TAYLOR BIRD
Sports Assistant
Video game developer 2K Sports’ latest offering from its Major League Baseball franchise combines innovative gameplay with dazzling visuals to deliver a fun and authentic gaming experience. And as MLB 2K8 is the only MLB title slated to be released for Microsoft’s system in 2008, it is a must-buy for all Xbox 360-owning fans of America’s pastime.
MLB 2K8 introduces Precision Control, a pitching system that allows players to imitate the movements of each pitch using the right control stick. This new schematic is a three-step process that takes some getting used to, so it may turn off the more casual gamer. But those who are patient enough to figure out Precision Control will be rewarded with the most realistic pitching emulation ever to be in a video game. There is a real feeling of accomplishment that comes from striking out a batter in the bottom of the ninth that could not be replicated anywhere else.
Hitting has gone through some refurbishing in 2K8, resulting in the new and improved Swing Stick 2.0. In last year’s MLB 2K7, the right control stick was used to initiate both a contact swing and a “power swing” that increased the chances of a home run. After complaints from gamers of an unusually large amount of big flies in 2K7, 2K Sports got rid of the power swing completely in 2K8. With the Swing Stick 2.0, hitting is more realistic and accurate than ever before.
The right control stick is also incorporated in fielding. Unlike previous MLB games that use simple button-mashing mechanics for fielding, the player now must hold the right control stick in the cardinal direction of a base (right for 1st base, up for 2nd base, etc.) and release to initiate the throw.
In terms of 2K8’s graphics, the character models are solid, although the faces for most players could have been done better. However, the movements and quirks that each player brings to the plate or to the mound are captured brilliantly, making 2K8’s on-field action look and feel like a real game. 2K Sports also worked hard to represent each stadium to great detail, and the aerial and inside views of the venues before the game are a nice touch.
The game’s most advertised new feature is its trading card system, in which players can earn cards by completing specific tasks during games and trade their cards online via Microsoft’s Internet service, Xbox Live.
The franchise mode gives players the opportunity to be general manager of one or more Big League teams as well as their minor league affiliates. Online competitive play is a fun feature, but lag, or gameplay delay, prevents it from being as strong as it could be.
All in all, 2K Sports could have done a whole lot worse with MLB 2K8. As the only publisher that can develop third-party MLB games, the pressure was on for the folks at 2K to provide baseball-loving gamers with a genuine baseball experience, and they delivered.
03-20-2008
