Major League Baseball 2K10 Hands-on (IGN)

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by DickDalewood

He also mentions that "we gamers must make do with what we're given... and that's the MLB 2K series." That's... not the only option. Unless of course he was trying to say he was an Xbox only owner.

Well it was the 360 version he was previewing, so that could be the reason why. It is viewed on the 360 portion of the site.

Quote: Originally Posted by DaveDQ

The defensive swing is a good addition. It happens in baseball. The writer didn't explain it thoroughly, but what he did state is that it is difficult to time it. You have to time it and determine that's what you want to do. That makes complete sense. This is not a "fourth strike" option. it's not like you can flick your stick left or right and you are guaranteed a foul off. This is about gauging the count and pitch selection and defending your current situation.

The problem I see with it though is that, now you're having to go for a defensive swing, making it almost sound like you have no chance of going for a hit, just trying to keep the count alive. I realize that's the basic idea of a defensive swing, but guys do make good contact once in a while for a hit.

[ckarlic]

Not a big fan of pitching and hitting with the analog sticks. For the life of me I can never get the timing down and the hang of it. I hope they still have the option to use other methods.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaveDQ

The defensive swing is a good addition. It happens in baseball. The writer didn't explain it thoroughly, but what he did state is that it is difficult to time it. You have to time it and determine that's what you want to do. That makes complete sense. This is not a "fourth strike" option. it's not like you can flick your stick left or right and you are guaranteed a foul off. This is about gauging the count and pitch selection and defending your current situation.

I understand there is timing involved, but shouldn't a player's skill(in game not user) have some determining factor in the outcome?

I guess maybe the timing window expands/contracts given the skill of the batter?

[DaveDQ]

Quote: Originally Posted by EnigmaNemesis

It is the same thing that was in 2K7. They only switched it to left or right instead of just flicking up. IMO, having it on a separate swing mechanic, now poses problems as far as a natural feel to hitting, and crosses into the lines of sim or not. Where as in The Show for instance. 1-2 count 2-2 count or even 3-2 count, you see a pitching coming in that will be borderline, and it tails outside or too high or too low in the zone, you know swinging at it last minute is going to most likely foul it off with a good vision hitter to stay alive for another pitch. It feels natural because you are still using the same swing mechanic. That gameplay mechanic is incorporated into the batter interface. Where as having this have its own swing mechanic that is not a part of the batter interface, just feels cheap IMO, and almost takes you out of the experience. It did not work well with flicking up on the stick in 2K7, and having it even more unorthodox to your swing, it seems even worse.

I think we need to hold off judgement on whether it is the same as 2K7. We haven't played the game. Inside Pitch plays a role in a hitter's potential, and according to the article, it has been "beefed up."

I don't think it's cheap either, nor does it border on "un-sim." You see a pitch you aren't sure of and they offer a controller mapping to put you in a situation to defend it. It's not like you are using a completely different button. You pull back on the stick, don't like what you see but aren't sure...try and knock it foul.

Makes perfect sense to me.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaveDQ

I think we need to hold off judgement on whether it is the same as 2K7. We haven't played the game. Inside Pitch plays a role in a hitter's potential, and according to the article, it has been "beefed up." I don't think it's cheap either, nor does it border on "un-sim." You see a pitch you aren't sure of and they offer a controller mapping to put you in a situation to defend it. It's not like you are using a completely different button. You pull back on the stick, don't like what you see but aren't sure...try and knock it foul. Makes perfect sense to me.

We will agree to disagree on this one. It is the same feature from 2K7, even the same name.

[brendanrfoley]

A quick note about the aforementioned "slowdown." The version of MLB 2K10 played by IGN, Gamespot and others is far from final. Those sites played it two weeks ago (the build is likely a month old at this point) and optimization is typically the last thing that happens during development.

MLB 2K9 ran smoothly (for the most part) and I expect no worse from 2K10.

[m-dogg]

"the visuals have taken a bit of a hit"

i agree this is most dissappointing. I know gameplay is more important, but while the parks were fine for me last year, the players were so bland and lacking any detail or textures.. I was really hoping these would be upgraded as they optimized last years engine. its crazy, intead we have:

2k7 graphics >>>>> 2k9 > 2k10

why are we going the wrong direction in next gen?

honestly, I'd much rather have 30 fps and 2k7's graphics with 2k10's gameplay than have the overrated 60 fps. 2k7 was smooth enough for me, in fact, I don't remember anyone complaining about the frame rate of that game. it just had massive issues in gameplay and a horrendous hitting engine that made no sense at all.