MLB: 10 The Show -- First Look

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:36 am

I have a real problem here....I cannot stop playing this game. I'm finally hitting now and I've won 5 in a row after losing like the first 12 games that I played. Not once has any game I've played felt like a video game....it actually feels like a real baseball game to me. Nothing feels cheap, nothing feels scripted here....I'm really blown away by how good this game is.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:32 am

tjung0831 wrote:I have a real problem here....I cannot stop playing this game. I'm finally hitting now and I've won 5 in a row after losing like the first 12 games that I played. Not once has any game I've played felt like a video game....it actually feels like a real baseball game to me. Nothing feels cheap, nothing feels scripted here....I'm really blown away by how good this game is.

And there you have it...the Show hype has finally grabbed ya. We told you...

skinsfan · Post by **skinsfan** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:32 am

@fletch;there is a batting practice mode,it may be helpful for the timing aspects-more so than HR derby.

I would use the left stick while hitting,it places the sweet spot of the bat.
It's why you are swinging above and below so much.

Guess pitch is fine,but over-reliance will harm your "batting eye".
For a while,just try to "look the ball in" as it comes to the plate.

Rather than go to Rookie,which disables some game aspects,lower pitch speed by one or two clicks.This will help you see the ball better.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:13 am

My key to hitting, and believe me, I am nothing special at it, is patience. The pitcher will make mistakes and those are the pitches you have to hit.

Obviously, with the better pitchers those are fewer in number, but if you swing at pitches out of the zone or on the corners, your contact will not be solid. Look for a pitch in the middle of the zone and punish it. Of course, with two strikes you cannot be as selective.

Lastly, try to lay off the off-speed stuff low in the zone. Those are killer. Make the pitcher bring it up. I have noticed that the umpires zones seem to be a little tighter this year so taking some pitches is really important to get a count in your favor. Get up 2-0, 2-1, 3-1 and they will usually come in with a fastball.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:32 am

Very true about the umpires calling a tighter strike zone. Some of those umpires suck! Calling balls when you clearly are hitting the strike zone. Well, at least it goes both ways. I can name a couple home plate umps in this game who need to think about retiring!

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:34 am

tjung0831 wrote:I have a real problem here....I cannot stop playing this game. I'm finally hitting now and I've won 5 in a row after losing like the first 12 games that I played. Not once has any game I've played felt like a video game....it actually feels like a real baseball game to me. Nothing feels cheap, nothing feels scripted here....I'm really blown away by how good this game is.

Once you get the hitting down, the game becomes a lot more enjoyable. It really opens things up, instead of just relying on the long ball to score runs. Which team are you using?

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:37 am

Anybody else hit while using the outfield camera? I tried it for something new yesterday and, surprisingly, I made a lot more contact than I thought I would, and ended up winning the game with a 2 run homerun by Holliday in the top of the 10th against the phils. Great stuff.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:44 am

tjung0831 wrote:Not once has any game I've played felt like a video game....it actually feels like a real baseball game to me. Nothing feels cheap, nothing feels scripted here....I'm really blown away by how good this game is.

I'm really happy that it is harder to pitch this year with the meter even on Veteran. I'm walking 2-4 batters a game (strike zone, vibration, cursor all off) and there are times when I really struggle. Granted, sometimes it can be a little frustrating when I almost nail the meter and still throw a ball but it is generally seems tied to the batter's ability to draw walks so I'm cool with it. Although I'm pretty much on default, separating the difficulty for pitching and hitting is GREAT. Overall, it really adds a level of strategy to the game because I have to manage my pitch counts.

One of my biggest gripes in the past wasn't that games were too long, but that there was a lot of wasted time. I'm very happy with the new option to get pitches delivered faster. It only shaves a couple minutes off, but I have no complaints about the length of the games due to the realism and in game saves in season/franchise.

There is an impressive increase in the amount of variety as compared to last year across the board. Better animations, hit variety, error variety, and subtle touches in presentation. The sound is also great except for Rex Hudler.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:45 am

GTHobbes wrote:Anybody else hit while using the outfield camera? I tried it for something new yesterday and, surprisingly, I made a lot more contact than I thought I would, and ended up winning the game with a 2 run homerun by Holliday in the top of the 10th against the phils. Great stuff.

Haven't tried that yet. Kinda reminds me of the Bases Loaded days, so I'll give it a whirl today. For whatever reason, I'm struggling to hit with Holliday. Hopefully it's just an early spring slump.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:55 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:I have a real problem here....I cannot stop playing this game. I'm finally hitting now and I've won 5 in a row after losing like the first 12 games that I played. Not once has any game I've played felt like a video game....it actually feels like a real baseball game to me. Nothing feels cheap, nothing feels scripted here....I'm really blown away by how good this game is.
Once you get the hitting down, the game becomes a lot more enjoyable. It really opens things up, instead of just relying on the long ball to score runs. Which team are you using?

Dan, I'm not using any one particular team at the moment, still trying to find a team that I really like. The two teams that I like the most right now are the Braves and the Rays but I haven't really decided who I'm going to use for my season at this point.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:59 pm

GTHobbes wrote:Anybody else hit while using the outfield camera? I tried it for something new yesterday and, surprisingly, I made a lot more contact than I thought I would, and ended up winning the game with a 2 run homerun by Holliday in the top of the 10th against the phils. Great stuff.

I'm using the following settings. I keep trying everything, but these are the two I keep coming back to.

Batting view - Offset
Pitching view - Outfield

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:32 pm

Maybe it's me but I don't find pitching and hitting to be that hard. Now I didn't give 09 that much of a spin so '10 is totally a new experience.

However, I swing at a lot because I just can't pick off balls. I haven't really played against bad pitchers so I think that's the reason.

For the first time in a sports game I think they nail cloudy and overcast lighting. It's not "muddy" like in Madden.

Does anyone have any tips on which baserunning method they like. I just can't grasp these controls. I was there's was a control set like MVP for baserunning.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:39 pm

I always use classic base-running. I've always found their new controls change every other year and are basically a convoluted mess that requires too much finger gymnastics.

I much prefer the simpler approach to base-running ala MLB 2K.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:49 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Dan, I'm not using any one particular team at the moment, still trying to find a team that I really like. The two teams that I like the most right now are the Braves and the Rays but I haven't really decided who I'm going to use for my season at this point.

If you decide on the Braves...definitely wait until after the real season starts and you get the roster update that includes Jason Heyward. Kid is legit and he should be a lock (unless the Braves get cheap) to make the team out of camp and he'll be the starting right fielder.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:49 pm

I had never spent 1 second with any version of The Show before now. I put in 4 hours with it last night. I am really liking the game! I struggled with hitting at first, but now I can make contact very well. My only problem is being able to see when a pitch coming in is a ball or a strike. I've swung 2-3 times at a pitch that ended up hitting me. I can't hold off on a pitch, so I just go up there knowing I plan to take a pitch. I had a few games where the starter for the cpu team had like 55 strikes to 7 balls at one point lol. Swinging at everything is a recipe to get killed and the cpu to pitch a complete game. I REALLY like the fact that home runs are earned in this game. A short stop isn't going to hit a 475ft bomb in real life and they don't in this game either. I love the look of the game. I pretty much like every part of it except for these points:

-Twins are too poor of a team to really enjoy a season with
-Slowdown issues when the ball is fouled down the line
-Fans reach for the ball over the railing (which is awesome) but they never come up with it
-Commentary is already getting stale after ~8 games
-I can't "read" the pitch to save my life

At this point I am considering a season with the Red Sox. I like the team and I love Fenway. I kinda feel like a cheater though since they're a top 3 team. I guess the fact I have to play several games against the Yankees and Rays will keep me honest. What's the opinion around here for season length? You guys doing 162 game season or opting for the shortened version?

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:51 pm

double post

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:56 pm

Speaking of lighting, I just started a Cards-Cubs game at wrigley that started off beautifully sunny, but by the 2nd innin, a big ol' cloud hovered over and put everything in a deep shadow. Can't remember seeing that in a sports game before. Almost looked like rain was coming. By the fourth inning, the sun was back out. Awesome.

I'm now using outfield cam for pitching and hitting and may never go back. I get a great, TV view of everyone's batting stances and, using guess pitch with the strike zone and hot zones on, I'm hitting just as well as I do when hitting behind the catcher. Using outfield cam to hit, and the broadcast cam to field, it's closer than I ever imagined to controlling an actual MLB broadcast. I've been waiting 30 years and SCEA finally delivered.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:02 pm

Slumberland wrote:I think someone at SCEA hates Johan Santana though... I had trouble pitching with him last year, and it seems to be repeating itself now.

I played a game as the Phillies at the Mets and I was able to have my way with Johan. I hit 2 long hr with Howard and Werth. Maybe you are onto something. Some pitchers (Sabathia) are almost impossible to hit on in this game, which is pretty cool. A #1 starter feels a lot different than a middle reliever, which adds to the fun of this game.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:49 pm

I got a late start on this with my ps3 dying and a crazy work week, so I've only gotten a couple of games in.

--It's definitely NOT too early for baseball games for me. With a rough mid-atlantic winter (hopefully) behind me, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the gamestore in the first sunny +50 degree weather we've had in a while, listening to the Yanks play some spring training games on the radio. Play Ball!

--All-Star seems easier than it was last year. Haven't lost yet. Looks like I may start my season back on HOF. (Last year was the first in forever where I played most of my games on AS) Small sample size at the moment now, though.

--I agree the comeback catchup 'feel' has been lessened this year. Took the lead in all my games early so far, and didn't have 'one of those innings' like I did in last year's game where you knew a tremendous effort was coming by the CPU from the first batter of an inning on.

--Also agree it seems harder to have pinpoint control with the meter this year. Nice!

--While it was never as big an issue with me as it was with some others, the balls down the line hits have become more realistic with baserunner progression being much better. Most of these have been easy doubles.

--Error frequency does seem to be adjusted up some, which IMO is more realistic. Again, small sample size, though.

Anyway, overall I think the game feels better than last year's version, evident even only after a handful of games

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:20 pm

webdanzer wrote:Anyway, overall I think the game feels better than last year's version, evident even only after a handful of games

Agree with that statement....I see 10 making far deeper into my summer than 09 did.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:34 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:Dan, I'm not using any one particular team at the moment, still trying to find a team that I really like. The two teams that I like the most right now are the Braves and the Rays but I haven't really decided who I'm going to use for my season at this point.
If you decide on the Braves...definitely wait until after the real season starts and you get the roster update that includes Jason Heyward. Kid is legit and he should be a lock (unless the Braves get cheap) to make the team out of camp and he'll be the starting right fielder.

Yeah Heyward will definitely factor into my decision.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:48 pm

The only thing I wish they would address with regards to ball physics is that the grass will slow down balls. Like when a ball is hit above the hot corners in real baseball sometimes its a double but doesn't get to the wall.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 5:51 pm

Rodster wrote:I always use classic base-running. I've always found their new controls change every other year and are basically a convoluted mess that requires too much finger gymnastics.

I much prefer the simpler approach to base-running ala MLB 2K.

Any tips on the classic base-running. I feel those are finger olympics, too.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:11 pm

GTHobbes wrote:Speaking of lighting, I just started a Cards-Cubs game at wrigley that started off beautifully sunny, but by the 2nd innin, a big ol' cloud hovered over and put everything in a deep shadow. Can't remember seeing that in a sports game before. Almost looked like rain was coming. By the fourth inning, the sun was back out. Awesome.

I'm now using outfield cam for pitching and hitting and may never go back. I get a great, TV view of everyone's batting stances and, using guess pitch with the strike zone and hot zones on, I'm hitting just as well as I do when hitting behind the catcher. Using outfield cam to hit, and the broadcast cam to field, it's closer than I ever imagined to controlling an actual MLB broadcast. I've been waiting 30 years and SCEA finally delivered.

I just tried batting from the "outfield" cam and had my best offensive production yet. 8 runs on 11 hits, including a grand slam, triple, and single by Colby Rasmus. I find that I can judge whether it's a strike or a ball much better than when I'm behind the "catcher". That said, I had my fair share of strikeouts, especially when the Rangers brought in a side arm pitcher. Add to the fact the shadows around home plate from the fifth inning on really messed up my timing. I'm looking forward to trying this view again during a night game.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:22 pm

I am sticking to the catcher's view when batting. Tried the outfield view but I couldn't judge the flight of the ball as well as when I see the pitches from behind the plate. However I do like the outfield view when pitching. Just had a pitching duel between F. Hernandez and J. Verlander.

The DET dude went the distance as I managed only 5 hits on him playing on AS level while the runs on me were mainly due to a couple of errors from the outfielders diving on the field while they should have been running after the pop ups. I had the setting under assist for fielding but late in the 7th inning, instead of running after the ball, they dove a couple of times robbing me of precious time for the outs.

I may have pressed the LS wrongly ( still I doubt it) but it was a tough way to lose a close game in the end.