MVP Impressions

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 9:11 pm

Brando70 wrote:I don't want to declare a winner after just a few games. But right now I want to play MVP and I'm not going to ignore that for the sake of giving the other guy a chance. MVP wins the battle of first impressions by quite a bit with me.

Ditto...couldn't have said it better myself.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 9:46 pm

There is a new roster update available on xbl today. It takes care of all the recent trades and free agent signings.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 10:18 pm

I wonder why EA doesn't make a game next year with generic ML teams and Japanese league teams? Is there a great Japanese baseball game or a mediocre game that owns the market??

I would love to be able to play a game with Japanese Leagues - it would be a blast.

GridIronGhost · Post by **GridIronGhost** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 10:56 pm

kevinpars wrote:I wonder why EA doesn't make a game next year with generic ML teams and Japanese league teams? Is there a great Japanese baseball game or a mediocre game that owns the market??

I would love to be able to play a game with Japanese Leagues - it would be a blast.

Couldn't EA just let MS publish MVP next year? Also online ranked games suck...you can only play 5 innings!

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:04 pm

GridIronGhost wrote:
kevinpars wrote:I wonder why EA doesn't make a game next year with generic ML teams and Japanese league teams? Is there a great Japanese baseball game or a mediocre game that owns the market??

I would love to be able to play a game with Japanese Leagues - it would be a blast.
Couldn't EA just let MS publish MVP next year? Also online ranked games suck...you can only play 5 innings!

Is it 100% confirmed that EA is NOT releasing a non-licensed baseball game next year? I certainly hope not.

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:14 pm

At the top of the feature list for MLB2K6: big asses.

"Hey, if EA did it, it must be innovative, right? When we copy it, it will be even more innovative!"
-Greg Thomas designing a baseball game.

I want to get a baseball game, but I don't have an Xbox. And I can't bring myself to buy PS2 games that are on Xbox because I feel like I'm getting cheated.

I might get Sony's game.

ubrakto · Post by **ubrakto** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:00 am

Danimal wrote:I haven't played enough yet to make a judgement. But I did notcie on the PC version that the grass on the field is very fuzzy looking and the choppiness is back on the throw from 3rd to 1st. Anyone else have the PC version and find a way to fix this?

There's a thread at www.mvpmods.com dedicated to this issue. If you can believe this, the ongoing theory is that the game was optimized to run well on low powered systems and somehow that's translated into worse performances in some situations (notably the 3rd to 1st base throws) on better PCs. A lot of solutions are being thrown around, like turning up anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering (which also helps improve the field looks) amongst other things. Doesn't appear there's anything conclusive, though.

Hope you find something there that helps!
---Todd

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:23 am

Played 3 games online tongiht. REALLY loving this game. They fixed all the small s*** that plagued last year's game. Added some animations that add to the overall feel of the game. Pitchers covering firstbase on grounders to the first baseman are much better played this year. No longer will the first baseman stand there waiting for the pitcher to get to the bag. They throw the ball, leading the pitcher as he's running to the bag. Looks really nice.

Obviously the left bug has been corrected. I've had Helton take 2 deep to the opposite field.

This game is just a lot of fun and while I have only played 4 games I don't see anything that this game does that would make you scratch your head and wonder WTF???!!!

Very pleased.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 12:32 pm

I've been messing around with the settings today and I'm pretty close to getting them close to perfection for me. I moved up to All-Star and I'm throwing a lot of walks because I'm scared of the CPU. I actually had to put the pitch cursor to fade and ease the meter difficulty a bit (had it maxed out) because I was getting pounded. I walked 3 in one inning with Kip Wells vs. the heart of the Phillies order. I just need to find a good balance because I really am not striking out CPU batters much even with Oliver Perez.

I suck at hitting on any level. I'm playing on All Star because I like pitching on that level more. I moved the pitch speed back to default (slowed it down because I thought that would make it easier), but increased the hitting contact and power to +25 (don't laugh) along with foul balls at the max and I'm *really* enjoying it. I am seeing balls hit all over the place, but yet I still strike out realistically (it doesn't help that I play with a team that K's a lot either). When I play without any assistance to human power and contact all of my hits are weak and 75% are up the middle. When I up the sliders it feels a lot closer to zone hitting to me.

You MVP pros probably don't need the hitting assistance, but I'm just happy the sliders really work so I can still have fun while gradually learning the game.

brendanrfoley · Post by **brendanrfoley** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:59 pm

I've been loving MVP since Thursday when I got my first game in. I have to say it, EA has managed to put together a real gem with this one.

Sure, there are a few things I'm not happy about (create a stadium is not robust at all), but on field, this game produces some great results.

It's also a lot of fun, too. Way for MVP to go out in style.

HouOilers · Post by **HouOilers** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:14 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I've been messing around with the settings today and I'm pretty close to getting them close to perfection for me. I moved up to All-Star and I'm throwing a lot of walks because I'm scared of the CPU. I actually had to put the pitch cursor to fade and ease the meter difficulty a bit (had it maxed out) because I was getting pounded. I walked 3 in one inning with Kip Wells vs. the heart of the Phillies order. I just need to find a good balance because I really am not striking out CPU batters much even with Oliver Perez.

I suck at hitting on any level. I'm playing on All Star because I like pitching on that level more. I moved the pitch speed back to default (slowed it down because I thought that would make it easier), but increased the hitting contact and power to +25 (don't laugh) along with foul balls at the max and I'm *really* enjoying it. I am seeing balls hit all over the place, but yet I still strike out realistically (it doesn't help that I play with a team that K's a lot either). When I play without any assistance to human power and contact all of my hits are weak and 75% are up the middle. When I up the sliders it feels a lot closer to zone hitting to me.

You MVP pros probably don't need the hitting assistance, but I'm just happy the sliders really work so I can still have fun while gradually learning the game.

I've been doing the following to practice hitting. Play an exhibition game on rookie vs a weak pitcher. The cpu pitchers on rookie will always throw strikes so its a good way to practice the pure swing system.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:39 pm

What are your thoughts so far on the new "hitter's eye" feature? I'm not good enough yet to pay much attention to it, but I think it is a great idea. That's always been one of my frustrations with baseball games--good hitters pick up releases and rotations right out of the pitcher's hand, but for many pitchers/pitches in video games, you have to notice the travel of the ball and guess more than anything else. On higher pitch speeds, that just gets too tough for me. This helps make it more realistic if done properly.

Since I haven't been good enough to notice it much, I can't provide much as far as my impressions. I think the changeup and fastball should be close to the same color, while a curveball should be easily noticeable as different. Is that the case?

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:48 pm

Dave wrote:What are your thoughts so far on the new "hitter's eye" feature? I'm not good enough yet to pay much attention to it, but I think it is a great idea. That's always been one of my frustrations with baseball games--good hitters pick up releases and rotations right out of the pitcher's hand, but for many pitchers/pitches in video games, you have to notice the travel of the ball and guess more than anything else. On higher pitch speeds, that just gets too tough for me. This helps make it more realistic if done properly.

Since I haven't been good enough to notice it much, I can't provide much as far as my impressions. I think the changeup and fastball should be close to the same color, while a curveball should be easily noticeable as different. Is that the case?

I LOVE it! I think it is a great addition and really brings an added strategy to the game. I think it evens out the pitcher/batter duel more. And if you don't like it, you can simply turn it off!

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:52 pm

Dave wrote:What are your thoughts so far on the new "hitter's eye" feature? I'm not good enough yet to pay much attention to it, but I think it is a great idea. That's always been one of my frustrations with baseball games--good hitters pick up releases and rotations right out of the pitcher's hand, but for many pitchers/pitches in video games, you have to notice the travel of the ball and guess more than anything else. On higher pitch speeds, that just gets too tough for me. This helps make it more realistic if done properly.

Since I haven't been good enough to notice it much, I can't provide much as far as my impressions. I think the changeup and fastball should be close to the same color, while a curveball should be easily noticeable as different. Is that the case?

I've just started using it and like it so far. I don't always remember to look for the "Hitter's Eye" color, but I'm trying to get myself into the habit. I use the 'Center' camera which makes the pitcher appear further away and that makes determining the color a bit harder.

I can post the color of the pitches when I get home and have access to the manual, but off the top of my head I believe that a fastball is white, a changeup is green and a curveball is red. I'll verify this when I get home though.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:02 pm

HouOilers wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:I've been messing around with the settings today and I'm pretty close to getting them close to perfection for me. I moved up to All-Star and I'm throwing a lot of walks because I'm scared of the CPU. I actually had to put the pitch cursor to fade and ease the meter difficulty a bit (had it maxed out) because I was getting pounded. I walked 3 in one inning with Kip Wells vs. the heart of the Phillies order. I just need to find a good balance because I really am not striking out CPU batters much even with Oliver Perez.

I suck at hitting on any level. I'm playing on All Star because I like pitching on that level more. I moved the pitch speed back to default (slowed it down because I thought that would make it easier), but increased the hitting contact and power to +25 (don't laugh) along with foul balls at the max and I'm *really* enjoying it. I am seeing balls hit all over the place, but yet I still strike out realistically (it doesn't help that I play with a team that K's a lot either). When I play without any assistance to human power and contact all of my hits are weak and 75% are up the middle. When I up the sliders it feels a lot closer to zone hitting to me.

You MVP pros probably don't need the hitting assistance, but I'm just happy the sliders really work so I can still have fun while gradually learning the game.
I've been doing the following to practice hitting. Play an exhibition game on rookie vs a weak pitcher. The cpu pitchers on rookie will always throw strikes so its a good way to practice the pure swing system.

The mini games are another good way to practice. After playing the hitting game for 10 minutes, I played a game on default Pro and hit 4 homeruns. I still really don't like the system because I still have better luck just holding up all the time rather than aiming, but MVP does so many other things right I'm willing to compromise.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:06 pm

Jason wrote:
Dave wrote:What are your thoughts so far on the new "hitter's eye" feature? I'm not good enough yet to pay much attention to it, but I think it is a great idea. That's always been one of my frustrations with baseball games--good hitters pick up releases and rotations right out of the pitcher's hand, but for many pitchers/pitches in video games, you have to notice the travel of the ball and guess more than anything else. On higher pitch speeds, that just gets too tough for me. This helps make it more realistic if done properly.

Since I haven't been good enough to notice it much, I can't provide much as far as my impressions. I think the changeup and fastball should be close to the same color, while a curveball should be easily noticeable as different. Is that the case?
I've just started using it and like it so far. I don't always remember to look for the "Hitter's Eye" color, but I'm trying to get myself into the habit. I use the 'Center' camera which makes the pitcher appear further away and that makes determining the color a bit harder.

I can post the color of the pitches when I get home and have access to the manual, but off the top of my head I believe that a fastball is white, a changeup is green and a curveball is red. I'll verify this when I get home though.

Yes, white for fastball, green for offspeed, and red for a breaking pitch.

I love the hitters eye, it is really helping me to improve my hitting. It really helps you to be able to wait on a certain type of pitch. It's cool how different pitchers tip off their pitches at different times. I went against Peavy of the Padres last night, and I could see the color of the ball near the start of his windup, well before he released the pitch.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:07 pm

Jason wrote:. . . off the top of my head I believe that a fastball is white, a changeup is green and a curveball is red. I'll verify this when I get home though.

Yeah, that's right. According to the manual:

white is FB,

red is a breaking ball,

green is a change,

purple is a 'sinking pitch' (maybe the purple is close to red for me, as I remember seeing splitter and sinkers as red- maybe it's just there's no blue, so my mind isn't differentiating between red and purple),

and -get this- orange is a knuckler.

I like it, but I worry that as I get better, it may make it too easy. It seems pretty subtle and quick, but it's definitely there. I haven't noticed yet if the length of time the color is there changes from pitcher to pitcher. It would be cool if that's the case. And FWIW I agree that a change should be the same color as a FB, at least for a hurler who has a really good change up.

In any case, I think it's a neat idea, and while in the end it may not be perfect, I think it's the kind of thing that other baseball games would do well to rip off.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:14 pm

Zeppo wrote:I like it, but I worry that as I get better, it may make it too easy. It seems pretty subtle and quick, but it's definitely there. I haven't noticed yet if the length of time the color is there changes from pitcher to pitcher. It would be cool if that's the case. And FWIW I agree that a change should be the same color as a FB, at least for a hurler who has a really good change up.

In any case, I think it's a neat idea, and while in the end it may not be perfect, I think it's the kind of thing that other baseball games would do well to rip off.

Like everything else in MVP, there's an option to turn it off if you find it too easy, although that won't help with online games.

As HipE stated above, there is definitely a difference in the length of times the color is there depending on the pitcher and their deliveries. I've noticed this too as some pitchers are almost impossible to see.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:36 pm

Leebo:
I'd like to see what your tune settings are.

You know I hate to say this so early. But this game does almost everything right. There are some quirks like AI management. Wall physics that make you want to pull your hair out.

I had a few games over this past week that had "THE FEELING". If you played Winning Eleven you know what I'm talking about. I'm completely blown away by MVP.

Like, Leebo I had to turn stuff on. I had all the visuals off except for the hot/cold zone to fade. I now have the pitcher cursor to fade NOT becuase pitching was too easy but I couldn't nibble to throw walks. How's that for a change. YOU NEED TO NIBBLE FOR WALKS. If you play Boston or the Yankees you will get shelled it you don't walk some guys. I'm not talking IBB but you need to work the cornors just enough and then walk a guy.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:41 pm

Uh oh... the Winning Eleven comparison.

(guess what, I've had that feeling too)

Something about the myriad of things that can happen in the field, and yet I feel like I have total control.

I'm having no trouble giving up walks with the meter set to -50 and my accuracy set to the same. You have to nibble against the hitters on All-Star, and with those tough meter settings, walks happen.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:54 pm

Slumber,

I didn't want to imply it was in the WE category, yet.

But the pressure and excitement you feel in the last 15 minutes of a close game in WE is what can go on in the 7-8-9 innings of MVP. I had a 14 inning game that I was completly frustrated in. Even though I lost, I didn't feel cheated nor like it was work. Just fun.

So far MVP is like WE in one way. Its a lot of fun to play and doesn't feel like work.

AND if there are game killers they alwasy seem to show up right around this time. We'll see what happens.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:07 pm

To be honest, I'm really liking MVP as well.

When I heard MLB 2006 had a true manage only mode, I didn't really think about buying MVP again this year. I liked ESPN 2k4 last year, MVP lost its lustre after the initial "wow" factor.

I traded in MM 2005 and got it for $10, I figured what the heck.

Although I really wish they had the "one button" swing feature ESPN had last year (and maybe this year), MVP has really had me glued to the TV and my wife asking, "Are you ever going to stop playing and come to bed". LOL....

I'll wait on some reviews of MLB 2006 before I get it, but at least MVP is holding my attention right now. I think I've already played more games with 2005 then I did with 2004.

I have no interest in ESPN this year. With all the annoying bugs in football, and college basketball, I don't want to mess with baseball this year.. . that's just my opinion. One thing that bugs me about ESPN's games, is the interface. Has that been improved in MLB 2k5?

Well, I just downloaded some updated rosters and I think I'm ready to restart my Cardinals franchise now that I can compete with the CPU somewhat on All-Star.

Todd

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:08 pm

Something just happened in my season that blew my mind, playing against the Pads.

Klesko was on 1st and the batter (can't remember who it was), hit one toward the gap. Klesko started to tag and then got a bad read. It didn't appear as though Wilson would get to it so Klesko took off, round 2nd and headed to third.

Wilson made a great running grab in the gap and threw on to first to double up Klesko. Was pretty sweet, although I still lost 2-0.

The more I play this game, the more I love. No baseball game to date has made me forget about High Heat 2002 for the PC. This was is blurring my memory.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:21 pm

JRod wrote:Leebo:
I'd like to see what your tune settings are.

You know I hate to say this so early. But this game does almost everything right. There are some quirks like AI management. Wall physics that make you want to pull your hair out.

I had a few games over this past week that had "THE FEELING". If you played Winning Eleven you know what I'm talking about. I'm completely blown away by MVP.

Like, Leebo I had to turn stuff on. I had all the visuals off except for the hot/cold zone to fade. I now have the pitcher cursor to fade NOT becuase pitching was too easy but I couldn't nibble to throw walks. How's that for a change. YOU NEED TO NIBBLE FOR WALKS. If you play Boston or the Yankees you will get shelled it you don't walk some guys. I'm not talking IBB but you need to work the cornors just enough and then walk a guy.

This is what I don't understand with all you guys liking the game now because MVP has always been and played this good since 2003. Yes there were bugs and quirks in the last two versions just like there is with 2005 but it's basically the same game. Honestly not much has really changed. I've played numerous games now of MVP and it still feels a whole helluva a lot like MVP 2003 which really isn't a bad thing to me.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:23 pm

I'm really digging this game too. Last night I played the Rockies at home and Wood gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the top of the first inning. He got better as the game went along but he expended a lot of energy in the first few innings and needed to go to the bench after 5. It was still 2-0 when Dusty gets kicked for arguing a steal that was called an out. Patterson ends up hitting a 2-run shot in the bottom of the 5th to tie the game and takes Wood off the hook. It remains 2-2 until the bottom of the 8th when I finally squeek in a run off a Garciaparra RBI single and Hawkins gets the save. It was just an all-around joy to play and I was fully immersed in the game. Great way to go out EA.