MVP: Is low-and-away pitch this year's lefty bug?

HouOilers · Post by **HouOilers** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:23 pm

I'm back this week to playing MVP. MLB2k5 is a good game, but I surely missed the pickup and play aspect MVP provides.

It's those little things man I am telling you. Like last night, I had Biggio hit a ball just to the left of the MMPark hill out in center. The ball bounced up the hill, around the hill, and then back on the right side of the hill. Got a triple off it but that was cool.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:26 pm

You know, MVP difficulty is not the CPU cheatfest I thought it would be. I played Mets/Phillies today, and lost 3-2 in extra innings, giving up 12 hits and getting 7 myself, including a home run by Doug Man-Cave-Itch. Total default settings. The meter's a bit tricksier on MVP than it is on All-Star... feels more like the MLB meter, actually.

I had to leave fielding at Manual though. I tried a game earlier today with the MVP fielding, and any little dribbler the CPU hit got through the infield. Not fun. Maybe in two years I'll be ready for that setting.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:38 pm

Using pretty much db's tweaks, I *think* these settings are about perfect for me. I also love the "variable stuff", played against the Rocket and he just didn't have it today.. that and I layed off some pitches for once. He even walked in a run with the bases loaded. Once Mulder got into his groove, he cruised to the victory.

Code: Select all

      R   H   E
STL   8   11  0
HOU   1   6   0

Clemens had 3 walks, Mulder (me) had 2. The game was so great to play. Biggio is not the greatest LF and with these settings, you can tell. Stros played Pujols deep and he had two perfectly placed bloop hits. Everything looked really good.

Fielding:
User OF Speed (manual): (-5)
User OF Speed (mvp): (-5)
CPU OF Speed: (-5)

User INF Speed (manual): (-3)
User INF Speed (mvp): (-3)
CPU INF Speed: (-3)

User Baserunning Speed: (5)
CPU Baserunning Speed: (5)

I play with the 6/4 view, assissted fielding, everything off EXCEPT for pitch cursor which is set to fade.

I like playing the first game of a series and then managing the rest - although I've been playing more now that I have settings that seem about perfect for my style and level of play. I also use the updated "online" rosters and edited Dowd to Barry Bonds. That's it.

I love this game. It's slowly becoming my favorite graphical baseball game I've ever played... really, it's THAT good.

Todd

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:44 pm

MizzouRah wrote:I love this game. It's slowly becoming my favorite graphical baseball game I've ever played... really, it's THAT good.

Agreed.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:53 pm

Me too. I know a lot of people slag on the hitting system, but I gotta say I really enjoy it. It just calls for a whole new way of thinking... instead of the usual 'where's the ball going to go' bit, it's more 'what do I want to do with it, and can I do it with what's coming?'.

Time for me to stop eating hamburgers when I can be eating steak. My flirtation with both MLB's is over. I'm a one baseball game man now.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:38 am

You really do see new things in this game all the time. Tonight, I gave up 7 runs with Zambrano in the top of the first inning to the Astros. I then proceeded to score 9 straight runs of my own, thanks in part to another 7 run inning. I then gave up two more to the Astros to go into the 9th tied 9-9. In the top of the 9th, with men on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, Latroy Hawkins had his leg broken by a hard hit ball up the middle, and just missed throwing out the runner at first to end the inning. I then brought Joe Borowski in, and he gave up a grand slam the very next pitch, and I went down 13-9.

On the bright side, I did notice that your reliever comes in completely warmed up after an injury

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:02 am

The problem with MVP 2005 is that you cannot get both realistic pitch counts and challenging CPU hitting. You have to pick your poison with MVP 2005. MLB 2K5 is bugged and requires too much slider tweaking. I think that High Heat 2004 is still the most realistic baseball game on XBOX and my favorite.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:10 am

TRI wrote:The problem with MVP 2005 is that you cannot get both realistic pitch counts and challenging CPU hitting. You have to pick your poison with MVP 2005.

I don't think anyone cares about your anti-EA sentiments...all you do is talk sh*t about the game. It could have been touched by god and you'd still say it was crap. It's gotten a bit old...

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:30 am

TRI wrote:The problem with MVP 2005 is that you cannot get both realistic pitch counts and challenging CPU hitting. You have to pick your poison with MVP 2005. MLB 2K5 is bugged and requires too much slider tweaking. I think that High Heat 2004 is still the most realistic baseball game on XBOX and my favorite.

Not true.

I have the CPU control at -50 and CPU throw ball at -3. I had Zambrano (Victor I think), throw 117 against me and was pulled with two outs bases juiced in the 9th.

I think can get pretty realistic sliders, they aren't perfect becuase the CPU isn't trying to make the stats look real. I can usually get to the 100 mark if I'm pitching well by the 7-8-9. I say that's pretty good.

All I did for the CPU hitting was increase contact by a few and CPU power at 8. I wanted them more dangerous. I have their swing rate at default (0) if you can believe that.

As for my results, I have lost my last 5 in SEPTEMBER. The cubbies are 1.5 games behind me (Cards).

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:39 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
TRI wrote:The problem with MVP 2005 is that you cannot get both realistic pitch counts and challenging CPU hitting. You have to pick your poison with MVP 2005.
I don't think anyone cares about your anti-EA sentiments...all you do is talk sh*t about the game. It could have been touched by god and you'd still say it was crap. It's gotten a bit old...

Boy the EA fanboys sure get upset when someone mentions something they interpret as negative even if it is true. You can talk and call me anything you want and it is easier to do over the internet than face to face. It really does not bother me anyway.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:57 am

TRI wrote:Boy the EA fanboys sure get upset when someone mentions something they interpret as negative even if it is true. You can talk and call me anything you want and it is easier to do over the internet than face to face. It really does not bother me anyway.

You can bet on the fact that I'm no EA fanboy...in fact, MVP is probably the first EA game I've loved. Everything else they've produced is just average at best.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:59 am

Slumberland wrote:Time for me to stop eating hamburgers when I can be eating steak. My flirtation with both MLB's is over. I'm a one baseball game man now.

Outstanding. Time to get in more Ladder games. I'll even let you play the Mets. Maybe. OK Norfolk maybe.

JackDog wrote:I am having a hard time hitting in this game right now. But man I really am learning to love this badboy.

It'll come. It's taken me a while, but I'm starting to come around. Most of the homers I've hit have been from sitting on a pitch in a hitter's count. Some hitters and in some situations, I might sit on a pitch in any count. Nothing is better when playing online than knowing what to expect and taking it deep.

Db is right on about the hitting. It's different, but I really like it a lot. The mini game really starts to help once you get the hang of it. I hit one dinger with Matsui - the Mets not the Yankees - and I was pushing opposite field, but just caught it right, a curve ball that started outside and broke right into the middle of the plate, and I pulled it down the line, a no doubter. That's right, pulled it. It was totally surprising, but somehow it made sense immediately upon contact. I watched the analyzer replay, and it made sense even more. I was ahead of the pitch just enough to let Matsui extend his arms comepletely before getting the bat through the zone and yanking the thing into the seats. I don't know if I could do that if I tired, but hey, that's not gonna stop me!

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:28 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
TRI wrote:Boy the EA fanboys sure get upset when someone mentions something they interpret as negative even if it is true. You can talk and call me anything you want and it is easier to do over the internet than face to face. It really does not bother me anyway.
You can bet on the fact that I'm no EA fanboy...in fact, MVP is probably the first EA game I've loved. Everything else they've produced is just average at best.

Dude, you getting called an EA-Fanboy is like me being called a Cowboy fan. Classic stuff.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:02 am

LOL...exactly BK...just remember,

That TRI kid is great.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:11 am

I finally felt like I got the hitting system last night. I won 6-3 at Pittsburgh, facing Kip Wells. I had 12 hits, including 2 HRs and 3 doubles, and I drew 3 walks. I took the advice to not think about up/down with the stick, and focused on left/right instead. Made a huge difference. I cranked a 2-run homer with Hollandsworth by pulling a pitch this way.

You definitely have to know the pitcher. Wells was throwing his slider a lot, so I would wait inside with left-handers and away with righties so I could go with the pitch either way. My other HR was with Nomar, I got a nice high and out first pitch in his hot zone that I sent into the right-center seats.

I am still goofing a bit with the sliders. I lowered the CPU take pitch to -20, because they do swing at too many first pitches. But I'm finding that having the meter on 0 and User control at -50 is making it challenging to hit spots, while still pitching effectively at times. I actually walked 4 guys last night, 2 because I was pitching around the zone, 2 because they legitimately held me off and I didn't hit the zone on the last pitch.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:16 am

I'm currently using cpu swing -5, user meter 0, user control -50, and user and CPU foul balls at 50.

The foul balls at 50 I'm convinced are ADDING to the cpu's effectiveness, as they now frequently foul off GOOD pitches just on or off the corner of the plate, making me throw again and potentially screw up the next time.

I've also been going back and forth between All-Star and MVP, and the game actually feels a bit better to me on MVP...

But I can't hit worth a damn there yet, so I'm floating between the two levels.

GROGtheNailer · Post by **GROGtheNailer** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:44 am

Is anyone using the mod where it takes the green mark out of pitching meter so you have to guage where the green is in the stop part of the meter? I'm getting great walks with this.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:05 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
TRI wrote:Boy the EA fanboys sure get upset when someone mentions something they interpret as negative even if it is true. You can talk and call me anything you want and it is easier to do over the internet than face to face. It really does not bother me anyway.
You can bet on the fact that I'm no EA fanboy...in fact, MVP is probably the first EA game I've loved. Everything else they've produced is just average at best.

Welcome to the club DB, I have a meeting once a month at my house. My wife makes sugar cookies that look like EA logos. I'll give you the information on the EA Fanboy website. Remembver it is against the EA Fanboy EULA to give out that websites URL.

Later, and remember...Challenge Everything!

GridIronGhost · Post by **GridIronGhost** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:12 pm

I tried it, it was insane. I'm not ready for that level of pitching, but it's nice to know it's there when I'm ready for that level. I like the camera angles in some of them mods. I just don't like it when they add them to tweeks they made in game play, like the lastest one from K.S.M.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:15 pm

TRI:

Anyone who reads this board fairly often knows DSP isn't a place packed with EA fanboys. On the contrary.

If there's a more maddening -- no pun intended -- sports gaming publisher than EA for sim fans, then I haven't found it. Take this year, for example:

Madden 2005 -- very good sim, evolutionary improvements, especially on defense.

NCAA 2005 -- EA damn near ruined its best franchise in one year after the brilliance of NCAA 2004.

FIFA 2005 -- improved, but still nowhere near Winning Eleven.

NASCAR 2005 -- massive improvements across the board. Excellent game. Best EA NASCAR console effort ever, by far.

MVP 2005 -- one of the best console baseball games ever just three years after the nightmare of the final Triple Play game.

Tiger Woods 2005 -- same sh*t, different year.

Rugby 2005 -- apparently quite improved over previous rugby abominations.

Live 2005 -- apparently quite improved.

NHL 2005 -- an absolute disaster on every level after a promising NHL 2004.

EA is the Sybil of sports gaming. It can take great franchises and ruin them, take moribund franchises and play Lazarus with them and take very solid franchises and make needed, incremental improvements -- all in one year.

There's absolutely no guarantee of greatness or disaster with any EA franchise except for maybe Madden. It's solid or better every year.

So to call people in here -- especially DB, who is a noted critic of most things EA -- EA fanboys is pretty damn daft. Sometimes I think you're making these inane posts just to get a rise out of us. If so, mission accomplished, so I guess I'll think twice before replying to some of your thoughtless tripe posts.

Take care,
PK

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:20 pm

Since this has become the defacto MVP Impressions part deux thread... just like to chime in on how much I like the stadium sound in this game. I finally got around to playing a small market team (the Brewers) in my Mets dynasty last night, and not only was the crowd half empty, but it sounded like a AA game. Loved it. Also, they sucked, and I drew about eight walks.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:25 pm

Yeah, I agree Slumber. It's funny...MLB 2k5 is so damn good in the presentation department, some people forget how good MVP is. Sure, it's not even close to the 2k5 level, but it still holds it's own. Remember, it was two years ago that people were complaining about how poor the presentation was in MLB 2k3 (World Series then) and how good it was in MVP.

We still haven't seen better bat to ball contact in any game outside of mvp and that's a HUGE deal to me in the presentation/gameplay department. The cut scenes and the PIP scenes are pretty sweet if you ask me. I guess they just haven't evolved enough to catch people's attention.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:29 pm

My succinct (a rarity, I know!) praise of MVP: I don't care much for baseball and had zero intention of buying a baseball game this year. Rented both MVP and MLB 2K5.

I now own MVP and LOVE it. This game could do with real baseball for me this summer what WE 8 has done for real soccer for some non-soccer fans. In other words, turn me into a fan.

Take care,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:30 pm

Pick the Braves...I need some backup around here besides just DChaps. LOL

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:33 pm

He already roots for the Bills, so I'm sure he has no desire to relive that experience.