A game that falls just shy of the fence.
First off, I'll start with the positives. The Franchise Mode is extremely addictive and immersive thanks in large part to the Insider's Edge scouting and Player Morale system. Insider's Edge is something that should have been used in previous years. It's an absolutely wonderful feature that provides an unnerving sense of realism and detail. In Franchise Mode, you can adjust the % of playing time you want some of your players to have. Now obviously, you'll want a guy like Albert Pujols in there for about 97-98% of the time. However, this is a nice feature for platooning players (if you simulate) and being able to rest your catcher regularly and ensuring the backup that he will in fact get some playing time. The player morale system is pretty much dead on. Although, I'm not quite sure how a guy can be on a hot streak without logging a single AB or even playing a game. Restructuring contracts, scheduling team meetings, adjusting your lineup, allotting % of playing time, and many other factors play into a player's overall happiness on the team. If you don't keep your guy happy, his attributes will suffer. This makes for a realistic effect on your hitter because it WILL affect his play. There is enough depth in Fantasy Mode to keep you glued to your seat for several hours. You can literally go about 2 hours without even playing a single game due to the fact that there are so many things to do (if you choose to study scouting reports). One negative about Franchise Mode is the exclusion of the farm system. You have 10 minor league players at your disposal, but how can you effectively develop future talent with 10 minor leaguers? This is a significant downfall to not include the A,AA and AAA ballclubs in such a realistic simulation of a franchise. Franchises are built on developing their young talent in the minors. Ten players is NOT ENOUGH. You end up with guys like Julio Franco and Rickie Weeks (in fantasy drafts) in the minors. Those are guys who are not minor leaguers. For future MLB games, please include all A-AAA ballclubs. They are important.
The graphics are pretty much the same as the other 360 2K games. They are very polished and the cloth physics rock. As do the grass and dirt stains. The player models are considerably better on 360 than XBOX. Although, MVP still holds the edge over 2K in player models. The stadiums feel real and the excellent crowd chatter create a very real baseball atmosphere (with the exception of the freaking organ guy). I think the organ guy plays a bit too much at times. The real time lighting effects are gorgeous and stunning at times. 2K6 does a very nice job of creating the sense of a very real baseball atmosphere.
One of the coolest features on MLB 2K6 is the VIP system. Your Virtual Identity Profile tracks everything you can think of (and some things you wouldn't). You can scout your opponent in tremendous detail. Want to know what pitches your opponent sticks to when behind in the count? Scout his VIP. Does your opponent chase pitches out of the zone low and away or high and tight? All of this information can be scouted in the VIP. I noticed on my profile that I stick to keeping pitches low in the zone and rarely throw anything high or anything over the middle of the plate. Of course, this is common sense to not leave pitches high or over the plate - but the mere fact that you can KNOW this about your opponent is mind-numbing. Enough said.
Perhaps one of MLB 2K6's biggest downfalls is its gameplay. It is entirely TOO easy to hit a HR. Currently, 63% of my run production comes from homeruns. It's not like I'm using the power swing either. I use a level contact swing 96% of the time. Thanks to the VIP system, I can give you numbers like that. I've already hit 9 HRs through 2 games in Franchise Mode and 3 of them came in my 1st game. While I do realize that the actual MLB season has started off quite the same way, it's a bit ridiculous to have so many homeruns when you don't even use the power swing. My friend (who is also in the franchise with me) played his first game today and hit 7 homeruns. It was first time to ever play a 2K baseball game and he thrashed the computer 13-1. Pro difficulty setting for those who are wondering. I realize that is not the hardest, but Pro can provide some degree of difficulty in MLB games. I'm referring to MVP here. MVP Baseball OWNS hitting in baseball game. As a matter of fact, MVP owns 2K in gameplay right now. The fielding is choppy and does not feel fluid at all. There are times when the fielding animations are slick, but it honestly feels like a mix between 2K and All Star Baseball. Maybe some of you know what I'm talking about. This is not a good thing. Seriously, thinking about All Star Baseball for the PS2 or XBOX scares the **** out of me. Some animations actually prevent you from charging grounders and then the throwing motion is so slow that even a slow baserunner can beat out a routine grounder to short. There is one animation where your fielder actuall throws the ball without transferring it from his glove to his hand ... Explain that please. 2K6 certainly falls short in the fielding department, except for the collisions. That is a nice feature and one that should be included into all baseball games. Oh wait, that's right ... there's only one baseball game. The baserunning ... I need to start a new paragraph for this.
The baserunning is awful. Even the most skilled players will have trouble mastering this confusing and poorly crafted baserunning system. Baseburner mode IS an innovative feature, as is the "hustle baserunning" - but they both fall short and come off as annoying. It's fairly easy to swipe a bag with a speedster guy like Juan Pierre or Ryan Freel, especially in Baseburner mode. You pretty much know how much of a lead you can get on a pitcher as they will only throw over when you get to a certain lead. Some pitchers (i.e. Greg Maddux or Jason Schmidt) having a hiccup in their stretch that cause them to have an extremely slow delivery. They almost seem to come set twice before throwing to the plate and you could nearly swipe two bases in that amount of time. Although, Maddux seemed to go into his animation of delivering the ball to the plate, he did turnaround and fire the ball to second when I was within sliding distance of the bag. Also, another problem with baserunning. If a guy attempts a steal (from 1st to 2nd) and you walk the batter simultaneously ... you apparently are rewarded a stolen base in the box score. Lance Berkman took off for 2nd base and I missed my spot for ball four and was able to throw the ball down to 2nd anyway. The throw beat him by several steps and I applied the tag on him, but the umpire of course called him safe because of the walk. Alright? Everything's cool. That's how it's supposed to be. Now, what's not supposed to happen is Berkman getting credit for a SB. Well, that's exactly what happened. One more baserunning glitch. Michael Young is on 2nd. The pitcher throws the ball to the backstop and I gun for 3rd base. I make it easily but Young decides to take off from 3rd once the Third Baseman has the ball in his hands. He's called out. I didn't press the button for Young to advance from 3rd to Home...
Here are a couple of more AI hiccups. Why does a pitcher chase after a foul ball that is clearly in the upper deck? Why do the pitcher AND the catcher go after a passed ball behind home plate? Pitchers tend to leave way too many pitches fat. I get the feeling the OFs want to run through the wall after a long ball. I've also seen my baserunner keep running (ie Forrest Gump) into the OF after being thrown out at first for the final out. Those are all I've seen so far, but I haven't played much. They are things that should not be happening. The AI is not very intelligent with some of their picks in the draft on Franchise Mode. Todd Helton as the 1st pick over AROD, Pujols, or Santana? Ronnie Belliard and Adrian Beltre still available in the 20th round? Some of the ratings are also questionable. Jeff Francouer's arm strength and range should definitely be higher. Chris Capuano (an 18 game winner last season for the Brewers) has a stamina rating of 40!!!! How does Luis Castillo acquire a 90 rating for power against lefties? Rickie Weeks speed is a D- ?? Let's be serious. That's all I will list. On a lighter note, Richie Sexson started catcher for the opposing team (in my fantasy draft franchise) ... kind of strange.
Overall, this game can be fun if you can overlook its shortcomings. The franchise mode is definitely immersive. But you can't help but think about how good this game could have been. Perhaps next year, we can expect a breakout season and turn all of that wasted potential into good use.