Please Post MLB 2005 Impressions

J_Cauthen · Post by **J_Cauthen** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:46 pm

Slumberland wrote:I agree that the autofielding is a problem. It's most pronounced when I want to charge a ball in the outfield, but the game has decided for me that I'm going to let it drop. The outfielder slows to a shuffle, and I can't do a thing about it.

I've experienced this at least three times now, I was running to make a play on the ball (loopers that I could have caught on the fly), but the game code decides to overrule my control action and let the ball drop... it takes your control away from the play and brings him to a halt!? At no time - while in manual control - should the program override the gamer's control actions!!

I haven't tried diving soon enough to override this action, so I can't comment on your observations about it... I'll try it. I know this though, the plays that I've missed like this I would have been forced to dive well before it was needed to avoid losing control.

There are other areas of player control in which the player goes into auto, or is late coming under the gamer's control. I simply don't feel like I'm controlling the fielders to the extent I'd like. If I want a game where I can't control my fielders, I'll go back and play World Series Baseball 2001 on my Dreamcast!

I'm sorry, but as much as I like other aspects of MLB 2005, this has become a game killer for me. I won't be doing anything with it beyond my rental.

I'm not holding out much hope for ESPN after playing the OXM demo last month, but I'll give it a shot with a rental. I still fear the choppy pitch movements, and I know I'm going to have to get used to looking at players who look like they're on hyper-steroids.

I'm anxious to see if the mod community can do anything with the PC version of MVP 2004. That might be the best hope for a playable, action baseball game this year.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 12:00 am

I've experienced this at least three times now, I was running to make a play on the ball (loopers that I could have caught on the fly), but the game code decides to overrule my control action and let the ball drop... it takes your control away from the play and brings him to a halt!? At no time - while in manual control - should the program override the gamer's control actions!!

I have yet to experience this after 25 games.

Another complaint I have heard(in a review no less), is that the CPU lets balls fall in front of them in the OF....I have never seen that either...in fact, Dave Roberts has hit 2 inside the park HR's because the CF dove for a ball and come up with air....and the ball bounced right under the glove...how sweet is that...again the physics amaze me.

J_Cauthen · Post by **J_Cauthen** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 12:16 am

pigpen81 wrote:
I've experienced this at least three times now, I was running to make a play on the ball (loopers that I could have caught on the fly), but the game code decides to overrule my control action and let the ball drop... it takes your control away from the play and brings him to a halt!? At no time - while in manual control - should the program override the gamer's control actions!!
I have yet to experience this after 25 games.

Another complaint I have heard(in a review no less), is that the CPU lets balls fall in front of them in the OF....I have never seen that either...in fact, Dave Roberts has hit 2 inside the park HR's because the CF dove for a ball and come up with air....and the ball bounced right under the glove...how sweet is that...again the physics amaze me.

This is really strange pigpen81, I had it happen to me twice in one game. What level are you playing the game at? I've yet to try the most advanced.

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 1:07 am

bkrich83 wrote:
It's sort of like Home Run King for me, where the positives outweigh even glaring negatives.
It's funny you say that. I was thinking the exact same thing. There are some issues, but I still can't stop playing it. Exactly the way it was for me with HR King. Man it's too bad that game died, off, it was a blast, and the game I thought had most potential of the baseball games that year.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 1:37 am

I played the first 25 on veteran but have just moved up to All-Star...but I had it happen in this game..but no big deal because the runner on 1st held up because he thought it would be caught and I forced him at 2nd....not a game killer...1st time it has happened.

I am currently in the 18th iniing tied 1-1 on All-Star against the Marlins.

I have K'd 23 times and the Marlins 12.

I hit the top of the blue monster twice...have 14 hits in 18 innings...the Marlins have 15.....what a game.

I went ahead 1-0 in the 11th...but Beltre..who has K'd 5 times booted a grounder and the Marlins hit a 2 out base hit to tie it.

My last reliever (Brohawn) is on his last legs...a starter is next.

Again..the ball physics are insane...I love it when I or the CPU hit a ball down the line and the ball curves foul.

I just wish the strike zone was a tad smaller...I get jipped on some calls that should be balls.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 5:02 am

Damn...John Thomson just struck me out 16 times in 7.1 innings and I lost to the Braves 4-2.

I led off the 9th with 2 base hits agianst Smotlz and he preced to strike out Hunter, Jer. Giambi and Beltre to end the game.

The thing that kills me is that I had 15 hits.

But man do the AI pitchers get tough with runners in scoring position. The get me to chse their stuff and before I know it I am in a 0-2 hole.

They are particularly tough on Shawn Green...it seems they give him nothing to hit and I am to damn impatient to work the count in his favor.

Boy I love this game.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 12:08 pm

I agree that this is a fantastic game in so many regards. However, everyone has different definitions of a gamekiller, and unfortunately for me, it's the walks. Just knowing that 99% of the time on any 3-ball count you're getting a strike is too much to swallow for me. This kind of pitching and a lack of walks in general take away too much of the strategy for me.

But I love nearly everything else.

BTW, is anyone having better luck with the CPU scoring on them. This was perhaps my next greatest concern.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 1:37 pm

every game lacks in walks, so why condemn MLB for it? The AI really pitches you smart and gets you to chase pitches a lot. You really need to learn the strike zone in order to work the counts in your favor and this is very challenging. I agree, you don't get a lot of walks, but I do get a lot of 2-2 & 3-2 counts.

MLB just does so many other things right...namely:
-pitch speed and movement are perfect
-not easy to pinpoint pitches (without the cursor)
-bunting is great
-AI is pretty strong (they will get the lefty/lefty, righty/righty matchups on you when it counts
-zone hitting is extremely well done
-hitting is challenging on Allstar level - you will strike out
-difficulty of hitting HR's seems about right
-fielding is smooth.....although it's a bit easier than it needs to be
-animations are unparalelled
-presentation and cut scenes are great
-best "pure" baseball feel of all the games

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 1:42 pm

Well High Heat didn't lack in walks with the right settings, and while it's somewhat difficult to draw walks in ASB 2005, I am drawing more walks than any other game released this year.

J_Cauthen · Post by **J_Cauthen** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 3:11 pm

The "not so manual" fielding, and lack of check swings ultimately did the game in for me - just took the rental back this morning. Having said that, I slightly prefer it to MVP 2004 (XBox), and the demo of ESPN (Xbox). I'll still give ESPN a rent when the final game comes out before I pass judgement. I'm not going to bother with ASB 2005, after all the baggage I've heard reported with it. I may check the PC version of MVP 2004 out, especially if the mods start getting interesting.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 7:00 pm

I still say there would be more walks if 989 goes to a variable strike and just shrinks it slightly.

There are to many strikes where the ball barely touches the line.

I also say that more walks are possible if I didn't swing at so many pitches.

I believe that of all the BB games this year, this game is the closest to perfection.....let's keep our fingers crossed for next year.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 6:20 pm

I think the ESPN demo did a fine job of modelling the hitter batter confrontation in terms of drawing walks. The CPU would make his pitches, and he would not be afraid to throw out of the strike zone. I had no trouble feeling a pitcher out and getting my walks in.

I agree, MLB has a great "pure" baseball feeling, but I think that ESPN might win out in the end for reasons like this.