MLB 2006 The Show Demo at EBGames for a Pre-Order

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:40 pm

MizzouRah wrote:Someone mentioned upping the CPU contact and power to +15.

Well, I am going to try that...although the Reds just put a 9 spot against me with 15 hits...LOL. I hit another HR with the power button this time with Jose Castillo.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 7:04 pm

My rental is due tonight and I am really close to say "What the heck, go buy the game". I just wished the 2K guys had their game too so that I could make up my mind. Here's something that happened to me and call it a glitch or whatever but in real life R. Johnson would be OUT so fast before you could say strike 3.

I was hit by Johnson 3 times, 2 right in the head and he was still in the game. How could that happen? S. Hillendbrandt showed that he was going to charge the mound, but no melee happened.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:09 pm

I've had multiple games with 2 or more batters hit in the head by the CPU, but I'm just happy to get free passes because I don't walk enough

It doesn't really bother me because it only happened once, but I hit a ball tonight to left field that should have been a single but turned into a homerun because the CPU refused to pickup the ball that was sitting about 10 feet away from the left fielder who never moved an inch.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:12 pm

I had to move up to All-Star because my pitchers ERA's were all in the 2.00's and my batters were all over .400 and a couple over .500. Now my pitchers are in the 3's and 4's and my hitters are all under .400, and a couple under 300...so it's balancing out.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:33 pm

I figured it was time I posted something in this thread that wasn't a complaint. So here goes...

First of all, I like how this just became the impressions thread without anyone having to make any declarations or giving in to the temptation to start another thread specifically marked as such. Very economical.

Pitching in this game, as far as I'm concerned, is the most fun of any baseball game ever. It's just damn hard to throw a strike sometimes, and I don't even have to turn off the cursor to give up walks. I'm using the outfield camera because I like that big, geriatric pitch meter (not to mention it looks the most like broadcast to me) and the movement on the pitches is just outstanding. I often get the sense that some pitches are working better than others on a given night. For example, I was pitching with Glavine just a little while ago and he got shelled for three runs in the first inning until I started depending solely upon his curve and slider. He managed to stay in the game through six and I came back to win the game. The pitch count slider is a god-send. That I sometimes reach 100 pitches by the sixth or seventh inning is unheard of in a video game.

I remember loving the MLB dive in the 2005 version, and I'm loving it again now. There's something really satisfying about pulling off diving plays in this game, I think because they don't actually cover much ground... therefore it's sort of a big deal when you pull one off manually.

I'm making some headway towards avoiding the fielding brainfarts I've been harping on. My latest strategy goes on the assumption that, for better or for worse, there's a slightly automated feel to fielding in MLB (though I really do believe they've improved upon that since last year). Fielding is essentially getting in position for an animation to kick in... canned, dynamic, "branch-point" or otherwise. What I think has been occuring, especially on balls to the outfield that I've charged on, is that if I keep directing my player to the ball, the game is still receiving manual input from my controller and therefore isn't initiating the fielding sequence. What's helped me recently is to just get as close as I can to where I need to be and then simply let go of the thumbstick. From what I can tell, it's working. It feels like the fielders stop listening to me and pay attention to what's in front of them once I let go. I don't know if I explained that well, but hey.

It's just a great game to look at as well... the presentation, the stadiums, the replays... totally engaging.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:57 am

Holy crap...I just threw my first no hitter in MLB with Jorge Sosa of the Braves and it was pretty sweet. The announcers kept building it up and when it happened my team went nuts, stormed the field and hoisted him on their shoulders. Freakin' awesome.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:33 am

Slumberland, you are correct about the fielding. On those rocket shots to the outfield I've been taking a quick step to get in front of the ball and then I let go of the analog nub. No problems have occurred since I started doing that.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:40 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:Holy crap...I just threw my first no hitter in MLB with Jorge Sosa of the Braves and it was pretty sweet. The announcers kept building it up and when it happened my team went nuts, stormed the field and hoisted him on their shoulders. Freakin' awesome.

Well done!!

Just as I thought I might give AS level a try, the Brewers crush me 7-0 in my home opener. Capuano only allowed 6 hits as I couldn't do anything with the crafty left hander.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:19 am

congratulations on the no hitter!

i threw on in HH 5 years ago. very satisfying!

and damn u all for tempting me with this one.

brendanrfoley · Post by **brendanrfoley** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:02 pm

Sudz,

Let yourself be tempted! Let yourself be tempted!

I was convinced I was going to play last year's MVP for years. The game was (and still is) great.

But wow, MLB is awesome! I haven't touched MVP since picking it up.

The pace The Show is slower, and fielding isn't quite as dynamic, but the pitcher/batter interface is amazing. Iit beats MVP in the sense of pitcher control. I'm actually giving up walks!

I could finish a full game of MVP in about 35 minutes. MLB takes 45 minutes to an hour. But, the only reason it takes longer is the spectacular presentation.

MLB is a great baseball game... the closest thing to High Heat 2002 I've ever seen. I may hold off on an XBox 360 for a PS3, just to see what happens when MLB jumps to the next gen.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:33 pm

brendanrfoley wrote:I may hold off on an XBox 360 for a PS3, just to see what happens when MLB jumps to the next gen.

Yeah, it says something that I have a 360 with all the latest games, but all I keep doing is firing up my decrepit PS2 which takes about three tries to even read the game just so I can play MLB.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 2:08 pm

Slumberland wrote:
brendanrfoley wrote:I may hold off on an XBox 360 for a PS3, just to see what happens when MLB jumps to the next gen.
Yeah, it says something that I have a 360 with all the latest games, but all I keep doing is firing up my decrepit PS2 which takes about three tries to even read the game just so I can play MLB.

Same here, mostly, though I do get some GRAW in.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 3:03 pm

why do i come here?

they still buy sperm?

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:13 pm

I just got my PSP copy from Gamerang yesterday, and I'm addicted to career mode already. I played a few regular exhibition games last night, but the games just take so long to play that I thought I would give career mode a shot, and I'm glad I did. In just a few hours of play, I've already played through spring training with the Pirates, hitting .274 with a hr and 7 rbi, and 15 games with the AAA Indianapolis Indians, batting cleanup and hitting .367 with 2 hr and 13 rbi so far. My minor league park, Blue River Stadium, is pretty cool to play in also. It's the PNC Park background complete with the skyline, bridge and river, but with a generic small ballpark. Great game so far, very impressive for a handheld sports game.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 11:16 pm

Just played two more great games, this is where I'm at.

Difficulty: Veteran
Hot/Cold zones: on
Strikezone: on
Cursor: Fade
Vibration: Off

Pitch count slider: maxed
CPU and Human pitch speed: maxed

Camera views
Pitching: wide
Batting: wide
Fielding: medium

Slides and fielding: manual
Guess pitch: on

I also alternate ump consistency between wide and tight every other game.

The "wide" view when batting as well as the pitch speed sliders all the way up, really make FB pitchers harder to hit. My strikeouts are now normal.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:23 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:Holy crap...I just threw my first no hitter in MLB with Jorge Sosa of the Braves and it was pretty sweet. The announcers kept building it up and when it happened my team went nuts, stormed the field and hoisted him on their shoulders. Freakin' awesome.

That's the sign of a quality game; attention paid to the small details that actually make the game worth playing.

I've complained before that the art of championship videos/extras/celebrations etc. has been lost. With most games, you can play a full season with stunning graphics and solid gameplay, give your time, effort and even a small emotional investment, only to get a little 5-second splash screen that says "World Champions".

Here's hoping 989 will lead a trend in bringing celebrations back to sports videogames.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:17 pm

My interest in a PS3 has been less than luke warm but after seeing how 989 has stepped up with MLB I'm definately gonna look into one when MLB07 hits the shelves. This game could be F'n sick on the PS3 (or 360, but thats a mute point).

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:54 pm

Diablo25 wrote:My interest in a PS3 has been less than luke warm but after seeing how 989 has stepped up with MLB I'm definately gonna look into one when MLB07 hits the shelves. This game could be F'n sick on the PS3 (or 360, but thats a mute point).

Exactly why I'm glad I didn't get an Xbox 360. I can't wait to see this game on the ps3. F'n sick is right.

BasketballJones · Post by **BasketballJones** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:29 pm

MizzouRah wrote:I still wonder if the difficulty level makes a difference in CPU hitting? I don't think it really does.

Someone mentioned upping the CPU contact and power to +15.

I'm noticing an increase in the computer fielding and a higher percentage of popups when using power (which I don't normally do but did for testing purpose) when I kick it up to All-Star. My contact has remained pretty much the same and I still whiff.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:37 am

don't really want to change subjects here but I won't be buying a ps3. Why? Because I've been through 3 ps1's and 4 ps2's since they ALWAYS break.

I never use to buy those extended warranty's at stores but with sony consoles, I suggest you should.

Back to topic :

At the end of the game on the box score, there is a WP stat at the bottom for pitchers. What does that mean? I know it's not winning pitcher since that's already listed on the box score. Also, most of the time Ive noticed this stat to the losing teams pitchers.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:40 am

Uhh...wild pitch. Big baseball fan eh?

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:03 am

Inuyasha wrote:don't really want to change subjects here but I won't be buying a ps3. Why? Because I've been through 3 ps1's and 4 ps2's since they ALWAYS break.

I never use to buy those extended warranty's at stores but with sony consoles, I suggest you

I'm the exact opposite. I still have my launch PS2 and a launch PSslim. I've always bought and have success with Sony products. I still have a working graybox(original PSX).

But I understand, some people have not been as lucky as me.

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:15 am

back to topic...

i don't think MLb 06 plays bad out the box and the sliders are not as great as other titles but i was wondering what people were doing as far as any slider sets, other then what was already mentioned.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:36 am

I just played my first game on HOF with the pitch count slider maxxed. I was expecting to strike out at least 20 times, but much to my surprise I only struck out 7 times. I really don't see much of a difference between veteran and HOF as far as gameplay mechanics. I was expecting the pitching meter to be harder. I walked two guys, gave up one run, and was generally able to spot my pitches with Matt Clement and the Boston pen.

As far as sliders, I am actually having a lot of fun on veteran with pitch count maxxed, errors +7, baserunning aggressiveness +5, and throwing accuracy/strength -5. All I have to do is find a middle ground on the CPU contact/power sliders and I'll be happy for now. On default I was holding the CPU to about 2 runs a game. On +5 for both power/contact I was giving up about 7 runs a game.

I still can't decide on a batting camera. I've tried them all for at least 5-10 games. Right now I'm enjoying "high" the most.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:13 am

Slumberland wrote:What's helped me recently is to just get as close as I can to where I need to be and then simply let go of the thumbstick. From what I can tell, it's working.

I've been doing that too. Not sure why, but it just feels like the right thing to do. It seems like you get fewer of those heart-stopping, last-second lunges at the ball when the announcer says "He made that more interesting than it needed to be."

Nice job on the no-no db!!!

I've been experimenting with different levels this weekend with random exhibiton games and was being no-hit by the White Sox on the All-Star level until the ninth inning. I was almost hoping to get no hit, figuring there would be a cool celebration, just judging by how excited the announcers were getting, like they were building up to something cool.

I love the pitching in this game so much I caught myself looking at the pitch selections and starting to select the pitch while the OTHER team was on the mound. I don't mean "guess pitch" for my batter, I mean like I subconsciencely wanted to pitch for both teams, before I realized I was at bat. It was an honest mistake.

I'm currently 8-10. Swept the Orioles in Baltimore, thought it was getting too easy, but then lost two in a row to KC. In my season I'm still playing on veteran, although I've bumped up the CPU power and contact 2 notches.