MLB 2K8 demo impressions

by pastapadre
Posted January 18th, 2008 at 2:33 am

Vetzballin had an opportunity to play a demo version of MLB 2K8 and has posted up some initial impressions and info about the game. You can read the entire writeup and view some new screens by clicking here.

Some of the things discussed include the new hitting and pitching systems, using the right analog to throw to bases when fielding, baserunning, and the player cards.

Graphically a lot of people seem to be disappointed with what they’re seeing and its almost as if the game took a step back from last year. Whether that is the case or not, and if it could be related to getting the game to run at 60fps, is difficult to say at this point.

You could really sense the potential that the game had last year but it was held back by some frustrating issues. From the impressions it sounds as though they’ve spent a great deal of effort addressing them. At the same time it seems like they’ve changed a lot so it’ll be interesting to see how well people adapt and how much those changes improve the experience.

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Eski

One thing that concerns me is the lack of advertising for MLB 2K8. Last year, there was much more media (print advertisements, screen shots and videos) compared to this year.

I am not sure if this has to do with 2K's financial troubles or if 2K8 is going to be the same game with new rosters.

I am skeptical.....

Joe Ryan

Well, being that it's a leap year, we can expect a demo on the 29th.

Beau

[quote comment="9513"]Any news on a release date for the demo?[/quote]

i can't remember where it was stated but according to Ben Brinkman "early february"

Eski

If the graphics look like last year's, that isn't such a bad thing. The way the jerseys moved in the breeze was a cool touch.

I am looking forward to 2K8 and hopefully it plays much better than last year's version. The thing that drove me nuts last year was the lack of responsiveness.

Any news on a release date for the demo?

Machines

Not surprising on the graphics end. 2K is notorious for having these amazing looking screenshots and then once you actually get into the game it looks like a turd being flushed down bowl. Case in point: College Hoops 2K8. I saw screenshots of that and was blown away. Then I downloaded the demo and was left to wonder where said screenshot that blew me away actually came from, because it was clear it didn't come from anywhere in the demo I was playing.

tdoggy

I'm definately buying The Show over this. Last year I bought this first and then quickly replaced it.

Anthony

With the way 2K Baseball has played in recent years, I'll take a graphical hit if it means better gameplay.

bosox5s

well besides the jeter pic, the graphics look still very good. did anyone notice in the shots of Vlad Guererro the detail of his hair, i cant wait to see what manny's is like this year.

pastapadre

Yeah I think some things like those and also the screen of Jeter (at IGN) as another example. Again since there are no videos of the game out people are going to over-analyze screenshots naturally. You can see that happening at OS and elsewhere right now. I'd gladly take a sacrifice there in favor of the 60fps.

Personally I'm not really concerned about the graphics with 2K8, I think while playing the game its going to look good enough regardless. Its the frustrating things that got to me gameplay wise last year that I'm hoping were addressed properly.

Beau

[quote comment="9484"]And where in the world did he say anything about the game being a step backwards graphically Pasta? His actual quote was:

" Graphically the game is looking as good as ever."
[/quote]

HE (pasta) was just stating his own opinion.. and i quote: "Graphically a lot of people seem to be disappointed with what they’re seeing and its almost as if the game took a step back from last year." That is just Pasta's opinion.. which so far I think most would agree with, while it's obvious that all of the pictures released so far are of early builds (as can be seen with no grass texture, bugged scoreboards (see Wang/Beltran picture) so i'm hopeful and confident that the final product will be just fine.

thanks for the info pasta (even if it did come from elsewhere) i hope that we can see more soon! ( video anyone? ;) )

Bumble14

And where in the world did he say anything about the game being a step backwards graphically Pasta? His actual quote was:

" Graphically the game is looking as good as ever."

But I guess that means a lot of people are disappointed in the graphics?

jlukes

Honestly, I don't even know if thsoe were demo impressions. He didn't comment on how fluid the game ran, the hit variety, or anything really.

He just regurgitated features we have seen in the Producer Interviews on IGN and Gamespot.

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