Game Review: MLB 2k8

GAME INFORMER MAGAZINE - The Record - Hackensack, NJ

Mar 13, 2008

For: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii

Rating: E (everyone)

Last year was a winning season for 2K Sports' long-running series, as it showed off an unprecedented level of player detail, but there were aspects of the game that either didn't work as well as they should or were dragged over from the previous generation.

This year's effort addresses all aspects of the game, and in many cases, reinvents them. To put it in a way that will likely make all 360 owners panic, there is so much content included in this game that parts of it won't even fit on the Xbox 360 disc.

Last year's analog batting swing set the table for what is now an all-analog game. Pitching now takes a steady hand and a skill in spinning the ball. Each pitch, be it a fastball, curve or slider, requires a unique motion. By pulling back on the right analog stick, the pitcher will begin his windup, which activates a circular power meter. Once the meter reaches the desired level, the player must then complete the motion for the desired pitch. Since pitchers excel at different deliveries, the motions vary, but a fastball is generally a simple down-to-up motion. Curveballs require a rotation of the analog. Failing to replicate the motion will result in an easily crushable meatball, while a slightly imperfect gesture will send your pitch off course. Also, if you felt that pitchers fatigued too quickly last year, 2K has retuned the mechanics. Aces will be able to throw complete games without fear of dying.

Batting also has received attention. Last year, players could make contact on only three different frames, whereas this year, the window of hitting has expanded to 12 to 16 frames. This has the effect of making at-bats more natural and allows players to protect the strike zone by fouling off pitches they previously would have whiffed on.

There's no denying that last year's game of fielding also was flawed. Most plays, even casual fly balls, seemed to require a highlight reel-worthy catch. As much fun as it was to watch your player make an idiot out of himself, the animations in this year's game are spot on. On grounders, you really can see the new ball physics in play. Another interesting addition is the ball locator meter disappearing as your player sprints a decision 2K feels represents the player taking his eyes off the ball. This can make for exciting plays in the outfield.

The best part of the game in our opinion, however, derives from our childhood of collecting baseball cards.

MLB 2K8 is entering the world of collecting with an in-game 459- card set. You either can buy packs or earn one card at a time. For instance, to unlock the Josh Beckett card, you must throw a seven- inning shutout with said pitcher. Cards can be traded online, and they can be used to create a unique team for use in multiplayer games. Salary caps will prevent you from assembling an all-star squad, unless you earn platinum versions (which greatly reduces the salary of the player). There are three types of cards: platinum, gold and the lowly black. As the year rolls on, 2K is planning to release two additional series of cards (including a set much like Topps Traded).

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