MLB 15 The Show News Post

MLB 15 The Show OS Community Impressions

10:40 AM - March 31, 2015 by Millennium

Now that MLB 15 The Show is available for everyone, we would like to hear some early impressions from the OS community. Early impressions from the lucky OSers that found a copy early, can be seen here.

Please, only post impressions.

If you have questions, please use this thread.

If you want to see the beauty the game has, check out our member submitted Photography/Videography thread.

If you have bugs to report, please use this thread.

With that said, let's hear those impressions!

Game: MLB 15 The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS Vita / PS3 / PS4Votes for game: 31 - View All

MLB 15 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 361 Bullit @ 04/09/15 11:04 AM

I usually don't even post in the impression threads for the same reason I don't read or post in the Bugs threads. I want to form my own opinion and see for myself what a games is like for the good and the bad.

But this year I found myself to be in a unique situation with this game that I have never been in before. So I thought I would share my impressions for the first time. I am quite sure I will be blasted as I have seen the change in The Show side of the forums for years now.

The gameplay in this game, overall is the best it has ever been. The fielding speeds are what I have always wanted. Pitching and hitting are harder this year that they have been since '12 and it is a joy to work the count and get my pitch. The graphics and lighting have really stepped up the game and the parks are absolutely breath taking. The new licensed equipment is cool to see in the game, while I personally don't care it is a nice addition.

However all is not right in Camelot. The online component of this game has never been good, ever. So the decision to tie the new cards, rewards, stamps etc to the servers seems to be a really bad one. I, among others, have not received stamps or cards since last week sometime, if at all. Today I struggled in both Franchise and RTTS load times as the system would spend anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes looking for a server to award a card at every screen. I personally don't, have not and will not play online so I don't care about those features at all. But when they affect the single player experience it just gets to be too much.

This isn't about bugs and glitches. I get that these things happen with games nowadays. I mean it is pretty much a given in this day and age that a game doesn't work as advertised on release day and I am sure this trend will continue in the future. This is about the first time I have been disappointed in The Show. The decisions with this game this year have worsened the single player experience for me. I try to have faith that everything will get patched and fixed this year but I can honestly say that for the first time in 10 years, next year this will not be a day one pickup.

# 362 Knight165 @ 04/09/15 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisHansen59


	The same problem that has always existed in this series on the higher difficulties remains here; if you dare take a lead, they're going to take every ball and hit anything and everything no matter where you put it or how you mix up your pitches

Well...I better go back and replay the Mets-Nats game I pitched on Legend and beat them 11-1.
Maybe the comeback code took that game off on a coaches suggestion.

M.K.
Knight165

# 363 Skyboxer @ 04/09/15 01:28 PM

True Knight lol

The biggest mistake is leaving pitchers in too long or giving it to the batters IMO..

Anyways just dropped the first game at Baltimore.. Tex had a terrible game in the field.
Was up 1-0 and then

Spoiler

Ended up losing 6-1. Tex also added a boot later in game.

Currently 4-3 record....
Loving the variety of games and occurrences.

# 364 ryanmc564 @ 04/09/15 02:29 PM

WAIT!!!! THERE'S A COMEBACK CODE????? that explains so much. LOL

actually the first few games I played before starting my franchise, I won each game with ease with no problems with hitting, pitching, fielding, or base running. but then I started my franchise and things just nose dived on me, my hitting went cold and baserunning(totally my fault, although sometimes it seemed that my commands weren't registering when trying to get a runner to run home from second with another guy on the base path) but the most complexing was that my bullpen couldn't get a out to save their life, every single one of my reliever gave up multiple runs and would lose the game on me. this went on for the first 6 games of my franchise going 2 for 4 . but after that I've been on a 5 game winning streak and even making comebacks from a good deficit(which I always use to struggle with, if I was down by 3 or 4 runs by the 8th inning in the past I always counted on losing that game) but yet this time I was down 6 to 1 in the 9th and scoring 6 runs for the win and my relievers are starting to get outs.

So really this game plays to both the user and the cpu equally, you will have your up's were everything is going your way and the down's were it seems you can't do anything right. I don't think gameplay has ever been a issue for out of the 6 years I've been playing this series.

# 365 BobSacamano @ 04/09/15 02:47 PM

This is the best the game has ever played out of the box, at least if you play offline. The only slider I've touched is the solid hits one, lowering it a couple notches, and I don't anticipate messing around with many others. Pitch speed, fielder speed, baserunners... All that feels phenomenal. Even better, I'm actually seeing balls hit over outfielders' heads. My god, it's a thing of beauty! I could stand to see some more bloops, but that's kinda nitpicking. This team deserves all the kudos for putting out a fully functional, playable game on day 1. Seriously, that's so rare these day.

One area of the gameplay that still needs improvement is hits down the line. Even hard hit balls past or over the third baseman don't really roll to the corners, instead just dying in the outfield grass. If a ball is hit to the right of the third baseman, it most likely is going to get into the LF corner. That rarely happens in the Show. Usually the LF cuts the ball off and holds my guy to a single. I know this has been an issue in the past and that the development team has worked on it, but it's just not there yet.

# 366 Spokker @ 04/09/15 10:27 PM

One thing I would suggest is letting players adjust the sensitivity of the PCI movement.

# 367 NDAlum @ 04/09/15 11:47 PM

The most impressive aspect of The Show '15 to me is the overhaul of the fielding system. The smoothness of fielding animations is just so natural this year. To me they spent a great amount of time cleaning this up. In '14 it was an area that was quite an eyesore to be completely honest. Too many times you saw IF'ers do unnatural movements and attempt crazy throws. The level of improvement in this aspect has made the game so organic.

Let me go ahead and list some other things I'm enjoying:
+ The extra 0.5 seconds you get to watch the flight of the ball after contact (catcher view hitting)
+ The slide step was something that needed to be in and it's a great tool
+ The added slide animations are top notch
+ I feel like the ball physics were improved overall. I'm seeing some great hit variety on Timing hitting
+ The licensed equipment adds an overall immersion and presentation factor that I didn't think would be this impactful
+ Improvements to quick counts. Less 3-ball/2-strike counts BUT they are still there.
+ Outfield animations are more crisp. No longer tied into long animations that often
+ Revamped pitch movement. I feel like I see the ball so much better this year and it's because you can read the pitches out of the hand better. Overall the movement is just spot on, I love it.

I've had a few small issues but they pale in comparison to the improvements.

# 368 Skyboxer @ 04/10/15 12:13 AM

Well 9 games into my franchise and I'm loving it as much as ever.
Just dropped 2 of 3 at Baltimore and have a record of 6-3. Next up is a series vs the 10-0 Rays.
Should be a fun 1.
Co-sign on the smoothness of the fielding.
The variety of games is very nice also.
Then there's the so far constant of CC not making it past the 5th inning lol
So far he's been abysmal in his 2 starts.

Hopefully he turns it around sooner rather than later.

# 369 RandyBass @ 04/10/15 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyBass


	Been playing the Royals vs. Giants while I wait for the install, very impressed! I'm not easily impressed either. Things that jump out: -Lighting is a big improvement. Game looks a lot better than 14. -Hit trajectory and variety is a lot better. I'm seeing a lot more hits over the infield and in front of the outfield for example, something 14 didn't have enough of. -Better fielding animations. Also, I'm really liking the new hit direction control. It feels very realistic to get that pitch inside, and pointing the L-stick in that direction to simulate a hitter pulling his hands inside the ball. Or on the flip side, to push away simulating a hitting keeping his front should closed. It captures that aspect very well. It also seems that you aren't locked into that spray style of hitting, in other words it seems like you can still pull outside pitches if you want, but it's tough to tell after only a brief bit of playing.

Nothing really positive to say beyond this. The series feels very stale. Pitchers still pound the strike zone too much, and are still too good at throwing a strike when they need one. I've been bringing this up as an issue for a while now, past couple of years at least, and for whatever reason nothing gets done about it. CPU Pitchers never really labor, and they never seem to get in jams and struggle, all because the AI is too good at throwing pitches inside the zone when they need a strike.

Tried playing a franchise for the first time in a few years, and the mode is just as bad as I remember. Managing your team as GM is still a convoluted mess. The mode is no fun at all. You have to back in and out of menus for even the simplest things. You never really get the sense that you are part of a league, because everything is detached. To get a grip on the state of your team you have to search through a number of different places. To get a grip on where your team fits into the league you have to search through even more.

They desperately need to do something about franchise. Burn it down, start from scratch, incorporate modern baseball ideas, make organizational depth charts matter down to every last detail like LH relievers and RH power and OBP and so on and so forth, make organizational strengths and weaknesses matter so you know how to draft and what to try and trade for, give the other GMs some sense of life so it feels like there is some interaction...

Yes, it needs a serious revamp.

# 370 elfdutch @ 04/10/15 07:14 AM

still loving this game.
Currently playing a seaon as the Tigers.
I'm playing rookie offense (i am a very very bad hitter) and veteran defense.
Did some small slider adjustments.

I have games that i win easily, and ones where i got destroyed simply because i put the ball too much over the middle of the plate.
Then yesterday a 1-0 win against the Yankees.
So, seeing a lot of variety in scores sofar. One patter i think i see is the cpu taking a lead early in the game, but it could be just me still settling in.

Not hitting too many homers, certainly not very unrealistic ones.
Still struggling on offspeed stuff but that's also very realistic.

Simply can't get enough of this game.

# 371 ajblithe20 @ 04/10/15 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyBass


	Nothing really positive to say beyond this. The series feels very stale. Pitchers still pound the strike zone too much, and are still too good at throwing a strike when they need one. I've been bringing this up as an issue for a while now, past couple of years at least, and for whatever reason nothing gets done about it. CPU Pitchers never really labor, and they never seem to get in jams and struggle, all because the AI is too good at throwing pitches inside the zone when they need a strike. Tried playing a franchise for the first time in a few years, and the mode is just as bad as I remember. Managing your team as GM is still a convoluted mess. The mode is no fun at all. You have to back in and out of menus for even the simplest things. You never really get the sense that you are part of a league, because everything is detached. To get a grip on the state of your team you have to search through a number of different places. To get a grip on where your team fits into the league you have to search through even more. They desperately need to do something about franchise. Burn it down, start from scratch, incorporate modern baseball ideas, make organizational depth charts matter down to every last detail like LH relievers and RH power and OBP and so on and so forth, make organizational strengths and weaknesses matter so you know how to draft and what to try and trade for, give the other GMs some sense of life so it feels like there is some interaction... Yes, it needs a serious revamp.

Here we go with the "start from scratch" talk on certain aspects of the game. Franchise mode is a ton of fun for me. Maybe it's because I know where everything is and I can flip through all the menus with ease, so it doesn't seem at all like a hassle. Either way, burning it down is probably the worst thing they could do to a good game mode

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

# 372 slthree @ 04/10/15 01:24 PM

I've been playing this game long enough to understand why people sometimes claim "comeback code".

But, my experience does not validate it. I've given up leads that were simply my fault for trying to push a pitcher to far. I've given up leads even when using the right guys out of the pen but it never felt cheap.

Conversely, I've held more leads than I've lost. And, I've mounted some comebacks myself.

Everyone's experience will be different but mine has been near perfect.

# 373 N51_rob @ 04/10/15 01:50 PM

So I've played upwards of 20 games now, and I feel comfortable talking about the things I like and don't like in the game.

Things I don't like....
-CPU still doesn't miss when the hit and run is called, they may not put it in play, but they will foul it off. Like I said this come from observations of over 180 innings.
-Too many of my batted balls don't get past the pitchers mound...the number of these are to high in relation to batted balls IMO.
-CPU pitchers get away with too many belt high pitches down the heart of the plate. Not that I don't swing, but I do and I get "good" timing but the balls are hit foul. Relative to when I do that and the ball is hit hard.
-I feel like the user is at a disadvantage on the corners on hard hit balls. Manny Machado seems to get to few of those than he should again IMO, but none the less that is the impression I am left with.
-Why doesn't the CPU shift on defense? NEVER in any game I play does the defense shift for Chris Davis, like they do when I am playing against the CPU.

Things I like....
-Fielding overall has a more organic feel to it. Defenders get to and conversely don't get too is great. I feel like I get "robbed" a lot less on balls to the gap.
-The change to the pitchers releasing the ball has greatly improved the overall batting experince for the user
-Visually this is the best I've seen for a "Next-Gen" sports title. Granted I didn't get any of the Bball games for the 15 season and only borrowed a copy of NHL. But this game looks great.
-Along with that the addition of licensed apparel does more than you would think. Adds to the immersion factor. I've spent more time editing players that I am comfortable admitting, but it is damn fun and makes a noticeable difference.

Bugs I've seen....

# 374 Armor and Sword @ 04/10/15 01:56 PM

In regards to CPU defensive shifts.

I see them. Anytime I hit with Brian McCann with no one on they over shift the right side.....every time. I have seen them in bunt defense too. I think you will see it with obvious dead pull hitters.

# 375 Skyboxer @ 04/10/15 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajblithe20


	Here we go with the "start from scratch" talk on certain aspects of the game. Franchise mode is a ton of fun for me. Maybe it's because I know where everything is and I can flip through all the menus with ease, so it doesn't seem at all like a hassle. Either way, burning it down is probably the worst thing they could do to a good game mode Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty much. Also the comment that the pitchers pound the strike zone ..I don't see at all.
With the right settings you'll get really nice pitch stats. I've been able to get more walks this year that any year before and I've given up more walks than I care to admit lol.
Franchise mode for me has been awesome for me and pretty easy setup menu wise.

Rob they are switching vs me. Tex and McCann always have the shift on vs them...

EDIT: Do want to add about 3B. Thought maybe my 3B just needed improved. Seeing Machado is the same then yeah a few get by that I thought should have been caught/fielded.
Maybe a tweak is needed there by a patch ??

# 376 tabarnes19_SDS @ 04/10/15 02:26 PM

I've had the 1b not covering a couple times. Made a nice diving stab get up and throw. ....1b watching :-)

# 377 dgrfan88 @ 04/10/15 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N51_rob


	So I've played upwards of 20 games now, and I feel comfortable talking about the things I like and don't like in the game. Things I don't like.... -CPU still doesn't miss when the hit and run is called, they may not put it in play, but they will foul it off. Like I said this come from observations of over 180 innings. -Too many of my batted balls don't get past the pitchers mound...the number of these are to high in relation to batted balls IMO. -CPU pitchers get away with too many belt high pitches down the heart of the plate. Not that I don't swing, but I do and I get "good" timing but the balls are hit foul. Relative to when I do that and the ball is hit hard. -I feel like the user is at a disadvantage on the corners on hard hit balls. Manny Machado seems to get to few of those than he should again IMO, but none the less that is the impression I am left with. -Why doesn't the CPU shift on defense? NEVER in any game I play does the defense shift for Chris Davis, like they do when I am playing against the CPU. Things I like.... -Fielding overall has a more organic feel to it. Defenders get to and conversely don't get too is great. I feel like I get "robbed" a lot less on balls to the gap. -The change to the pitchers releasing the ball has greatly improved the overall batting experince for the user -Visually this is the best I've seen for a "Next-Gen" sports title. Granted I didn't get any of the Bball games for the 15 season and only borrowed a copy of NHL. But this game looks great. -Along with that the addition of licensed apparel does more than you would think. Adds to the immersion factor. I've spent more time editing players that I am comfortable admitting, but it is damn fun and makes a noticeable difference. Bugs I've seen....

I feel you on the hit and runs...I played the D'Bags last night as the Dodgers and they executed 5 successful hit and runs against me. I know I was around the zone a lot but, this still seemed high and felt almost "unstoppable". I did try to get them to swing at balls out of the zone, but no luck...totally helpless.

# 378 slthree @ 04/10/15 03:10 PM

I have seen defensive shifts by the CPU numerous times.

I've seen it when using Ortiz and I've seen it more times than I can count when my batter is a threat to bunt.

Maybe some won't count that as a shift, the bunt defense with the corners in.

But, putting the shortstop over 2nd base for Ortiz is definitely a shift.

For the poster who hasn't seen shifts, would u consider playing with Boston to see if the CPU defense shifts for him?

I don't know enough about the Orioles to know if teams, in real life, shift for. Chris Davis. I know they do for Papi

# 379 BobSacamano @ 04/10/15 04:13 PM

I play with quick counts. I realize this is not for everyone, but I definitely end up with realistic walk counts. Last game I played I had 7!

I should also mention that, as someone who really doesn't have all that much time to devote to video games anymore, quick counts have been a GODSEND. It's easily my favorite sports game innovation of the last... I don't know how long. You guys allow me to actually enjoy my favorite game in the limited time I have. That means so much to me.

# 380 NDAlum @ 04/10/15 04:24 PM

Quick counts are absolutely phenomenal to me. It enhances the game to a point I could never go to the old standard.

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