Graphically Impressive but is Riddled with Flaws
The previous installment, MLB 2K7, actually wasn't too bad of an effort but had a few flaws. So the natural idea from fans was that 2K8 would fix the flaws and create a great game. Unfortunately 2K8 not only keeps the same flaws, they've added a whole list of new ones.
The first and most popular flaw is this games pitching system. At first glance, it seems like a great concept but it is almost impossible to master. The pitching system has all been put on the right analog stick and each pitch is determined by how you move the stick. The biggest flaw about this is that no matter how hard you try your pitch will almost always be different then you want it to be. I tried throwing a curve ball several times and kept getting a fast ball and i wasn't even moving the analog stick in the direction for a fast ball.
Almost everything has been moved to the right analog stick, including batting, infield and outfield throwing. The latter is actually fairly well done. Infield and outfield throwing is actually the more simple out of all of it but you will have some moments when you think you threw the ball hard only to see your ball take five minutes to reach a base. Batting however, is almost as difficult as pitching, mainly because it's tough to get the timing of the pitches. Everytime you think your on the mark, you end up being way off.
And if it couldn't get any worse, actually winning a baseball game is also tough, even on Rookie Mode. This also falls back to the pitching. There seems to always be moments in the game where almost every pitch you throw will result in a Home Run and yet when you go up to bat, you hits almost always go straight to one of the basemen.
Unfortunately Online also falls into one of the flaws of this game and it mainly has to do with its framerate. No matter what connection you have it always seems to skip and that makes playing the game much harder.
The only highlight about this game that i could find is within its visuals. This game is very impressive with its graphics and animations. The players a very realistic and movements are very good.
Overall, what could have been a great game ultimately turns into a very poor effort by 2K sports and probably makes most of us wish that EA was still doing Baseball.