Initial impressions and videos from The Show’s demo

by pastapadre
Posted February 14th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

The demo for MLB 08: The Show was released for the PS3 earlier today. After having gotten to play through it a few times I’m already confident in saying that this has the potential to be the best baseball game to date. That comes from someone who still looks back at MVP 05 as still holding that title.

The demo features the Colorado Rockies @ Boston Red Sox with Jeff Francis and Josh Beckett on the mound. It loads into the start of the game bypassing the main menu. Go to the pause menu to change the team being controlled. By scrolling to the right in the pause menu it is possible to change all sorts of options including difficulty, pitching interface, indicators and displays, pitching/batting/fielding views, and gameplay sliders.

I’ve added some quick thoughts along with videos from a full play through broken down by inning. Check out the broken bat near the end of the 2nd and the double play turned just prior to that.

The graphics look great, an obvious improvement over 07 and given what had been shown from the game so far that doesn’t come as a surprise.

The game just feels really good both in terms of pacing and flow with no framerate issues encountered.

Noticed the variable umps. You’ll see in the videos how I wasn’t getting the calls on the outside.

It seemed much tougher to pinpoint pitches which is a good thing.

Good amount and variety of foul balls.

Some great stat overlays. When Matt Holiday first came up it showed the top hitters by average in day games.

Had a couple mishandled grounders by fielders which keeps me on my toes.

The guess pitch now raises on the hitter’s side of the screen and shows the pitches and corresponding buttons.

David Ortiz showed some emotion in the dugout after the game ended. Great touch.

MLB 08: The Show demo 1st inning from pastapadre on Vimeo.

MLB 08: The Show demo 2nd inning from pastapadre on Vimeo.

MLB 08: The Show demo 3rd inning from pastapadre on Vimeo.

Tags: Videos

Mark

[quote comment="13483"]I really do not understand how this game can not implement player tendencies/routines like the sign style in 2k. Game looks good- but really generic. I feel like I am watching RBI basball on my Genesis.[/quote]

If 2K or The Show would blend their games together we would have a perfect baseball game.

Things I like about The Show are:

-Smooth gameplay
-better ball physics
-faster looking pitch speeds
-great day-time lighting(although they need progressive shadows).
-better looking jerseys

Don’t like about The Show:
-stubby looking players (arms and legs are too short)
-pitchers don’t follow-through when they pitch; they short arm everything as do the fielders
-no progressive shadows

Things I like about MLB 2K8

-signature style
-player models are more proportionate
-progressive shadows

Don’t like about MLB 2K8

-terrible bat-on-ball sounds
-ball physics need work
-jerseys don’t look very good; bland textures in jerseys, too much of a “bubbly” look when the wind is blowing
-animations could be much smoother; everything just looks akward when the players first step in the box and do their practice swings….

In conclusion, if the show would have signature style like 2K I would definitely consider picking up a ps3…. but until then, I will stick with my 360…..
Mark

[quote comment="13483"]I really do not understand how this game can not implement player tendencies/routines like the sign style in 2k. Game looks good- but really generic. I feel like I am watching RBI basball on my Genesis.[/quote]

If 2K or The Show would blend their games together we would have a perfect baseball game.

Things I like about The Show are:

-Smooth gameplay
-better ball physics
-faster looking pitch speeds
-great day-time lighting(although they need progressive shadows).
-better looking jerseys

Don’t like about The Show:
-stubby looking players (arms and legs are too short)
-pitchers don’t follow-through when they pitch; they short arm everything as do the fielders
-no progressive shadows

Things I like about MLB 2K8

-signature style
-player models are more proportionate
-progressive shadows

Don’t like about MLB 2K8

-terrible bat-on-ball sounds
-ball physics need work
-jerseys don’t look very good; bland textures in jerseys, too much of a “bubbly” look when the wind is blowing
-animations could be much smoother; everything just looks akward when the players first step in the box and do their practice swings….

In conclusion, if the show would have signature style like 2K I would definitely consider picking up a ps3…. but until then, I will stick with my 360…..
TRD Supra

will the game have a swing stick?
TRD Supra

will the game have a swing stick?
http://www.pastapadre.com/ joe

dude i love u and this game cant wait and i have a question is joba chamberline in it cause i love that dude
http://www.pastapadre.com joe

dude i love u and this game cant wait and i have a question is joba chamberline in it cause i love that dude
MarinerFan

So I just got done playing about the fifth game of the demo. I was a little upset because I used the Red Sox every time and didn’t hit a single home run. Then in the bottom of the third with 2 outs Big Papi came up and hit a shot to win the game. The celebration afterwords was awesome. I have never seen a baseball game do that before. I wonder what it’s like when you win the world series. I hope it’s not like the typical 30 second BS celebration.
MarinerFan

So I just got done playing about the fifth game of the demo. I was a little upset because I used the Red Sox every time and didn’t hit a single home run. Then in the bottom of the third with 2 outs Big Papi came up and hit a shot to win the game. The celebration afterwords was awesome. I have never seen a baseball game do that before. I wonder what it’s like when you win the world series. I hope it’s not like the typical 30 second BS celebration.
abima

All the players look the same
All all the same size
abima

All the players look the same
All all the same size
MarinerFan

Um…. I’m pretty sure that Big Papi looks a bit larger then say… The Rockies center fielder Willie Tavares. Ortiz could be a little larger and I understand what your saying but they still did a good job. It’s not like there are just two or three body types.
MarinerFan

Um…. I’m pretty sure that Big Papi looks a bit larger then say… The Rockies center fielder Willie Tavares. Ortiz could be a little larger and I understand what your saying but they still did a good job. It’s not like there are just two or three body types.
rac2873

This game was desinged for High Def and 16X9. These videos do not do it justice.

Drew chasing a ball in right looks just like a real game.

Ellsbury look exactly like he does in real life and his batting stance is dead on.

The graphics are amazing the players do not look stubby in fact they look real to life. Pedroia is short in the game just like in real life.
rac2873

This game was desinged for High Def and 16X9. These videos do not do it justice.

Drew chasing a ball in right looks just like a real game.

Ellsbury look exactly like he does in real life and his batting stance is dead on.

The graphics are amazing the players do not look stubby in fact they look real to life. Pedroia is short in the game just like in real life.
dkphoenix2k8

I played this demo… The game is going to be sick. The graphics have gotten better if that was possible. You should have a look at Manny’s pine tar helmet if that gives you any idea… The gameplay is solid as always and some of the new innovations with RTTS is going to make things very interesting… You now have to pay attention to the signs that the third base coach gives when you’re at bat and on the basepaths as well as signs on defense… I can not wait for March 4th to get here…
dkphoenix2k8

I played this demo… The game is going to be sick. The graphics have gotten better if that was possible. You should have a look at Manny’s pine tar helmet if that gives you any idea… The gameplay is solid as always and some of the new innovations with RTTS is going to make things very interesting… You now have to pay attention to the signs that the third base coach gives when you’re at bat and on the basepaths as well as signs on defense… I can not wait for March 4th to get here…