MLB 2k10 Review

Yesterday I got my copy of MLB 2k10 from Walmart.  I was really hoping the game would improve from last years version which was a let down to many.  The selection menu's were bad.  There weren't many fun game modes.  However, MLB 2k10 is like a whole new series.  The design is very different.  It is much more colorful and appealing to the eye.  As well the new My Player mode is very fun.  It is comparable to the popular Road to the Show mode in MLB the Show.  In this video game review I will grade the game on 5 different categories,design,game modes,graphics,selection menus,and achievements.


DESIGN 
Like I mentioned before the game is very colorful.  I like how they work in the video clips of the video game players.  For instance when you first turn on the game there's a clip of Evan Longoria with a very well done voice over.  It could be improved if the team ratings didn't scroll in.  When you are moving through teams the numbers scroll in slowly, therefore if I'm flying through ratings I may read 71 instead of 75.

GAME MODES 
The game has a franchise mode,playoff mode,and my player.  In the franchise mode you take control of a team and play through seasons,off-seasons,etc.  If the mlb.com section of it wasn't so confusing and didn't have all the articles on it, it would be much more useful.  Also to improve the game let teams have prospects.  It's not easy to trade for studs and improve your team.  If you trade for a stud it will cost you some of your best players.  If you could have prospects with peak ratings it would be easier to contend or rebuild.

 

The my player mode is very fun.  Being able to sim to at bats and fielding plays saves a lot of time and lets you   play more seasons.  The way the skill points works is much better then Road to the Show in my opinion.  Instead of having one total of points the points are divided into 3 sections for hitters,baserunning,fielding,and hitting.  There are 4 sections for pitchers,pitching,baserunning,hitting,and fielding.  One thing that is not so good about it is that you "mentor" tells you at the beginning that the organization thinks so fondly of you that they are starting you in AA and you may have a chance to skip AAA.  This might mean that the career mode won't last long and won't be as realistic as many would like.  I wish that you had the option to either pick your team or enter the draft like in Road to the Show.  In 2k10's My Player you have to pick your team.  

There's not much to the playoff mode.  Basically you play as one team and venture on through the playoffs.  I haven't yet explored it but it seems like a fun alternative to just playing games. 

GRAPHICS 

The graphics are fairly good on XBOX 360 but may vary from system to system.  The faces are very realistic looking.  Players have detailed chin hair,beards,etc.  Occasionally a player may walk through another but overall there pretty good.  2k10's graphics are a upgrade to 2k9's.  Sometimes in the batting practice there would be a floating bat behind the batter or the catcher would be on the pitchers mound. 

SELECTION MENU'S 
I hate the 2k10 selection menus even more then 2k9's.  During games when you click the pause button it brings you to a game summary which is pretty cool looking.  Then to access the selection screen you have to hold down the right stick.  If you release the pressure the menu goes away.  After you play a game it brings you to the main menu which you have to choose where you wanna go next right away.  The screens cover the entire screen.

ACHIEVEMENTS 
MLB 2k10 has plenty of achievements for XBOX 360 as well as in the game.  You can unlock player cards by completing a specific objective in a game.  Then you can make a team with the players you unlock.  I find this very fun.  In my second day of playing I have a lot of good players like Roy Halladay,Ryan Zimmerman,Kendry Morales,and Bobby Abreu.