MLB 2K8 pitching practice video
March 4, 2008 by pastapadre
So MLB 2K8 has finally arrived and one of the most critical aspects of the game this year is the new right analog pitching mechanic. Given that there has been no demo and it can’t really be demonstrated through videos that has left a lot of people wondering how well it is going to work and how quickly they’ll get comfortable with it.
This video may do the best job of displaying that. At any point during a game you can pause and go to pitching practice. That is what I’ve done here. While this video doesn’t sound incredibly exciting, what’s interesting it is you can watch as I go from having never thrown a pitch this way to where I begin to pick it up and understand what I need to do. You get to watch as I work through it all.
I quickly realized that the movements have to be more precise than I expected and you need to hold the stick after completing the second movement until the ball is released. It really helps that it gives you feedback on the motion you made so you can compare and spot your mistakes. Once I figured those things out I was able to throw some successfully but I’m still at a point where I have to really concentrate to have any chance at avoiding a meatball. All of that occurred within the six minutes of this video. There is definitely a learning curve to it but so far I’m finding it enjoyable as I’m figuring it out and improving at it. Once I spend a little more time practicing I’ll give it a shot in a full game and post that up as well. Continue on to watch the video.
“At the end of the day the gameplay is hurt most by its lack of authenticity. As soon as the game starts up and you’re greeted by the voice of Jeanne Zelasko you’ll see that things just don’t move the way they should. This is most evident when you see the zany cloth physics that miraculously stay confined to the mid-section on all players. A baseball game’s look and feel should be that of a true broadcast and MLB 2K8 doesn’t quite clear the bar in that regard.”
This is an excerpt from the IGN review, which the reviewer scored 2K8 a 7.4. What I don’t understand is what does cloth physics have to do with gameplay???
I know this is one reviewer’s opinion but if there weren’t any cloth physics what would he have stated then?
It was really frustrating at first but I’m starting to get the hang of it. I find I really enjoy it so far, especially compared to the old ways. Innovation is a good thing, too bad Madden doesn’t have anyone to drive it to innovate.
Eski wrote:
I was wondering the same thing. What does it have to do with gameplay? MLB The Show has NO cloth physics what so ever.
I too found the right stick movements needed to be terribly precise - and I’ve already given up on tryng to gauge release point consistently. Even in the above video, after 6 minnutes the pitches were all vastly in the “meatball” category, and those WILL get a pitcher killed
There’s ALOT to like about this game, but I think this is the baseball equivalent of Madden’s Vision Cone - a great nod towards realism that went astray because the user mechanic was too wonky
I just got the game and all of the inside edge and ceratin pitches is really confusing.
Its also frustrating that you cant aim where you hit the ball or where u want to bat.
So is there a way to use classic button controls?
I’m starting to get the controls down but I’m still not at the point that I want to be at yet. I think the game is good but it is just frustrating learning the new controls. But
besides that it is a good game a 8.5/10.
well I’ve been playing for a while now, and while there are certain issues (I am not a big fan of the hitting, the framerate when ball is in play) and oddities (why so many flash bulbs in the crowd, player sprinting back to their positions after a play is over) the game is quite fun. I’ll have impressions up by tomorrow morning but a full game video will be coming in the next few hours.
I really enjoy and prefer the classic controls more.
I started on All Star and got raped like 11-0 in the 1st inning b/c i didnt know how to pitch.. yikes.. Im getting the hang of pitching but if you mess up they always get a hit or a homerun it seems, so im gonna bump difficulty down to Pro, get used to it, then start out my Franchise on All Star (or Pro if its still difficult)..
The only thing that bothers me alot is the choppy frame rate of this game.. No way this is 60 fps (i have the 360 copy). I really like the new throwing mechanics it seems ALOT more realistic, batting feels more realistic as well.
yea haha i havent won a game yet
hey pasta where do you go to practice pitching?
Pitching is still a little frustrating for me, at times I am unstoppable I even struck out the side but after about an inning or so I get shelled. It is a challenge to learn but still I am having a good time.
DirtyJerz32 wrote:
No cloth physics in The Show? My copy must be special because it’s certainly there. Cloth physics aren’t limited to overdone wind effects. A little subtlety goes a long way.
sean wrote:
during a single player game just hit start and its one of the options.
anyone having trouble with the online play. me and a buddy tried to play and all chopy and delayed then we played other people same thing. just seeing if anyone else had this problem?
Eski wrote:
because ign is clearly (pro EA) its evident with the score they gave madden 08 and that game was trash..pretty much the same way gametrailers do as well..ign is not a credible source of reviewing anything in my book anymore after clearly giving madden the score they did when it was broken…ign does not like 2k its clear and evident of that already..and they cant review anything.
Honestly, I could care less what any reviewer scores a game. If I like it, that is what matters most.
Sure, I am curious to read what the reviewer has to say but each reviewer weighs items more heavily than others. The person from IGN who reviewed 2K obviously felt that the visuals impacted gameplay.
I think the visuals don’t appear as sharp as last year’s game however the gameplay is much improved. Although there is a learning curve, the innovation is welcomed.
I find the pitching mechanic awesome. It makes it challenging and a little more realistic.
I played the Pirates and laid a fatty down the pipe, which was taken deep. I knew I had screwed up on my release and I paid for it. On the other hand, mixing up speed and location garnered me eight strikeouts, three looking.
2K may not be the prettiest game but it plays better than the reviews I read.
However, I am still anxious to get my hands on another PS3 and purchase The Show….
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