As mentioned yesterday, I dabble in the video games. So, from time to time--maybe once in a month--I'll buy a new game and review it for you, the unwashed masses (of twelve). And, I'll take the zero comments left from that post as a sign that everyone is clamoring for what I think of 2K Sports' latest baseball sim iteration, MLB 2K8.

• The crew at 2K Sports has decided to map all throwing motions, from the pitching interface to throwing from outfield, to the right analog stick. Great move...pitchng and tossing the ball around have never been more challenging and more fun.
• The Hit Stick has been reworked and renamed accordingly--Hit Stick 2.0. And, this time around, it works. Hits are spread all over the diamond according to where the ball is pitched. An inside slider is most likely yanked down the left field line (for a righty) with a pull back on the stick (to initiate the step of your swing) and then pushing it up and to the left (to initiate the actual swing). This is also timing based, and it all works very well.
• Baserunning is easy and instictive. Thank God.
• The presentation took a hit this year. Text is agonizingly small, and the aerial camera that takes over when a ball is in play takes some getting used to.
• Player models are a little less detailed this year, but their individual batting styles and pitching motions have been added for a great flare of uniqueness (individual pitching motions are more prevelant than the hitting styles, however).
• What's great about the MLB 2K series is gameplay sliders. These allow you to futz with the difficulty of the game, from pitcher fatigue rates to baserunner speed and fielder speed, pitch speed and fielding error frequency, to name only a few. These sliders can help you tailor your experience to how you like it, making this title an attractive one to own.
• The stadiums are my biggest complaint. Infinity Ward really captured environments and textures like no other, save for maybe Gears of War (which I've barely even played), in their last military shooter Call of Duty 4. How hard can it be to design 32 stadiums to equal or better quality? In 2K8, they feel lame. No textures. City skylines aren't sharp, and at times, just plain bland. The ivy is motionless at Wrigley. The stadium atmosphere is dead as fans don't react to HR's and foul balls. The textures look cartoonish and lazy at times.

Although I have a serious problem with the game's presentation, the team at 2K Sports really did an outstanding job with the core gameplay mechanics. Mapping throwing motions, especially the intoxicating Total Control Precision Pitching, to the right analog was a winning move.

So, after only a short time with the game last night, I played as the Cubs against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Needless to say, they rocked me. Chris Young and Brandon Webb are my worst nightmares, but the game played difficult. Which is good...baseball is hard.

So, I'm happy with my $60 investment. The Franchise mode will be hella fun, as I can play as all three minor league teams as well as the major league squad in this mode. With roster upgrades and whatnot around Opening Day, I'm looking forward to taking my Virtual Cubs to the Virtual World Series and ending the real 100 year drought.

In a Nutsack's final score: Numbered reviews are for Communists. I'm going to play the hell out of this game.

Labels: Arizona Diamondbacks, Brandon Webb, Chris Young, MLB 2K8, Video Game Reviews