MVP Impressions

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:22 am

That's strange, James... not sure why that's happening.

Finally starting to hold my own on All-Star default... the key has been Hitter's Eye. With a lot of the pitchers, you can get a glimpse of what's coming pretty early in their windup, and learn to wait for your pitch. For instance, if I see red, I almost never swing, 'cause only about one in five curveballs seem to be thrown for strikes. I got Eric Milton to throw over 100 pitches through eight innings, and he hurt himself in the ninth attemping to throw the complete game. HAW. In my next game I managed to load the bases with two walks and a hit batsmen, then Tom Glavine of all people comes through with a bases loaded single and clears the bases.

The variable strike zones are really fun... in my last game against the Reds I finally fingured out that the ump was calling balls a bit outside as strikes, and I was able to use it to my advantage.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:22 am

GTHobbes wrote:Glad you guys are enjoying the game, but I've got to ask:

After a solid week of playing this game, aren't you guys starting to get bored to tears by the presentation in this game? MVP has so many sliders that I don't doubt that you can tweek it to play a good game of baseball, but I have trouble making it past the 7th inning because it's just so....dull to play.

I don't know..maybe it's just me, but the lack of flare in the presentation of this game just bores me to death.

But then again, I'd venture to guess that a lot of people who buy baseball games aren't big fans of the sport anyway. Most people in general would say that baseball is boring and they don't want to watch a game...same thing probably holds true with video games. You can have all of the flair in the world, but if your game is garbage, then people will not play it...see MLB 2k5 this year. It's very nice presentation wise, but everything is just mediocre...couple that with some REALLY BAD bugs and you've got shelf-ware.

MVP is a great baseball game...it portrays the sport better than any other game before it and yes, that includes my previous favorite, High Heat 2004 for the PC. If I have to, I'll put on some music and just play the game...

I'm a fan of the sport, not of the glitz and glam that comes out of the crap you see on TV these days.

HouOilers · Post by **HouOilers** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:22 am

James_E wrote:How do I warmup pitchers in the bullpen while I'm at bat?

The only option I have is to "view" my or the opponent bullpen. The option that is used to get to pitchers to warm them up is grayed out. I can access this option while I'm pitching, not while batting. ANyone else?

It should work. The only time it won't work is if your manager was thrown out of the game.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:23 am

GTHobbes wrote:Glad you guys are enjoying the game, but I've got to ask:

After a solid week of playing this game, aren't you guys starting to get bored to tears by the presentation in this game? MVP has so many sliders that I don't doubt that you can tweek it to play a good game of baseball, but I have trouble making it past the 7th inning because it's just so....dull to play.

I don't know..maybe it's just me, but the lack of flare in the presentation of this game just bores me to death.

Presentation is not good, but the game play on the field is outstanding and that is why I play games for the gameplay. I button by all the presentation crap myself, I see things happen on the field during play that I have never seen in any other baseball title.

The funny thing, is the presentation is the only thing keeping me play 2K and they will lose the announce team and all that ESPN jazz. I think next season will be a poor year for baseball gamers unless you own a PS2.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:24 am

Slumberland wrote:The variable strike zones are really fun... in my last game against the Reds I finally fingured out that the ump was calling balls a bit outside as strikes, and I was able to use it to my advantage.

That's because he's Tommy Glavine...he and Maddux have always gotten balls called strikes. Even this Braves fan can admit that.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:24 am

GTHobbes wrote:I don't know..maybe it's just me, but the lack of flare in the presentation of this game just bores me to death.

For me, the excitement's all in how many things can happen on the field. When I try and give MLB 2K5 a go, even if I manage a stretch with no major glitches, I'm yawning by the third inning. Soft liner, soft liner, soft liner...

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:25 am

HouOilers wrote:
James_E wrote:How do I warmup pitchers in the bullpen while I'm at bat?

The only option I have is to "view" my or the opponent bullpen. The option that is used to get to pitchers to warm them up is grayed out. I can access this option while I'm pitching, not while batting. ANyone else?
It should work. The only time it won't work is if your manager was thrown out of the game.

Doesn't work so far. I'll keep trying to see if I'm missing something. FYI this is the PC version.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:27 am

pigpen81 wrote:
"I also sit on high inside pitches when I get ahead in the count, and crush them when they come"

Yep, see my earlier response. This is a key to good batting results in this game, and frankly, it's somewhat annoying.
Web, I disagree somewhat. Good baseball hitters will sit on a pitch in their zone. Heck, most major leaguers crush pitches from the waist to the letters.

There is nothing wrong with being rewarded for sitting on a pitch up in the zone, recognizing it, and actually hitting it with the rewuired perfect timing.

If it is to easy, pitch speed and other settings can be changed to make it more dificult.

Some games I am highly successful and other games I suck completely and get shut out.

While not perfect, this game does hitting better then anything yet, even last years excellent MLB2005.

I don't think it is too easy by any means. In fact, I have a harder time hitting well in this game than in any other game I can remember. The concentration and patience required to hit well in MVP is great. My problem is more that it just doesn't feel right to have to wait on pitches up and in. The CPU has zero problems jacking pitches down in the zone, and it doesn't seem fair to me that I can't do the same. This could especially be troublesome in multiplayer games, as nobody is going to throw a high inside pitch if they fall behind.

One other thing I miss in this year's game is the mistake pitches by the CPU. They have really been toned down from last year. What was neat in MVP 2003 and 2004 was that you could hit any mistake pitch for a hr regardless of the location. As soon as you saw the red circle pop up, you could just press up and crush it if you timed it right. Considering the lack of walks in both of those games, it seems very strange that all of a sudden the pitchers in 2005 are no longer making mistakes, even though in some games the CPU pitcher can't throw a strike to save his life.

These complaints are fairly minor though when MVP 2005 does so many things right. Overall I think the batting is terrific, with the pitch speed and movement being spot on, and the hitters eye adding a cool new dimension to hitting. The fielding is unmatched by any baseball game ever, and the game is overall a blast to play.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:28 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
GTHobbes wrote:Glad you guys are enjoying the game, but I've got to ask:

After a solid week of playing this game, aren't you guys starting to get bored to tears by the presentation in this game? MVP has so many sliders that I don't doubt that you can tweek it to play a good game of baseball, but I have trouble making it past the 7th inning because it's just so....dull to play.

I don't know..maybe it's just me, but the lack of flare in the presentation of this game just bores me to death.
But then again, I'd venture to guess that a lot of people who buy baseball games aren't big fans of the sport anyway. Most people in general would say that baseball is boring and they don't want to watch a game...same thing probably holds true with video games. You can have all of the flair in the world, but if your game is garbage, then people will not play it...see MLB 2k5 this year. It's very nice presentation wise, but everything is just mediocre...couple that with some REALLY BAD bugs and you've got shelf-ware.

MVP is a great baseball game...it portrays the sport better than any other game before it and yes, that includes my previous favorite, High Heat 2004 for the PC. If I have to, I'll put on some music and just play the game...

I'm a fan of the sport, not of the glitz and glam that comes out of the crap you see on TV these days.

I'm a big fan of the sport too, DB. And I know a lot of people say that baseball is boring. Maybe it's just because I'm spoiled with the personalized batting stances and such from MLB.

It seems like a lot of the guys who love MVP are also old HH fans. And that game had the worst presentation of 'em all, so maybe that explains it.

HouOilers · Post by **HouOilers** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:31 am

I wouldn't call any game after a week 'great' or 'best ever'. Seems with most gaming forums I visit, they call a game 'great' the first week, then around a month, tear it up with minor or major flaws that are found. I think ESPN CH this year went through that on all the gaming forums I visit.

I really enjoy the game but I am not yet going to call it a classic.

BTW....CAN WE GET A HOLLA FOR JAMIE FOXX!!

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 2:33 am

HipE wrote:I don't think it is too easy by any means. In fact, I have a harder time hitting well in this game than in any other game I can remember. The concentration and patience required to hit well in MVP is great. My problem is more that it just doesn't feel right to have to wait on pitches up and in. ... This could especially be troublesome in multiplayer games, as nobody is going to throw a high inside pitch if they fall behind.

Heh, this was going to be my next point, but in my case it's just theory, since I have yet to play online.

But yes, I feel the same way. the game is challenging enough, and is overall a blast to play. But the hitting mechanism (and I knew this going in) is just off.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 3:08 am

I would *love* to see one button hitting. I've had some pretty decent hitting games, but it's frustrating to get shutout 2 game in a row by the Pirates. The mistakes are all mine, I just have a hard time letting a ball go by without swinging at it. I'm a hacker, what can I say?

I honestly haven't had this much fun with a baseball game since the High Heat days.. at least a graphical baseball game. My daughter didn't have a ps2 last year for MLB 2005.

Like most of you, I can't wait to hear the general consensus on MLB 2006, but I'm a tad afraid it's going to have some nuisance that keeps me from enjoying the total package. I hope I'm wrong, but MVP has done something I never thought it would, it's taken all the attention away from MLB for me. The game has a few things that bug me a tad, both nothing that doesn't keep me coming back for another game.

I'm one of those slider haters, but so far AS default has been a real challenge out of the box.

Todd

Granatofan · Post by **Granatofan** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 3:33 am

HipE,

Are you playing All Star and default sliders? Just wondering.

Thanks,

Ted

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:22 am

Yeah, I'm playing all star default. I've sworn off of tinkering with sliders in any of my games anymore, so the only thing I could possibly change in the future would be to turn off the strike zone, hot/cold zones or the pitch cursor.

The only thing that is sticking out right now in terms of stats that aren't realistic is the amount of walks I give up (too few), and the amount of runs the CPU is scoring on homeruns (too many). Maybe if I would just give in and pitch around hitters more, I could take care of both of those problems

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:29 am

I found my first gripe about MVP. Playing against the Cubs at home and Glendon Rusch is scheduled to start. Instead, they pitch Angel Guzman.. and although a good "future" prospect, Rusch's scounting report is great and he's 1-0 with a 2.39 era. The other four starters have 3 games each under their belt, so it's Rusch's turn. Why would they start this kid?

I did lose the game, but now Rusch is skipped in the order for no apparent reason at all. (scratches head)

Not to mention Rusch is a lefty, something the Cardinals always have trouble hitting.

Todd

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:35 am

Skipping the ever-so-crappy Glendon Rusch doesn't exactly amount to a game killer for me. I'm cool with that.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:40 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:Skipping the ever-so-crappy Glendon Rusch doesn't exactly amount to a game killer for me. I'm cool with that.

It's by no means a game killer, I just thought it was odd. He's rated pretty well and his scouting report is good. I was just left wondering why they had him listed to start, then Guzman takes the mound.

I wish you could see other team's injuries, suspensions, etc..

Todd

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:54 am

Anyone expecting MLB 2006 to be great will likely be disappointed because 989 sports has NEVER EVER produced a decent sports game. It has NEVER happened and it is foolish to expect anything more than a turd. It is 989 afterall.....remember Gameday 2001 and all the disasters that followed? I do not think it has changed and probably never will.

As disppointing as MLB 2K5 is it will probably be much better than MLB 2006.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:59 am

Um... where to begin.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 5:09 am

James_E wrote:
HouOilers wrote:
James_E wrote:How do I warmup pitchers in the bullpen while I'm at bat?

The only option I have is to "view" my or the opponent bullpen. The option that is used to get to pitchers to warm them up is grayed out. I can access this option while I'm pitching, not while batting. ANyone else?
It should work. The only time it won't work is if your manager was thrown out of the game.
Doesn't work so far. I'll keep trying to see if I'm missing something. FYI this is the PC version.

Also have the PC version. When I am up at bat, I hold down the #8 button on my Logitech. Directional pad over to Manager options and select Warm Up Pitchers.

Sorry I can't be more help, I can just tell you it works for me.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 5:31 am

TRI wrote:Anyone expecting MLB 2006 to be great will likely be disappointed because 989 sports has NEVER EVER produced a decent sports game. It has NEVER happened and it is foolish to expect anything more than a turd.

LOL...jackass. MLB was legit last year and so was Gretzky Hockey this year. NEVER covers a lot of ground...and you obviously have missed a few in the process.

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 5:43 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
TRI wrote:Anyone expecting MLB 2006 to be great will likely be disappointed because 989 sports has NEVER EVER produced a decent sports game. It has NEVER happened and it is foolish to expect anything more than a turd.
LOL...jackass. MLB was legit last year and so was Gretzky Hockey this year. NEVER covers a lot of ground...and you obviously have missed a few in the process.

you just beat me to the punch on this one

tri ? trolls rare insight..... on the state of 989

joking aside give the two titles db mentioned a spin before making such a proclamation........i mean come on TRI your better than that

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 5:47 am

TRI wrote:Anyone expecting MLB 2006 to be great will likely be disappointed because 989 sports has NEVER EVER produced a decent sports game. It has NEVER happened and it is foolish to expect anything more than a turd. It is 989 afterall.....remember Gameday 2001 and all the disasters that followed? I do not think it has changed and probably never will.

As disppointing as MLB 2K5 is it will probably be much better than MLB 2006.

How do you type with your head up your ass? Color me impressed.

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 6:46 am

Given the past reputation of 989 Sports games I think it is a stretch to expect MLB 2006 to be better than MVP 2005 or even MLB 2K5.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 7:21 am

TRI wrote:Given the past reputation of 989 Sports games I think it is a stretch to expect MLB 2006 to be better than MVP 2005 or even MLB 2K5.

Hell MLB05 is better than MLB2k5 right now IMO. I hate bugs and freezes.