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

[magoo1967]

Quote: Originally Posted by spitoon

I knew it wasn't just me Although, your name is Magoo...wasn't he the cartoon guy that couldn't see anything? LOL I'm trusting that this is just a remnant from '10 and that it was fixed 'post-demo'...seems like such an easy fix? I'm loving the game. As much as I didn't think I'd like the analog controls, I'm really liking the fielding and pitching. As it was I sucked at hitting with the button, and it turns out that I super-suck at analog hitting...maybe I should change my screen name to Magoo2?

Very funny. Yes, like Mr. Magoo I also have poor vision (this is not the reason for my screen name however). Fortunately, with my glasses I can see 20/20 though , lol.

Pitch review colors aside, I too am absolutely loving the demo. I was in the "no analog for me" camp at first, but I'm already 100% sold on analog pitching. The hitting is still pretty tough for me, but I will stick with it in hopes that I'll get the hang of it soon enough. Fielding is another story though. I've played through the demo about a dozen times or so and my analog fielding performance thus far has been nothing short of a train wreck . I haven't quite given up yet, but I'm fairly certain that I will go back to button fielding for the upcoming season. It's so awesome that we even have the ability to mix & match control schemes like that.

The good news is that Psycho Bulk confirmed (about a page back) that he asked the CD guys about the pitch colors & someone reported back to him that they were much improved, so this appears to indeed be just an "early build" issue (keeping my fingers crossed )

[B-Man1985]

Quote: Originally Posted by Drew127

After extended time with the demo, I finally feel safe about stating my feelings on it, as I've had time to let things sink in. 1. The graphics are certainly improved. For reference, I popped in MLB 10 and started a night game at AT&T Park. First thing I noticed, the grass looks significantly better this year. Second thing, the lighting is vastly improved. From player shadows to how the stadium lights impact the stands. The stadium as a whole just looks lit correctly. Last year, during night games, parts of the stadium (and even parts of the field in the early evening, covered by shadows) were way too dark. An example of last year vs. this year, is last year during night games in lots of stadiums you couldn't even see the individual pads on the outfield fence, from the default hitting cam. The fence was just shrouded in darkness. This has been fixed and looks perfect this year. I think the lighting changes are huge. 2. The new player models look great, although I never really had a problem with the old ones to begin with. 3. The custom camera is great and really makes the game fresh, in my opinion. I originally was really disappointed at the lack of being able to adjust "focal point" on the custom cameras, but after playing with it more today I think I've found my perfect hitting cam. I love it, it adds a whole new element to the game. The new team broadcast cameras are superb, also. So far I'm favoring the straight-behind-the-mound angles, such as St. Louis, Boston and Minnesota. 4. Ball physics are improved, this is evidenced on foul balls and how they bounce off of the walls and other objects down the lines. It's not so much like a pinball anymore, where the ball will fire well back into fair territory. I think it looks spot on. The ball physics on hits is better also, already I've seen some choppers which were rare last year. And doubles down the line look picture perfect as they slice in the air and bounce around in the corner. Thing of beauty. 5. I'm loving the new analog pitching. For me, this might be the best pitching system I've experienced. Granted, I did not play MVP NCAA, nor have I played the 2k series so I don't have much basis for comparison to other analog schemes. But I'm actually walking people now and am seeing pitches that I just miss my location on, getting called for balls, etc. The pitch counts and ball/strike ratios seem perfect so far. An aside note, I struck out Nelson Cruz with a curveball that bounced in the dirt, and he chased. That was awesome. 6. Analog hitting will take some time. So far I'm on the fence with it. Same goes for fielding. Now the things that disappoint me. The presentation is just stale, and I don't really understand why it's been left untouched for so long. In my opinion, that is the most glaring flaw of the game. Sure, three years ago the presentation was nice, but it's been mostly untouched since MLB '08 and now it's just looking dated. Someone mentioned the overlays are way too busy...which I agree with. They could be cleaned up and simplified a lot. 2k really has this done well, I think. And 2k did it in one year, so I don't really get why the design team at SCEA can't step up. Replays still have those same awkward angles that you would never see on a TV broadcast (not all of the replays, some do have a nice broadcast angle). The top two priorities for '12 should be presentation and franchise overhaul (better stat tracking, a meaningful spring training, etc). And yes, I know they added things like pitch sequences and the ticker this year. Announcing obviously is stale also. I'm not so pressed about the announcing either way, I can take it or leave it. But this needs lots of work too. Overall I'm impressed with the game and for me, the changes do warrant a purchase. The analog pitching and custom cameras alone are enough to freshen the game up for me. I hated meter pitching and always used classic pitching, but had my qualms with it and admittedly it was very boring. Analog pitching is fun AND realistic. However, if you are talking about freshening up a game that lots will argue has become stale, presentation is the single biggest element that can be enhanced. The game play is stellar and doesn't need as much attention, next year. Let's get the other stale elements of the game brought up to date.

This is well written and spot on to my feelings on the game as well. I would like to add to that by syaing SCEA should look into making fielding fly balls more intuitive. One thing I like about 2k this year is how ratings really reflect tracking a fly ball. Lets be honest, tracking fly balls in The Show has been stale for a few years now.

I also really hope SCEA worked on something special for winning the World Series like champagne getting sprayed in the club house and the manager of the club recieving the World Series trophy, maybe even show cut-aways of a parade or something. When I won it in last years game and the team rushed the mound and then it was over I was like WTF? thats it? So hopefully Russ and the team worked on this

[mlblover15]

Finally had time to get the demo dl'd(almost 12 hrs). first game had to turn off analog throwing. pitching is good, and hitting is just like im playing tiger woods. i figured out early on you DON'T even start to load til the pitcher is about to release the ball.

you want you swing exactly like you do in tiger woods one smooth even fluid motion. i hit back to back home runs in the second inning with Ross and Derosa. in pretty much the same spot in left field.

losing 4-2 top 4th but at least im getting the hang of it...

[bellz666]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skyboxer

After seeing/hearing all the improvements: (RTTS, Analog controls (which were loudly asked for by the gamers) Lighting, player reactions time, player models, tweaks to trade/franchise logic etc..) you think it feels it's basically a roster update? To each their own I guess....

Yes, absolutely. I dont play RTTS at all, it holds no interest to me. The other tweaks are so minimal it doesn't outweigh the fact that the bulk of the animations are recycled for years and that the booth dialogue has actually taken a step back. Do you hear Karros, and automatically think it's a quality ugrade?

To each his own indeed.

[phant030]

Quote: Originally Posted by bellz666

Yes, absolutely. I dont play RTTS at all, it holds no interest to me. The other tweaks are so minimal it doesn't outweigh the fact that the bulk of the animations are recycled for years and that the booth dialogue has actually taken a step back. Do you hear Karros, and automatically think it's a quality ugrade? To each his own indeed.

I agree. I definitely don't think its a roster update, but when you change the way a game controls and the way things look...it's doesn't change the way it 'plays'....sure it feels better and looks better, but you are essentially looking at the same things. Improved trade logic doesnt show up in an exhibition game...lighting and player models make the game look a bit better, but ppl feel in love with the gameplay itslef w/ poor models...and they feel it didn't advance as much as it should....how they describe it may be wrong, but you have to understand where they are coming from.

[HokieB]

I was enjoying the demo so much that I popped in 2010 to play with some other teams, play a full game, etc.

I cannot believe how much the visuals have improved this year. Do yourself a favor and pop in 2010 after playing the demo... you'll have a much better appreciation for the improvements.

Love the crowd sounds this year too.

[CarrotJuice]

I posted this in the demo Q&A with no reponce.

I am new to The Show for PS3. I think the game is great so far, but the bat sounds in the demo are terrible. There is no satifaction in really making solid contact. A weak grounder sounds the same as a hard liner or homer.

Has this always been the case for this series? Ive only played the The Show on kiosks before and never paid attention. Hope this is just the demo as I want the crrrrackkk when I mash!

[bxgoods]

This has always been a problem imo.
When you crush a ball, the bat sounds like little peck.
I don't hear huge clocking sounds like I would prefer.