PS2 owners: MLB "The Show"
 

Yep, I did what I rarely do, this game is pre-ordered. It looks damn good and I plan to take a day or two off around March 1st.

http://media.sports.ign.com/articles...78/vids_1.html

Cards - Cubs baby!!

dola,

I'm lame posting to my own thread, but I've played so many 3 inning demo games that I feel like a kid waiting for this one to drop next week.

Was losing 7-0 after 3 after that damn White Sox lineup. Maybe the Astros know I don't like 'em. ;)

I look forward to hearing your impressions of the full game, Todd.

Thanks, here's a video of someone playing the demo.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LuJWnds93...b%20the%20show

I'm not kidding when I say I might take Friday off next week. Work has been so busy and I need a good relaxing day of baseball. :)

The demo is on rookie mode and I have to say it plays very well. You can't adjust anything, it's just pick up and play.

I hope it's not as buggy as last seaons

I got this game last year and likely will this year as well, although it did have some issues for me it was also quite fun.

How was it different from MVP 2005? Is it a niche game - e.g. does it try to be different and do other things well that MVP does not?

Has mode similar to ITP where you create a player and try to reach the major leagues. I enjoyed this mode last year.

Now you got me interested. I'm trying to resist to buy a console, but EA college games and some others are putting the things really hard to me. Btw, is there any way/hardware to plug a PS2 or XBOX in a TFT computer monitor instead of a TV?

Well, the play by play is THE BEST of any sports game, bar none.. and I mean that.

The game is the FULL baseball experience as far as playing a game goes. They had freezing issues as well as a few gameplay problems last year, and if the demo is any indication, either fixed or workable.

You can put the game on FAST mode, which basically cuts out the cuts scenes, etc.. but if you have time to really let the game play, the immersion is top knotch.

It has a deep franchise mode and new this year you can select to make roster moves (real life trades) for any team, if you choose that option at the beginning of your career.

If the annoying things are truly fixed (rocket arms from the outfield, strikezone too big, etc) this could be one heck of a game.

I loved MVP 2005, but it does not have the immersion MLB gives you.

Hmm, big praise from you. If I hear that the freezing problems and rocket arms are fixed, I'll probably pick this up. I love the College Baseball game (still playing 4-5 games/week and just about done my first season) but I know I'll still want a MLB game once the season starts.

I always get pegged for praising games, but with the freezing and non fixable issues, MVP took center stage last year. I loved MVP, but the presentation was bland - gameplay was great.

MLB had great presentation, commentary.. but gameplay had issues... not to mention some freezes that occured here and there.

Like most have said, fix the freezing, gameplay bugs, and BAM! this game could be what it should have been last year. Good thing is, they've added some things this year.

The demo is on rookie mode, and it plays very well out of the box so to speak. If this is what the full game will play like, I'm excited.

I'm getting it as soon as Gamestop calls and plan on playing the heck out of it, so I'll post impressions. I'm going to play on rookie, just like the demo, right out of the box to start.

Something interesting I read about MLB The Show:

I like the concept of this idea in a sports game. If done right, could really add some excitement in the playoffs.

If they fixed the Manage only Mode, it would be the best graphical manage mode game I've seen.

Wow. I'd love to play a good graphical manage mode.

I'd suggest giving the game a rent then. Last year, you could pick where you wanted to pitch a guy before each pitch, several camera modes including one from the dugout. The bug that quashed the computer making subs killed it though. If that's fixed, and the rest was left alone, it'll be dynamite.

I'm really interested in hearing people's impressions of the full game once it's out. I'm looking for a good baseball game this year...I usually stay away, but for whatever reason I've got the urge to play the Rockies on franchise mode. :)

Just went and pre-ordered this one today, I only get a couple of PS2 games a year and this is one of them.

So, in summary, is this game worth $200? (Of course we won't know until its out) Because thats basically what it would come down to for me. I really don't have any qualms with paying $200 for countless hours of entertainment, but I'm hoping that it pays off.

Good stuff on the manage only mode, I didn't even know that it had that feature!

This sounds interesting. Its probably been about 4 years since I purchased a baseball game and was thinking about doing it this year. I was considering EA's game, but I'm not really a big college baseball fan, and I'm not sure I'd get into it too much. If you guys enjoy this one, it will probably make the decision for me.

Is this from 989 sports? I've never, ever liked any 989 title. Whether it is or not, I look forward to Todd's review :)

Hey it's SCEA now. ;)

One thing is for sure, I've never played a demo more than this one. :)

Did you get the demo? If so, what do you think??

For you manage only guys (like me), here's a description of what was in the game last year.

hxxp://forums.operationsports.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=157989&highlight=manage+mode

Hmm, after looking at some of the greatest hits listing that are currently selling at 19.99 a pop, I might just pick up a PS2 now, hold off on the 360, and wait for the seemingly more promising PS3. Have they offically announced that the PS3 is going to be out in 07 now? Based on the lack of info, I don't see anyway that they get this out by christmas.

Question for those with the newer "slim" PS2's. Have the fixed the lasers in them? One of the biggest issues that I had with my old PS2 (got rid of it about 2 years ago), was that the laser in it went twice, and I'm not what you would consider a "heavy" gamer, but mainly a weekend guy. Also, I've heard of freeze up problems in some of the newer games (again, these could go hand in hand with laser issues), that require a little more disk access.

I'll wait also for your reviews, but this game could be the final push needed to buy a console. I have seen an online Spanish shop with the PS2 with the mod chips alredy installed at a good price. (I guess i would need the chip to play USA games as i doubt this kind of USA sports games are released for the European market).

http://www.readyfortheshow.com/playe...ection/profile

"The Show" videos... nothing as far as game content, but funny nonetheless.

It has been said that the newer slim PS2 does have some problems with both PSOne games and PS2, which I thought was kinda weird.

25 pictures of the new Busch Stadium via MLB The Show!!

http://www.kmov.com/perl/common/slid...n=www.kmov.com

Video link:
http://www.kmov.com/perl/common/vide...227_rprps2.wmv

Picked it up on the way home... I love it.

Rocket arms are gone, except for Rolen who can gun it like no other. Hit variety is better than MVP, imo. I've seen high choppers, bloop hits, rockets down the third base line, etc... unreal how much better it is this year.

Animations are really good and the commentary is just.. well MLB.

The only issue I see that merits mentioning is the hit through the infield that the fielder just stands there as it goes into the outfield. It happens almosts once a game for me so far and while it's not a gamebreaker by any means, it looks goofy in an otherwise great game animation wise.

Seriously, I'm playing on rookie with the CPU pitch speed set to max.. I know I suck, but I love the simplicity of "timing" hitting and on fast pitch speed, I still K sometimes. The CPU offense is great on rookie level and I almost think that part of the game does not change with the level, that is CPU gameplay AI.

All in all so far, it's a great game and everything that turned me off last year has been fixed. I'll post back after several more games, but so far it's been quite a fun game to play. Too many times in console sports games people compare stats to real life and all I really want is a fun game to play. Well, this game does that.

Todd

how the Walks on it compare to MVP?

I got it as well but have yet to play it, maybe tomorrow.

Walks have been fine for both me and the CPU. Mistake pitches are handled well, especially good hitters. The thing I like about rookie, is I don't strikeout 15 times. Yes, it's easier, but I like it so far with the pitch speed turned all the way up.

After a few more games, I'm really liking this year's game a lot. Just beat Boston 9-6, but it was one heck of a game. Mulder was shelled and my bullpen pulled through. I was losing 6-5 in the 7th when Edmonds got his only hit, a booming opposite field HR. I love the play of the game, reminds me of NFL 2k5 when they had the big plays of the game.

I'm going to start a franchise Friday when I have some good play time. It starts out in spring training, so that should give me some more games to brush up on.

It's weird, but even on rookie the CPU plays an intelligent game of baseball so far in my games played. They'll take chances, bunt, take pitches, etc...

I'm liking what I'm hearing about it so far.

How would you compare the graphics to last year's MVP? The screenies and videos I've seen look pretty good but the reviews I've read are saying they are pretty plain considering the ps2 is in it's sixth year.

Does it animate the pitchers warming up in the bullpen? I loved that last year in MVP, looking out over the LF wall in Washington or in the corners of Dodger stadium etc. Really added to the immersion so I hope it's in The Show.

One thing that I liked that you said is the AI seems to play the same good game on each level. I've never understood why we should have to tweak what the AI can do. I mean it should be tested to death to hit, field, and pitch to realistic levels at default no matter what level you are on. I can understand having to tweak for a human as we all have different abilities ie reaction times, vision, etc. but not the AI.
So if your first impression holds up and this is true it is a nice breakthrough that I haven't seen any other game make.

Either way I'll probably break down tommorow and buy it to get my baseball fix until ootp 2006 comes out.

I think walks will always be an issue is games on the console. Frankly, people prefer the "fun" of hitting vs. the "fun" of taking a pitch. I'm not saying there should be no walks, but I think you'll always have less in a console game than in RL.

A mode where high walk players start 2-0 or 3-1 would be a start. High strikeout guys start 0-1 or 1-2...

Ah - I don't know why I never thought of that, but that's a really cool idea.

Ala.. 1 pitch mode.. ala High Heat. :)

The graphics look like well, a ps2 game. I have it hooked up via s-video cables to a good TV, so it looks fine, imo... YMMV. I'll have to watch another Cardinals game to see if my relief pitchers show up warming up. I do know when you go to your bullpen the left side of the screen opens up and it shows them warming up when you pick a player, so it should show that on the screen while you're playing, I would assume.

I think it was like that last year in reference to the levels and challenge. Hey, if the CPU can score 6 runs on me on rookie, I'm cool with that. The big change as you go up levels is the way you hit the ball and guess the pitch. Veteran might be where I end up as having to move the L stick to swing will probably result in me striking out more, but for now rookie is fine for me.

I just picked this up today so I should be able to give this a shot this afternoon. I never played this one before and only played MVP 2005 last year so I'll be able to compare the two.

Judging from Todd, it sounds like you can hit homeruns (which only seemed to happen for me in MVP when I swung for the fence) and the CPU can score runs against you (which happened infrequently in MVP for me - Sidney Ponson was lights-out - ugh).

Okay, got my first game under my belt. About halfway through the game I began saying to myself, "this is fun!"

I'm playing on rookie mode (just because I hate having to guess pitches/location/etc) and I'm finding the CPU to be very competitive - my A's lost to the White Sox, 7-5.

Things I like:

It's a little easier to work the count in this game than in MVP. Of course, this is with normal pitch speed - which I think I may be upping a bit in the future.

The presentation is MUCH better than MVP. Much more commentary (and varied as well) and much more immersion. One thing I noticed in MVP is they never said the team names when giving the score every half inning - that's not a problem here.

I hit a few homeruns with just tapping the X button - no need to aim for the fences.

It's easy to make a mistake pitch, especially when the pitcher's pitching with runners on base. I love how it quickens the meter to reflect not being able to pitch from the full windup.

It seems that doubles will be much more natural in this game. In MVP, a number of times a gapper was still held to a single.

Things I don't like:

The animations aren't as smooth as MVP. Sometimes there's some odd footwork or a player resets from a throw or run too early. However, overall, the animations are great and this really doesn't detract from the game.

I still hit the ball up the middle for about 20 singles a game. I hate that. I think I will lower the amount of contact and perhaps up power just a little bit. I'm sick of (just like in MVP) hitting 3 singles per half inning without scoring any runs.

I think OF arms are a little too strong (again, like MVP). I will probably be knocking this down a notch.

Overall, the game is a lot of fun so far and definitely a step up from MVP. I'll have to see things like relief pitchers needing rest between games because that was a definite bug in last year's MVP. So far, I see no show-stopping bugs, but who knows what will be found in franchise mode with a number of games under your belt. Still, for pure fun factor, this is better than MVP.

Very nice post. I look forward to more impressions from you and Todd in the coming days (and anyone else who buys it and posts.)

I've got a week off starting tomorrow and with the house all to myself I'll get into it then. Operation sports has a nice board w/ quite a few comments about the game already.

Just have to read past the, "OMFG the A's light green and mustard yellow with white socks jersey is not in the game!!!"

I'm not going to buy the game (been playing MVP college baseball and don't even have much time for that), but I saw a commercial last night, where two times a player hit a HR and immediately threw his hands up in celebration as if he just hit the game-winner in the World Series. Please tell me this doesn't happen everytime, and it was just the way they shot the commercial.

I haven't really experienced any freezing problems at all since I got my slim PS2 awhile ago. I still play a ton of PS1 games on it from time to time too. Only thing was, the whole 'power adapter' recall thing that went on near the end of last year.

Went and bought the game this afternoon and so far have been impressed.
Played one quick exibition game and then started a season on veteran level.

My Cubs beat the Giants 4-1 gave up only 4 hits between Zambrano, J. Williams, Ohlman, S. Williams, and Dempster. I had 9 hits, Ramirez and Barret each banged one off the RF wall for doubles the rest singles. Also able to draw one walk. I had Pierre thrown out of the game for arguing a close call at first, not sure if there was any way for me to get between him and the ump. Also had the Giants LF flat out drop an easy flyball, poor guy just hung his head after he got the ball back in.

I like the pitching meter and the way the pitch target is where you start the pitch in the zone not where you want it to end up. Learning to throw sliders and low pitches takes some getting used to. It adds a lot of tention when there is a runner on third as it's very easy to throw it in the dirt or too wide for the catcher to get it.

Getting flyballs in the outfield can be an adventure and I mean that in a good way. Size of fielding icon is dependent on the fielders skill and getting close is not good enough you need to be right on the spot. Your player will lunge to the ball if you move the stick and make awdward catches if he's not positioned correctly. I had a couple of these catches they both looked awkward but realistic. One got a comment from the booth on how he struggled with that ball and was lucky to come up with it (parapharased as I don't recall the wording).

The batting is intuitive and easy to pick up and play. At least so far guessing right on pitch and location doesn't necessarily mean HR. I guessed right a couple of times when ahead in the count only to ground out. I suppose I'll improve and if it gets too easy moving up a level will hopefully take care of it.

I thing the graphics are quite good. Reviews I read talked about the faces not being good. I thought they were recognizable and in general were good and certainly nothing to complain about. The player animations, fields, and lighting were very good. The crowd is a little repetitive but IMHO is no big deal. The rest of the presentation is the best I've seen in any sports game.
The announcing is great from the booth and the stadium PA. In between innings you see TV like views ie the pitcher walking off and avoiding the foul lines. Then the screen goes black like leaving for a commercial and then comes back to the game. It's almost scary as I was thinking how easy it would be for the game to make more money by having sponsors actually place ads in the game between innings. Actually that is about the only thing missing that let's you know your not watching a game on TV.

Great game so far. Played with no slider tweaks and things seemed realistic to me. Hopefully this no slider tweaking continues and if it becomes easy simply moving up a level fixes it. Time will tell.

Man, I thought this was going for $50, and didn't realize it's for $40.

I might pick up my first sports title on the PS2 pretty soon, if this is the case. However, having browsed a few other places for reviews and impressions, some folks have brought up the issue of an 'inning ending' double play issue?

Something along the lines of having some runners on base, with 1 out, and despite ending the inning on a double play, a score is counted? I know it sounds strange - it's hard to translate some of those people's posts on the GameFAQs board.

I'm presuming they mean to state that before the actual '2nd out' is issued, and the runner on base crosses the plate beforehand, it still counts the run, etc...etc. I'm not too terribly familiar with the rules in instances like this, but thought I'd pick are your guys' heads with this before I made the jump and pick this up!

The two quotes from gamefaqs are this guy's posts and I'm not sure if he knows what he's talking about or not. I think what happened is the runner beat the throw at first on a bang-bang play and so the run scored. He says that's not what happened because it went in as the play of the game and the replay cut off when the run scored and so you don't see the throw at first. According to him that is because the run scored so the throw didn't matter. I think it cut off because the run did score and the replay already "knows" that the runner beats the play at first so the game is over. Which also is the reason it is the play of the game ie because it scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th.

Of course I could be wrong and will watch for it. But others there said they have ended games and innings on dp's without the run scoring. They also say they have read posts at operation sports that agree that the run does not score.

Keep in mind this is the only post I could find where someone claimed this happens. I still think it goes back to he thinks he threw the guy out but didn't, lost, got pissed, and then whined on the boards.

Though if I'm wrong and see it I will certainly admit it and post here.

For the PSP owners out there, I picked this one up for it. (I'm going to wait and get MLB2K6 for the 360 for my console baseball title)

Quick impressions after playing a few games:

1) I really wish there were a fantasy draft feature in there. Really sucks that there isn't.

2) Game plays great. As usual, with a console type title the walks are poor on both sides, but that's the way it goes.

3) Love the commentary.

4) Load times are great. I'm very happy with them.

5) The graphics are impressive. Nice stadiums, ball physics, animations and shadow effects.

6) WAY too many wild pitches/passed balls. For the love of God, I don't care how badly I pitch the ball, every pitcher shouldn't seem like a knuckleballer. I'm going to need to play with some settings there.

Anyway, solid game. I'll have some fun with this one.

Now back to the PS2 discussion :)

I guess that was primarily my only concern. I went back to Operation Sports to check out their forums, and I have to admit, a sticky of 'bugs/glitches' thread has me a tad bit unnerved. At the same time, I noticed it was pretty general in regards to the MLB series as a whole, so I'm not quite so sure if that thread was based on past iterations of the MLB series (never played this series before).

Are there any limitations to the PSP version? I've been thinking about getting a portable for my son - I may need to get this for myself :)

I picked this up yesterday, but haven't had a lot of time to play around with it.

That problem existed in last years version for the PSP too. Hated it.

Make sure to max out the CPU pitch count slider as it adds some realism to both the human and CPU pitchers in terms of hitting spots.

Also, use the "wide" ump zone for more balls called.

MizzouRah, would you mind simming a few seasons and seeing how things that us FOFCers normally like to see in games turn out? Over at OS, they've been talking about broken trades, FA, contracts, and everything else that basically makes a good career game, a good career game. I would normally just go out and pick it up, as its only $40, but considering that I'd have to shell out the cash for a PS2 as well, I might hold off.

Ultimately, I want to play manage only solo, but if those things are broken, then it might not be more than a "Season Sim".

Again, everything that I've read about the on the field stuff has been great, but the other stuff really has me concerned.

I'm on call this week, but I'll see what I can do for ya. Console games have never been great "career" wise, but I'm going to play every single game, so all of that doesn't really make it by the time the next iterration comes along.

There is an option you can turn on at the start of your franchise that will allow YOU to make any and all trades for any team to coinside with RL.

BTW, spring training is so much fun.. the AI even plays it right, taking out starters after 3 or so innings, they even play in Florida (the Cardinals)

I've moved up to veteran level with the pitch count slider maxed out and I may max out the error sliders as well.

Thanks in advance. Even if there's an option to set CPU rosters to all, and just let it run while your doing something else, that would give us enough numbers to clarify a few rumors that are going out there.

Perfectly understandable that console games aren't going to provide the same type of realism as OOTP type games, but my criteria is the "some semblance of reality" test.

Are contracts REALLY random? From what they are saying over at OS, they are making it seems like they are completely random. Or is it just the # of years that are random? I could live with number of years being random, but if #5 starters are being priced out at 12 million a year, and a #1 is 1 million a year, thats a pretty big issue to me.

Well the record book feature doesn't seem to work right. One season in and the career record for HR is now 16,910 and was set by someone named Waylon Luna. Luna appears to be a double threat as he also has the career SB record of 23,311.

I know it doesn't matter, just thought it was funny.

Today I began:

-a career(where you as a player try to make the majors).
AND
-a franchise(where you are the GM of the team).

I've not gotten too far into either but I like what I've seen so far, no show-stoppers yet. I'll try to post more thoughts as I play, just began my spring break so hope to get in quite a bit this week.

Does the level you play on affect trades in a franchise mode? CPU to CPU trading seems alright but very rare(Biggest trade was Jim Thome to the O's for some catcher named Ha)

But I was messing around and was able to fleece the CPU with the following trades.

CF Tony Womack to the Angels for SP Ervin Santana
SS Rich Aurilia to the Mariners for SP Felix Hernandez
CF Desmond Parnell to the Blue Jays for SP Gustavo Chacin, and I could have had Halladay instead but he was earning too much money for me to trade for him.

Now I'm playing on Rookie level when I play my games, but still to trade junk, junk, and more junk for three top young starting pitchers does seem odd.

Not really done anything with trades so far.

FWIW, Gamespot gave the game a 9.0. I believe that is their highest review of a sports game in the last year. However, I don't get the sense that they really examined the career mode in long term depth.

Played my first "season" game - Tampa at Baltimore. Rodrigo Lopez had a shutout through 6, but so did Scott Kazmir. I don't know what it is with me playing console games, but my immediate thoughts are, "ok, everyone's going to be pitching shutouts now." Not the case as both pitchers began to tire and the bullpens had to do their work. I scored a few runs and brought in new closer Chris Ray to protect a 4-3 lead in the 9th. Of course I give up a two-run double with two outs and an insurance run as well. Down 6-4, we get a run back, but that's the way it ends - a 6-5 loss. A LOT of fun (again).

I have a Friday night WoW group (with my wife) and a friend. She was hoping it would end early to get some sleep and I was hoping it would end early so I could finish this game :).

Todd - isn't the "wide" ump zone causing more strikes to be called? I would think calling the game "tight" would cause more balls.

Like someone mentioned earlier, I love the fact that you're pitching to a spot in the strike zone and then the breaking ball breaks from that spot. Took a while for Rodrigo Lopez to get his curve ball moving, but once he did it was lights-out.

Just a heck of a lot of fun to actually play the games, and thus I won't run into any of the franchise mode issues that people have talked about here. Though franchise interests me, I don't have enough patience to sim multiple seasons nor do I trust the AI to let my team to play without me :).

dola

does anyone know what you have to do in order to unlock the locked teams?

double dola

Can someone explain to me how MLB2k6 has the "exclusive" MLB license this year, yet MLB06: The Show has all the players and teams? If this is the case, then how come EA had to go the college route?

Good question, no clue.

Great question on the MLB exclusive license issue. Maybe 2K sports "sublet" the license? If thats the case, really disappointing that EA didn't step up and pay some cash to get MVP out this year.

Good to hear more positive comments about the "on the field" experience. The more I think about it, I might just get this to play out a 162 game season. By the time I finish that up, NCAA should be into its 1st or 2nd month, and I'll be engrossed with that. How many times do we really get into franchise mode anyway with console games.

MLB2K has the third party game rights... There are still no restrictions on 1st party developers signing deals with MLB... Nintendo, 989, Microsoft, etc...

Not sure if I'm saying this correctly but it goes something like this. Take Two has the "3rd party exclusive rights". What this means is if you make the system
that the game will be played on you can still obtain a mlb license. So, Sony or Microsoft can make a mlb game since they make the playstation and xbox. EA of course doesn't make hardware, only software so they are kept out of the mix.

This is my understanding of it, I'm sure somebody else could explain it better in detail but that is the jist of it.

Ah - so MLB "The Show" is made by Sony (989?) and therefore able to get their own license. Thanks.

I'm playing on "season" mode also and leaving my "franchise mode" gaming to ootp like always. Playing out the games on the console to me is where the fun is at and this game is going to do a good job of that.

I love getting the breaking balls to work. Starting them outside the zone and bringing them in is very realistic. Or starting the slider at the middle of the plate to see the batter be fooled and swing when the ball is 6 inches off the corner is gold. Or a good curve just falling off the table or droping into the top of the zone. I could go on but you get the picture.

I've wondered about the "tight" "wide" umpire and how it would affect the game. I've only played with wide and have had many pitches that are in the strike zone, at least by the graph, called balls. I'll probably try the tight for a game just to see what the difference is.

I have played 4 spring games now and one exibition when I first opened the box. Straight veteren level with no slider adjustments seem to be giving me a very realistic game. Lot's of variance to the scores and the pitchers "seem" to really have different skill levels. That is some are very easy to hit while others are very hard.

As I posted before I love the presentation but am finding if you sit and watch all the stuff games can take quite a while to play. I think for the rest of spring I'll turn them down and then in regular season have them on for one game of each series. Cool to think that turning off this stuff hurts the experience instead of helping it. Total opposite of most games I've played.

Yeah, it's funny. The between-pitch animations are so realistic, I find myself compelled to watch them and only then realize the game is taking almost as long to play as a RL baseball game. I have to "remind" myself as well to click the button to get on with it (so I can get more than one game in), but it's so tempting sometimes to just play it as is. I do LOVE when an inning ends and an animation starts like the runner out at first taking off his shin guard and talking to the first base coach while the broadcasters and the on-screen score graphics look and sound EXACTLY like you're watching a RL broadcast. Flippin' unreal.

I started my season after simming all the spring training games (I'm surprised you can't change the amount of grapefruit league games), but I may start over again and just play a few of them, again just to get more immersed (and because it's so fun).

Yeah, that was the great think about how 2ksports did the exclusive license. They really only screwed over EAsports and it was clearly a very directed move against EAsports. They didn't stop any of the 1st party makers from making their own games and probably got their license for less money than if they went for total exclusivity.

Gamespot gives the game a 9.0.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/m...page=1&q=&q=&q=

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...1&postcount=64

Huh?

Typical Mizzou, always a step slow. :D

jb must be one of the new mods...

Spring Training is over and I open up the season in Philly to take on the Phillies.

Playing on veteran, "wide" ump consistancy, pitch count slider maxed out and errors for both +2.

Game was a blast, I lost 8 to 4, here's the line:

STL 4 15 0
PHI 8 13 0

Carpenter had 7 k's but gave up a triple, had a wild pitch, and then Utley came up and went yard, OUCH! Fun game though.. Edmonds lost one in the sunlight, J Rod was thrown out of the game for arguing a close call at first, they did the replay and he was just out, correct call. The bell rang on the two Philly HR's. Philly's CF robbed a bomb by Rolen.. it was just a great game of baseball. This game has it all, presentation, top notch pbp, and on veteran, the game is just my speed as I only have to guess "4" zones. Ok, I'm old. :)

I still need about 25 games under my belt for a better overall observation about the gameplay, but for now it's better than HH 2002 was. In fact, it's time for Mulder to take the mound and even up our record.

Oh also there's gametime decisions ( I haven't had one yet ) but I've read before certain games you are presented with a problem ( Mulder's shoulder is sore ) and you have to make a choice to rest him or let him pitch... should be fun to see this in action.

If you are saying that after 25 games, I will purchase, for sure.

Dammit. Between "The Show" and Guitar Hero I may finally have to break down and get a PS2.

Curse you people!

Mulder came out pitching, but ran into a bad inning and I'm now 0-2 to start the season.

STL 3 11 1
PHI 4 8 0

I think Philly is over using their RP (#44, I forget his name), as he's been in both games and for 2-3 innings, but they're 2-0 so I won't say much else. :)

Eckstein has a terrible arm though and a speedy runner always has a chance when a ball is hit to short.

I see it took you 26 hits for 7 runs, do you see any imbalance between singles and extra-base hits?

Not really, well maybe a tad. BUT.. it's hard for me to pick up a hard hit ball to the outfield.. meaning is he going to catch it or not? That screws up my baserunning sometimes.

I do know the Phillies CF catches just about everything hit to CF. Sheesh.. :) I've had some great blasts and out of nowhere he snags them.. can you say, double play as my guy is running home from second base.

I have seen some odd free agent signings. Players like Travis Hafner will take 1 year contracts for 2 million over longer deals.

Played my first two reg season games as the Cubs today. Playing default veteran level with the wide umpire. Doing "season" mode not GM since I play 'em all out and won't get in more than one season anyway. For spring training though I only went through my rotation once to see everyone pitch. I had to skip the rest as I was anxious to get started for real.

First two games at Cinncinati with a day off between them. Zambrano pitching for me and Milton for the Reds. Anyway first two innings scoreless when Barret comes up to lead off the third and drills a HR to left, 1-0 Cubs. Then Cedeno comes up and promptly gets hit by a pitch. I have to say it almost looked intentional, it was up and in. Maybe a little frustration after Barret's HR? Pierre ends up getting on and then Lee unloads a 3 run job followed by Ramirez with a dinger of his own. Milton's confidence meter was empty and while he got through the third they took him out in the fourth. Seemed like the whole Reds team lost it after that and it was a hit parade with the score ending up 9-3.

Game 2 Prior vs Harang. This time Cin gets a good start with a 2 run bomb by Lopez. Prior gets things back under control but with a lot of pitches thrown he gives up a run in the 5th, we're down 3-0. Got a couple back in the 6th when N. Perez, ph for Prior, and Pierre get on and Ramirez doubles them home. Score now 3-2 and we're back in the game. Ohman comes it to pitch the 6th and promptly gives up a dinger to Dunn and hits to Griffey and Pena. Reds end up scoring 2 to make it 5-2. Move on to the top of the 9th with two on and Jacque Jones at the plate. Jones gets ahead in the count and looks for the Reds closer to try to slip a slider in under his hands. Gets the pitch but is out in front and bombs it about 400 feet foul. Flies out on the next pitch followed by a Barret flyball to end the game at 5-2.

Two very good games, each with a different feel. I was really afraid after the first game that I had caught up with the hitting but the second game proved that untrue. Only two games but doubles haven't been lacking as I hit 4 in the two games. Have to like the one Ramirez hit. Just like real life hammers it to the gap and has to slide into second on a play that is a lot closer than it should be. While D. Lee hit one to about the same place and was standing on
second when the throw got there.

One impression I have gotten is that there seems to be a kind of realistic momentem in the pitching. In Zambrano's game it seemed like he just got on a roll. His confidence was up, he kept throwing pitches to the same spots and so it seemed the ump became more likely to give him the benefit of the doubt calling strikes.

In the same game Milton's confidence was shot and the ball seemed to be all over the strike zone, no consistency. And at least it seemed to me that this resulted in him not getting many close calls and an increase in just plain bad calls. Then again maybe it was just my imagination. It will be something I watch as my season progresses.

So the game still impresses. I was afraid it might not after MVP last year but that worry is now gone.

Tons of little things seem to be done right in the game. When the ball hits the wall the caroms are as real as I've seen. Bunting looks great, I've pushed the ball past the pitcher, had them run down the line and die, bouncers in front of the plate, and a little pop up that the catcher had to dive for going towards the mound. Catchers blocking balls in the dirt look very cool when you are using the pitcher view. I had my batt shatter and the barrel almost made it to second base.

Only played seven games so maybe down the line I'll see something I that bothers me. But so far it's as good a video baseball game as I've ever played.

Finally won my first game of the seaon as the Phillies went for the sweep. It's the little things like Pujols coming up to bat in the 2nd inning and the annoucers say, "Albert is in the top 10 so far this season in batting average" I can't wait to hear more of this as the season goes on, really cool.

Marquis had it going tonight as we win 2-0 behind 8 innings of good pitching and excellent defense. You could really tell Taguchi was out in LF this game as his speed shows. I only struck out one batter with Marquis, so it was nice to only allow 6 hits and the rest were defensive plays. Veteran provides just enough of a hitting challenge for my console skills. :)

Now it's on to Chi-town for a series vs the Cubbies.

I was also nice to see someone like Aaron Miles go yard on a perfectally called fastball down low - I guess it right.. both location and pitch type and when the crosshairs lit up, I smashed it. The announcers said, "Miles won't hit many more of these, but he knew exactly what was coming this time". I love the pbp this game has.

I'm moving errors up to +4 for both CPU and Human for the next series.. everything else seems fine for now.

I'm not seeing an issue with doubles to HRs ratio (it's about 10 to 5 for me), though I am seeing a lot of singles. I'm pushing down contact to the lowest number for me and I hiked errors to max minus one for both, though I still see almost zilcho errors.

One thing I thought was really cool - had a runner on third and I hit a slow grounder to first. The CPU first baseman tried to cut off the run at home, but he was safe. Since the batter was fast, he didn't even attempt the throw to first (it would have been futile anyway). The cool part, however, is that I immediately checked the boxscore - and the batter gained an additional bat, but no hit, so it was scored correctly as a FC. I was really pleased with that and surprised that the game was that "smart".

Has anyone seen a problem with double plays a run scoring when it shouldn't that was mentioned earlier in the thread? If not, I've heard enough good things to take the plunge on this sometime this week.

I'll keep an eye on it tonight.

I do know the fantasy draft is bad.. at least that's what I heard.

I had one DP to end an inning in my last game with a runner on third. No problem, the run did not score. I will keep watching though until I've seen a few
of theim.

Just finished the first game of a 3 game set vs the Cards at Wrigley. The Cards turned a DP on me with the bases loaded and one out, no run scored.

Did end up winning 7-6 on a Ramirez walk off homer. Ramirez rounded first pumping his fist and was met by the Cubs bench at the plate. Looper, who was pitching for the Cards went into the dugout and fired his glove off the back wall then sat down and put his head in his hands. Pretty cool.

The game just oozes atmosphere. As MizzouRah mentioned you get many comments from the booth that are related to what is happening in the current season. I too am looking forward to seeing how this developes over a season or if it just becomes repetitive.

I'm still playing MVP 2005, and still enjoying it, but this thread is tempting me to buy the game.

Even more, it's tempting me to buy a console.

Friggin Cubs! ;)

Getting ready to play them myself. Soupy goes to the hill.

So far, the commentary is anything but repetitive, but hey I've only played like 15 games including spring training.

Same here - I had a double play end an inning and the runner didn't score either.

Oddly enough I played my last game on my HDTV (I normally play on our 32-inch CRT circa 1995) and the timing was completely different. I had little or no time to react to pitches as well as tap the X button to set up my release point while pitching. Bruce Chen unfortunately had to bear the brunt of it, giving up 4 runs in the first inning (I was throwing the ball all over the place). I even changed controllers thinking it was that. Needless to say, I won't be playing on my big TV anymore. Makes no sense to me, unless I accidentally changed a slider somehwhere (all i did there was change if to 16:9 ratio - and then changed it back when I couldn't pitch worth a lick).

Would love to play again on my 32", but that's in the bedroom and the wife is asleep now. I might need to get a small, lame CRT TV just for this - OR, get a PSP. Hmm....

I would have loved to keep my psp, but man did that thing hurt my eyes after playing last year's MLB.. or any game for that matter. Too bad, because I've read it's just as good on the psp.

Last year, I started out playing MVP 2005 on the 42" flat screen TV in the apartment I shared with some guys at school. When I moved back home, and started playing on my 20" regular TV, it was a major adjustment. So I think if you played some more games on the good screen, it'll come back to you.