MLB The Show 19's Gameplay Showcases Big League Improvements

[Steve_OS]

While baseball season may have begun a little early this year, with a couple of games...

Written By: Kevin Scott

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[ShaiLeGran]

I am living in the EU. Havent played this years game yet. The price has been upped: always has been €44,95 over here, now it is €59,95. Either baseball is getting more popular, or SSD/ Sony are being arses. Shame Russell always keeps us in the dark about the framerate.

[engrishbwudd]

This is really the only sports game on the market that feels extremely close to the sport it's trying to replicate and it blows me away everytime I play a game. Also, In Madden or NBA I can take a lousy team to the playoffs/championship on a higher difficulty if my stick stills are good enough, but the same isn't true of The Show and that's really one of my favorite aspects of the game. They really went all out this year gameplay wise.

[yausser1017]

Played the game every year, 18 was the first year I stopped playing after a month cause it was so bad with the hitting. 19 had regained my faith, hitting feels real again. Been enjoying the game a lot

[michdb8]

Quote: Originally Posted by engrishbwudd

This is really the only sports game on the market that feels extremely close to the sport it's trying to replicate and it blows me away everytime I play a game. Also, In Madden or NBA I can take a lousy team to the playoffs/championship on a higher difficulty if my stick stills are good enough, but the same isn't true of The Show and that's really one of my favorite aspects of the game. They really went all out this year gameplay wise.

yes but also have to mention that baseball is the easiest game to make realistic, especially with CPU, not much players interference in a play and even some strikeout to home plate they still Throw to 1 base when they can avoid a run. on complex play still, need work
the most difficult sport probably is football or soccer cause there 22 players on the pitch at the same time that affect the play,

[Vercingetirex]

Hockey is difficult too, just from a puck physics point. A lively puck is hard to replicate while still trying to give the player control. EA doesn't get it right, but then again they can't do much f their sports right. Funny enough baseball with MVP 2005 was their best attempt at replicating a sport correctly.

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by michdb8

yes but also have to mention that baseball is the easiest game to make realistic, especially with CPU, not much players interference in a play and even some strikeout to home plate they still Throw to 1 base when they can avoid a run. on complex play still, need work the most difficult sport probably is football or soccer cause there 22 players on the pitch at the same time that affect the play,

I don't disagree, but baseball video games have an element of non-uniform field dimensions, which creates a lot of AI awareness bits in fielding, baserunning, game commentary, crowd reactions, stat-tracking, etc. No other main sports don't have to work around different field types.

[sandiego1]

Long time player and baseball fan. The gameplay continues to struggle with some of the basics of baseball.


1. Baserunning is poor. Runners do not tag up properly. Fast runner on 2nd base (Sterling Marte), no out. Deep fly ball to RF, no tagging up. Runners hesitate on clear hits to the OF resulting in fast runners not scoring from 1st on doubles. Ground balls rarely advance runners properly. Baseball is a game of fundamentals.



2. The developers can deny it all day long but there is a comeback code. I have gone up by 3 or 4 runs in my last 3 games in a certain inning and in the bottom of that inning, CPU gets weird hits from all different angles, I make unforced errors, WP's and the CPU ties it up or takes the lead. This has happened with every version of the game and I have owned each and every one. This comeback code makes the 7 or 8 hitters in the lineup hit like Mickey Mantle, while it's easy to get Mike Trout and Machado out when the CPU is not in comeback mode.



3. Games against CPU have a certain "sameness". 0 runs for 3 or 4 innings, then a couple of runs and games are decided in 8th and 9th. Very rare for a team to jump out to a 6-0 lead.


4. CPU stealing bases. Generally it seems if a runner is going to steal 2nd, it will then try to steal 3rd. Steals of 3rd are pretty rare in MLB.


5. CPU manager keep relievers in too long and they get bombed.


It's frustrating to see the same issues year after year and there is no way to customize the individual manager strategies. Why is it so difficult to sit down and model certain basic baseball fundamentals?