Online Baseball Night One Recap
March 6, 2008 by pastapadre
Just wanted to drop a few thoughts on the handful of games I got played this evening. Thanks to everyone who participated and hopefully we’ll be able to organize the nights on a weekly basis like has been done with the Online Team Play for NBA Live 08. Anyone who sent me an invite that I wasn’t able to get to I look forward to playing in the near future. Below are details on how two of the games I played turned out.
The night started off with a game of MLB 2K8 against Reeso2991. It was played on default settings although unranked (since the only way you can play ranked seems to be through quick match which is lame). A combined 16 homeruns (12 from me, 4 from him) and 15 doubles to 14 singles were recorded. I came out on top 26-9 and that was with me trying to avoid hitting HRs in the final four innings but it didn’t work. Everything gets hit up into the air in this game.
Pitching wise I had things under control but the swing stick and hitting system is flawed, overly simple, and any lag just compounds on that. It becomes a guessing game where you swing and hope that the opposing pitcher threw a meatball or were off by just enough. The difference is a home run or smashed double vs a pop-out. And you pretty much have to swing as soon as the pitcher releases since it is practically impossible to read a pitch and react accordingly with the lag and how early you have to commit with the stick anyway.
Upping the difficulty I’m sure would bring the scores down but ranked games are unfortunately locked into the defaults. It still wouldn’t change how much the swing stick over-simplifies hitting all the while creating a frustrating experience due to the disconnect that comes with the lack of control over the end result.
Switching over to The Show I had a fantastic game against MarinerFan. He went with the Mariners while I countered with the Royals. Click here for the SportsConnect box score. It was a pitching battle throughout but he held a 2-0 lead off a 2 run HR from Richie Sexson. Erik Bedard was dealing all game and had 14 strikeouts but he was replaced for a pinch hitter in the 8th inning. In came closer JJ Putz to close out the game which at that point had me feeling not too optimistic about the chances of a comeback.
However I led off the inning with 2 straight base hits and that brought up Alex Gordon. At this point I was ready to sacrifice the two runners over however I guessed a fastball up. As soon as I saw I had guessed correctly on both counts I crushed it, a no-doubter. That got me out of my seat I was so pumped up after that. Putz seemed to lose confidence as he had trouble throwing strikes after that. Another base hit set up a steal later in the inning and an insurance run crossed the plate off an RBI single. So it went into the bottom of the 9th with a 4-2 Royals lead. Closer Joakim Soria came in and shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning. That was a fantastic game and I had a lot of fun with it.
Check back tomorrow (Friday) morning for a full online play report covering both MLB 2K8 and MLB 08: The Show.
I have been playing a lot of MVP 05 lately. I have noticed that it also has way too many hits up the middle. The infielders are super human. Nothing gets over their heads. I either get homeruns or doubles and I was happy with that game. Now that my copy freezes every time in about the 4th inning, I think a buggy Mlb 2k8 will have to do. I guess I just remember MVP 05 as so great but in reality it is just really old now and even a buggy game is just as good.
wow 16 dingers,lol are you sure you guys weren’t playing The Bigs. Sounds like 2k7 how many where hit to center field.
so since you weren’t complaining about lag in the show i’m guessing there isn’t any?
there has been some for me, mainly when batting. not nearly as bad as last year.
There is lag. I played two games and the first wasn’t as bad as the second. It seems like the lag is mostly an issue for the person batting.
BustyBuffet wrote:
I’ll be explaining the lag situations I’ve faced in my next writeup.
Hey everyone…I picked up The Show yesterday (and its a great game, btw), but I am wondering about how the pitching meter actually works. I’m new to the series. I’m pitching well…but I am interested in the details of how this thing works.
I know that I am pressing X twice. Once when the meter gets into the yellow/red zone, and once when it comes back down into the blue zone with the white line in the center. I’m just unsure of what these zones represent. Is the yellow/red zone represent the power of the pitch or the break/action of the ball once pitched? I am also assuming the blue zone is the accuracy of the pitch? I could have this all backwords though and the instructions don’t really explain it.
Any info?
Thanks!
Thats sad they didn’t work on the game so everything isnt hit for a homerun. Im glad i bought a ps3.
Hey Brian, I think that what you said about the pitching meter is correct. However, I haven’t really noticed a difference in my pitching speeds when I let it go until the end of the meter and hit dead red. I am pretty sure that the blue line is your accuracy however, because if you miss it badly your pitch tends to be way off. I too would like some clarification on the red/yellow zone though. Anyone know for sure the pros/cons of hitting the red?
Pasta where are the regular lobbies in 2 k 8
TRD Supra wrote:
Is it possible people let up homeruns a lot because of the lag prevents you from timing out your pitches what causes you to throw meatballs. I’ve learn how to time out the lag and I barely let up homeruns online anymore. Matter of fact I just played a game last night 2-2 and we called it a tie in the 11th because no one was scoring. Maybe people just don’t know how to time out there pitches cause of lag and thats why they let up homeruns. If thats not the reason then maybe people need to learn how to pitch.
I think DA Yankees said it best. Online in MLB2k8 it’s too easy to throw up meatballs due to lag. Thats why there are more homeruns. I’ve had some decent games too with little to no homeruns when both sides know how to pitch.
If the lag gets fixed in MLB2k8 it will be fun online. I already love the game offline.
Pasta you desimated me, i dont know if it was you being able to master the game but jeez.
DA Yankees Win wrote:
No cause it was the same in 2k7 so they didnt change a thing.
which one would you suggest the show or 2k? im a little questionable about The Show because the NBA Version of the show is so bad
anthony wrote:
look for my comparison of the two games to be posted later this evening. That should give you an idea. Even though I don’t like to tell people what they should or shouldn’t buy based on my opinion, I think the over sentiment so strongly falls towards one game that I can feel confident in recommending that one over the other. Ultimately there are things to like about both games though but one has many more issues than the other.
pastapadre wrote:
LOL, Pasta, that was confusing as hell. It’s clear that The Show is superior this year, you can say it! =)