MLB 11: The Show Reviewer First Impressions

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by DickDalewood

Yah, IMO presentation should be the main focus for next year... commentary, graphical overlays, highlight shows, etc. Adding an MLB Today type feature definitely wouldn't hurt either.

In total agreement. The gameplay is the best in the business right now, and arguably the best of all time. It truly needs some minor tweaks and that is about it. No need for any overhauls there.

Presentations like you mentioned will go a long long way in this series I believe.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by adayinthelife

I see the general consensus being that this game is basically "the same, but better", but I have to say it hasn't been that way for me thus far. Much like NHL 11 last year, The Show 11 feels like a legitimate step forward from the 09 version. While I did enjoy last years game, it truly felt like The Show 09.5 to me, and as such it just didn't get nearly as much play. Granted, this could be because I didn't play the hell out of '10, when I first popped in this years version I was floored. The new controls are an acquired taste to be sure, but I'm really coming around to them. Visually speaking it just feels like the game is miles ahead of past iterations. The player models are MUCH improved, which in turn makes all of the animations seem more life like. I can't say enough about the custom camera feature either, as well as the true to life broadcast views. So far I've been making use of the new controls, as well as the aforementioned cameras and it really does make it a whole new game. Maybe I'm not quite as stoked as I was the first time I played '09, but it's pretty damn close. I was hesitant to say that '10 was really an improvement over '09 because it just felt so similar that I was never really sucked in. This however, this feels fresh and I'm really loving it so far.

I pretty much share your same exact sentiments. I played the hell out of 2009. Almost three full franchise seasons playing about 100 games each season. I too passed on 2010 after playing the demo. Felt the same with some added polish. But when I played this demo I was floored. It truly is a major upgrade from 2009. I also must preface this by saying the 2009 version was my first ever Show baseball game. I played MVP 2005 for about 5 years on PS2 before making the jump into the PS3 and The Show is what pushed me to finally buy one.

I am not nuts about the new controls (pitching is very cool) but the rest is sorta meh for me. I love the pitcher/batter dual first and foremost and The Show is the best ever with no competition. I tried for a full season to embrace the fielding and base running (classic and analog) control schemes and just always found it too clunky and a legacy problem I still see is collision detection (no biggie for the most part except when I see guys slide right through players lol). So I started using auto fiedling and throwing as well as baserunning and I just love playing the game that way. It looks just jaw dropping and I get a real kick out of watching my guys back me up as I pitch. It really makes for a superb sim style experience.

This game with the new broadcast camera angles has taken this title to a new level of greatness. And the franchise ticker during my games is awesome. Now I feel part of the league and am able to keep up with stats and scores around the league.


Huge upgrade from 2009.

[DJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by DickDalewood

Yah, IMO presentation should be the main focus for next year... commentary, graphical overlays, highlight shows, etc. Adding an MLB Today type feature definitely wouldn't hurt either.

Yep, all that stuff plus a Playoff Mode (how great would that be, especially once Knight and Co. start cranking out those Classic Roster sets?) would be the ultimate gaming experience.

[Russell_SCEA]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bahnzo

For starters, fielding is VASTLY changed. I noticed the very first game I played and every game since. If you don't notice it, then I don't know what to say. Balls down the lines no longer are sure bets to get by corner infielders, outfielders have much improved fielding animations that give them more options to field balls, etc. I spoke about this last year and basically it fell on deaf ears...where were you? And it's still my pet peeve...AI outfielders always take perfect routes to balls, especially balls that deflect off the outfield walls. They *always* play the deflection perfectly. The only times OF'ers make mistakes are in misjudging line drives they think they can catch, and then trying to make diving grabs that you already know they are going to miss. I've got my own ideas on how it can/could be fixed, but until SCEA and others realize there is a problem here, I'll keep to myself I guess......

We re-wrote every fielding attribute this year so we still didn't realize fielding needed some love? Not arguing on the part about guys taking perfect routes to the ball but its one of those things that sounds really really good on paper then you try to design it and the wheels fall off. Not saying it's something we won't try work on this year buts its far from easy.

[econoodle]

my impressions..
your FIRST impressions are better thought out and well written them practically every websites FULL review.
Bravo.

And man did u hit it on the head with the analog pitching assessment.
man i love these front page articles.

this game is 'tv presentation' away from being untouchable.

[Bahnzo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell_SCEA

We re-wrote every fielding attribute this year so we still didn't realize fielding needed some love? Not arguing on the part about guys taking perfect routes to the ball but its one of those things that sounds really really good on paper then you try to design it and the wheels fall off. Not saying it's something we won't try work on this year buts its far from easy.

Russell, the new fielding shows you guys worked on it and gave it some attention....and it's done very well, as usual.

But I did bring up this route issue last year, and it pretty much was ignored by most (even by you I believe) and was written off as "guys dive and miss balls, don't know what you are talking about". Totally missed what I was talking about in other words. I never said it was something that was easy, just something that needs looked at.

Hit me up for a game or two, Russell...I wanna see if you are still the check-swing champ this year (FWIW - Russell can checkswing online like a mutha...it's so frustrating)

[STLCARDS2011]

Ok so I love this game and I have played since The Show 08, BUT...

I play mostly online and RTTS, and right now it seems like online is just not fun.
In the first 12 games that I have played online now, I have only finished about 5 due to frustration.
My record of 6-6 is weird because of the six victories, 4 of them have been a no hitter (2) or a 1 hitter (2), against the other player. In the games that I won I scored 1 run 3 times and over 6 runs the other 3 times. The games that I've lost it has either been by 1 run or by over 6 runs.

My conclusion is that there is a lack of middle ground on this game online. You either get a no hitter or you can pitch a no hitter. And when it's not a no hitter, the runs come flooding in and it's a blow out of runs. I just dont get it? Anyone else have this problem? Why cant their be more back and forth games where you are allowed to score in more than 1 or 2 innings. Pitching is either absolutely spectacular in one game and then the next you get blown up!?!

[EnigmaNemesis]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

Yep, all that stuff plus a Playoff Mode (how great would that be, especially once Knight and Co. start cranking out those Classic Roster sets?) would be the ultimate gaming experience.

You can effectively create your own "playoff mode" online in the custom season set up. And still use custom roster sets. I cool work around!

But yes, an offline one from the core menu would be awesome!