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

[slthree]

The demo makes the point I've been making for years about Classic Pitching: Its HARD

With analog I could not only put the ball where I wanted but I could further influence break by purposely moving the stick offline.

For those who have been pitching with analog only, try Classic. It is brutally hard to hit a spot. It may actually be too random.

Its funny, because in a recent interview on MLBTV a great pitcher (can't remember who) talked about how hard it is to hit spots. Even on this site, Doc was quoted as telling the 2K folks that hitting your spots is way harder than the game makes it for the user.

So, I'm thinking if you really want a challenge pitching, its Classic for The Show and analog for2K.

As far as hitting goes, I dont like that you can only time your swing with analog. I want to be in control of where I place my bat. Think I'll stick with zone.

[ripwalk]

Quote: Originally Posted by spitoon

I've played about 10 demo games with the settings on default and I haven't made a throwing error either... I will qualify that by saying that I use AUTO fielding and Analog throwing...I just assumed that this combination was easier and that's why I wasn't seeing the throwing errors that others are.

The default controls on analog throwing are set to veteran, which is the second easiest setting.

Admittedly it is not too tough to keep the ball thrown straight on that mode. Put the game up on Hall of Fame or Legend and you'll find it is much tougher and requires greater concentration ...

[raskal67]

I was just gonna post but you wrapped it up as far as I am concerned.

Quote: Originally Posted by slthree

The demo makes the point I've been making for years about Classic Pitching: Its HARD With analog I could not only put the ball where I wanted but I could further influence break by purposely moving the stick offline. For those who have been pitching with analog only, try Classic. It is brutally hard to hit a spot. It may actually be too random. Its funny, because in a recent interview on MLBTV a great pitcher (can't remember who) talked about how hard it is to hit spots. Even on this site, Doc was quoted as telling the 2K folks that hitting your spots is way harder than the game makes it for the user. So, I'm thinking if you really want a challenge pitching, its Classic for The Show and analog for2K. As far as hitting goes, I dont like that you can only time your swing with analog. I want to be in control of where I place my bat. Think I'll stick with zone.

[DJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by slthree

The demo makes the point I've been making for years about Classic Pitching: Its HARD With analog I could not only put the ball where I wanted but I could further influence break by purposely moving the stick offline. For those who have been pitching with analog only, try Classic. It is brutally hard to hit a spot. It may actually be too random. Its funny, because in a recent interview on MLBTV a great pitcher (can't remember who) talked about how hard it is to hit spots. Even on this site, Doc was quoted as telling the 2K folks that hitting your spots is way harder than the game makes it for the user. So, I'm thinking if you really want a challenge pitching, its Classic for The Show and analog for2K. As far as hitting goes, I dont like that you can only time your swing with analog. I want to be in control of where I place my bat. Think I'll stick with zone.

Or, if you want to stick with Analog, bump up the difficulty and adjust the sliders. On All-Star, I was able to pretty much hit my spots whenever I wanted, but on Hall Of Fame, that doesn't happen.

I do like the "clean" look of Classic pitching, though, and still use it in MLB 10.

[Heroesandvillains]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

Or, if you want to stick with Analog, bump up the difficulty and adjust the sliders. On All-Star, I was able to pretty much hit my spots whenever I wanted, but on Hall Of Fame, that doesn't happen. I do like the "clean" look of Classic pitching, though, and still use it in MLB 10.

This has kind of been the lingering feeling the demo has left me with too.

I've been pitching on HOF the last couple of nights, with analog. My control is worse...MUCH worse. Now, I admit, I haven't fully mastered the new meter, especially on the upswing, but I'm currently feeling like HOF is slightly too 'singles' and 'fouls' happy.

On AS, my strike percentages and walks allowed were actually very realistic, I just wasn't giving up quite enough hits. On HOF, my strike percentages are down, moderately, but well placed pitches...even with Lincecum, seem to be inordinately fouled off or roped up the middle for a single.

I was especially turned off by a 1-2 foul ball from Kinsler, on an up and in 95MPH fastball...keeping in mind it was the first inning, and I had yet to pitch one there. And worse yet, he was WAY out in front of it.

At least in the demo, the bridge between AS and HOF pitching is much deeper than last years game...meaning, I wish the increase in difficulty was slightly less noticeable.

Granted, I'm only using number ones...so who's to say that in the retail version, AS won't play balanced on Default. It may...that, or when I get better with the new meter on HOF, maybe the things that are bugging me now will slightly change course...singles turning into groundouts, fouls turning into misses, etc. I'm slightly less optimistic about this than I normally would be, due to the fact that HOF has been made moderately tougher this year. Last year, on HOF, I still felt that my hits per inning were a little inflated.

Mainly, I was hoping to at least be set on difficulty level by the launch, but now I'm still a little unsure. Though, I'd gather I'll start on AS.

FWIW, I'd try Classic on AS but the vibration on my controller doesn't work anymore. I plan on picking up a new one soon.

[stoncold32]

Is it me or can u not aim ur hits anymore with the Rstick?

I play Zone hitting and its not there this year..will it be in the final game?

[JustinSainn]

Quote: Originally Posted by stoncold32

Is it me or can u not aim ur hits anymore with the Rstick? I play Zone hitting and its not there this year..will it be in the final game?

You're talking about swing influence right? Yes, it's there but now you have to hold R2 I believe while hitting the R stick.

[Siruss]

I finally downloaded the demo today and yes, the game looks great and the little tweaks are all awesome but there are these glaring problems to me.

1) The rules. When a pitcher attempts a pickoff and throws it out of play, it is 1 base, not 2. Only when a fielder throws it out of play is it 2 bases. Why has this not been fixed after all these years? There are others I noticed in previous years too but I can't comment as I haven't seen them yet.
2) Analog pitching. Why is it harder to throw a ball than a strike? If I want a pitch to be off the plate, it's harder to move the stick down and then up and try to hit 11o'clock or 2. I'll be using meter pitching.
3) Analog batting. What's the point? It's easier to get hits using the PCI manually than the analog batting feature. I used guess pitch to guess a low outside pitch, the pitch went there, perfect timing, and I missed. Why? the computer put the PCI in the upper right corner. basically if they are saying the PCI is more sensitive and you need to get the ball in there to hit it, manually doing it the old-school way is the way to do it because the computer moves it to the wrong spot a LOT.
4) I just wanted to make a point about cut-offs. When throwing from CF to the plate, the 1b stands at the pitcher mound and the CF is supposed to throw it at his head. When the ball is in the air the catcher yells CUT if he wants the 1b to cut it off. It is not a pre-determined throw to cut it off as it would be if a corner outfielder was throwing to 2nd base via a cut off man.

I realize it's the demo and not a finished version. I'm not trying to be a troll or anything so don't flame me. Just pointing out some issues I didn't expect to be present especially after reading all the community day reviews.