Please Post MLB 2005 Impressions

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:20 pm

Actually there is a place in MVP where you can see who the probable start is for your next game. I can't remember the name of the menu, but there is somewhere that shows you who the other team is going to pitch, and it's not in the pregame steps of playing a game.

-Matt

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:23 pm

It's in the scouting section, I believe.

But you may just want to go all righty with your lineups anyway.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:36 pm

Fix one problem, others arise... I had Franco and Strickland up in the pen for a long inning, and they were still cold when I wanted to put them in. Fine, whatever. Franco comes in and gives up two quick runs, looks lousy. Go back to the bullpen, and it seems that if you have two guys warming up, once you put one in, the other guy goes completely cold.

Also gave up two long fly balls to the warning track, totally catchable. Ran back on the first one, my fielder just stops and watches it hit the wall. Second one, I run for it, and press the jump button. Same thing, he stops and watches it hit the wall.

I want to love this game, but there's some stuff that keeps cropping up that pisses me off. Not sure if others are having these problems.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:38 pm

Parker wrote:Yah, it has some minor annoyances, but after playing this game nonstop for the past few days, it truly has exceeded all of my expectations. I'll try ASB (even though it's getting absolutely trashed in print mag reviews), but I can see myself playing MLB 2005 a ton. Franchise mode is great.

Do I get a little credit at least Parker? You guys swore up and down that it was gonna be typical 989 garbage, but in the end it produces a damn fine game, like I predicted...w/ the exception of the roster limitations.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:39 pm

Slumberland wrote:Fix one problem, others arise... I had Franco and Strickland up in the pen for a long inning, and they were still cold when I wanted to put them in. Fine, whatever. Franco comes in and gives up two quick runs, looks lousy. Go back to the bullpen, and it seems that if you have two guys warming up, once you put one in, the other guy goes completely cold.

One thing I heard was that if you leave them in too long they get cold again...like they are running out of stamina. It makes you sub them in instead of just leaving them in the pen cranking away. A little more strategy when you should only warm them up for a half inning.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:01 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Parker wrote:Yah, it has some minor annoyances, but after playing this game nonstop for the past few days, it truly has exceeded all of my expectations. I'll try ASB (even though it's getting absolutely trashed in print mag reviews), but I can see myself playing MLB 2005 a ton. Franchise mode is great.
Do I get a little credit at least Parker? You guys swore up and down that it was gonna be typical 989 garbage, but in the end it produces a damn fine game, like I predicted...w/ the exception of the roster limitations.

I might give you credit if you hadn't already pledged several times to abandon the game because of these issues.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:02 pm

Cool, DB. Thanks for the bullpen tip, makes sense. Now if I can find a way to get to those balls at the wall, I'll be in the clear.

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:04 pm

Parker wrote:Yah, it has some minor annoyances, but after playing this game nonstop for the past few days, it truly has exceeded all of my expectations. I'll try ASB (even though it's getting absolutely trashed in print mag reviews), but I can see myself playing MLB 2005 a ton. Franchise mode is great.

Parker - Do you have any links to these bad reviews for ASB? Also we all need to remember how MVP has been reviewed by some sites and magazines as being great without mentioning its flaws (which have been spoken about here at DSP). Therefore, I don't know how much stock I put into reviews. Playing the game and impressions from true sports gamers like the guys here are what I bank on. I'm still curious to read all I can on these games. So if you have those links for ASB reviews, please post them. Thanks.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:06 pm

Parker wrote:I might give you credit if you hadn't already pledged several times to abandon the game because of these issues.

I simply said the game would play great...i didn't say the roster issues would be there.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:15 pm

grtwhtsk wrote:
Parker wrote:Yah, it has some minor annoyances, but after playing this game nonstop for the past few days, it truly has exceeded all of my expectations. I'll try ASB (even though it's getting absolutely trashed in print mag reviews), but I can see myself playing MLB 2005 a ton. Franchise mode is great.
Parker - Do you have any links to these bad reviews for ASB? Also we all need to remember how MVP has been reviewed by some sites and magazines as being great without mentioning its flaws (which have been spoken about here at DSP). Therefore, I don't know how much stock I put into reviews. Playing the game and impressions from true sports gamers like the guys here are what I bank on. I'm still curious to read all I can on these games. So if you have those links for ASB reviews, please post them. Thanks.

I can't give you links, because they are print mag reviews. I don't put much faith in them, but OXM gave it a 7.1, the lowest score of all the baseball games, and now EGM has given the game an average score that would be 5.5.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:24 pm

webdanzer wrote:It's in the scouting section, I believe.

But you may just want to go all righty with your lineups anyway.

True. very sad, but true.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:40 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Parker wrote:I might give you credit if you hadn't already pledged several times to abandon the game because of these issues.
I simply said the game would play great...i didn't say the roster issues would be there.

I still think this is funny. The CPU does not walk in either MVP or MLB, but one plays great while the other is garbage. Same goes for CPU steals. Neither game steals enough, but both do it. You gave up on MVP long before the lefty glitch was noticed, so you can't use that as a reason for saying MVP was garbage.

If you love MLB and not MVP, that's great. I'm ready to take the MLB plunge myself. But don't look for everyone to personally thank you for showing them the way to MLB, especially after you were ready to ditch the game two days after it came out, and now two days later you're back on board.

-Matt

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:14 pm

You are right about db, but while MLB and MVP share some of the same flaws, there are so many other little and not so little things about MVP that add up to a deepy flawed game.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 4:27 pm

matthewk wrote:If you love MLB and not MVP, that's great. I'm ready to take the MLB plunge myself. But don't look for everyone to personally thank you for showing them the way to MLB, especially after you were ready to ditch the game two days after it came out, and now two days later you're back on board.

Who said I'm back on board? I do not forgive 989 for the limted rosters...that is inexcusible to me, the guy who tries to mimmick real life as closely as possible. I will be getting ASB as soon as possible because they handle franchises like they should be handled.

I like the way MLB plays. Sure, it and MVP both have flaws (most are similar too), but they are to a lesser extent in MLB, at least in my experience. But neither game is perfect, and if MLB had more than 10 pitchers, or created players in franchise, I wouldn't be so dead set on getting ASB next week. I honestly think MLB woulda been the best game this year if they had all that roster s*** taken care of. I personally don't like the feel of MVP...the framerate is especially bothersome and I've cited that man times in my anti-MVP posts.

Might wanna read more threads Matt, especially at OS where I cracked 989 and Chris about the roster issues...I simply said that they can have all the great gameplay in the world, but if the rosters suck and I can't run a season like I want...I simply won't play the thing very long. ASB can't come soon enough...then maybe I can actually start a franchise with the two rooks that will be filling the Braves 25 man roster.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:16 pm

Sorry DB for not tracking down every post you've made across the 'net. Last time I checked my job was not to log your every post. So you said one thing here, and another at OS. Maybe you can just save me the time and create your own personal blog so we can all read every one of your posts instead of scattering them around the 'net.

Both games sound decent (I haven't played MLB), but fall short of our lofty expaectations. If the lefty bug can be proved false, or there is a workaround, I'm happy with MVP. But we still have not gotten the High Heat killer we all were hoping for.

MVP has issues with walks, steals, player progression, and *maybe* left-handed hitting.

MLB has issues with walks, steals, can't edit players (what do you for Bonds?), 10 pitcher limit, no check swings, single camera for both teams.

ESPN baseball can't come soon enough. Then again, it could fall right onto the woulda, coulda, shoulda pile like the rest so far.

-Matt

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:24 pm

matthewk wrote:Sorry DB for not tracking down every post you've made across the 'net. Last time I checked my job was not to log your every post. So you said one thing here, and another at OS. Maybe you can just save me the time and create your own personal blog so we can all read every one of your posts instead of scattering them around the 'net.

It's not about that...it's about you putting words in my mouth.

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:30 pm

matthewk wrote:
MVP has issues with walks, steals, player progression, and *maybe* left-handed hitting.

....and roster management (10 hitters and 15 pitchers does not a baseball game make); and poor stat tracking; and poor simmed stats; and buggy online play; and poor pinch hit AI..

If you're gonna list the flaws, get all the biggies.

Now I'm not as enamored with MLB as some others are. I like it, but I'm not hooked on it, either. The lack of customization just drives me crazy. But I think the future of MVP is brighter than MLB because, well, MVP is a PC game that can be patched and or modded and the PS2 is the PS2.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:40 pm

Bill_Abner wrote:....and roster management (10 hitters and 15 pitchers does not a baseball game make);

Bill, have you nailed down when this happens? Is it only during simmed seasons, or will the cpu gradually shift to this over the course of a played season as well?

The first week into my franchise the CPU teams have good rosters.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:43 pm

Bill_Abner wrote:....and roster management (10 hitters and 15 pitchers does not a baseball game make);

Nor does 10 pitchers and 15 hitters. WTF is with these companies. Is roster management that that freakin' difficult these days in the era of power consoles. Sheesh.

Bill_Abner · Post by **Bill_Abner** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:46 pm

webdanzer wrote:
Bill_Abner wrote:....and roster management (10 hitters and 15 pitchers does not a baseball game make);
Bill, have you nailed down when this happens? Is it only during simmed seasons, or will the cpu gradually shift to this over the course of a played season as well?

The first week into my franchise the CPU teams have good rosters.

The CPU will do it during a season - during the FIRST season. It just takes time but as soon as the CPU has to juggle a roster for any reason, they screw it up. At the start of year 2 every team has this problem.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 6:15 pm

Thanks.

I wasn't sure if it was just a sim issue.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 6:44 pm

Bill_Abner wrote:
matthewk wrote:
MVP has issues with walks, steals, player progression, and *maybe* left-handed hitting.
....and roster management (10 hitters and 15 pitchers does not a baseball game make); and poor stat tracking; and poor simmed stats; and buggy online play; and poor pinch hit AI..

If you're gonna list the flaws, get all the biggies.

To be honest, I only simmed one season and I did not see the 10 hitters problem. The stats looked passable, but I didn't get into every one, just the main ones like BA, HR, SB, ERA, SV. I don't play online (Xbox version), but you're right, others have complained about it. Pinch hit AI? Didn't know about that one.

I wasn't trying to tilt the flaws one way or the other. I just went off impressions for MVP and my memory about what's been said about MLB.

-Matt

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 11:42 pm

Matt, you have the xbox right?

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 2:03 am

Man, I'm digging this game, warts and all. Playing on All-Star, with the pitch cursor off, I'm getting good stats, tight games, even walking a couple people. I'm not getting walked at all, mind you, but I'm getting over it. When I hit a home run I usually know how I've done it, and it's not just the sluggers who can hit them. My first home run in MLB was with Kaz Matsui, and I had a great, off-the-bench solo shot from Todd Zeile today when my Mets were down 3-0 against the Braves. Totally jumpstarted my offense. Same game, bottom of the ninth, two outs, score tied 3-3, men on first and third, Timo Perez pinch hits in the pitcher's spot and hits a sharp grounder up the middle. The second baseman manages to field it but is too deep to make a good throw. Perez beats it out, runner on third scores. Mets win, 4-3.

I like guessing the pitch and location right, but mis-timing it just enough to blast one just foul. You really feel the agony of a missed opportunity like that in MLB, due to the excellent ball-to-bat physics.

This is also the first baseball franchise mode that's really gotten me excited... SO many options. My favorite aspect is the "quotes" from players and fans regarding facilities, publicity, prices, and so on. Having specific complaints or praise put in the mouths of the actual players personalizes the whole team chemistry in a way MVP fails to, at least in my eyes. MVP's "happy face" system is nice and simple, but fails to convince me that I'm dealing with actual personalities... just symbols and letter grades. In MLB, having John Franco complain about flying coach is priceless.

I keep meaning to get back to MVP, but am only too happy to keep playing MLB instead, even with the occasional annoyances.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 3:34 am

Slumberland wrote:Man, I'm digging this game, warts and all. Playing on All-Star, with the pitch cursor off, I'm getting good stats, tight games, even walking a couple people. I'm not getting walked at all, mind you, but I'm getting over it. When I hit a home run I usually know how I've done it, and it's not just the sluggers who can hit them. My first home run in MLB was with Kaz Matsui, and I had a great, off-the-bench solo shot from Todd Zeile today when my Mets were down 3-0 against the Braves. Totally jumpstarted my offense. Same game, bottom of the ninth, two outs, score tied 3-3, men on first and third, Timo Perez pinch hits in the pitcher's spot and hits a sharp grounder up the middle. The second baseman manages to field it but is too deep to make a good throw. Perez beats it out, runner on third scores. Mets win, 4-3.

I like guessing the pitch and location right, but mis-timing it just enough to blast one just foul. You really feel the agony of a missed opportunity like that in MLB, due to the excellent ball-to-bat physics.

This is also the first baseball franchise mode that's really gotten me excited... SO many options. My favorite aspect is the "quotes" from players and fans regarding facilities, publicity, prices, and so on. Having specific complaints or praise put in the mouths of the actual players personalizes the whole team chemistry in a way MVP fails to, at least in my eyes. MVP's "happy face" system is nice and simple, but fails to convince me that I'm dealing with actual personalities... just symbols and letter grades. In MLB, having John Franco complain about flying coach is priceless.

I keep meaning to get back to MVP, but am only too happy to keep playing MLB instead, even with the occasional annoyances.

Slumberland you nailed my senitments. I am really digging this game. The more I play the more I dig it. I keep meaning to start playing MVP, but this game just offers me so much more. At first I was sort of so so on it. But as I got in to it, I have really started digging it. Franchise mode is a blast.