I haven’t bought a new video game in a while, but I usually get the “itch” when the baseball games come out.  Against what I thought was my better judgment, I succumbed again this year, and bought MLB 2K10 for the 360.  2K Sports has disappointed frequently in the past, especially with this series.  However, after a few hours today, I must say I’m pleasantly surprised!  My expectations might have been tempered a bit, of course…

I started out in the new “My Player” mode, which is similar to “The Road to the Show,” made famous by Sony’s MLB: The Show franchise.  Basically, you create your player, and he’s the only player you control during the game.  And, you only see the action when the play involves you, so the games move quickly.  I played my first month in around an hour, actually.

I started out by creating a reliever.  There were a decent amount of customization options for my avatar, but nothing like what you’d see in EA’s Tiger Woods series or Fight Night franchise.  I got to pick my team, and after randomizing the selection a few times and not being satisfied, I put myself on the Pirates, which is what I normally do, anyway.  I immediately was thrust right into a game, because my mentor told me how the Pirates felt I had some talent, and that I was ready to start my career in AA ball.  The mentor thing is kind of cool – he gives you a lot of good information, especially if you’re not familiar with how these kinds of game modes work.  Fortunately, I am familiar, because I’ve played a lot of “Road to the Show” on the PS2.

Speaking of being familiar, “My Player” is very similar to “Road to the Show,” right down to some of the irritating aspects of it.  At least 2K Sports “borrowed” something that works pretty well.  There are some quirks, though, like some of the goals you’re given each inning.  It makes no sense to me why you’re asked to induce a ground out with the first batter of  an inning, for example.  I got no points for that goal because I struck the batter out!  Oh well, 2K Sports is pretty generous with the skill points if you do well.  There’s plenty of room for upgrading. 

On the mound, I’ve pitched 4 innings (I’m a reliever) at the Pro difficulty level.  I like using the right stick to simulate the pitching mechanics, and so far I’ve given up a hit with one walk and two strike outs.  It might be a little easy at this level, so I could be moving up, soon.  It was nice to walk someone unintentionally, though.  A funny moment was that my first few fastballs were all wild pitches, and I thought I just couldn’t figure out the timing for that pitch, or something.  I was looking like Ricky Vaughn!  My son noticed I was moving the right stick in the opposite directions as I was supposed to, accounting for my “Wild Thing” moments.  It’s corrected, now, LOL.

I also started a Franchise, and played about half of a Spring Training game to start to get a feel for the controls.  I don’t want to put too much out here yet, because I really haven’t played enough to evaluate it.  I’ll say this: I like the pitching mechanics and the fact that I can throw unintentional walks, hitting is enough of a challenge to keep me interested – the ball moves in pretty quickly, and I like that, fielding is at least “average” compared to all of the baseball games I’ve played before, and baserunning gives me a little trouble, like usual (I had real trouble trying to execute a steal).  The reason I’m playing Spring Training games to get comfortable with the camera angles and controls, so I’m “ready” to start my season without a big learning curve.

Other brief observations that are important to some: the graphics look good to me, with smooth gameplay and lots of different animations; the sounds keeps up with the game with no stuttering and I haven’t heard any “repeats” yet; I’ve seen a very good variety of hits, and they seem to be in line with the type of pitcher on the mound (e.g. I was using Westbrook of the Indians, and I got a lot of ground balls – he’s a sinkerballer); and the menu system is as convoluted as always (I’ve never really liked the 2K “nav bar” concept).

Overall, as I said earlier, I’m pleased.  I might be playing a lot of this one.  I’ll certainly keep posting impressions throughout the week.