MLB 11 The Show Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

[LetsGoBucs]

I can't believe how much I love the new player models. I didn't think it would make that big of a deal, but I love them. I really like the new lighting and new scoreboards. Can't wait to play with different teams.

Not sure where to put this, but I had the dropped 3rd strike - error on the catcher bug just now, similar to last years bug. I haven't looked through this whole thread, so if it has been reported already, I apologize.

[I_HATE_THAT_DUDE]

Man i love this demo and "It's Just a Demo" lol so i can't wait to see the real game next week. I gotta say I love the new analog controls. They Sony team has done a way better job with it than 2ksports IMOP. I never liked the whole moving the left stick in a diagnol direction to throw a curveball or something it wasn't realistic at all and at times didn't work right, i think the show did a great job the way it's used now. I have only played an inning but it's really good with the pitching so far and the one at bat i took with it.

[swaldo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA

All-Star was made easier this year while HOF and Legend where bumped up a bit in difficulty. However if people think its to easy we have already discussed tuning updates for all pitching and hitting options.

Sounds good, I thought tuning updates was just an EA thing. I'll try HOF level in my next game.

[eaw913]

I am really loving the demo. Each time I play it, I like it even more than the time before. My opinions on the analog controls are pretty mixed, but overall I will probably keep all three instead of switching back to the classic controls.

Before I get into my thoughts on the controls, I really love all aspects of the demo so far. I am actually quite disappointed with the graphics. They are very dull and have far too many rough spots for my liking, which is nothing like the videos and screenshots we have been fed for the past few months. Although, I remember reading early on that this was an early build of the game and I cannot imagine the graphics not being at least AS good as last year, if not better (considering the new lighting, player models, and stadium updates etc). And yes, I have a fancy HDTV so it isn't that. The new animations are great, and the game itself just seems to run a whole lot smoother. The lighting transitions are also amazing, and I have forced many games past the 4th inning on purpose just to see the night sky with those clouds in it! I really think that once the full game gets here, this will be a sight to behold. I also feel like the presentation is very good. I actually like Karros, and have had many situations where he has had a lot to say about certain situations. He also has many conversations with Matt about the deeper aspects of both the Giants and Rangers, which I really enjoy listening to. Definitely do not see any of the issues most people are talking about. Now onto my impressions with the analog controls:

Analog Pitching: This is my favorite out of all of them. I have a very even mix of balls and strikes now, whereas last year I had 72 strikes and 26 balls or something obscure. It is nice to finally have a challenge hitting my targets. It really makes hitting your spots rewarding. I have actually walked many batters this year, and had some pretty deep counts that kept me on the edge the entire time. It also helps that I seemed to click with this the very first time, and didn't really have any issues.

Analog Batting: I have been getting whipped with this one. At first, I was swinging so off that I looked like a 6 year old taking random hacks at a t-ball game. After lowering the difficulty and taking my time, it is actually teaching me to be patient and watch the ball. It is an awesome feeling when you got your pitch coming in and you rope it to left field. The feel of having complete control over the hit is one I never felt with the 2k series. Despite my troubles with it, I am improving and almost ready to bump up the difficulty a level. I figure over time I will improve, and eventually I will come to love this one as much as the pitching.

Analog Fielding: At first, I hated this. I even switched to the classic fielding for a while, but after some time I just couldn't stand it and tried it again. After several games with 5+ errors, I finally got the hang of it. For some reason I kept mistaking the red ring (the power that builds up when it hits maximum after holding the stick down) for being how off my throw was, so I kept just lightly tossing it instead of putting some muscle into it. Once I got the feel of where to push the stick to get the green ring for accuracy, it really started to fall into place. I still make the occasional error, but like the pitching and batting, I feel like I have complete control of every aspect of the game.

Overall, I will keep all three. I think once I get used to the changes, and get to be decent with batting and fielding, I will fall in love with the new controls. As for right now, I will use the demo to prepare for the full game!

[Philthy65]

The fielding on bunting needs to be improved. In one at-bat, Lincecum popped up a bunt straight up (in foul territory). It wouldn't register my catcher, so it fell for a foul ball. Next pitch is another bunt pop up, this time to C.J. Wilson. Again it didn't register, and the ball fell in for a hit. It was popped high enough where there wasn't even a close play at first on Lincecum.

Overall, great demo. I can't wait for the full game.

[billyo]

Is it me or do the outfielders arms seem stronger this year? I have nailed several base runners attempting to take the extra base very easily.

[Yankees_CT]

Well I wanted to spend enough time with the game before I commented so after 25+ demo games here we go. I have always been a Show fan. It's the reason I bought a PS3 and the reason I joined this site so of course I am a little bias .
I screamed out a loud NOOOOO!!! when I heard they were going analog. I love my button pressing Show and there was no way I was going to the new controls . Well I was wrong, I absolutely love them. Every one of them, from fielding to batting to pitching they were implemented meticulously in my opinion and really just make the most realistic sports game that much more.
I'm just going to focus on hitting for now because it gave me the most difficulty at first. I was always a fan of hitting in the show because of that difficulty. It made every hit I did get a fist pump moment. Well the analog has seemed to make it even more difficult. Or at least I thought, I barely got 2 hits per game (sometime less) for the first 10 games I played (no HRs). Then What I decided to do was go through the line up with each guy only taking that initial first step and not swinging. I did this a few times, took mental notes of each stride and after a few games I started hitting. My last game I played I had 9 hits and 7 runs, blanking the cpu 7-0...whoohooo! Never thought I would get there after my initial 10 games but it feels awesome now. I probably won't have another game like that last one but every hit I had literally had me jumping out of my seat (especially the 2 dingers!).
I think as far as the hitting (analog anyway) this year you just have to really know your team. Once you know their strides, the timing and hitting for that matter will come. I love that this seems to be the case. I have been playing with the Rangers the entire time with the demo and I think if I switched right now I would be back to putting zero's on the board!
I will throw in a couple of criticisms, those being that commentary honestly does need to be revamped at this point. I like the edition of Karros and I even like the team they have. If they could just put these guys together more dynamically, add that back and forth of NBA 2k11 then it would be golden. The other thing is presentation. I love it of course, no other game brings you in more but it also needs to be a focus for next year. I would like to see a stationary fielding cam that zooms and rotates but does not pan (just as an option of course). But what I really want to see is the RTP expanded upon next year. I love it being real time but I would like to see other things during the RTP, bat boys, managers coming to the mound in real-time (watching them make their way up the steps and to the mound). Just want more of it .
Anyway, even if they don't touch the commentary and the presentation next year it will still be awesome because no sports game matches the sport they represent more realistically then The Show, period....IMO the way they portray the hitter vs pitcher dual will never be touched. It's difficult, really difficult (especially moving up to HOF....jeez!) and I definitely would never want it any other way.....jumping into the time machine now and heading to March 8th .

[spitoon]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yankees_CT

I think as far as the hitting (analog anyway) this year you just have to really know your team. Once you know their strides, the timing and hitting for that matter will come. I love that this seems to be the case. I have been playing with the Rangers the entire time with the demo and I think if I switched right now I would be back to putting zero's on the board!

I'm really struggling with analog hitting as well. Maybe this will help, thanks for the advice.

The biggest "problem" that I see with this, is that it would basically prevent us from just picking up and playing a random game in the schedule (which was a big added feature last year)...because you would have no chance to learn the stride of each player on the random team...

Other than that, I'm liking the demo so far...can't wait for a week.