MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

[walhalla]

Okay dear reviewers, how much did they (2K sports) pay you? To be honest, this game IS BAD!

[rheth]

MVP Baseball 2005 is still the game I judge all other baseball games by. I have been playing the show since The Show 07 on PS3 as there was really no other option. I have liked The Show and its progression but last year it started to get stale. I decided to try MLB 2k10, and although it had many flaws, i really enjoyed the game. The pitching interface is challenging and I acutally looked forward to pitching rather than it being just something to get through before I could hit again. Loved the camera angle for batting and the hitters eye was along the lines of MVP 05( no colors of course). I have downloaded both demos and I really prefer MLB 2k11. There is no doubt The Show looks better, but I prefer the gameplay of MLB 2k11 and I will live with the graphics. Here's to hoping 2k continues to improve their baseball game going forward or give up the exclusive license and let EA have a crack again.

[elimack]

Quote: Originally Posted by destructocid

I can't believe people are actually defending 2k. This is a company that hasn't put out a quality baseball game since 2007. They then released 2k8 without even bothering to finish it. It seems each year 2k just changes the number on the box, from 2k8 to 2k9 to2k10. That's the biggest change from year to year. I feel 2k has simply coasted the last few years, putting almost zero effort or money into their product. I really feel like they're ripping their customers off, and that's not right. I'm not bashing 2k fans, I was a 2k fan, until 2k8. Idk, if some people enjoy the game, that's great. I just feel that 2k has been very deceptive and disingenuous. I a. A fan of the show now, but believe me, I would love nothing more than some serious competition. I would love to have to decide between two great games every year, but I don't see that happening anytime soon

I see where 2K has missed the marks in their games. Graphically/Animation wise, however to ignore their efforts to enhance the on field experience of the player from a game play perspective isn't right. They had no reason to implement analog controls or the new camera perspectives if this was the case.

We ignore the fact The Show has given us the exact same animations and in game commentary since it's last gen versions. They've taken more of the Madden NFL approach, when compared to 2K IMO.

[ryan36]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Gamer

I think its pretty interesting the thought that if you play the 2k series that you're not as hardcore, diehard baseball fan as those who play the Show. I'd be troubled to find a more ridiculous thought process.

Not true. If you play only on a 360, you play 2k. If you enjoy a game that doesn't take FOREVER to finish, you play 2k (I fast forward to the 5th inning in the show). The logic as you present it is flawed... my point is not that hardcore gamers don't play 2k, or that they would not choose 2k over the Show. My point was that 2k does not seem to be presenting their game in such a fashion as to appeal to the "intellectual" side of gamers. I enjoyed 2k10 this year. With both games, I'm waiting for impressions to decide on what I buy, if either. Money is tighter, and neither has made HUGE strides.

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffy777

I'm not sure how much time you put in to 2K10, but I played 6 seasons of My Player, and the results were pretty sim, especially the hitting. For me, it had the best hitter vs. pitcher battles that I've seen in a baseball game (and I've played them all)....and the AI pitching was quite realistic (if you turn the pitch speed up). The fielding in My Player was pretty good too because it didnt have the assist that regular modes did. The simulation engine wasn't too bad either, though not perfect. But overall, I certainly get a decent sim experience from 2K10, and with changes I've seen in 2K11, it's looking and feeling like it will be even more sim this year.

I'm a franchise guy. That's where I spend most of my time. The game with sliders PLAYED somewhat sim, but to say the entirety of the game was an accurate sim, was a stretch, IMO. I say this about The Show as well.

Quote: Originally Posted by thundergatti

I'm beginning to think that, just like politics, the voices at the extremes have commandeered and have come to dominate the discussion. There are partisans on both sides, professing their cause is more "sim." In my opinion, however, as long as both games have ball "physics" that regularly lead to outside fastballs being pulled for HRs, or inside pitches blasted and skied for opposite field HRs, "more sim" is basically a self-appointed title without any real substance.

Sim is just "how close to results kinda sorta mimic real life" I'm a gamer who likes things "sim enough." Madden, for instance, to me, is almost "sim enough." I don't want a video game to take 2:15 min to complete although that's sim. I want to basically feel like the players have an identity on the field, and for the game to be free from glitches.

Quote: Originally Posted by rheth

MVP Baseball 2005 is still the game I judge all other baseball games by. I have been playing the show since The Show 07 on PS3 as there was really no other option. I have liked The Show and its progression but last year it started to get stale. I decided to try MLB 2k10, and although it had many flaws, i really enjoyed the game. The pitching interface is challenging and I acutally looked forward to pitching rather than it being just something to get through before I could hit again. Loved the camera angle for batting and the hitters eye was along the lines of MVP 05( no colors of course). I have downloaded both demos and I really prefer MLB 2k11. There is no doubt The Show looks better, but I prefer the gameplay of MLB 2k11 and I will live with the graphics. Here's to hoping 2k continues to improve their baseball game going forward or give up the exclusive license and let EA have a crack again.

I think MVP hit that point between "arcade/sim" that was fun for most gamers. Even though if you held 'up' with Shea Hillenbrand and waited for high pitch almost every at bat, the game was fun...the presentation was good, etc.

I feel like 2k is moving closer to MVP as opposed to say ASB. Finding the point on the spectrum between sim and arcade or casual etc...is going to be the key to success in a sports world where titles are dwindling

[elimack]

Quote: Originally Posted by smearz

Yeah, you're not biased, are you? That is the most ridiculous comment I've seen here.

This statement is very true. Aside from visual graphics and an additional feature here and there. The game is the same. From the cut scenes to the animations. In fact their still using the same generic baseball stances for players, instead of giving everyone sig styles

[Ltrain44]

All I have to say is "it's a demo from an EARLIER build". I find it funny that some people do not take this into account. It's so entertaining watching folks talk **** about the game when it's a 3 inning skin and bones demo. lol

[ryan36]

It's a no -win for the development team.

Release a 60 day old version of the game and hope people like it, or just hope people like it after full release.

I think with the incredible lack of info 2k has released, that people wanted more from the demo.

I think their marketing approach this year will mean a lot less Day 1 sales.

[CubFan23]

Quote: Originally Posted by acarrero

The Show was a great game...in 2006, it's the same game since, until they decided to copy 2K this year with analog controls. Bottom line is The Show sort of admitted 2K was ahead of them when it comes to gameplay.

But it's ok for 2k to copy RTTS and call it my player?