The Game: The Bigs 2 from 2K Sports
The Platform: Xbox 360 (also available for the PS3, PS2, Wii and PSP)
The Review:
Overall
2K’s The Bigs 2 is a relatively easy game to pick up and play compared to more serious titles, like MLB 2K9 or MLB 09: The Show, but experienced Bigs “vets” will find a handful of new features to keep the experience of the Big Show challenging making the game worth picking up. If that’s not enough to sway you then check out the rest of the review. I triple dog dare you.
Improvements
If you’re feeling confident with your pitcher and he’s painting all the corners then attack the opposing team’s big hitters early to shrink their “wheelhouse.” It’ll pay off in later innings when their sweet spot has gone from the size of a big rig down to a Mini or something like that.
Homerun Pinball was a big hit in the first title and it makes its triumphant return in The Bigs 2. It’s still a lot of fun and I’m glad they brought it back. 2K dropped a few additional all new mini-games and you’re confronted with Prince Fielder (the guy on the cover) in the Power mini-game, which is the jump off for the rest, including the Contact mini-game against Chipper Jones. I’m still working to unlock the rest.
You wanted a full 162-game season, right? Well, 2K listened and there’s a full season mode now. I could be wrong, but there’s no way of tracking “league leaders.” Who doesn’t want to know if they’re leading the league in homeruns? It’s a surprising omission to say the least.
Rounding out the improvements from the first Bigs title are the graphics. They’re improved, sure, but you might not notice it.
Negatives
Can the AI in a game be that good? Maybe but not in The Bigs 2. Even in hard mode, the AI makes some unbelievable snags that are way too “legendary” or “great” for my tastes. It seemed like they had a couple outs every single inning.
League stats are a no show as I mentioned before. What’s up with that?
I don’t typically pay attention to game soundtracks, but someone must have been in an emo mood when they compiled the music for Bigs 2. Who listens to Daughtry or P.O.D.? Korn I can tolerate if I need to but Daughtry? I’d rather listen to nails on a chalkboard.
And what’s the deal with only letting me attempt one pickoff per inning? I can do it, Coach, I swear!
Squeeze plays don’t seem to register with 2K Sports. It’d be nice if I could lead off of third base. Just sayin’.
Mixed Bag
The “Power Blast” is still available, but there’s an added “Big Slam” feature that gives you four pitches to four batters (one each) giving you the chance to load the bases for a grand slam. Any contact with the ball results in a hit adding a skill oriented dimension to the game. But here’s why it’s in the “mixed bag” section. If you’re pitching against a “Big Slam” then you have no control over your pitcher in the final three pitches of the four-pitch sequence. I wouldn’t willingly give up a homerun or hit.
Big ups to Joe Ziemer for helping me out with this one.
The Bigs 2 [2K Sports]
Photo Gallery by Picturesurf
It’s a little bit too much like NFL street and the like for me. The 300 foot leaps in the air are just silly.
You’re an idiot. That’s what the game is. It’s like saying I don’t like scary movies they’re too far fetched. No shit, really?
On the home screen it has a mini slide show of different all-star players. One of them is Josh “The Hammer” Hamilton, which is incorrect. Hank Blalock who is a teammate of Josh on the Rangers is actually nicknamed “The Hammer”. This just kind of bothered me for some reason. I guess because if you make a baseball game, you should do your research. The game is a bit silly with some of the leaps and dives.
Actually Hank Blalock is often called “Hammerin’ Hank” but never known as the hammer.
big slam thing is utter bull. i just lost a game twice in a row while being up by four and loosing in extra innings. just now it was bottom of the fifth (5 inning game) 4 nothing with 2 outs and it pulled that out to tie it up. what crap. this ruins the entire game if i its impossible for me to win.
well ive never had that happen to me ever.
ive always been leading by 10 so they dont ever use big blast or big slam.
p.s. maybe you just suck at the game.
Thanks for the soundtrack warning. I was debating whether or not to buy The Bigs 2, but if I have to listen to Daughtry and Korn….well, no thanks. It’s bad eough that I can’t turn on my radio without hearing that noise.