MLB 2K8 interview

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:58 am

Looks like this has become a The Show vs 2k8 thread intead of 2k8 impressions. It is hard not to compare.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:59 am

webdanzer wrote:
Some more random observations...

After playing The Show again, I now can't ignore the small outfield. The Show kills 2k8 with variety of hits to the OF.

I love, love earning strikeouts in this game. You have to work for them but they are there, and when you get them it definitely feels like an accomplishment.

I'm slightly worried about the amount of injuries I have seen. In only a couple of games I saw two pitchers go down for a long period of time. I forget, were excessive injuries a problem in last year's title?

With CPU throw strikes all the way down, I'm still not getting a great deal of walks, but some of it is my inability to judge pitches in this game. I have to play around with the cameras some. Strikezone is far too big.

I really do thing both the pitching meter and throwing meter add a lot to playing defense. Passed balls and wild pitches are almost always your fault, and even getting your release point just a little late to bounce a breaking ball can see runners advancing on the gaffe. I had one great sequence where I messed up on both meters back to back, so Posada dropped a third strike, and then threw it low and towards the outfield to Duncan on first, causing him to bobble it and allow the runner to be safe. It was a great looking play and I knew it was my 'fault.'

Play on the aerial cam and the outfields look perfect, imo.

I agree with everything else!!

I'm still in that VERY small minority that could care less about walks and I'm loving the swing stick.. it's just getting to where I don't strike out much anymore.. need to tweak that a bit. (I am still playing on PRO). When I hit a HR, it's from perfect execution of the swing stick. I also feel like CPU HR's are not random anymore.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:02 pm

Inuyasha wrote:Looks like this has become a The Show vs 2k8 thread intead of 2k8 impressions. It is hard not to compare.

I don't understand why either. If you have a ps3, I would think The Show would easily be your choice.

If you have a 360, it's up to you to decide if MLB 2k8 is worthy enough of your baseball gaming fix. For me it is.. along with Baseball Mogul, I'm set again this year!

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:10 pm

MizzouRah wrote:
Inuyasha wrote:Looks like this has become a The Show vs 2k8 thread intead of 2k8 impressions. It is hard not to compare.
I don't understand why either. If you have a ps3, I would think The Show would easily be your choice.

If you have a 360, it's up to you to decide if MLB 2k8 is worthy enough of your baseball gaming fix. For me it is.. along with Baseball Mogul, I'm set again this year!

I disagree that it is a vs thread. Sure, there are some comments, but the majority of impressions focus on 2k.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:24 pm

It is hard to come up with an overall impression of the game. The slowdown is noticeable but not a game killer to me (but since I have been playing a lot of minor league teams I have not had the announcers on so I haven't seen the slowdown at its worst point).

I have gone back and forth with hit stick 2 and the one button swing. Not sure which way I will end up. Baserunning is improved although I keep hitting the triggers by mistake sending my baserunner off at the wrong time. But I do like how intuitive it is to send someone home on a sac fly.

There is a lot more variety in what can happen than in past versions. The default settings are a mess, but that is kind of expected.

Better than last year. But the jury is still out.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:27 pm

Ok, more to add tot he bug list I think.

I have the step/swing feedback on, and was noticing sometimes it told me I had a very late step, when I knew I didn't. And other times the text was actually hard to read.

I then discovered that it appears sometimes you get two feedbacks for steps, and they overlay each other? I think I'm getting "early step" and then "late step" right after it..... not major, just dumb to see on the screen.

Also, I started a franchise just to play around and learn, and Jason Bergman was injured for 2 days. I ignored it, and then kept on simming. I forgot about him a few times thru the rotation, and then I realized my LRP was pitching.

I go to the rotation screen, and Bergman is nowhere to be found? But I go to the rosters screen and he is?!? The only way i could get him on the rotation screen again was to demote him, then promote him again.

I also STILL suck at hitting. I've left all my sliders on default except lowering step inlfuence, and the pitch speed. I am hitting either fly ball after fly ball, or grounders that go slow as molasses and have no shot in hell of speeding through the gap like the CPU's do.

I'm trying to figure out if I should boost my power slider, or if it's still a matter of me not hitting properly with the swing stick yet....

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:49 pm

Gangrel wrote: I have the step/swing feedback on, and was noticing sometimes it told me I had a very late step, when I knew I didn't. And other times the text was actually hard to read.

I then discovered that it appears sometimes you get two feedbacks for steps, and they overlay each other? I think I'm getting "early step" and then "late step" right after it..... not major, just dumb to see on the screen.

I get the 'very late step' feedback when I step back but then do not swing. Very odd. I think I've seen a step overlay a step comment in this situation as well.

Otherwise you get a step feedback and then a swing feedback message, and they do very quickly follow one another.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:04 pm

You know, now that you mention it, I think it's when I don't swing as well.... Very odd.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:00 pm

I've found that since I stopped worrying about when to take the step, I rarely get the message anymore, and I'm hitting better. I just concentrate on the ball and make a natural swing motion and I do fine; I still swing early or late sometimes, but rarely is there a step message.

One cool thing is I pushed up to swing, but saw the ball was heading outside of the zone, so I pulled back quick and the third base coach said it was a check swing. The motion was natural as I was just reacting, so it was neat that it gave me the check.

I also like (even thoug it drives me crazy sometimes) that you really need to set up your fielders to make a throw. If you throw to a base and they are facing the wrong way, there will be an animation where they have to turn around and plant their feet before they throw. Makes your positioning while approaching the ball more important.

I downloaded all of the extras today too, some cool stuff, and they really don't take up too much space on the drive. I just wish I could earn cards faster so I could unlock some of the classic stadiums (and those baby-blue Phillies uniforms!)

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:27 pm

Boy, shifting your defense really makes a difference.

It might just be me, but the powder blue Royals jerseys look great in the game.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:36 pm

Inuyasha wrote:Looks like this has become a The Show vs 2k8 thread intead of 2k8 impressions. It is hard not to compare.

interesting tidbit.....

average rankings on gamerankings.com

MLB2K8 79.5%
MLB The Show08 82.4%

+- 2.9%

thats pretty close.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:49 pm

JackB1 wrote:interesting tidbit.....

average rankings on gamerankings.com

MLB2K8 79.5%
MLB The Show08 82.4%

+- 2.9%

thats pretty close.

Who cares? Jack, you're clearly grasping for any straw possible that will allow you to enjoy MLB 2K8 while still feeling like you have some type of approval or shared consensus from the community here, or failing that, justification via game review aggregate sites of all places... just go for it, man. You've played the demo, right? Fall in love with it, defiantly. I dare you! Go out on a limb!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:54 pm

An independent thought from Jack would be a great start...but we know that is asking a lot. Asking him to like something that "everyone" doesn't like is hell to his sensibilities.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:57 pm

Actually 2.9 percent over a range of numerous reviews is bigger difference than it seems.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:00 pm

JRod wrote:Actually 2.9 percent over a range of numerous reviews is bigger difference than it seems.

Not to mention the fact that a lot of the positive reviews for 2k8 are from people that don't have the option for The Show. So the reviews are artificially inflated because they can't try both games. Now, if you said on the PS3 ONLY, it's a 2.9% difference, then I'd say it was a significant stat. As it stands, it's fairly meaningless. I have yet to read a review or an impression of someone who has played both who thinks 2k8 is the better game. I'm sure there is someone out there...but I have yet to see it.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:08 pm

I know it's a bit gimmicky but the card collecting system is pretty fun once you start to get your collection underway. Its also cool how they flip your cards all over the main menu:)

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:11 pm

macsomjrr wrote:I know it's a bit gimmicky but the card collecting system is pretty fun once you start to get your collection underway. Its also cool how they flip your cards all over the main menu:)

Anyone want to trade for a Jason Giambi card? My stack of those is getting bigger than his HGH tumor.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:15 pm

webdanzer wrote:
macsomjrr wrote:I know it's a bit gimmicky but the card collecting system is pretty fun once you start to get your collection underway. Its also cool how they flip your cards all over the main menu:)
Anyone want to trade for a Jason Giambi card? My stack of those is getting bigger than his HGH tumor.

I actually haven't received any duplicates yet but I need a Giambi:) I'll let you know...

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:43 pm

Here you go, Jack... this will make you feel better:

http://www.operationsports.com/forums/s ... p?t=241689

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:37 pm

JRod wrote:Actually 2.9 percent over a range of numerous reviews is bigger difference than it seems.

In particular, the total for the Show is definitely skewed by a WTF review from G4TV: http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1731/ ... _Show.html

As a three star, they equate that with a 60 rating which drags the GR score down.

That said, metacritic has the Show at 85/9.6 (critics/users) and 2K8 at 75/6.2

It can be argued that fanboys can affect scores of the other game, but that should go both ways.

At the end of the day, if you're happy with one game or the other, great.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:39 pm

Slumberland wrote:Here you go, Jack... this will make you feel better:

http://www.operationsports.com/forums/s ... p?t=241689

I'm not looking for mass approval. There are enough positive reviews out there the justify checking it out. I am just trying to pass the time until my Gamefly copy comes. If I like it after about 2 weeks...I will buy it from them.
The Show08's not an option for me, so it's either this or retread 2K7. You really can't fully judge a baseball game untill you play about 20 games with it, with the proper sliders. If I can get a reasonable amount of walks, strikeouts, runs, hits, HR's, stolen bases, etc. then I will keep it. But there is no way to figure that out from a demo or just a game or two.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:47 pm

MizzouRah wrote:Boy, shifting your defense really makes a difference.

It might just be me, but the powder blue Royals jerseys look great in the game.

How so? Doesn't the game "auto shift" your defense for DP situations, infield in, etc? Or are you referring to shifting for pull hitters, etc.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:50 pm

GameSeven wrote:
JRod wrote:Actually 2.9 percent over a range of numerous reviews is bigger difference than it seems.
In particular, the total for the Show is definitely skewed by a WTF review from G4TV: http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1731/ ... _Show.html

As a three star, they equate that with a 60 rating which drags the GR score down.

That said, metacritic has the Show at 85/9.6 (critics/users) and 2K8 at 75/6.2

It can be argued that fanboys can affect scores of the other game, but that should go both ways.

Hate to see this continue to be a 2K8 vs. The Show thread but I've got to agree with much of what was said in that review (G4TV). The Show hasn't been trying to innovate the gameplay at all almost since it was released which is one of the main reasons why I don't enjoy playing it now. Granted I haven't played '08 at all yet but from the videos it looks identical in most respects to last years version. At the very least 2K is trying new things to create a more exciting on the field experience which you have to give them some props for.

GameSeven wrote:At the end of the day, if you're happy with one game or the other, great.

100% agreed. Now let's get back to 2K8!!!

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:50 pm

Strange thing happened today. First the 2K servers seemed to be down. Now every time I need to go to the Live screen to activate a card, I need to select my profile to log in, it didn't do that before. Also, now in minor league games I get Miller and Morgans commentary, where I didn't before. Did 2K slip in an update on us?

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:01 pm

Mac, I think what GameSeven was saying was that the scores are not given the right score to average.

3 out of 5 stars isn't bad but on a 100 point scale it doesn't translate well. Then you have IGN/Gamespot's scoring system where the difference of a 75 to 80 scored game is significant but on the 100 point scale it's really not.

Anyway, small percentages even with the flawed systems at metacritic and gamerankings aside, is statistically important.