Major League Baseball 2K10 Review

When last year’s Major League Baseball 2k9 development duties were abruptly passed from Kush Games to Visual Concepts prior to the game’s release, it was like a wide-sweeping rooster change for a playoff-bound ball club. While some of the fundamentals were undoubtedly displayed, there were enough on-field gaffes to tarnish the most resolute fan’s admiration.

Just in time for spring training, MLB 2K10 has hit the field, showing a significant amount of progress garnered in the offseason. Although the game isn’t flawless- it still makes the sporadic, inexplicable error, 2K10 is undeniably enjoying. It’s also the first time the title has presented a real challenge against crosstown rival MLB: The Show, which is widely considered the top contemporary baseball diversion.

An essential element in any baseball game is an appealing and intense recreation of the showdown between pitcher and batter. Fortunately, 2K10’s confrontations are well-engineered, and often smolder with intensity. When on the mound, players select a throw from each pitcher’s repertoire, using the right stick to determine the ball’s intended destination. The actual pitch requires a two-step release: first players move the left stick in a specified direction, then they sweep the stick in prescribed movement once an on-screen reticle is filled. Flubbing any part of the gesture can lead to an under or overthrown, or even wild pitch; making each strike thrown feel like a small achievement. While pitching can be cumbersome at first, within a few games players will be throwing breaking balls with major league accuracy.

Hitting also utilizes the analog sticks for an ample variety of batting options. Swinging is recreated with the right stick, and offers players the ability to make contact with the ball, take a defense swipe, or aim for the fences with a power swing. If contact is made, the direction that the left nub is pressed can influence the ball’s trajectory, as players can send choppers through the midfield, drop one in the gap, or send a screamer down either side of the field. Hitting is appreciatively challenging on the game’s upper difficulty levels, and circumventing the homefests evident in 2K9.

Following a contemporary trend in sports titles, MLB 2K10 allows players to design a custom player, and guide his ascension from the Double-A minors into the big leagues. Virtual athletes are given experience points to spend on a wide variety of skills, and well as the ability of modify the name, likeness, and built of their player. Enjoyment of the My Player component will likely hinge on a gamer’s desired position on the team. Playing as a pitcher will present participants with adrenaline-filled trials, such as maintaining a modest lead, while catchers are often tasked with irregular pop-up catches. Regardless of a gamer’s position choice, each successful play is rewarded with points that can be used to bolster your athlete’s abilities.

Another prevalent facet of contemporary sports games is the ability to continually update the game’s stats to mirror their real-world counterparts. Players saw this in NBA 2K10’s NBA Today element, and MLB 2K10 offers this noteworthy component as well. Being able to jump right in to any current game, and play with actual team line-ups, and up to the minute stats is undeniably enjoyable and well worth the 20-30 seconds it takes for 2K10 to update every time it’s loaded up.  

While MLB 2K10 does many things right, it might allow frustrate fastidious baseball aficionados. Playing through a nine-inning game without seeing the AI make at least a few dubious decisions is improbable. I’ve witnessed baserunning aptitude that recalled little league proficiency, fielders who seemed unaccountably distracted, and trades that should have been scoffed at. While these quirks can spoil the game’s sense of immersion, rarely are they so infuriating that gamers will want to stop playing. Hopefully, Visual Concepts will eliminate most of these idiosyncrasies next season.

One of these largest graphical flaws of the MLB 2K series has been its floundering framerate. Fortunately, this has been remedied in MLB 2K10; during play, the refresh rate rarely faltered, even when playing again online opponents. Generally, the game is visually pleasing with well-drawn stadiums and a healthy amount of animation routines, only being sullied by the bland crowds and occasional poorly rendered player face. Sonically, the game’s commentary by Steve Phillips, Gary Thorne and John Kruk is consistently amazing, and might fool listeners into thinking they are eavesdropping on an actual game.