MLB 2K8 IGN hands-on and videos

by pastapadre
Posted January 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

IGN has posted up the first hands-on preview and four short gameplay clips for MLB 2K8. The improvements to the gameplay and new mechanics are the main focus of the preview.

When people think of baseball they think of four key elements: batting, pitching, fielding, and throwing. 2K Sports has changed the way you’ll be doing each of these for MLB 2K8.

Graphically the game doesn’t seem to have the same edge it did last year and that could be due to the improved framerate and having to make certain sacrifices in order to achieve that. The videos don’t seem to demonstrate that very well however.

For all the cool additions that 2K Sports made to the gameplay of MLB 2K8 there’s still one sore spot that needs to be fixed. Any true 2K fan probably already knows that we’re talking about the aesthetics. Player models don’t resemble their real life counterparts as well as they should, cloth physics look a little wonky, and while the stadiums look very nice from afar, close-ups don’t fare as well. Hopefully in the month of development time remaining, the team at 2K Sports will find a way to iron out the rough edges.

Also teased is a “new mode” that IGN isn’t allowed to speak on yet. It’ll be interesting to find out what that is but it’ll be hard to match a standalone mode like “Road to the Show”. It’s tough to judge the game on the mechanics that have been changed for this year until actually getting an opportunity to try that out making the expected demo in February that much more important.

Tags: Videos

Alex Rodriguez

Oh my, that is a horrible computer rendered image of me. I need to go tell 2K to fix me up a lil bit.
Alex Rodriguez

Oh my, that is a horrible computer rendered image of me. I need to go tell 2K to fix me up a lil bit.
Alex Rodriguez

Oh my, that is a horrible computer rendered image of me. I need to go tell 2K to fix me up a lil bit.
Alex Rodriguez

Oh my, that is a horrible computer rendered image of me. I need to go tell 2K to fix me up a lil bit.
http://gamersaloon.com/ Darren

Pasta, why did you post the ONLY paragraph that said anything bad. The rest of the hands on he was glowing about the new controls.
http://gamersaloon.com/ Darren

Pasta, why did you post the ONLY paragraph that said anything bad. The rest of the hands on he was glowing about the new controls.
http://gamersaloon.com/ Darren

Pasta, why did you post the ONLY paragraph that said anything bad. The rest of the hands on he was glowing about the new controls.
http://gamersaloon.com Darren

Pasta, why did you post the ONLY paragraph that said anything bad. The rest of the hands on he was glowing about the new controls.
Mark

Not impressed with these clips…. same dull announcing, terrible bat sounds (like an explosion) bad homerun angles…. liked the fielding…. where’s the 60fps? Looked slow and choppy…..
Mark

Not impressed with these clips…. same dull announcing, terrible bat sounds (like an explosion) bad homerun angles…. liked the fielding…. where’s the 60fps? Looked slow and choppy…..
Mark

Not impressed with these clips…. same dull announcing, terrible bat sounds (like an explosion) bad homerun angles…. liked the fielding…. where’s the 60fps? Looked slow and choppy…..
Mark

Not impressed with these clips…. same dull announcing, terrible bat sounds (like an explosion) bad homerun angles…. liked the fielding…. where’s the 60fps? Looked slow and choppy…..
Mark

They say hopefully with a month of development remaining, 2k will fix these problems…. I think the game is already finished, and 2K and over a year to fix these problems! They were too busy adding minor leagues before fixing more obvious issues!
Mark

They say hopefully with a month of development remaining, 2k will fix these problems…. I think the game is already finished, and 2K and over a year to fix these problems! They were too busy adding minor leagues before fixing more obvious issues!
Mark

2k HAD, not and…..
Mark

2k HAD, not and…..
Mark

2k HAD, not and…..
Mark

They say hopefully with a month of development remaining, 2k will fix these problems…. I think the game is already finished, and 2K and over a year to fix these problems! They were too busy adding minor leagues before fixing more obvious issues!
Mark

2k HAD, not and…..
Mark

what happened to AROD? He looks like he is gonna puke! Nice attempt 2K!
Mark

what happened to AROD? He looks like he is gonna puke! Nice attempt 2K!
Mark

what happened to AROD? He looks like he is gonna puke! Nice attempt 2K!
Mark

what happened to AROD? He looks like he is gonna puke! Nice attempt 2K!
http://gamersaloon.com/ Darren

^^Why did you make 4 comments for that.
http://gamersaloon.com/ Darren

^^Why did you make 4 comments for that.
http://gamersaloon.com/ Darren

^^Why did you make 4 comments for that.
http://gamersaloon.com Darren

^^Why did you make 4 comments for that.
Ben

I don’t like the fact that two of the videos are homeruns. Home Run derby 2k8!!
Ben

I don’t like the fact that two of the videos are homeruns. Home Run derby 2k8!!
Ben

I don’t like the fact that two of the videos are homeruns. Home Run derby 2k8!!
Tomba321

I’ll try to be nice, but man 2k oh man no wonder you were waiting to show us anything…

Immediately the graphical edge that was 2k7 (arguably the best looking sports title last year) is gone. the lighting looks bland and appears to blur the detail of anything in stadium.
The videos HOPEFULLY ONLY the video stream/footage were choppy. As choppy as PS3 gameplay last year in some areas AND this is with the graphical downgrade. The game in genral looks completely the same as last years except for some nice signature stuff to 2k’s credit.

BUT i think we know where are sights are set for already with these previews.

MLB 08
Tomba321

I’ll try to be nice, but man 2k oh man no wonder you were waiting to show us anything…

Immediately the graphical edge that was 2k7 (arguably the best looking sports title last year) is gone. the lighting looks bland and appears to blur the detail of anything in stadium.
The videos HOPEFULLY ONLY the video stream/footage were choppy. As choppy as PS3 gameplay last year in some areas AND this is with the graphical downgrade. The game in genral looks completely the same as last years except for some nice signature stuff to 2k’s credit.

BUT i think we know where are sights are set for already with these previews.

MLB 08
Tomba321

I’ll try to be nice, but man 2k oh man no wonder you were waiting to show us anything…

Immediately the graphical edge that was 2k7 (arguably the best looking sports title last year) is gone. the lighting looks bland and appears to blur the detail of anything in stadium.
The videos HOPEFULLY ONLY the video stream/footage were choppy. As choppy as PS3 gameplay last year in some areas AND this is with the graphical downgrade. The game in genral looks completely the same as last years except for some nice signature stuff to 2k’s credit.

BUT i think we know where are sights are set for already with these previews.

MLB 08
Tomba321

I’ll try to be nice, but man 2k oh man no wonder you were waiting to show us anything…

Immediately the graphical edge that was 2k7 (arguably the best looking sports title last year) is gone. the lighting looks bland and appears to blur the detail of anything in stadium.
The videos HOPEFULLY ONLY the video stream/footage were choppy. As choppy as PS3 gameplay last year in some areas AND this is with the graphical downgrade. The game in genral looks completely the same as last years except for some nice signature stuff to 2k’s credit.

BUT i think we know where are sights are set for already with these previews.

MLB 08
Afroman

Wasn’t impressed..Pretty disappointed in the look of the game and the videos…I won’t rush to judgment though but at this early stage I cannot see myself playing that game over the SHOW based on the fact I’m playing the hell outta the SHOW Now and it has done nothing but continually wow me.

Nothing about 2k8 WOWS me
Afroman

Wasn’t impressed..Pretty disappointed in the look of the game and the videos…I won’t rush to judgment though but at this early stage I cannot see myself playing that game over the SHOW based on the fact I’m playing the hell outta the SHOW Now and it has done nothing but continually wow me.

Nothing about 2k8 WOWS me
Afroman

Wasn’t impressed..Pretty disappointed in the look of the game and the videos…I won’t rush to judgment though but at this early stage I cannot see myself playing that game over the SHOW based on the fact I’m playing the hell outta the SHOW Now and it has done nothing but continually wow me.

Nothing about 2k8 WOWS me
Afroman

Wasn’t impressed..Pretty disappointed in the look of the game and the videos…I won’t rush to judgment though but at this early stage I cannot see myself playing that game over the SHOW based on the fact I’m playing the hell outta the SHOW Now and it has done nothing but continually wow me.

Nothing about 2k8 WOWS me
HustlinOwl

Also teased is a “new mode” that IGN isn’t allowed to speak on yet. It’ll be interesting to find out what that is but it’ll be hard to match a standalone mode like “Road to the Show”. It’s tough to judge the game on the mechanics that have been changed for this year until actually getting an opportunity to try that out making the expected demo in February that much more important.

All they are going to show us here is the damn pokemon battle with cards.
HustlinOwl

Also teased is a “new mode” that IGN isn’t allowed to speak on yet. It’ll be interesting to find out what that is but it’ll be hard to match a standalone mode like “Road to the Show”. It’s tough to judge the game on the mechanics that have been changed for this year until actually getting an opportunity to try that out making the expected demo in February that much more important.

All they are going to show us here is the damn pokemon battle with cards.
HustlinOwl

Also teased is a “new mode” that IGN isn’t allowed to speak on yet. It’ll be interesting to find out what that is but it’ll be hard to match a standalone mode like “Road to the Show”. It’s tough to judge the game on the mechanics that have been changed for this year until actually getting an opportunity to try that out making the expected demo in February that much more important.

All they are going to show us here is the damn pokemon battle with cards.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I know that they go and give sites like IGN the chance to put out videos and previews because of their traffic. But I don’t get why they put their trust in these jackballs to represent their game properly. They should send out preview discs to a few other places that would do so. I doubt people would be freaking out like they are right now if I had gotten the chance to do some full game videos. Not to mention they could do some themselves or even update the game’s website at some point.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I know that they go and give sites like IGN the chance to put out videos and previews because of their traffic. But I don’t get why they put their trust in these jackballs to represent their game properly. They should send out preview discs to a few other places that would do so. I doubt people would be freaking out like they are right now if I had gotten the chance to do some full game videos. Not to mention they could do some themselves or even update the game’s website at some point.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I know that they go and give sites like IGN the chance to put out videos and previews because of their traffic. But I don’t get why they put their trust in these jackballs to represent their game properly. They should send out preview discs to a few other places that would do so. I doubt people would be freaking out like they are right now if I had gotten the chance to do some full game videos. Not to mention they could do some themselves or even update the game’s website at some point.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

I know that they go and give sites like IGN the chance to put out videos and previews because of their traffic. But I don’t get why they put their trust in these jackballs to represent their game properly. They should send out preview discs to a few other places that would do so. I doubt people would be freaking out like they are right now if I had gotten the chance to do some full game videos. Not to mention they could do some themselves or even update the game’s website at some point.
Afroman

My sentiments exactly Padre…Why not at the very least capture their own promotional videos that really shows the game off as opposed to letting some dudes at IGN allow the games INTRO to the world spotlight last years biggest and most annoying problem???…I don’t get it?

I saw that initial HR and laughed thinking to myself…HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
Afroman

My sentiments exactly Padre…Why not at the very least capture their own promotional videos that really shows the game off as opposed to letting some dudes at IGN allow the games INTRO to the world spotlight last years biggest and most annoying problem???…I don’t get it?

I saw that initial HR and laughed thinking to myself…HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
Afroman

My sentiments exactly Padre…Why not at the very least capture their own promotional videos that really shows the game off as opposed to letting some dudes at IGN allow the games INTRO to the world spotlight last years biggest and most annoying problem???…I don’t get it?

I saw that initial HR and laughed thinking to myself…HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
Afroman

My sentiments exactly Padre…Why not at the very least capture their own promotional videos that really shows the game off as opposed to letting some dudes at IGN allow the games INTRO to the world spotlight last years biggest and most annoying problem???…I don’t get it?

I saw that initial HR and laughed thinking to myself…HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
Eski

I actually thought the visuals were comparable to last year, if not a little bit better.

The comment of the cloth physics looking “wonky”, I noticed in the Big Papi video that his jersey looked as if it were bubbling.

I never pass judgment on a game until I can see it on my 50″ HDTV and have the opportunity to play it. I can’t wait for the demo.