Being a big baseball fan like I am, I was a bit skeptical when I found out there was going to be a new series of "2K" games coming out. But after NFL 2K5 (my first ever Xbox game), I figured "Hey, with that price you can't really go wrong." After playing NFL, I was amazingly surprised and pleased. So when I heard about this game in the 2K series, I jumped on it. Although I had already bought MVP 2K5, I knew someone would want the one I didn't, so I popped ESPN into the ol' Xbox, and WHOLLA! From the minute I popped that sucker in (about 4 pm) to the minute I stopped playing (1 am), I was impressed. I will go ahead and break down all of my favorite game features for you, in all of its glory.
Baserunning: OOOOHHHH boy do I love this. Once you get a hit, and put a runner on base, you have the option of playing as the baserunner or the batter. Depending on the players involved, I usually chose the runner. It shows you the runner's speed and gives you slight control of the batter (i.e., you can make him take a pitch, swing at one, bunt, and other things). And maximum sliding takes advantage of the right analog stick so that you can slide head or feet first or slide and avoid the tag. Baserunning is a BLAST with this feature.
Fielding: I love the rush you get when you rob a player of a homer or make a diving catch to save a run! And MLB 2K5 does not disappoint on this feature. Using the right analog stick, you can make a diving catch, rob a foul thats going into the stands, or my favorite, rob a home run!
Pitching: Pitching in this game is the best I have ever seen. Using the K-zone feature, you align dots to create accuracy, and the sensitivity is cool too. Hold down the button for more velocity, but less accuracy, and vice versa.
Franchise mode: I have a hard time playing this game without franchise mode. MANY MANY options are available for setup, including custom budgets, fantasy draft, and General Manager mode. I love doing a fantasy draft and having almost all the teams even. It's my favorite feature of the game and when you buy it, I'm sure it will be yours too.
Sportscasters: One of the things that impressed me when I played this for the first couple of games in franchise mode, is that Jon Miller and Joe Morgan will know the day of the week that you are playing. And you don't hear them repeating phrases too much. As a matter of fact, I've had this game for about three months now and I am still hearing things for the first time.
Skybox: Just like in NFL 2K5, you have your own place (three skyboxes available), for your records and games and unlockables. I don't spend too much time in here, but it's fun when you're bored to just go in and play some xbox air hockey or something.
Home run derby: With four available modes of play in HR Derby, you are always entertained. Standard - Whoever hits the most homers in the given time is the winner. Score - Player with the most total feet hit in the given time wins. You can also call your shots to get extra points, but if you call the wrong way, you lose points. Tag Team - You pick three players in the major leagues to put on your team. Each player costs a certain amount of points and you only have a given amount. The team with the most homers in the time limit wins. Team - Just like Tag Team, but the first team to have all their members hit a HR, wins.
And finally, In your face mode: Basically a regular game, but for doing certain tasks, you get "Face Points" which are used to take away something for the opposing team (e.g., diving catches).
SO....I wanna thank you all for listening to me, and I hope to see this game on your list sometime soon!
