost of the game($63.00 w/tax) and shipping. I will pick it up for you here in Traverse City and UPS it to you ASAP. PM me if yor interested.

[Leebo33]

Anyone else feel like there are too many balls hit the other way ala HH 2001-03? Even with pitch speed all the way down it is nearly impossible to turn on a fastball.

My first couple games I had that impression, then things started turning around when I got used to the timing. Seeing hits to all fields now.

I agree with Slumberland. I was swinging late in some exhibition games, but after some practice and once I started a season and it's fine. I was really worried playing the demo because I was late on almost *everything*, but in the full game I even swing early sometimes on fastballs. I think the pitch speed is perfect for me with it turned all the way down, but I do believe they should have the option to lower it even further in the future to help those of us with almost 40 year old eyes!

I'm seeing no problem with homeruns and low pitch speed on All-Star. I'm using the Phillies and after 2.1 games (love the in-game save!) I have 5 homeruns and the Nats have 3. I've hit and given up a realistic amount in a handful of other exhibitions.

I'm really appreciating the extra fielding animations this year. My favorite game in regards to fielding was the last MVP, but now the Show is closing ground.

When I think back to the first time I played this series on PS2 I am amazed at the improvement year-to-year with NO major setbacks. How refreshing is that? No 3 year plans. No big unfulfilled promises. I'm not a big online player, but if they can work out those kinks then I think we're all set until the inevitable day when EA buys the exclusive MLB license.

[sportdan30]

So, last night I played a great great game between the Cardinals (me) at home against the Padres.

Anyways, Jim Edmonds comes to bat in his first plate appearance and the St. Louis crowd gives him a nice applause. He steps back and waves to crowd in appreciation. He then chats with Molina for a second as if he's saying good to see you again. I was just amazed they went to this extent to make a game so life like.

Also, I bumped up P1 and CPU power up one notch, because I hadn't been seeing many homeruns. Last night's game featured one homerun from the Padres and two from St. Louis.

[Brando70]

I agree with GameSeven about how organic The Show feels.

I played the first two games of the Cubs season against the Brewers. First was a windy game at Wrigely with the wind blowing out, and it resulted in a six-HR, 7-3 game. The Brewers hit three solo shots, including back-to-back jacks by Bill Hall and Mike Cameron. I hit three, two pulled to left, one an opposite-way HR by Daryl Ward that the wind seemed to push out of the park.

Second game was a complete small ball 3-2 victory by me. Brewers scored late when I botched a double play that would have ended the inning. I hit 9 singles before driving a Turnbow fastball to the right-center gap for a 2-run double, then hit another single to score the run. The Brewers got a double and a run-scoring single before I closed it out with Kerry Wood.

I'm using the meter because I feel more involved. I've walked two players in each game I played. If you don't move the stick, you can throw a strike every time, but I was missing with even small adjustments, especially on breaking pitches. I'm going to stick with it unless pitching gets too easy with the more average pitchers.

[Slumberland]

I'm curious about this idea that the CPU offense might be better on All-Star than HOF. Anyone else get this impression? I'm playing on HOF, and they've gotten some hits and a dinger here and there but I haven't been roughed up or lost yet.

[XXXIV]

My favorite thing about classic pitching is that it speeds up the game...Which is important because its really starting to cut into my WoW time.

Any game that can keep me off of WoW is special...

[GTHobbes]

Anyone else feel like there are too many balls hit the other way ala HH 2001-03? Even with pitch speed all the way down it is nearly impossible to turn on a fastball.

My first couple games I had that impression, then things started turning around when I got used to the timing. Seeing hits to all fields now.

When I think back to the first time I played this series on PS2 I am amazed at the improvement year-to-year with NO major setbacks. How refreshing is that? No 3 year plans. No big unfulfilled promises. I'm not a big online player, but if they can work out those kinks then I think we're all set until the inevitable day when EA buys the exclusive MLB license.

Good points, Leebo.

[MizzouRah]

So, last night I played a great great game between the Cardinals (me) at home against the Padres.

Anyways, Jim Edmonds comes to bat in his first plate appearance and the St. Louis crowd gives him a nice applause. He steps back and waves to crowd in appreciation. He then chats with Molina for a second as if he's saying good to see you again. I was just amazed they went to this extent to make a game so life like.

Also, I bumped up P1 and CPU power up one notch, because I hadn't been seeing many homeruns. Last night's game featured one homerun from the Padres and two from St. Louis.

Wow, now that's cool!

[Inuyasha]

Well i also bought the PS2 version since I have the ps2 hooked up in my bedroom.

Quick impressions :

Graphics are Excellent for ps2 quality.. They went back to the 06 version which had the best graphics I've ever seen on any ps2 game. Well, let me take that back, almost went back to the 06 version. But it's 10x better than the 07 version which the game took a graphical hit where at some points it ended up looking like HH on ps2. Night games really look great, and day games are ok. Some of the fields they messed (STL, Wrigley) where the grass looks grainy. But overall, the graphics are closer to the 06 version.
Gameplay is as solid as the ps3 version. I really can't tell much of a difference between both versions here. I tend to hit more foul balls, maybe too many, in the 2 ps2 games i've played compared to the ps3 version.

All the options that the ps3 has is there in the ps2, except in game saves. I've just played exhibition games so far so not sure about how the franchise in the ps2 version is. I am assuming the same as ps3.

[Sudz]

is it that much better than 07?

[Inuyasha]

My favorite thing about classic pitching is that it speeds up the game...Which is important because its really starting to cut into my WoW time.

Any game that can keep me off of WoW is special...

How are you getting you pitches to hit the spot on classic? Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but like half my pitches are all over the place.

[Inuyasha]

is it that much better than 07?

If i remember 07, it had framerate issues on the ps2 and also the graphics stunk. But the gameplay was pretty good. It has improved from 07 imo on ps2.

[dbdynsty25]

My favorite thing about classic pitching is that it speeds up the game...Which is important because its really starting to cut into my WoW time.

Any game that can keep me off of WoW is special...

How are you getting you pitches to hit the spot on classic? Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but like half my pitches are all over the place.

Don't hold the button...just tap it to pitch. That means the pitch will be less effective but more accurate. The longer you hold it, the less accurate it becomes but then it is more effective. Keep in mind that the top of the rotation guys will usually be more accurate because of their ratings. That's what BK was mentioned before when he said he likes having the ratings decide where the pitch will go rather than some silly timer.

[Sudz]

is it that much better than 07?

If i remember 07, it had framerate issues on the ps2 and also the graphics stunk. But the gameplay was pretty good. It has improved from 07 imo on ps2.

PS3 thoughts?

[dbdynsty25]

is it that much better than 07?

If i remember 07, it had framerate issues on the ps2 and also the graphics stunk. But the gameplay was pretty good. It has improved from 07 imo on ps2.

PS3 thoughts?

Sudz...yes, 08 is LIGHT YEARS better than 07 for a variety of reasons. Graphics are a huge jump up, more animations, better hit variety, ridiculous amounts of stat tracking and trending, and in game saves during franchise/season games.

[Sudz]

If i remember 07, it had framerate issues on the ps2 and also the graphics stunk. But the gameplay was pretty good. It has improved from 07 imo on ps2.

PS3 thoughts?

Sudz...yes, 08 is LIGHT YEARS better than 07 for a variety of reasons. Graphics are a huge jump up, more animations, better hit variety, ridiculous amounts of stat tracking and trending, and in game saves during franchise/season games.

Thanks!

[Leebo33]

Sudz, I think the jump from 07 to 08 is about as good as you are going to see in any sports game on a yearly cycle that isn't part of a total overhaul. The graphics are substantially improved. The player models are much more realistic. The immersion factor is better than ever. There are also cool little touches like the ability to watch the replay of any play in the game and in-game saves. There are a substantial number of additional animations. The hit variety and ball physics have been tweaked. Sure, there are occassional issues (for instance, I had a CPU first baseman stand still while the catcher ran after a foul ball and missed a ball that landed in the coach's box) but the total package is amazing IMO. Only time will time will tell if there are any problems (luckily both my righties and lefties are hitting HRs so far...LOL), but I'm loving it so far and can't imagine going back to 07 if for the eye candy alone.