by BR88KLYN
Welcome to The BIGS…2. This is the game for video game sports fans, not just arcade sports fans. The pendulum on the sports video game clock has continued to swing to the side of the simulation side resulting in games that are slower and in my opinion not that enjoyable to play. Sadly, this trend will not only continue but is embraced by most gamers; MADDEN 10 will play slower but will be just as enjoyable. So says the developers. I’m falling asleep just thinking about it, so thankfully the BIGS 2 bucks this trend and achieves what all sports games should aspire to be…FUN!
Graphics. The BIGS 2 is the appropriate name for this game; everything is larger than life, the hits, catches home runs and the players. The player models in this game are B-I-G and appear to be even bigger due to the tight camera that focuses in the player at the plate. All the MLB stars are now easily recognizable, a problem in the first iteration that thankfully has been addressed. Stadiums are beautifully represented with signature BIGS modifications that make every big shot a spectacle. The purist will be thinking, hey that scoreboard is not in that location at my teams ballpark. After playing The BIGS 2 and witnessing the eye candy that ensues with every big slam that smashes that same scoreboard you’ll be wishing that all MLB ballparks were designed this way. Graphically this game is just as enjoyable to watch as the long ball is in baseball, and we all know, chicks dig the long ball.
Controls. The controls have seen a minor adjustment that result in more responsive base runner controls and I am very happy with the results. Individual base runner control is no longer a chore although it is still not perfect in every situation but is a definite upgrade from the last game. The legendary catch controls add another level of depth to this game. Each catch has its own contextual order that corresponds to a catch over the foul wall or a speeding line drive. Unlike other games that use contextual button presses, the order can and often will be different depending on the player’s ability and the type of catch being attempted. The level of complexity and control rivals any sim. I actually found myself cheering after every catch thanks to controls that never frustrate.
Sound. The sound in this game is the one area where I was pleasantly surprised. I was shocked at the nuances of every stadium. Playing in the Mexican league you’ll hear the umpire call every strike and ball in Spanish. A small detail but one that succeeds. This attention to detail is evident in the Japanese stadium that immediately brings the experience of playing in Japan right into my home. If I got on a plane and attended a game in Japan I have no doubt that I could join right in the traditional game songs that are sung throughout a Japanese ball game.
Gameplay. THIS IS THE WAY THAT ALL SPORTS VIDEO GAMES SHOULD PLAY!! The BIGS 2 does what most video game sports fans see as the impossible, by delivering a huge amount of enjoyable gameplay while maintaining the inherent strategy of the actual sport. For anyone who doubts the last sentence, play The BIGS 2 on hard and you will find an experience that gives you the best of both worlds. I happily played this game knowing that using turbo and a big slam may not guarantee a win. Strategy comes into play, you find yourself asking do I use my big heat(pitching) or big slam(batting) now, or wait until the computer has a filled its meter so I can be ready for the duel mode strikeout/big slam opportunity so I can win this nail biter of a game. Yes, I know most arcade sports games never make you think beyond pressing turbo, score, and repeat until the game gets boring and ends up on my shelf (Hello BLITZ THE LEAGUE 2), but this is not those games. I was amazed at the level of depth contained within The BIGS 2.
Become a Legend is the meat of this game. You will do exactly what the name implies, Become a Legend. After creating a player you will take him through a five season pursuit of greatness and the Hall Of Fame that will take you from Mexico to Japan. Each team you play will present its own unique challenges that vary from scoring 3 RBI’s to stealing a base and get a hit with your created player. Along the way, new mini games will not only improve your overall skills but are fun to play as well.
The biggest addition to this game is the batter’s wheelhouse and the legendary abilities that add another layer of gameplay to the title. The batter’s wheelhouse indicates the power/contact zone adding to the strategy and tension of every at bat and pitch. A successful strike into a batter’s wheelhouse will supply an even greater amount of turbo than a strike in any other part of the strike zone. A wheelhouse strike will also result in neutralizing a powerhouse hitter like cover boy Prince Fielder who not only has a wheelhouse that covers the strike zone but benefits from a no doubter Home Run player power up. Blue Castle and 2k Sports could have decided that all of the above was more than enough for a new game but they have gone even further with the addition of Legendary status for outstanding player abilities and player power ups that add to a team. This will impact your decisions when stealing players from defeated teams. Make the right choices and your team is a Powerhouse, make the wrong decisions and you’ll find yourself struggling down the stretch.
The BIGS 2 Hall Of Fame games could have been a game all by itself, as these games give you an opportunity throughout your Become a Legend career to acquire new gear and the all important Hall Of Fame votes by taking on Baseball’s legends. Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, and many others will test your worthiness, and even when I lost to these Legends it was an enjoyable experience. I have not even scratched the surface of the Legendary players that are featured in these Hall Of Fame games, so I’ll leave some surprises.
“Enough!” you say, “I want this game!” . Not quite enough features yet by Blue Castle and 2K Games standards. Where is the 162 game full season that fans asked for, with stat tracking? Where are the multi player and Co-op you ask? It’s all here in The BIGS 2. The only caveat to all these additions is the inability to import your created player into season mode. Maybe The Bigs 3?
Overall. ARE YOU STILL READING THIS?, GO GET THIS GAME RIGHT NOW!
