MLB 13 The Show Review (PS3)

[tvman]

Quote: Originally Posted by sink4ever

Have you read the Community Impressions thread? Improved ball physics/hit variety seems to be one of the most common things mentioned.

Yes I have but this is supposed to be an unbiased review and the impressions are quite often not.

[CPRoark]

Quote: Originally Posted by tvman

Yes I have but this is supposed to be an unbiased review and the impressions are quite often not.

I think I attributed the hit variety to the more open hitting engine; in other words, I saw better hits because I was making better contact. On the occasions where I saw choppers, slicing liners, etc,, I felt that it was because, while I made contact, I didn't make good contact. In my mind, those would have been a swing and a miss last year.

Hit variety is improved, but again, I'm not 100% sure if it's physics or the hitting engine (including push/pull tendencies). However, I don't think it is as drastic a change as last year.

[Woodweaver]

Quote: Originally Posted by CPRoark

I think I attributed the hit variety to the more open hitting engine; in other words, I saw better hits because I was making better contact. On the occasions where I saw choppers, slicing liners, etc,, I felt that it was because, while I made contact, I didn't make good contact. In my mind, those would have been a swing and a miss last year. Hit variety is improved, but again, I'm not 100% sure if it's physics or the hitting engine (including push/pull tendencies). However, I don't think it is as drastic a change as last year.

Contact tweaks (ex. angle of incident, imparted spin, etc.) were part of the physics changes. So were the restitution and friction calculation tweaks when bouncing on different surfaces.

[thaSLAB]

Quote: Originally Posted by Woodweaver

Contact tweaks (ex. angle of incident, imparted spin, etc.) were part of the physics changes. So were the restitution and friction calculation tweaks when bouncing on different surfaces.

Huge, just huge!

Quote: Originally Posted by tvman

Looking at the quote below, is that all we can expect from the new ball physics that was so hyped, less GroundRule doubles? I thought it was supposed to add new hit variety as well? "Sony also touted a tweaked physics engine; specifically removing too many ground rule doubles. I’m not sure I fully see the difference in this just yet. If you liked the way the ball acted last year, you’ll like how the ball behaves this year".

Woodweaver's quote explains it all. And it's far more than just less GRD's. There's more realistic bounces off the plate (no more 30-ft high choppers that look like pop-ups), no more excessive top spin causing the ball the have a curved, almost wind induced path. You'll see the ball die naturally in the grass (no more high grass bounces, not even in HRD), or off the padding; while having more energy when bouncing off warning tracks, and differently yet again off of cement. All these lend themselves to more hit variety. Like I said before, this was the first thing I brought in our first meeting with the devs for '13. Needles to say, they were already on it.

The ball physics model is finally nearly perfect, in my opinion. That's my non-biased, speaking as an engineer, opinion.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by tvman

Looking at the quote below, is that all we can expect from the new ball physics that was so hyped, less GroundRule doubles? I thought it was supposed to add new hit variety as well? "Sony also touted a tweaked physics engine; specifically removing too many ground rule doubles. I’m not sure I fully see the difference in this just yet. If you liked the way the ball acted last year, you’ll like how the ball behaves this year".

Play a good 40-50 games then tell me what you think. Baseball is such a random game with literally 100's of outcomes. I have played 12 non stop and still see new things pop up in regards to play outcomes, and yes even hit variety

[CPRoark]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor & Sword

Play a good 40-50 games then tell me what you think. Baseball is such a random game with literally 100's of outcomes. I have played 12 non stop and still see new things pop up in regards to play outcomes, and yes even hit variety

Agreed. That's exactly what makes reviewing this particular game so tough...the devs have fine-tuned soooo much, that it's hard to see it all in the span of a weekend, while also trying to evaluate the new features and keep it some what succinct.

I think the fact that the physics aren't readily noticeable is a testament to how realistic they are: things just happen like they should.

[bronxbombers21325]

Until they can get this stuttering problem fixed, I give the game a 0. It is unplayable.

[Brandwin]

Quote: Originally Posted by NAFBUC

I really enjoy the added challange of fielding this year. I can control my fielders as if it was a 'manual' setting option. The new pressure sensitive throwing (with no visual feeback) creates an upgraded realism factor. You can use the new throwing mech with analog, if you do not like the button throwing option.

What option is this?