Springtime has arrived, and it's time for another season of baseball. While the MLB tries to recapture the trust of the fans, Sony's in house baseball game slides into home on the PS3, PS2, and PSP. I've been learning a lot about baseball lately in playing the PS3 and PSP versions, and reading up on last year's iteration, as I am new to the series. As someone who hasn't played a baseball game heavily since Great Baseball on the Sega Master System, MLB 08 The Show packs quite a punch, and apparently I'm not the only one that thinks so.

Batter Up

Not being especially familiar with baseball or video games based on baseball, the first thing that struck me with this year's iteration of The Show was the visual quality. Player animations were smooth and varied; movements seemed natural and believable, whether fielding a ball or swinging the bat. In sports games, you could argue that developers have less room for error in how their characters animate compared to a lot of other genres. The character's, more so than the environment surrounding them, are the main visual focus, and as all characters are humans playing a realistic game, you can really tell when something doesn't look or seem right. With MLB '08 The Show, animations were distinct and fluid, making the on screen action that much more convincing.

While I may not watch much, if any, baseball during the season TV, it's hard to mistake the distinct voices of the game's three main commentators, Matt Vasgersian, Rex Hudler, and Dave Campbell. While I would have preferred Joe Morgan and the older gentlemen that he works with, this trio does an excellent job of calling the game. Their call seems candid, timely, and fresh throughout the innings. They seem as attentive or more attentive than any other commentators I have heard in any sports title to date.

The sites and sounds aside, it didn't take long to discover that the AI was sharp. From what I have read about last year's iteration, this wasn't quite the case. The AI was saddled with bonehead and blown plays, but this year's edition has proven to be free of those confusing problems. It's not to say the game is brutally unfair, but do fully expect a competent, realistic challenge. As with any baseball game, the focus is on the pitcher/batter rivalry. MLB 08 brings a plethora of stats and information to the table, and what's more is that it's accessible in game; you can study up on a pitcher or batter, see what his tendencies are, when, and it can make for a very satisfying play when you predict their move and counter it. Of course, field play is a huge part of the game, and I thought it was done well. Players and controls were responsive and believable.

The Road To The Show mode returns in '08, and what I have played of it thus far has been intriguing. This mode focuses on a created player; you are tasked with various challenges, such as hitting a home run, stealing a base, or hitting a double play. These tasks begin in the Minors and increase into the Majors, so it's basically a mode full of fun and challenging mini-games.