MLB 2K13 News Post

MLB 2K13 Initial Reviews Quite Negative

01:15 PM - March 14, 2013 by RaychelSnr

When Major League Baseball 2K13 was announced in January, the usual questions popped up about the game's ability to produce an experience that would be worth a $60 purchase to gamers.

Thus far, fan response has been rather chilly to the new game, as have gaming critics' reviews. In the build up leading to the release of the game, we were not given many details about what was coming, just a vague fact sheet leading up to release which contained features that were already in the franchise. Worse yet, Online Leagues were removed from the game with no announcement from 2K Sports.

Currently, MLB 2K13 is scoring an average of 48 on Metacritic, with our review similarly harsh on the game.

My Press Row Podcast Co-Host Mike Suzek had this to say in his review on Joystiq in summation of the game: "It's as much a shame on 2K Sports for releasing this game as it is for the MLB to carelessly stamp its name on it. Whether it was sheer apathy or contractual licensing obligations that caused MLB 2K13 to exist in this state, it certainly wasn't a love for baseball, sports games, or its fans."

Our own Dustin Toms concluded, "MLB 2K13 is not a bad game by any means, but rather this is more about the principle of the matter. When a company charges $60 for a game with little improvements over a release a year earlier, something has gone terribly wrong. Attaching a $60 price tag to this game is nonsense."

This, of course, leaves important questions to be answered as we move through this year's sports gaming release season. Will 2K Sports be releasing a game next year or will we find out that another company such as EA Sports has plans to develop baseball games to take MLB 2K's place?

Game: Major League Baseball 2K13Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 14 - View All

Major League Baseball 2K13 Videos

Member Comments

# 41 DBMcGee3 @ 03/18/13 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baile


	Stop with the trolling and baiting, good grief.

Not trolling. I don't even have a PS3 (or that other game which shall now remain nameless at your request), just saying that 2k has been dropping the ball hard for years on end with this franchise, and based on my experience with the game, it's not the least bit surprising that they are getting bad reviews this year. They are just taking advantage of being the only game available for 360 users, and are apparently unwilling to put forth the effort to improve the game.

# 42 DBMcGee3 @ 03/18/13 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baile


	It's not my request, it's the rules. And sure, 2K has its issues, we all know that. But "2K sucks compared to the fantastic..." Really? C'mon now.

Wouldn't you say that the OS site (along with many others, according to this very article) has made virtually the same claim by the massive disparity between the review scores of the 2 games? Giving a game a 4.5 is absolutely the equivalent of saying "it sucks", based on the reviews I've seen here over the years.

# 43 SoxFan01605 @ 03/18/13 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBMcGee3


	Wouldn't you say that the OS site (along with many others, according to this very article) has made virtually the same claim by the massive disparity between the review scores of the 2 games? Giving a game a 4.5 is absolutely the equivalent of saying "it sucks", based on the reviews I've seen here over the years.

You could argue the conclusion is virtually the same (though it's a weak argument, since most reviews aren't about the game's quality but, instead, a larger issue of this series' development), but the process in reaching it is quite different. Primarily, when you start your critique with "I haven't even played this year's iteration" then any criticism you have about the game itself is irrelevant.

# 44 DBMcGee3 @ 03/18/13 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoxFan01605


	You could argue the conclusion is virtually the same (though it's a weak argument, since most reviews aren't about the game's quality but, instead, a larger issue of this series' development), but the process in reaching it is quite different. Primarily, when you start your critique with "I haven't even played this year's iteration" then any criticism you have about the game itself is irrelevant.

Touche, but when I've played the last 4 versions, all of which were virtually identical (and lame in my opinion), and then read a review claiming that there are little or no changes to this year's version, I don't think it's completely unfair to call a spade a spade. If it were just this site, that would be one thing, but a 48 on Metacritic is as low as I've ever seen.

Again, it is not my intention to troll the game, but as an XBox owner I've been frustrated for years at the inability of 2k to make a decent baseball game. This blog is specifically about the negative reviews, I don't feel like I'm too far out of line here.

# 45 RoyalBoyle78 @ 03/18/13 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBMcGee3


	Touche, but when I've played the last 4 versions, all of which were virtually identical (and lame in my opinion), and then read a review claiming that there are little or no changes to this year's version, I don't think it's completely unfair to call a spade a spade. If it were just this site, that would be one thing, but a 48 on Metacritic is as low as I've ever seen. Again, it is not my intention to troll the game, but as an XBox owner I've been frustrated for years at the inability of 2k to make a decent baseball game. This blog is specifically about the negative reviews, I don't feel like I'm too far out of line here.

It is a Decent game imo

sent from Droid DNA

# 46 steelereign @ 03/18/13 09:53 PM

Personally, I think the review of this game is unfair. OS claims this is because 2K made no improvements over last year's game.

I had last year's and have 2k13. Although none of the changes are earth - shattering, there are a few changes that make this game better. I loved 2k12 and am enjoying 2k13 a bit more.

Since when is a game review score based on monumental changes or the lack thereof? The bottom line is "does the game give an enjoyable game of baseball?" and, for the money "does it have replay value?"

I keep reading that 2k shouldn't be charging $60 for a roster update. This assumes that everyone that buys this game also had 2k12. Clearly, that isn't the case. So, from a business perspective, it would be stupid to discount the game to please a bunch of whiners who may not buy the game anyway.

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# 47 dubcity @ 03/19/13 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelereign


	I keep reading that 2k shouldn't be charging $60 for a roster update. This assumes that everyone that buys this game also had 2k12. Clearly, that isn't the case. So, from a business perspective, it would be stupid to discount the game to please a bunch of whiners who may not buy the game anyway. Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2

Actually, it assumes that you can purchase pretty much the exact same game used for $20 or less at gamestop or online. It's not like copies of MLB 2k12 suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth. Although I'm sure 2K wishes they could find a way to make that happen.

# 48 CrazyKitchenGuy @ 03/19/13 04:21 AM

This will probably sound a bit strange, but this is how I would summarize up any review for any game that is out there.

During review periods, I tell my staff the following message prior to delivering their review.

"The numbers basically mean nothing. You could have a 3/5 in one category and monkey/dragon in another. The number ratings system never really works for everything.

The one thing that you should pay close attention to is the comments that you receive from your peers and the management staff. That will give you a very good indication of how we feel you are progressing, and how your peers feel working with and around you."

For all of the negative feedback that is out there about MLB 2K13, there is still a good amount of positive feedback as well.

For me, MLB 2K13 plays a solid game of baseball, even with its flaws, and really thats the only review that I pay attention to.

# 49 steelereign @ 03/19/13 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baile


	It's interesting that those who say there are no changes to 2K13, often provide a detailed list of all the things in the game that are identical to 2K12. Or they list the various bugs, glitches and issues that are still in the game and haven't been fixed, some of which go back several years. Whereas the people who insist it's a different game than 2K12, never explain how it's different. Honestly? Glad you like the game, but it sounds like you're trying to justify your $60 purchase. Not trying to be a smartazz, just an observation.

Ball physics, more hit variety, less rubber band AI, improved crowd graphics. I'm a stat geek, so updated stats are important to me as well.

My point is less about improvements to the game, but more that the review is unfair. If the game received a 7.0 last year and, for the most part, is the same as last year, how does it drop to 4?

I also agree that the bugs and glitches are annoying. I have ripped past versions of this game for those reasons. But, again, last year's game was a 7 and considered "good" with all of those same known issues. How then, does it get a 4, especially considering that this version wasn't expected to hit market in the first place?!

By the way, your assumption that I need to justify my purchase is wrong. I didn't expect to see a 2k13 at all, so when it was announced my expectations were that we would get an updated version of 2k12. I'm enjoying every minute of it and don't regret for a second spending my $60.

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# 50 steelereign @ 03/19/13 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubcity


	Actually, it assumes that you can purchase pretty much the exact same game used for $20 or less at gamestop or online. It's not like copies of MLB 2k12 suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth. Although I'm sure 2K wishes they could find a way to make that happen.

Why would a company discount their new product just because there is still inventory of their old product in the market? Car manufacturers roll out the same model of car year after year with minimal, if any changes. They don't drop the MSRP because there is a used car market.

A segment of the market will buy used and some will buy new. But the price of the product in a free market is set by what the market will bear.

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# 51 steelereign @ 03/19/13 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baile


	Okay great, I just wonder about it when someone calls people "whiners." If you enjoy the game, that's fab. But why go out of your way to be so defensive and so protective of your decision to buy it? Your point about justifying charging $60 for 2K13 is something I mentioned as well. For people new to the series, they'd pay that anyway for the game. But you're not taking into consideration that 2K worked on this game for only a couple of months. Looking at it that way, it's a pure money-grab. They put in 1/6 of the development time other companies put into their games, but charge the same full amount. There's definitely something sleazy and somewhat immoral about that IMO.

I hear ya. Maybe I should have been more specific about to whom I was referring as whiners. My issue is with those that do nothing but complain about the issues without taking time to talk about the good things. It's all subjective, I get that. But, there are some that come on here to do nothing but whine and pile on.

I understand your point about the $60 price tag versus the development time. But, you know the market doesn't work that way - for any product really.

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# 52 JazzMan @ 03/19/13 10:03 AM

From what I understand, both MLB the Show and MLB 2k's games this year have not been ground-shaking improvements upon their respective franchises. So how is it that the Show '13 gets the same score, if not better, than '12, while MLB 2k13 gets a 4, even though the game a year ago got, what, a 7.5 or something?

You guys whine about 2k13 being the same game with some minor improvements. Then some of you complain about the removal of 2k's Online Leagues. Does that really warrant a 4 rating? Online Leagues were pretty lackluster to begin with.

Meanwhile, the Show does nothing new, doesn't make many improvements, but no worries! It gets a 9. Then you get all of the guys on here hailing the Show as the best sports game of this generation, even though it is essentially a "roster update" as you call 2k13.

You can't dock 2k13 in a review and then turn around and praise this year's Show like it's the best baseball game of all-time (MVP 2005 anyone?).

Besides, the Show is obviously overrated. I've enjoyed the iterations that I've played, but from what I've seen, the game can still use some work. It looks and sounds ultra-realistic, but I honestly feel as though 2k has superior gameplay, other than a slew of glitches here and there.

The Show is the more polished game, but what angers me are the people who bash on MLB2k. The game plays pretty well. I purchased 2k12 last year, and I enjoyed it. I don't see why people feel it's a necessity to **** on MLB2k.

Personally, I feel as though MLB2k should take a year off, and come back strong with a Next-Gen product.

# 53 steelereign @ 03/19/13 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baile


	You know how many 9 inning games I've played the past 3 years? 0. I spend almost all my time with this game testing the game engine, playing 3-inning test games to observe things like hit variety and ball physics. The hit variety and ball physics are entirely a byproduct of the player ratings and slider settings, interacting with the game engine. This game hasn't changed in years in that regard. If you want to see MLB-realism when it comes to hit variety and ball physics, simply lower hitting ratings way down. I have a test roster where every player is rated 25 (0 actually) in every catagory. In many ways, that roster plays more like MLB baseball than any roster I have in which players are rated above 25. If you're seeing better ball physics and more hit variety, it's because the devs lowered player ratings and/or tweaked the default slider settings. Because I understand they didn't even bother to update the opening to the game, and simply used the one from last year. So there's just no way they spent any time with something as complex as the game engine. They haven't done that in years, why would they suddenly do that now that the series is defunct?

Okay, maybe that's true. But, for the majority of people who play baseball games, those slider/ratings changes made a difference out of the box. I would imagine that most have no interest in evaluating the game to the depth that you do.

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# 54 dalger21 @ 03/19/13 11:20 AM

I was interested in getting MLB2K '13 (or '12) simply to see how good the "My Player" (or whatever the equivalent to RttS is) was. I know that the 2K games have traditionally done poorly in regards to the other game but wanted to give it a try. Perhaps I'll pick up '12 since there seems to be a consensus that '13 is just a rehash of '12. Any input about that would be greatly appreciated.

# 55 steelereign @ 03/19/13 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalger21


	I was interested in getting MLB2K '13 (or '12) simply to see how good the "My Player" (or whatever the equivalent to RttS is) was. I know that the 2K games have traditionally done poorly in regards to the other game but wanted to give it a try. Perhaps I'll pick up '12 since there seems to be a consensus that '13 is just a rehash of '12. Any input about that would be greatly appreciated.

The consensus seems to be to stick with 12, and I can't argue against that. If you like slider adjustments then there seems to be little reason to go with 2k13.

If your primary reason is to play My Player then stick with 12. I don't play that mode, but from what I've read, there is no change to that mode.

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# 56 dubcity @ 03/19/13 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelereign


	Why would a company discount their new product just because there is still inventory of their old product in the market? Car manufacturers roll out the same model of car year after year with minimal, if any changes. They don't drop the MSRP because there is a used car market. Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2

Well, I have a hard time going along with that analogy. A used copy of MLB 2K12 is literally the same as a brand new one in terms of the quality of the product. That's not the case with a used car. A better analogy would be college textbook companies reprinting the same book year after year, buying up all the previous editions from campus bookstores, and ripping off students by charging full price for the same book year and after year. I'm sure 2K would have attempted to buy up used copies if they actually cared enough about this project. Yeah, it's the free market at work, but that doesn't mean they should be free from criticism and derision.

# 57 dubcity @ 03/19/13 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baile


	If you don't have either game, I would think having the Astros in the AL would be a worthwhile reason to get 2K13.

But is it worth the 40-45 dollar price difference?

# 58 steelereign @ 03/19/13 04:14 PM

That's a subjective decision. To me it was.

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# 59 dubcity @ 03/19/13 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Oread


	This is fundamentally not true. We can debate the value of the improvements to AI, team colors, and updated rosters and and alignments, but it's completely false to call it the equal in quality. It may still be a better value to get 2K12, but the problem with the reviews is that they ignore that in favor of childlike tantrums.

I was referring to a used copy of 12 vs a new copy of 12. The depreciation (or lack thereof) in value of a used game is kinda different than that of a used car. Is MLB 2k13 worth 40-45 dollars more than 2K12 right now? I don't think it's childlike at all to look at things from a consumers perspective first and foremost. If a critic just sat back and said, "yeah, it's not worth anywhere near $60, but it's still a good game and you should definitely buy it," that would be ridiculous to me.

# 60 steelereign @ 03/19/13 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubcity


	Well, I have a hard time going along with that analogy. A used copy of MLB 2K12 is literally the same as a brand new one in terms of the quality of the product. That's not the case with a used car. A better analogy would be college textbook companies reprinting the same book year after year, buying up all the previous editions from campus bookstores, and ripping off students by charging full price for the same book year and after year. I'm sure 2K would have attempted to buy up used copies if they actually cared enough about this project. Yeah, it's the free market at work, but that doesn't mean they should be free from criticism and derision.

They are not literally the same. I feel that 2k13 is better. Not by a landslide, maybe only by the width of mosquito's eyelash. But enough for me.

I agree that this game is due criticism. I guess we disagree on the price. Trust me, I would have preferred to pay less. But that wasn't going to happen, nor did I expect it to.

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