Major League Baseball 2K8

The Only Game in Town is a Decent One

I've not reviewed a baseball game here since MLB 2k6 on the Playstation2, although I've put time in with MVP Baseball 2k5 and MLB 2k7. I put this preface out there so you don't think I'm coming into this cold. Yes, I've been to the 'pen and I'm warmed up and ready to take the mound. Unfortunately, MLB 2k8 cannot say the same. It's come out a little rusty and gets banged around some, but does manage to stay in the game. Ok, enough sports analogies; let's get down to business.

2K8 uses a new pitching system that I actually like. It's a very nice attempt to make pitching a more active part of the playing experience. The new Total Pitch Control has you moving the right joystick in arcs and half-circles to select your pitch. It's very reminisent of fighting games like Street Fighter II, actually. When it works, it's great. The problem is, it's very sensitive, by which I mean it's finicky as hell. One time it'll read your pitch right and you'll nail the black, and the next it won't take your release motion and you'll hang one for the bleacher bums to recieve. It's very hit-or-miss, with a lot more miss then hit, at least until you get better at it. Or, like me, turn the TPC difficulty down. I don't recommend turning it off, just down.

Batting is little different then last year, in that you press back on the right stick to time your step, and then forward to hit. Unlike last year, though, you don't have a choice between power hit and contact hit; just releasing the stick will do nothing, you have to drive through the ball now. I like this, since I never liked having to pull back and let go to make a contact swing, so every swing I took was a Ruthian one. That's elminated here, so you only have one swing to worry about. It doesn't help my batting average any, but it's easier on the mind.

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