MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

[MFin04]

"Really really wish theyd release full game demos so we could look at a least some of the managerial decisions the CPU would make."

I've seen a lot of pinch running for slow runners...and one scenario they had the pitcher up after the pinch run for a slow runner (tying run) and didn't pinch hit for him, but sacrificed the runner over...thought that was smart to not waste the pinch hitter.

[GeeWhiz]

it's not bad. at least it's getting better. i don't like how the ball looks like it's rolling on something as smooth as ice when it's a grounder or when it rolls after a hit.

the animations are overall OK - nothing great though in my opinion. they could all use some work.

the pace of the game is too fast in my opinion. the ball isn't even thrown into the infield and the announcer is announcing the next batter. it feels rushed.

the graphics are flat and i don't like the style of them either - for instance, the jersey lettering isn't accurate.

it's not a bad game and I could see a casual baseball fan enjoying it.

[econoodle]

more thoughts from the gaming room:

-lighting improved, no doubt. no doubt.
-overlays have a nice blast of color added in, which is nice
-2k set it too fast play it seems, so i cant comment on presentation much, but even a slight e will be fine by me.
-seems a bit slower to me, again i could be wrong, anyone else feel that way?
-never cared much about the old gloves, i know people hated the lool, but ill be darned if they aint improved.
-the pacing is second to none
-the ball still has that weird loft like its on a string, so thats a big no-no.
-unis look slightly better
-Love that u can check pitch track using the d-pad to check all sorts of stuff like:

last pitch sequence
first pitch locations
result pitch out locations
result hits locations
pitches to lefties, righties, curveballs sliders, yada yada

-the spinning rating indicator addition is the bomb.

- on a slow roller to third beltran instead of running thru the bag, rounded first and because of that was thrown out. BIG BIG no-no 2k!

very happy, but most of the stuff i had a problem with in 12, cant be seen from the demo

more thoughts to come.

[JustinVerlander35]

I have played about 12 games or so, and this demo has assured me I am not going to buy it.

Still running into problems with fielding. Here are a few examples:

A runner was stealing on me, and Mike Napoli threw wild over Kinsler's head. The ball flew into centerfield and Josh Hamilton felt the need to run right past the ball and into the infield. None of my fielders made an attempt to run after the ball that was just laying in centerfield. Both runners scored and I just re-started the demo.

Second problem I have faced is sometimes the fielding AI gets very lazy. A groundball was hit to David Freese. Not a line-smash, just your run-of-the mill roll over on a breaking pitch groundball. Freese takes one step and just stops. Lets it roll past him and it barley broke the outfield grass.

Also have had problem with base running as well.

Game feels like it is running very slow. Don't know if it is just because it's a demo or there will be framerate issues again.

There was a few pluses though! Sometimes the computer AI did play great defense. Furcal robbed me a few times of base hit.

Some of the stances have been fix and look more fluid through the whole swing.

Graphics are still pretty bad, but looked a bit more refined.

I don't know if it was me but it was hard to hit homers.

Some of the new presentation is OUTSTANDING!

[Zombeels]

Usually, in the 2K demos, you can't put in relief pitchers, but if you hit enough batters, your pitcher will be ejected, and you can try out whoever you want in the 2K12 demo.

[RedRooster]

I've played about 5 games of 2K10 ever since I bought and played 2K7 a fair bit. So I haven't been keeping up with the 2K series much.
This demo was actually quite impressive to me. The ball off bat, the positioning and flow of the fielders during a play, heck I can't even decide whether I like pitching or batting more(when in past years pitching was easily more fun for me). I saw some really cool animations with a shot up the middle that Kinsler just got a glove on to knock it down then underhand the ball to second for the force. And the new throwing meter and swing analyzer take me back to MVP, two really cool ideas.
The crowd animations are good, the ballpark looks good enough to me. The only thing I can't get over is the rigid animations. When the ball is in play, its not bad at all, but man there's just no ambience at all in between. The players faces are good, but they just look like zombies with those dead eyes and unbendable wrists. I honestly think if 2K could get better animations, this game would end up just feeling like a full baseball experience. I bet the career stuff is awesome too, off the field is always good with 2K.

If they would've been at this point in gameplay back in 2K7 with its graphics, and kept improving from that point, I can't imagine how amazing the game would be now. Unfortunately, it'll be another year or two at most before its the baseball experience I'm looking for.

[hitstreak13]

As a PS3 owner, I am very pleased with the demo. I had a blast chasing down fly balls, pitching, and even hitting (minus the default camera). This will definitely be a 1st day purchase for me. If franchise is fixed from last year, this will be a better game than 2k7 IMO. Fantastic job 2k!

[Randiesel75]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skyboxer

I was able to easily check swing with the analog batting but no luck witht the classic swinging. Going to play a few more games... Really really wish theyd release full game demos so we could look at a least some of the managerial decisions the CPU would make.

Agreed. Even if just 2 teams limited to a 3 inning game with full access to the game.