The BIGS 2

The BIGS 2 boasts some of the most impressive looking baseball players we've ever seen in a video game

GamePro (online)

The BIGS 2 brings the boys of summer back to life in an entertaining and captivating way that grabs your attention and doesn't let go. In my preview of The BIGS 2, I described the game as "flat out fun at worst and out right addicting at best." After playing the full version I can safely say that, with the signature fast-paced gameplay returning and the addition of new modes like Become a Legend and Season, BIGS 2 stands alone as the sultan of arcade-style swat.

Pros

  • Become a Legend/Season modes add depth to already entertaining gameplay, new wheelhouse mechanic forces better strategy when pitching, mini-games are addicting and original, graphics are gorgeous, commentary greatly adds to the atmosphere of the stadium

Cons

  • Outfielders throws are too slow, player animations sometimes seem jerky because they are so fast

Bottom Line

The Bigs 2, like its predecessor, brings fans an action-packed experience with the same over-the-top gameplay that made the first so enjoyable.

Would you buy this?

  • Price

    $ 99.95 (AUD)

Go BIG or go home

The Bigs 2, like its predecessor, is bringing fans an action-packed experience with the same over-the-top gameplay that made the first so enjoyable - and it's doing it with far less glitches. Of course, that's not to say the game isn't without some minor problems. Gone are the days where outfielders took wacky routes to try and make the catch - now they take what seems like an eternity to throw the ball in considering how fast the rest of the gameplay is.

Sure, one time my starter got credited with a shutout even though I brought in my closer in the 5th. And yes, Big Papi was once the player of the game but his head was completely black with no eyes and his neck was wearing his hat instead of his head. But none of that mattered much because the core of the game was there and I had just crushed a pitch right in Papi's wheelhouse for a walk off home run. Even with these minor bugs, the game doesn't lose any of its entertainment value.

Little things make a BIG difference

For an arcade-style game, the developers have really paid close attention to detail. For example, if you foul a pitch straight back, it will hit the catcher in the face, shaking the camera and causing the catcher to grunt in pain. The commentator, Damon Bruce, does a great job at reprising his role from the original. His one liners, albeit cheesy most of the time, make me laugh almost all of the time. And so far, he hasn't run out of things to say as I've only heard a few lines repeated in over 15 hours of playing the game. One thing that also surprised me is the miscalls, or lack there of. Only twice has he made the wrong call.

The graphics are also top notch. With an increased polygon count from the original BIGS, The BIGS 2 boasts some of the most impressive looking baseball players I've ever seen in a video game. Unfortunately, because the game moves so quickly, it's difficult to appreciate the player's animations.

The house the BIGS built

In response to the community's requests, developers created the new Become a Legend mode as well as an all-inclusive Season Mode.

Become a Legend puts you in the shoes of a "star" who has fallen to injury and is beginning his rehab start in the minor leagues of Mexico. 2K Sports' attention to detail is noticeable here as well as the field, the players and the fireworks all make it feel unique.

The new contact, power and glove mini-games are addicting and fun in their own right and really make you feel as though you're developing your player. All-in-all this new mode is a welcomed one and gives the game a focus much the same way as career modes in UFC 2009 or Fight Night 4 do.

Season Mode is another major component fans felt were missing from the original game and 2K Sports was listening. Everything from stat tracking and roster changes to player of the game and end of the season awards are included in this new mode. Trades are perhaps the most interesting aspect as you will be greeted with entirely new, and often frustrating mini-games, such as a carnival-like card game or even a virtual version of Plinko. Try and trade for top notch players and the game gets pretty hard, but go for lesser players and it's fairly easy to win.

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