Major League Baseball 2K10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (360)

[JoeDog10]

This game is definitely an improvement over 2K10 - especially when it comes to presentation. Much like NBA, it's top notch and extremely impressive. I really like where 2K is going with it.

That being said, I'm surprised that so many people are high on this demo. Maybe it's because everyone is dying to play a baseball game and it's the only demo out right now, or maybe it's because this game was so bad last year and seems to be making some positive strides this year. But to me, I just can't get past these things:

1) Fastballs have arc to them. It's ridiculous. As minor of a detail as it might sound, that's an absolute game killer for me.

2) No check swings. Do you know how often check swings happen in real life? To not be able to do this in a video game in the year 2010 is brutal.

3) The rocket arms in the infield are still there, and the game speed just doesn't feel right.

Those gripes might be minor to some, but they completely ruin the game experience for me. I really like that 2K is making strides in the right direction. But I'm not quite drinking the Kool-Aid yet.

[DJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by AustinOrgans

HAS ANYONE ELSE SEEN THIS??? I was playing the demo as the Phillies, I hit a grounder to short and Jeter went to play the ball to his right. The camera suddenly went behind Jeter's throwing shoulder as he gathered and threw, and then the camera switched over to Texeira at first and showed the bang-bang play in slow motion. It was sooo cool! But it's only happened once. I'm hoping it happens not all the time but occasionally in the final product.

Man, that sounds awesome. Like you said, I hope it's not overdone but in certain situations, it would add a real nice touch to the game.

[phillyfan23]

I really like the demo I think pitching experience is awesome and for the first time in 2k games I can actually walk people when trying really hard to throw accurate pitches. This is with good gestures too I dig that a lot. The feel of the game is very good and very smooth. Cpu takes a good realistic amount of pitches much better than 2k9

Fielders move too fast but that can be fixed via sliders

Fielders throw too hard but that can be fixed via ratings

But the hit variety to me isn't as good as it should be. I can hit doubles fine but rarely line drive gappers

The lack of zone hitting is a big deal for me and if this game had it would be an instant buy for me. With the proper sliders and roster edits this can feel like a good sim and that's a big step forward. Zone hitting for next year pretty please

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by phillyfan23

I really like the demo I think pitching experience is awesome and for the first time in 2k games I can actually walk people when trying really hard to throw accurate pitches. This is with good gestures too I dig that a lot. The feel of the game is very good and very smooth. Cpu takes a good realistic amount of pitches much better than 2k9 Fielders move too fast but that can be fixed via sliders Fielders throw too hard but that can be fixed via ratings But the hit variety to me isn't as good as it should be. I can hit doubles fine but rarely line drive gappers The lack of zone hitting is a big deal for me and if this game had it would be an instant buy for me. With the proper sliders and roster edits this can feel like a good sim and that's a big step forward. Zone hitting for next year pretty please

This is the only thing holding me back too. And yes bring back zone hitting.

[Blzer]

I'm more disappointed that we can't hide the pitching cursor. You'd think that this is one of the primary reasons we have pinpoint accuracy... mostly because we can see where we're pitching!

This has been an issue since 2K6, and they still don't have a hiding pitching cursor option. Embarrassing.

[HK-47]

Quote: Originally Posted by JoeDog10

No check swings. Do you know how often check swings happen in real life? To not be able to do this in a video game in the year 2010 is brutal.

Check swings will be added in a patch. I think on release day.

[nld230]

Returning to the LS function question, I just played a game trying to figure this out.

I tried hitting inside pitches to the opposite field using the left stick, and got nothing. I didn't see any WEAKER hits from using it. The influence wasn't obvious, if there was any.

I tried using a power swing and down on the LS to hit a sharp grounder: fly ball to center field. Again, influence not present or noticeable.

The only time I thought there MIGHT be: With Tex I attempted to go opposite field with a contact swing, and he sharply plugged the right center field gap. Could be a coincidence, though.

Up on the LS seems to produce fly balls, so sacrifice flies....

Honestly, I'm hoping that it's a misprint in the controller layout. I like the game's hitting interface based on timing.

[AustinOrgans]

I really like the ball-to-bat physics. Yesterday I had a big hit with A-Rod that was visibly tailing to the right, it curved just outside the foul pole. So cool.

Q: Anybody know how to call off fielders?

Current Dislikes:
1. Trajectory on fastballs. They look like freakin' lobs! Especially when thrown low in the zone, they drop like sinkers.

2. No variable strike zones or questionable calls by ump. If you miss the zone by a hair, it's called a ball. The AI batters are also too good at laying off these borderline pitches.

3. (And this one I'd like you guys to experiment with and tell me what you find) I'm finding the fastball down the middle to be a very effective out pitch against the CPU. I'm striking guys out left and right with fastballs down the middle!