MLB 2006 The Show Demo at EBGames for a Pre-Order

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 5:35 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Are you using some sort of auto fielding? I thought I read somewhere that it is a problem with autofielding. I've had no problem with turning DP's on PSP with manual fielding. You should be OK if it is manual and you "pre-load."

I was using assisted fielding, not full auto but not manual either.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 2:41 pm

Loving this game like so many of you, but is anyone finding a wee-bit of comeback logic from the AI? Any win I get, the CPU always cuts it close.

What seems to be proof is the fact that halfway into my season, I am 10 games over .500 and I've given up quite a few more runs that I've scored. That tells me that the CPU is able to occasionally blow me out, but I can't do the same to them. The vast majority of my wins are one or two run squeakers.

Just played a game where I had a 3-run lead and a 2-run lead but wasn't able to hold on. It was one of those totally scripted-feeling games, where no matter what I did, I knew the game would not let me win.

Anyone else?

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:13 pm

Quoting myself, in this thread:

March 21st

webdanzer wrote: I hate to even mention this particular cry of wolf, but I do wonder if I get an occasional whiff of catch up logic, going both ways. It seems that the losing team in close games tends get some more breaks...passed balls, errors, etc. I don't know if there is a 'stress' level or something in the game that could explain this, or if it's simply my imagination. If it's there, it is certainly not blatant or unable to be overcome...but I've seen enough oddities to feel I should bring up the possibility.

April 2nd

webdanzer wrote: I'm also pretty convinced that there is some sort of comeback logic, stress factor, clutch rating, etc that kicks in late in close games. That is where I see nearly all of my throwing errors, drops, etc. I've also seen some really blatant things there like the 2nd baseman simply HOLDING what would would be a game ending double play for seconds before throwing it, allowing the batter to beat it out. Dude was like the 9th Man Out in the infield, there, and I've seen that at least twice.

It's quite bad at times, and you can usually see it coming.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:27 pm

Thanks, surprised I missed those posts.

The game wants to keep nearly all the games I win close. Even if I jump out to a big lead, I can always count on the CPU coming back and keeping it close, if not winning it.

And again, there are games that feel very scripted where I just know the AI will not let me win.

The game does a good job of replicating hot and cold streaks in a season, though. I guess it evens out in the end.

snate · Post by **snate** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:43 am

I haven't gotten to play this game as much as I would have liked, but I get the impression that like most games that preceded it, there are not enough walks. Also batting averages and (user hitting) strikeouts seem too high.

Web and others that have really played this game - what are your thoughts on this?

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:19 pm

snate wrote:I haven't gotten to play this game as much as I would have liked, but I get the impression that like most games that preceded it, there are not enough walks. Also batting averages and (user hitting) strikeouts seem too high.

Web and others that have really played this game - what are your thoughts on this?

My experience has been that even though the batting averages seem a little high, since I hardly walk at all and see very few errors (while I'm hitting), the OB percentages and runs per game seem pretty realistic, so I'm living with it.

Strikeouts seem high, especially when I'm trying to advance the baserunners, that's when I seem to strike out more than I should. Just last night I loaded the bases with one out and stuck out twice in a row.

But again, the higher batting averages are offset by striking out more with runners in scoring position, so that still keeps the run totals realistic. It's not perfect, but it's far from a game-killer IMO.

It's almost like there's a built-in mechanism in the game that says no matter how good you hit, you're still not gonna score an unrealistic amount of runs.

And I've still seen more walks in The Show than any other video BB game, but the deeper I get into my season the rarer walks are becoming.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:37 pm

Agree with everything lexbur said.

The walk situation works as well, or better than any console game I've ever played. Part of the problem with too many K's and not enough walks lies in the strike zone itself. It's still too big, especially down in the zone. You will get strikes called near your ankles, and it's pretty ridiculous at times, but you learn to live with it.

It would be nice if there was more randomness in the game with regard to walks. No matter what happens, it seems damn near impossible to draw more than 3 or 4 a game, but you will consistently get 1 or 2 a game if you're patient. Again, with the strike zone being what it is, sometimes you feel being too patient works against you, as it will result in A LOT of K's looking because you didn't swing at a pitch that would never be called a strike in real life.

Still, like Lexbur says, the game somehow balances out, and is a very immersive experience. It's easily as good as any console baseball game I've played, and I'm dying to see how the series progresses on the PS3.

snate · Post by **snate** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:13 pm

And I've still seen more walks in The Show than any other video BB game, but the deeper I get into my season the rarer walks are becoming.

HH2004 and ESPN 2k4 certainly had more walks. MVP2005 perhaps too.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:02 pm

As the Reds, I am hitting .350 as a team yet my record is 19-17. It is not because my staff stinks either. I average 12-15 hits per game yet score 2-5 runs per game. It does seem to work out. Griffey is leading the league at around .445.

I hit a lot of singles. I get the "didn't eat his Wheaties" line a lot from the announcer. It seems like the CPU outfield gets to the ball quickly and they play real deep as high fly balls over their heads are rare.

This is the toughest pitching game (me pitching to CPU) that I have ever played. I really need to think and make good pitches or I get ripped. Every batter you need to concentrate on. I really enjoy the pitching.

I constantly have good, close games, maybe too many as there are not many blowouts. Having a lot of fun still with this game.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:55 pm

Any way to get updated rosters for the PSP version?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:05 pm

Diablo25 wrote:Any way to get updated rosters for the PSP version?

The only way is via wi-fi Internet. You can't save the updated rosters to a memory stick (dumb), but if you immediately start a season or career right after going on the Internet then it will use the updated rosters.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:47 pm

Got it.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:31 am

Damn, MLB is very impressive on the PSP. I was stunned at all the features and animations in the game. Wow.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:54 am

Diablo25 wrote:Damn, MLB is very impressive on the PSP. I was stunned at all the features and animations in the game. Wow.

I knew you would be impressed. It's one of the rare games that I will keep until the next version is released.

The only downside is The Show sets the bar so high a lot of other PSP games are disappointing in comparison.

icvu42 · Post by **icvu42** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:36 am

I am 84 games into my season on the PSP.

One thing I can't figure out how to do correctly is advance on a tagup situation, move one baserunner, without moving the other.

For example, men on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. A flyball hit to left, I will hit the R trigger to return the men to the base, but when I hit L trigger + square button to advance my runner from third, the runner on 2nd always takes off too and gets thrown out.

Any advice?

Rick

kicko · Post by **kicko** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:37 am

are you guys still playing with "wide" zone??? i just switch to tight, i was finding that the umps call too many strikes outside the zone and really hurts the walks. The key to baseball is patience and with video games i think most of us can't fight the button mash.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:43 am

icvu42 wrote:For example, men on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. A flyball hit to left, I will hit the R trigger to return the men to the base, but when I hit L trigger + square button to advance my runner from third, the runner on 2nd always takes off too and gets thrown out.

Man, it's been awhile since I've played, but can't you just hit triangle and the left d-pad (3rd base) to move one runner from second to third? Isn't the L button moving all runners?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:12 am

Leebo33 wrote:
icvu42 wrote:For example, men on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. A flyball hit to left, I will hit the R trigger to return the men to the base, but when I hit L trigger + square button to advance my runner from third, the runner on 2nd always takes off too and gets thrown out.
Man, it's been awhile since I've played, but can't you just hit triangle and the left d-pad (3rd base) to move one runner from second to third? Isn't the L button moving all runners?

That is how it is on the PS2. By hitting the L trigger you are advancing all runners. Hit the icon button for the runner you wish to advance then the d-pad in the direction of the base you want them to advance to ie. down for home.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:25 am

Like Pete said, I don't know if the PSP version is different from the PS2 version in this regard, but in the PS2 version L1 advances all the runners, R1 retreats all the runners.

If you only want one runner to advance, the right d-pad picks the runner, the left d-pad picks where you want him to go.

So you're either using the triggers (L1/R1) to move all the runners, or the d-pads to move only one runner. You should never use both at the same time. It'll just send everybody.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:34 am

lexbur wrote:Like Pete said, I don't know if the PSP version is different from the PS2 version in this regard, but in the PS2 version L1 advances all the runners, R1 retreats all the runners.

If you only want one runner to advance, the right d-pad picks the runner, the left d-pad picks where you want him to go.

So you're either using the triggers (L1/R1) to move all the runners, or the d-pads to move only one runner. You should never use both at the same time. It'll just send everybody.

Thats how it is on the PSP. Only difference I noticed, as far as control, is there are no R2/L2 buttons (which are used on the PS2 for leads). To take leads you must use the D Pad on the PSP. I'm gonna get the latest Live roster today and start a season. Played an exhibiton last night and won 7-2

I'm actually likking the ball marker on fade (I turn it off on the PS2). The analog stick on the PSP is pretty touchy so its tough to pitch even with the ball marker on fade. Again, superb game.

icvu42 · Post by **icvu42** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:06 pm

Thanks for the tips. In the manual for PSP, it says use the L trigger and the icon button to move an individual runner. Ill try using the D-pad and see what happens.

Rick

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MLB 2006 The Show Demo at EBGames for a Pre-Order

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