1UP justifies SCEA’s pulled prerelease support with MLB 08 review
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Back in early January I wrote an article regarding how a few companies had decided to no longer provide 1UP/EGM with prerelease copies of their games. The companies in question felt that they were not being treated fairly and that they could go to other outlets instead. This wasn’t a case of trying to buy off reviews. Instead it was simply wanting their titles to be treated with the proper level of respect. There is obviously no way to stop them from reviewing the game however they weren’t going to provide them with the copies to do so.
One of those companies was SCEA who produces the MLB The Show franchise. Last year 1UP gave MLB 07 a ridiculous 5.5 which was the lowest score the game received. While people will concentrate on the low score the text of the review was riddled with misinformation and factual mistakes.
1UP has just posted its review of MLB 08: The Show giving it a score in their new rating scale of a B-. That equates out to a 6.7 per their system (of C=5) which is how Metacritic converted it. That is the second lowest score given to the game with only the embarrassing 6/10 from X-Play coming in below it. No other media outlet has even scored the game below an 8. Believe it or not this makes it two straight years that The Show is rated lower than 2K’s franchise by 1UP. This year MLB 2K8 on the PS3 got a 7.5 from them. Lets take a look at some of the points made in the review.
Sliding into a base kicks up a convincing cloud of dust, but it comes from a brown basepath that doesn’t really look like dirt. Wrigley Field’s ivy-covered walls look fine when seen from afar, but as the outfielder approaches, all that foliage looks more like bad wallpaper.
I really don’t even know what to say to this. That a one page review goes and cites these type of things early on is a sign of things to come.
lackluster commentary detracts from the whole experience. Sony brought in a professional sportscaster team anchored by San Diego Padres play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian, but they sound almost bored and isolated in their parts, as if they were recorded in separate studios.
If The Show’s commentary is “lackluster” I wonder how 2K8’s would be labeled. At the very least they call the Tampa Bay Rays by their name and didn’t just cut out the word “devil” and splice the remaining audio back together (as 2K8 did). The commentary is actually excellent and is often cited as one of the strong points of The Show.
But it’s unnecessarily small, compressing the movement of the meter, and even for ace pitchers it moves so fast you’re just stabbing at the buttons rather than getting in rhythm with the motion.
What??? Seriously, if you can’t handle the feel of a pitching meter maybe playing a baseball game isn’t for you. It has always felt natural timing wise going with each pitcher’s motion.
To make matters worse, even nailing the perfect release doesn’t guarantee results. This is where that pitch meter comes back into play. A pitcher who’s lost it on a given pitch won’t put that pitch where you want it no matter how well you groove the meter….While your pitcher is doing well, the system succeeds at giving you a sensation of accurate location and control….But when it starts to unravel, it falls apart completely. Give up a run and your confidence takes such a hit that every pitch suffers. Make one mistake with the touchy meter and a pitch can be rendered nearly unthrowable.
Ironically the meter is being knocked here for making it difficult to spot pitches at times. The opposite is the usual argument, so far as 2K determined they needed a whole new system to try and replicate the sometimes erratic nature of pitching. Please, if anyone has ever experienced the inability to control their pitches completely in the Show, speak up. I don’t expect anyone will.
Could this review be retribution on 1UP’s part? Possibly, but it’s hard to believe they would’ve given the game a fair review regardless considering their history of overall poor reviews for all sports games. So kudos to Sony for taking a stand and not putting up with the mistreatment of The Show. This review from 1UP just proved it was the right decision.
When it comes down to it MLB 08 The Show has two areas where it could really use improvement. Collision detection and online play. Funny though that they weren’t even mentioned as detractions in the 1UP review. In my assessment other than those two things the game shines as one of the most enjoyable, deep, and well made sports titles ever. So if I were to grade it out I would look at those downfalls, how much they meant to me, and measure that against everything else. In the case of online play (as disappointing as it can be at times) MLB 2K8 is actually worse in that area. So while the game isn’t perfect, it’s clearly the best baseball game available despite 1UP and X-Play trying to convince otherwise. If you haven’t already checked it out make sure to read my MLB 2K8 vs MLB 08: The Show comparison article.
March 20, 2008 at 12:05 pm
[quote comment="15850"]hey pasta? you sound too much like a MLB:The Show defender. Some of the points the guys made at 1up like the weak play by play and graphic detail is correct. I also think you’ve overstated this framerate problem in 2k8, is there some stutter, yes, for no little than 1/8 of a second, nothing that makes it unplayable, and your comments made it easy for any kid to download the 2k demo and bash it. Its so easy to get the public to be negative about something nowadays, it seemed like you tossed a meatball to your Sony/EA FanBoys to knock 2k. I’ve played both, The SHOW is like most games on PS3, its the same game engine, but with HD graphics. Nothing stands out in that game. Clearly the Pitching in 2k is intimidating, but when you really play both games, 2k is better. The Presentation is better, Sounds of the game, The Franchise, and the player stats. Sorry Pasta, I’m not feeling you on this one. You’ve been exposed, you’re a Sony/EA Fanboy[/quote]
Give me a break. You know nothing about baseball games.
Why don’t you come after me next? Go back and read all my previous posts standing up for 2k, being objective, even ripping on the Show for the same reasons you guys are (non analog scheme,etc). Well I played it and was completely wrong. The Show is absolutely amazing- and I will say it again, the 2K game that I completely defended and stood up for is a MAJOR downgrade from 2k7. The game DOESN’T RUN AS SMOOTH AS GRIFFEY ON N64. How can you all know that, and then try and say the game doesn’t have a problem?? If it didn’t have a problem, why was it patched within 24 hours of it’s release?
Like I said before- people ripping the Show are just mad because it’s a PS3 exclusive and they only own 360- I was one of those people a few weeks back, bashing Sony and the Show because I was just mad I didn’t have a PS3 to try the game out on. Well after biting the bullet, buying a PS3 and the Show, I can clearly say that it is far superior to 2K8, not to mention any baseball game that has been released to date.
Stop bashing a game because you don’t have the system it is exclusive for. I GUARANTEE that if the Show was cross platform people would not be playing 2K–did anyone play 2k when MVP 04-05 was released? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Blame 2K for making a garbage exclusive game and making you all play it if you own a 360- not the Show for being an excellent game.
March 20, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Where 2k’s framerate would be most the annoying, would be in their batter/pitcher interface…and it’s clearly not. Everyone and their mother are running with the fps thing. When the patch finally is released and framerate is restored at a constant 60, where are you guys gonna attack next? Things like commentary can be turned off. Sliders are put in for more SIM players but 2k sets the default for casual guys to pick up and play…what’s wrong w/that?? Both games are good and both need to improve. OPINIONS ARE OPINIONS-
BTW, Pasta thx for the NHL08 roster update. I’ve been coming here more l8ly and appreciate the heads up…
March 20, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Why is Bumblebee acting immature and flaming us on which game we like better? Why so serious?? I have both systems and have played both! I wish the two games merged ideas and features actually. I just don’t think Bumbler’s got what it takes to be competitive in 2k’s offering and chooses to bash it instead…grow up. You can always go back to classic bro.
March 20, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I have my doubts that the patch will fix the framerate dramatically. They’ve been aware of the framerate problem for months and didn’t address it then and their “workaround” right now only improves it to an extent. Plus the PS3 people don’t even get that. The game isn’t just going to magically run at 60fps after the patch…
March 20, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I just want to know why so many people consider MVP ‘05 the “Holy Grail” of baseball games. I picked it up recently to see what all the fuss was about and while I enjoy it, I had to set some EXTREME sliders to get any realistic games out of it. I do like the minor leagues and franchise modes though.
March 20, 2008 at 3:53 pm
MLB 2K8 is the best baseball game I’ve ever played.
March 20, 2008 at 4:42 pm
so just to show that the patch is no guarantee that the main issues would be fixed (at least completely) today the Bully patch came (another Take Two title) that was supposed to fix framerate and freezing issues. Apparently not only hasn’t it fixed them but some people are saying its made things worse.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/bully-patch-now-on-live-but-does-it-fix-anything/
March 20, 2008 at 6:55 pm
[quote comment="15859"]Why is Bumblebee acting immature and flaming us on which game we like better? Why so serious?? I have both systems and have played both! I wish the two games merged ideas and features actually. I just don’t think Bumbler’s got what it takes to be competitive in 2k’s offering and chooses to bash it instead…grow up. You can always go back to classic bro.[/quote]
What are you talking about? I can go back to classic? When was I having a hard time/ ripping on 2k’s control scheme? I don’t have what it takes to be competitive? I don’t even play 2k8 because it is terrible, so why would I care if I was “competitive”? That’s like me trying to call you out in a game of Double Dribble….desperate much?
I love baseball games and I call it like I see it. I’m happy you guys are all liking 2k8, but the whole point of this story by Pasta wasn’t which game you enjoy more, it was how did 1up kill MLB and praise 2K8. I’m pretty sure all my posts illustrate why The Show should have gotten higher praise from the 1up crew.
March 20, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Ohh..and you call me immature yet you make a “witty” spin on my name…you’re awesome **two thumbs up!**
March 21, 2008 at 1:20 am
This is such a no-brainer. The Show 08 PS3 is the best rendition of the game of baseball on a gaming platform. It is just that simple. I have played every baseball game since the Intellivision. I have played on the field at the college and pro levels. I have played with and against some of the games biggest names in the last 20 years, so I have the background to just put it out there. The Show is the most polished, mentally deep, intuitive baseball game yet.
You know you have a true baseball gaming experience when all the arcade controls take a back seat to the mental aspects of the game, because the controls are so intuitive and smooth. The chess match between a pitcher and batter comes to the surface. Why is that? Because you are not worried about throwing a meatball down the middle every time you miss your timing or the stick screws up. That is not the game of baseball. That is a poor arcade approach to the game that doesnt work. Plain and simple. It is not real sim baseball.
What is real sim baseball? Having realistic pitch physics, deep pitch counts with many foul balls, pitchers sometimes throwing 100 pitches by the 6th inning. When have you seen that in a video baseball game before? Never. I dont care if the game doesnt use an analog method if the end results are realistic. Again, no-brainer.
I applaude 2K for trying something out of the box, but their execution is half-arsed. At least until it is fixed. I had alot of fun with 2k7-360 after the late June patch came out. Bought the Classic ballparks too. I saw the little fixes that were tweaking the game for the better the last half of 07 too. 2k7 actually took me away from my fully modded MVP 05 PC game that I had played for a few years. So I had high hopes for 2k8. But, after playing The Show 08 demo on my new PS3, I knew they were in completely different leagues and The Show had set a new standard that all other baseball games were to be measured against from that point.
That is not opinion, it is common sense fact based on a foundation of 25+ years of experience, on and off the field. And I feel hopeful that those of you who dont get it yet, someday will. This is the Holy Grail of Baseball people, plain and simple and to miss the boat because of some arcade analog control gimmic is just plain ignorant. The novelty wore off very quickly with 2k8, especially with the framerate issues. By the way, the 360 2k8 runs quite a bit better at 720P than 1080. The PS3 2k8 is brutal at 720 or 1080.
I have had mostly great online game experiences with The Show. I have a TW Roadrunner 10 Mbps connection. Sometimes it is butter smooth, but once in awhile there will be lag issues. I played a guy from Canada and I am in Southern California and it was perfectly smooth. I love how it keeps your accumalative online stats, too. I’m talking about full pitching and batting stats!
The AI is really top-notch from on-field strategy to roster/lineup decisions, you feel like you are playing an intelligent pro level player that truly understands the game.
I never played The Show 07 or any of The Show games before, so I cant say what the improvements are in 08. Just that this game is what baseball people have been waiting for. The combination of hand/eye skill incorporated with all the true mental aspects of the game rolled into one amazing package.
I would like to see collision detection between players and Classic ballparks in future versions. I really love some of the Spring Training ballparks, even if not accurate and some fictional. The North Arizona one is great. Check it out.
I have played about 25 games online now and around 20 games offline and I am still seeing new things, that make you appreciate the efforts/execution that Sony has achieved here.
Bravo Sony!
Some people will never “get it”. They are just wired differently. Those are the ones that play RPGs and Mario games. Alot of people dont get Sports or maybe just Baseball. Those people should not be writing reviews that are so far off the mark, that they make a fool out of themselves. And people in the know, see it for what it is. Those that dont, suck it up, look in the mirror, and make the adjustments, or just move along, to where your genetics do allow you to fit in.
Common sense, people, common sense. You cant fit a square peg into a round hole. Sometimes, it’s not the other guy, it’s you!
March 21, 2008 at 2:31 am
I sold my 360 along with 2k8 and all other games to purchase the PS3 just for the one reason… MLB 08 the show. I could not stand MLB 2k8. I am going to hold back on my full opinion of the games, but want to add…. MLB 08 The Show, made me fall for baseball gaming alll over again. I can finally retire my EA sports MVP 2005…
March 21, 2008 at 6:11 am
Seriously – is there like a The Show Defense League that you’re required to sign up for when you purchse this game? Anywhere on the Internet if anyone says some aspect of the game is only fair to middlin’, all of a sudden a swarm of fans come swooping in –
In this thread alone:
” are u nuts … then u are retarded”
“a bunch of idiots there (sic) babies”
“know what you’re talking about before you say something dumb”
“anything less than a 8 is just a plain hater … PERIOD”
“to even defend 2K8 is a joke”
“give me a break, you know nothing about baseball games”
“those are the ones who play RPG’s and Mario games”
I don’t think a single person, or review has called The Show a “bad” game. Likewise we need to acknowledge some people have different opinions and that’s, you know, OK.
I’ll never understand why some people feel the need to trash what someone else likes, or spend time defending something they like
If someone came on here and said they thought Intellivision baseball was still the baseball sim ever, I’d disagree with them and leave it at that and not try to tell him he’s an idiot or stupid or convince him NOT to have fun with it
Just enjoy what you want to – not anyone’s job to police how other people should enjoy what they want to
March 21, 2008 at 7:41 am
Let me tell you all something… I currently have in my posession The Show which was rented. I bought 2K8 for the 360. Now, I’m thinking the PS3 sucks period, IMHO. But the fact is, 2K8 is better than the Show simply because it’s more fun.
I grew really tired and bored of The Show, despite its better graphics. It’s all about gameplay and presentation man! The Show doesn’t have any “shows” like 2K8’s intro, 7th inning and post-game “shows”. lol
March 21, 2008 at 9:59 am
as mentioned in above post
“I grew really tired and bored of The Show, despite its better graphics. It’s all about gameplay and presentation man! The Show doesn’t have any “shows” like 2K8’s intro, 7th inning and post-game “shows”. lol”
Talking about presentation and gamplay, I owned MLB 2K8 and I can’t count the number of times an easy grounder to second base would still result in an infield single, to a guy like Frank Thomas! All because the second baseman decides to double pump before he LOBS!! the ball to firstbase, after the play though, the team whips the ball around the infeild. Great gameplay and awesome presentation, LOL, MLB 2K8 sold… Hello MLB 08 The Show. I’ll admit, a seen a few minor glitches in the 25 games I played with The Show, compared to the 25 glitches per game in 2K8… I can manage
March 21, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I am glad to see there are so many passionate gamers in this forum. This is where competition for developers, IMO, promotes innovation.
Both games are solid. Everyone will have an opinion and likes / dislikes of a specific game. Either way, if you enjoy one game more than the other, what you think is all that matters since it is your time you are spending with the game.
Console baseball is better than its ever been. Hitting and pitching is more realistic than in year’s past and the visuals are getting downright sick.
Either way, you can’t lose as long as your happy and, most importantly, having fun.
March 24, 2008 at 9:47 am
They gave Madden 08 an A… how can you trust any review from these guys???
March 24, 2008 at 12:34 pm
[quote comment="15895"]-
I’ll never understand why some people feel the need to trash what someone else likes, or spend time defending something they like
If someone came on here and said they thought Intellivision baseball was still the baseball sim ever, I’d disagree with them and leave it at that and not try to tell him he’s an idiot or stupid or convince him NOT to have fun with it
Just enjoy what you want to – not anyone’s job to police how other people should enjoy what they want to[/quote]
Exactly, so quit taking it personally that you like an arcade game that isnt ready for primetime yet, and the majority like a true sim game. No big deal, just move along. Maybe one day, you will get it. Until then, better to be thought a fool, then to speak and remove all doubt.
March 26, 2008 at 12:57 pm
[quote comment="15859"]Why is Bumblebee acting immature and flaming us on which game we like better? Why so serious?? I have both systems and have played both! I wish the two games merged ideas and features actually. I just don’t think Bumbler’s got what it takes to be competitive in 2k’s offering and chooses to bash it instead…grow up. You can always go back to classic bro.[/quote]
You little boy are clueless. Go play your Wii.