Online play is seriously awesome now

[Hal Fowler]

Playing a ranked game since the patch is pretty amazing. the pitcher/batter duel is spot on. The ability to read balls and strikes is perfectly done. the timing allows you to make the right decision most of the time, but you will still fish if the pitcher gets into your head.

There is just a fun cat and mouse game to be had now. It's no longer based on guessing if the pitch will be a strike or ball before he lets go. Changing speeds and locations will keep a batter off-balance enough to get him to chase.

It feels like fielder speed is a little slow, as occasionally you can't get your OF, and sometimes IF, moving to the ball quick enough. But I did just pitch a shutout in which I gave up 10 hits. So it's definitely possible to make plays.

The games still take a long time to get in, even with so much of the presentation stripped. Baseball is just a long game.

But it is not just the best online version of hardball to date, but it is a really fun mode now.

I will warn you, it does require that you think about pitching. If you are predictable, you will get scorched. You have to throw out of the zone. You have to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate. And good lord, you need to change speeds. Hitters really can tee off on you if you don't do this.

If you are hitting, patience is key. Taking a lot of pitches is important. If I know you are swinging, you are easy.

But mostly, what works in real life, works in the game in online play now. I can't recommend it enough.

[jeffy777]

You got that right. Completely agree.

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...d.php?t=485501

This really should get more press. Kudos to 2K for coming through on this.

[MakeItRain1129]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffy777

You got that right. Completely agree. http://www.operationsports.com/forum...d.php?t=485501 This really should get more press. Kudos to 2K for coming through on this.

i installed the patch, and im not seeing any differences with the lag

[jeffy777]

Quote: Originally Posted by MakeItRain1129

i installed the patch, and im not seeing any differences with the lag

Well, you must have a terrible connection or playing against someone with one because my connection is pretty bad (Verizon Wireless 3G in a very rural area) and I can play my friend on the other side of the continent in Alaska with barely any lag. Before it was basically unplayable, unless you like playing in slow motion......we couldn't hit anything because we had to swing as soon as the ball left the pitcher's hand. It's insane how much better it is now. It's like a whole new game online.