Games for Lunch: MLB 08: The Show

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0:25 "We'll jump ahead now to the bottom of inning one." Speedy!

0:26 Three balls, two strikes and a dangerous foul start things off, in that order. The interface seems streamlined this time around to be much less ostentatious. It almost looks like a normal televised ballgame. I can barely see the strike zone. Luckily, the DualShock 3 rumbles violently when I aim too far outside.

0:28 A routine grounder gets me my first out. I can't control the fielders -- I'm still the pitcher throughout the play. What a gyp.

0:29 I allow a runner to get on first and a new "goal" pops up: "Induce a ground ball." Interesting. Instead I allow a base hit. My new new goal is "don't allow the runners to score." These goals seem kind of obvious, actually.

0:30 "The third base coach had to give it the old ole that time" The fact that I haven't noticed the announcers until now is a testament to how natural they are.

0:31 I get my double play a little late with a sinking changeup and the game fast-forwards to my second inning at bat. "Joe Random will get his first opportunity now," says the announcer. That name still cracks me up.

0:33 After two whiffs at good pitches, I take three balls, then swing at an awful pitch to get retired. For a pitcher, that ain't bad, actually. I like the little controllable area showing where your bat's going to go. Makes me feel in control.

0:34 A recommended changeup leads to a driven single, despite my getting perfect power and placement. Thanks for the great recommendation, game! Fortunately I induce my ground ball this time and get a double play.

0:35 HA! I take too long choosing my pitch and the camera zooms in on the batter's box, where the ump steps up, takes the bat and does a practice swing. I'm on the floor here.

0:36 Part of me misses controlling the fielders. Another part of me doesn't miss fumbling routine ground balls like a putz.

0:37 I'm really liking the player animations. The umps and the crowd look good, too. This is one amazing looking simulation, and I don't even have an HDTV.

0:38 I let the opposing pitcher get a base hit. The pitcher! Cry. This is followed by the other team's first run. Double cry. Still, I'm doing better than I normally did at MLB 07.

0:40 "Joe Random will take a long look down here as he may be bunting to avoid the double play." I'll be taking a long look at the third base coach, who makes a bunch of ridiculous movements to indicate the bunt.

0:42 I miss my bunt attempt for a third strike. "And that's a rather weak attempt," the announcer says accurately. I get booed! Booed!

0:43 That's the end of the game? I guess they pulled me because I gave up a run and I can't hit? Anyway, I earn the W for the 6-3 win.

0:44 Looks like I can replay video from almost any moment of the game. It's a nice touch, but a little much, since most plays in a baseball game are booooring.

0:45 I get 90 "training points" to apply to my stats by getting a good ERA and WHIP and succeeding at my goals.