Is The Show too deep? Are there things you feel like you don't know?

[ryan36]

Before y'all kill me...

I made a post in the roster thread about potential- and then someone responded potential can change 2 letter grades over the course of a franchise... I had just been cutting the F potential guys (for like 4 years), never realizing they'd be more than F overall... I just figured out how to change user controlled teams mid -franchise...

other than the fact I'm an idiot- I'll stipulate to that... are there things to the game that you feel you'd enjoy more if you knew how they'd work? I don't feel like certain things in the "secret sauce" of progression lose their luster by me knowing them- potential changing is an awesome feature...but how was I gonna know?

Are there things you wish were explained better, or were more simplified?

[TCM]

I still don't know how to control just one baserunner I just use the advance all button. I also don't know how to throw out base runners with my catcher in franchise. I know how to throw it I just don't know how the system works, my throw is always offline and pulls the SS or 2nd baseman off the bag to the third base side of the infield.

[TracerBullet]

I still haven't figured out how to stop a groundball by sliding with my fielder. CPU does it all the time though.

[stizz]

Quote: Originally Posted by TracerBullet

I still haven't figured out how to stop a groundball by sliding with my fielder. CPU does it all the time though.

This, and sliding catches.

[Vashyron.]

The Show is not too deep. Baseball is very complicated and so will a video game simulation of the sport. There's plenty of settings to make the game play in a simplified fashion by changing numerous settings. You can put lots of things on CPU controlled if you are running a franchise so you don't have to do as much.

I think the issue is with the manual. Game manuals these days don't nearly have enough information as they used to. Remember how thick the manuals were back in the day, the Sim City manual was like a book. Nowadays, strategy guides have kinda replaced the manual if you want an in-depth guide to a game. However, I don't think there is a strategy guide for The Show. Since the manual doesn't nearly cover everything in the game, you have to go to forums and ask questions because you can't find the answers in the manual.

Quote: Originally Posted by TracerBullet

I still haven't figured out how to stop a groundball by sliding with my fielder. CPU does it all the time though.

R2 is for sliding, R1 is for jumping. You can use the right stick as well but I prefer the buttons. I feel sliding on the infield for grounders is actually too easy this year, 09 was just perfect IMO.

Quote: Originally Posted by TwinCityMauer

I still don't know how to control just one baserunner I just use the advance all button. I also don't know how to throw out base runners with my catcher in franchise. I know how to throw it I just don't know how the system works, my throw is always offline and pulls the SS or 2nd baseman off the bag to the third base side of the infield.

On default baserunning, you press the left stick in the direction of the runner (the yellow dot on the mini-diamond) and the yellow dot will start flashing and not be solid anymore, then press the corresponding base button (X is for home, square is for 3rd, triangle is for 2nd, etc.). On classic baserunning, which I prefer, each runner is displayed as a button (instead of a yellow dot) on the mini-diamond. If your runner is say triangle and want him to go home you press triangle plus down on the d-pad (left is for 3rd, up for 2nd, etc.).

[Bobhead]

Yeah I completely agree with the OP, and I really dislike all the secrecy with regards to certain franchise and in-game mechanics.

I think fully understanding things only makes them more appealing. Look at past games, such as MVP Baseball: Just about every single quirk, mechanic, or any other piece of information could be found out very quickly. This only made me more interested in the game, because I knew what to look for, how to think, etc... and what specifically to practice on. It ended up being a game I played for close to 5 years. Way longer than I've ever continuously played any other game, of any genre, at any time in my life.

MLB The Show is certainly a very solid baseball game, but when I have yet to perform a diving catch - with no idea where to start, when I don't know the logic behind events and decisions in franchise mode - such as player/team morale, or the factors that affect a team's current playing ability, and how it affects them - when I am so much out of the loop, it only leaves me inclined to put another game in my PS3.

[nomo17k]

+1 for better documentation...

The devs cite lack of resources to do it, but the game system now appears relatively stable that time spent on this would go a long way. At least gather all the pieces of info that are scattered around in various forums...

Partly I blame today's gamers for not even reading the documentations that are already available. Some things that people keep asking are already there in that little manual that comes with the DVD (though that itself is so sketchy it didn't sink in even after reading some of the stick/button assignments...).

I admit when I first played the MLB 10 demo I was really turned off by those tips screen constantly coming up, thinking jeez this game seems complicated... but the game really isn't too complicated and once I started playing I got more perplexed by the lack of information about all the options that were available for us to use/change.

[Armor and Sword]

The Shows biggest weakness imo has always been the clunky fielding. And that is the nature of having a beautiful smooth animation triggered fielding presentation. If the fielding were like MVP 2005 (tight and easy) then the game would lose a lot of it's visual brilliance and luster.

So after being frustrated with this issue on The Show 2009, I went in a more sim like direction by switching to auto fielding but keeping control of the throws. The game now fully depends on the player ratings for defense vs user input and I do still have some control in making the throws. For me it was a godsend. I enjoy this game to the fullest not being stressed out with the clunky fielding controls and the game plays smooth like butter in the field.


Back to the topic.

The game is very deep. But I don't think it is too deep. True hard core baseball junkies eat this game up. I think they give the user the option to control as much as they want on and off the field, or as little as they want. For a casual baseball fan the franchise mode can be daunting. Where I think the game intimidates most players (who find the game too tough or frustrating) is the pitcher/batter duals. IMO the essence of baseball is how to approach hitting and pitching. This is where the game shines more than any other console baseball game in video game history. It is exhausting. I can tell you I can't play more than 2 games in one day. The concentration and energy needed to really play well is in a way work (but man is it fun). Like any great sports game The Show makes you work for every run, K, BB etc.

Brilliant game.