MLB The Show 15

[Rodster]

I got the anniversary edition from Walmart today. I got the themes and a bunch of other stuff but no controller skin as that was an Amazon promo.

[MERACE]

Streaming....
http://www.twitch.tv/epdiablo25

Did you record this stream?


-MERACE

[Brando70]

I got the anniversary edition. Did anyone get any of the extras yet? I got the dynamic themes but nothing else. I'm guessing we'll get codes in an email.

For the stubs, you can go into the Show store and get the 12,000 pack after you download the extras. I think that's probably the same for the bonus items too.

Only played one game on Dynamic, Cubs vs. Brewers. I threw a three-hit shutout with Lester using Pure Analog pitching. I think I'm going to try the meter as that seems less forgiving. But the game really does look amazing.

[Rodster]

I got the anniversary edition. Did anyone get any of the extras yet? I got the dynamic themes but nothing else. I'm guessing we'll get codes in an email.

For the stubs, you can go into the Show store and get the 12,000 pack after you download the extras. I think that's probably the same for the bonus items too.

Only played one game on Dynamic, Cubs vs. Brewers. I threw a three-hit shutout with Lester using Pure Analog pitching. I think I'm going to try the meter as that seems less forgiving. But the game really does look amazing.

I've always used classic pitching and it makes the game a little too easy. The default meter pitching hits the sweet spot. I find having to concentrate more to hit the right spot. I give up more walks and hits using the meter. The game does look great with the bullpen getting out of the way when a foul ball is hit their way. Ball boys retrieving baseballs, groundskeeper manicuring the field after the game. The shadowing looks great during night games.

[bkrich83]

I got the anniversary edition. Did anyone get any of the extras yet? I got the dynamic themes but nothing else. I'm guessing we'll get codes in an email.

For the stubs, you can go into the Show store and get the 12,000 pack after you download the extras. I think that's probably the same for the bonus items too.

Only played one game on Dynamic, Cubs vs. Brewers. I threw a three-hit shutout with Lester using Pure Analog pitching. I think I'm going to try the meter as that seems less forgiving. But the game really does look amazing.

I've always used classic pitching and it makes the game a little too easy. The default meter pitching hits the sweet spot. I find having to concentrate more to hit the right spot. I give up more walks and hits using the meter. The game does look great with the bullpen getting out of the way when a foul ball is hit their way. Ball boys retrieving baseballs, groundskeeper manicuring the field after the game. The shadowing looks great during night games.

I've always used classic as well. I've switched to Pulse and love it.

[Diablo25]

Just a quick video I recorded earlier showing off the late day lighting in the game. Again, Youtube's resolution takes away from it but it gives you an idea how pretty the game is. This was a 4pm game in May. Click on the "youtube" logo in the bottom right to goto youtube and get the 720p res.

[Rodster]

I've always used classic as well. I've switched to Pulse and love it.

I've never got the hang/timing of pulse pitching so I gave up and went to classic.

[sportdan30]

I'm really enjoying meter pitching as well. I'm definitely less precise than I have been in the past.

Played my 13 year old son and he pummeled me 8-0. He was playing on beginner and I was on veteran I suppose. It was embarrassing and frustrating. Now he thinks he's the sh%t. I had the hardest time getting him out for some reason. I'm not a fan of couch multiplayer, especially when I'm getting schooled.

I see a lot of people on my friends list playing this game online.

[Sudz]

For the Anniversary edition: You need to go to the store and "buy" your free 12,000 stubs. I couldn't figure that s*** out.

[Brando70]

I got a second game in, Yankees at Red Sox (me). For right now, pitching definitely seems less precise with the meter, which I like. I walked five guys. I use a house rule that I have to move the pitching cursor on all fastballs until I feel a vibration in the controller, that keeps me from grooving pitches when behind.

I also tried Direction hitting with Analog swing and loved it. Now that they got rid of the step back for the regular swing, Analog is a lot easier to use. I also managed to hit a homer with Ortiz on a power swing where I did move the controller back and then forward.

I LOVE the outfielding tweaks. The way momentum works with outfielders is so much more challenging, and the wind seems to make things much more tricky. It's also nice that they have an option to cutoff throws sometimes even when you don't select cutoff.

I saw a challenge last night on a bang-bang play at first, which I won. It was cool it came up, but the presentation of it was so so. That's the one big negative so far, the broadcast presentation seems as dry as it has in the past. However, they have optimized the fast play presentation, and seeing the batter stats is a very welcome addition.

I loaded up my RTTS career. Just did a spring training game and didn't really dig in, but it seemed to work just fine.

I can tell already this is going to be a great game. Can't wait to get final rosters and dig into franchise.

[grtwhtsk]

Count me in for a league.

my PSN = vibrantorange

Same here...I would love to join!

[dbdynsty25]

I guess my tempered expectations for the Braves this year have soured me on baseball games in general. After playing the crap out of 14...15 just seems underwhelming to me outside of a few tweaks here and there. I mean I'll still play it, and it's still the best baseball game ever made, but I'm certainly not as excited about it as usual. I'm definitely in the minority tho clearly.

[vinny-b]

I guess my tempered expectations for the Braves this year have soured me on baseball games in general. After playing the crap out of 14...15 just seems underwhelming to me outside of a few tweaks here and there. I mean I'll still play it, and it's still the best baseball game ever made, but I'm certainly not as excited about it as usual. I'm definitely in the minority tho clearly.

understandable. And imagine Jason Heyward to the Cardinals, didn't help any.

[Rodster]

I guess my tempered expectations for the Braves this year have soured me on baseball games in general. After playing the crap out of 14...15 just seems underwhelming to me outside of a few tweaks here and there. I mean I'll still play it, and it's still the best baseball game ever made, but I'm certainly not as excited about it as usual. I'm definitely in the minority tho clearly.

The developers basically said it was a tweaked version of MLB 14 with additional graphics tweaks. I didn't expect it to be a radically different game. Bring back MLB Slugfest

I'm digging it as the game is just beautiful and RTTS is still the only mode I play.

[Brando70]

I guess my tempered expectations for the Braves this year have soured me on baseball games in general. After playing the crap out of 14...15 just seems underwhelming to me outside of a few tweaks here and there. I mean I'll still play it, and it's still the best baseball game ever made, but I'm certainly not as excited about it as usual. I'm definitely in the minority tho clearly.

I was like that with '14 and the Cubs, which is why I played mostly RTTS last year. Now that they are not a tire fire, I am looking forward to diving back into franchise.

I played a few RTTS games with my Astros LF (I'm in 2017 spring training right now). A bit disappointed they didn't really make any changes to the mode, I was hoping they would have more league news type of stuff so you could keep track of what's going on.

[Wilk5280]

the game definitely needs some sort of presentation overhaul... or something. I get it, baseball is baseball, and if the gameplay isn't broke don't fix it. Just tweak it and refine it. However, I feel like I'm playing the same game I was playing 5 years ago. I don't know the answer, but they've got to find a way to breathe new life into it IMO.

[tjung0831]

I've only been playing this game since 2010 or 2011 so that's why it still feels fresh to me. My interest in baseball itself isn't the same as it used to but i've been playing computer baseball or console games since the Commodore 64 days. This game still delivers the best sports game experience to me hands down so hopefully by the time I do get tired of it a lot will have changed. They could do a complete presentation overhaul though, kind of like EA did with hockey....that would give it some new life for sure.

[MERACE]

Since this is my only 2nd year of The Show on PS4 and 1 year on PS3 the presentation still seems realistic enough for me. Enough so that when my daughter walked by the TV that I was playing The Show on said, "baseball season has started already?".

IMHO, The Show is the closest representation of the sport in real life than any of the other video sports games.

The only problem I have with this game is finding enough time to play it along with NHL 15 and the golf games (TGC, PP, and inevitably RM).


-MERACE

[grtwhtsk]

Although I played a few games of The Show last year, my mind was far from video games. With things being a little better, I am throwing myself into The Show 15 this year. Never tried RTTS, but that is on my video game bucket list, and will be checking it off soon enough.

Question for you guys that have been playing a bunch, what hitting and pitching methods are you using? With hitting, I have been going back and forth between directional with buttons and the pure analog. I tried zone, but too much to do for this old guy! On pitching I have been trying the meter, but find myself to be all over the place with it. Classic is always the "comfortable" choice, but I have read people saying it's all stats based.

Also, I suck at baserunning! Any tips?

Thanks in advance guys!

[Brando70]

I am using directional with analog. You do that by selecting Directional, then changing the option from buttons to analog. I like the idea of adding influence to the swing, and analog is more fun for me in hitting than the button.

For pitching, the button meter is harder than Pure Analog pitching in my opinion, so if you want the meter but something easier, you could try that. I would say difficulty from easiest to hardest is Classic, Analog, Meter, Pulse. I like Analog but am trying Meter because I feel like I'm too accurate with Analog.

If the baserunning controls are tough, you could try switching to classic. Some find classic a little easier. Those are definitely the hardest controls to get down because managing multiple baserunners is tough.

Also, try the Dynamic difficulty for pitching and hitting. It adapts with your skill level, and so far I really enjoy it.

[Rodster]

Base running is tough for me. I only play RTTS and set base running to auto. I got frustrated that each year since 2005 they kept changing base running.

I can also vouch for dynamic difficulty. It makes the game easier in the beginning and it gets tougher as you get better.

[sportdan30]

Played two games last night. The first game started out well enough against the A's with a two run shot from Jason Heyward. That would be all the scoring I'd get for the remainder of the game. The A's lead by Billy Butler's 3 hits, including a home run trounced me 8-2. Lynn was all over the place, walking 4, striking out 7 in 5 innings of work. One bright spot as Heyward threw someone out at the plate, and he sure can cover a lot of ground in the outfield.

The second game, Wacha was lights out through 6 against the lowly Rockies. He actually went in to the sixth with a no hitter, before giving up a rocket single back up through the middle. Back to back doubles, a triple by Wacha of all people, and three hits by Holiday lead the way to a decisive 3-0 victory. Rosenthal shut the door in the ninth, albeit walking a batter with one out.

Last night I switched from directional hitting to zone in my second game, and had a heck of a lot more success with zone hitting. I guess we'll see how long that lasts, but I banged out 10 hits, including two doubles and a triple.

[tjung0831]

I played two games last night that were just the apex of sports video gaming. First game, a 1-0 win as the Dodgers over the Rockies. Kershaw went 8 innings and only gave up 6 hits. Colorado also limited me to 6 hits....classic pitchers duel, it was fantastic.
Immediately after that game, I took the Padres and James Shields and lost 1-0 to Max Scherzer and the Nats....another great pitchers duel, I believe we both had 8 hits apiece. Both games were tension filled nail biters....not many video games can deliver that for me these days.

[sportdan30]

Scherzer is a beast in this game. I struggled mightily against him.

[Diablo25]

I'm liking the Diamond Dynasty feature. I created my team and have been using my stubs from the anniversary edition to buy some packs. I haven't played anyone online but you can play people's created teams in the "Extra Innings" part of DD. I'm currently playing a team called the Erie Elite. My created player (you get to create one guy that can play anywhere you want) hit a grand slam in his second AB . I'm up 4-1. This particular opponent's team stadium is Fenway. This feature is growing on me. What a great game.

The created player thing is pretty cool. You can "feed" unwanted player cards from your roster to make the created player better.