MLB 2K11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (PS3/360)

[Redemption]

its hard for me to get a feel for the batting because I just can't get used to the pitch speed. It's just so damn slow on the demo I'm way ahead of everything. Even when I try to wait on it and feel like I'm going to be late, I still end up early

I'm used to needing to make that split second decision and can't wait until the full game so I can crank that pitch speed up

[rckabillyRaider]

not sure if it's because of the difficulty or what, but I hit a ball in the gap which rolled to the wall and the fielder picked it up and stood there for about a second before throwing it to the cutoff man, and then the cutoff man stood for another second before throwing to home to attempt to get my runner out that I had on first base. Scored on a play where he definitely should have been held to 3rd.

Another thing, some of the animations are no good. You can kind of notice that they will "snap" from one animation into the next. Not fluid.

[brendanrfoley]

I squeezed three games in today and like what I see so far.

Hitting feels better than it did last year and the improved hit variety is a big help. I can only imagine that on higher difficulties, the hit variety is even better (due the lack of consistent contact). I've seen slow rollers, choppers, line drives, looping liners into the gaps, slicing line shots... you name it. The physics of a rolling ball are much, much better as well. Pitching is also sublime and the lower tier pitchers certainly have trouble locating.

Visually, it's a mixed bag. The game is smoother than last year (the extra animations help) but it's still not pretty. I long for the day MLB2K is visually comparable to NBA2K.

[Redemption]

as for the pitching argument. Yes there are still things about it that bug me. First and foremost, I wish we could go back to 2k8 with the 3rd step in the pitching. At least have it as an option for people that want the challenge.

I also wish there was more of a correlation between the gesture and the end result (aka, if I don't rotate enough on my curve, it should have less bite and be left hanging a little... and if I overrotate, it should end up in the dirt). But they have improved imo in that department over the years, minimizing the "randomess" some

but that is not how I interpreted emaths criticism (which seems much more trolling than actual constructive criticism/advice)

[inkcil]

Impressions and observations:

- I like the atmosphere of the game, the constant murmur of the crowd, PA, ect.

- I like the cartoon graphics of the game (almost like half cartoon, half claymation), for me it adds to the FUN factor of 2k's offering; I also like the color palatte.

- While the animations have improved, they are still overall pretty goofy. Mainly in the fielding - players throw from awkward and unrealistic positions with cannon arm strength looking in the other direction of the base they are throwing; football catches are still in for infielders (turn around and look at the ball already!); and why does everyone running full speed down the first base line basically stop on a dime when they are thrown out? How about "running through the bag" animations 2k?

- Hitting, batting and throwing mechanics all work fine, although I prefer button pressing for hitting and throwing. I don't FEEL the big difference in fielding that was being touted...feels just like last year to me...i don't feel MORE in control of the fielder than in years past, i just have the little bar now to tell me how hard/accurate I am throwing. But I will say the the outfielders circle is a nice addition.

- Swinging the bat still feels like wiffle ball, but at least it seems like the ball goes in the direction it goes based on the timing of the hit and the placement of the pitch.

- I'm not crazy about any of the camera angles. I need a different angle for when I hit the ball then the one they have in the demo...I prefer to have the angle that I have when fielding the ball for when after I've made a hit.

- A few oddities: Top of first with Kinsler on base, one out. Hamilton hits a towering ball to left field and I am prompted to press square to wall climb. Even though I'm barely at the warning track I press square anyway out of desperation. My fielders warps to the wall and makes a leap, coming down with the ball somehow. I hear the ump say "OUT." But Then the screen reads HOME RUN and it is a 2 run homer - the scoreboard reads 2-0. I retire Cruz for the (3rd?) out, and the side is retired.

- Secondly, two out with runner on first and second, and I hit a ball off the top of the right field wall...like off the very top of the wall. It scores the run from 2nd. However, on the replay I notice that the runner got about 5 feet from home plate, stopped dead in his tracks and got in the "lead off the base" animation, then sprinted towards home (if you can sprint five feet, but he took off like he had 90 feet ahead of him). I guess the AI was waiting to see if the ball was going to be caught? First of all, the ball hit off the top of that high wall. Secondly, there were two outs, so why stop?

I hope more bugs like these are not in the final product.

[Raskal]

I just played a game and the CPU made the worst substitutions ever to try and catch up while down 4-0.

Washington starts making pinch hit moves left and right while I have Zito on the mound starting in the first inning. Moreland out, Young In, Torrealba out, Davis in. Bourbon out, someone else in. When the final batter in the 3rd inning comes to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs tying run on 2nd, there is the relief pitcher Lowe coming to bat with no more subs left on the bench.

[BA2929]

Well. I've played two games and I'm 100% in picking guys off at 3rd. I've tried twice and been successful twice. Both times the runner started back, but instead of going to the base, he went to the right of it while shuffling his feet the entire time. Tagged out easily.

Other than that I really haven't had any issues to speak of. The choppy camera on foul balls doesn't bother me in the least. I would like to know if there's a button to cancel a throw, however.

[elfdutch]

Quote: Originally Posted by TeixeiraFanatic

I just found a big bug. I haven't looked through the entire thread so someone might have already said it. Anyway. First inning as the Rangers. They get two quick outs. Hamilton hits a homerun over the right field wall then Cruz follows that with a triple. Adrian Beltre up. He hits one deep into centerfield. I see the fans 6 rows back stand up. Andres Torres goes through the wall and catches it but it counts as a homerun and an out. So I'm up 3-0 going into the bottom of the first having only got out twice.

Had the exact same thing. Score was 0-0. 2 outs, nobody on base.
I hit one out of the park, but the leftfielder climbs the wall and then somehow morphs into the wall, or through it. He catches the ball somewhere behind that wall. On my screen the words "out" and "homerun" are written. So, a homerun and an out. Its scored as a run.

Really do not like that. High foul balls behind the catcher makes players go soooo sloooooow.
Don't like the new camera at all. Hit a homerun on the very 1st pitch i got, but could not see the ball for the life of me.
Replays still suck, only showing the runners.
I loved mlb2k10 but am really not digging this at all.

Very very underwhelming......