Manual vs CPU catching

[Afroman4ever]

Quote: Originally Posted by pietasterp

Wow...This thread is an eye-opener. I may have mentioned before that I haven't purchased a football game before ESPN NFL 2K5 in a long time, and so I really started from zero in terms of videogame football knowledge (certainly not in overall football knowledge, though). When I started playing this game, I just assumed you threw the pass, waited to see if your guy got open, and then control switched to the receiver and you tried to break free and make moves down the field. It honestly never ever occurred to me that you could manually catch passes (although since I use the Lions, this might revolutionize the way I play, because their receivers can't catch sh*t - once again proving how realistic this game is!). UPDATE: I tried this a few times the other night...The animations are a little wonky, because of the momentum-based physics, and so guys don't turn/change direction very well. It's almost like it takes them way too long to turn even 20-degrees, because it seems like the CPU interprets your thumbstick moves as wanting to make a hard cut as opposed to a subtle direction change...Either way, I sucked hardcore at trying to catch passes manually (I think I was like 1-25 passing at one point), but I can see how this could add MAJOR depth to the game. I mean, it'd be a whole new game if I could master this technique. Also, I now start to see why some people might view letting the CPU catch passes for you is a little cheesy - after trying manual, man - big ups to people that master this technique. I'm going to try to start doing it manually, but it's tough to convert. BTW, AfroMan, I totally agree with you that once a receiver or back gets a step on you, it's lights-out. I can NEVER ever catch people from behind, and you have to take the absolute perfect angle with a LB or safety to tackle a guy that's gotten past the D-line and into the open. The worst ever is when your DB tries to sway the ball but misses, leaving the receiver wide open to the endzone...GRRrrrr....One complaint I have, though, is when you change guys on D using "B" or whatever button it is on XBox, doesn't it seem like it doesn't necessarily pick the most logical guy to make the play? Sometimes it switches me to a guy completely behind or out of the play, which ticks me off to no end. I wish it would somehow figure out that you want to switch to the guy closest to the ball carrier that has a shot in hell of making the play...Oh well, maybe in next year's version of NFL...Oh, wait a minute...D'OH!!!!

My friend..don't beat yourself up about manual catching in this game because its not that important...I did the same thing you did in practice mode and it was clear to me that manual catching did more harm than good.

Here is what I'd like to do..Go online with any of these cats claiming to always manual cvatch and then see for myself...any takers?..just a friendly game online...Let me know

[grunt]

[quote=Afroman4ever]Yes..Pursuit is all effed up in this game.

As far as manual catching goes...My friend...don't believe all the hype because even alot of the people claimning to catch 95% of all their passes are not doing it...Most people on this game simply toss it and let the cpu do it.

As I've said all through this thread there is no real advantage to manual stick control when receiving in this game unless you just want to pat yourself on the back. I consider myself a baller with excellent stick control and I decided early on in this game that manual catching was/is worthless unless I want to give myself some pats on the back.

Play online and watch 99% of the people you play cpu catch...Its just the way this game was made...Aint no mystery about it.[/QUOTE

I dont need to lie. We can play later on and I can show you. The deal with manual catching is that you need to switch just before the ball come. If you switch to early your chances of making the catch decreases.

There are two major questions here. One can you manual catch in this game and other does it make a diffrence. Yes, on both counts. Here is my gamer tag grunt 007 on XBOX live. Let schedule a game. I can show you in game play and replay. Put your mike on.


Peace

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by pietasterp

Wow...This thread is an eye-opener. I may have mentioned before that I haven't purchased a football game before ESPN NFL 2K5 in a long time, and so I really started from zero in terms of videogame football knowledge (certainly not in overall football knowledge, though). When I started playing this game, I just assumed you threw the pass, waited to see if your guy got open, and then control switched to the receiver and you tried to break free and make moves down the field. It honestly never ever occurred to me that you could manually catch passes (although since I use the Lions, this might revolutionize the way I play, because their receivers can't catch sh*t - once again proving how realistic this game is!). UPDATE: I tried this a few times the other night...The animations are a little wonky, because of the momentum-based physics, and so guys don't turn/change direction very well. It's almost like it takes them way too long to turn even 20-degrees, because it seems like the CPU interprets your thumbstick moves as wanting to make a hard cut as opposed to a subtle direction change...Either way, I sucked hardcore at trying to catch passes manually (I think I was like 1-25 passing at one point), but I can see how this could add MAJOR depth to the game. I mean, it'd be a whole new game if I could master this technique. Also, I now start to see why some people might view letting the CPU catch passes for you is a little cheesy - after trying manual, man - big ups to people that master this technique. I'm going to try to start doing it manually, but it's tough to convert. BTW, AfroMan, I totally agree with you that once a receiver or back gets a step on you, it's lights-out. I can NEVER ever catch people from behind, and you have to take the absolute perfect angle with a LB or safety to tackle a guy that's gotten past the D-line and into the open. The worst ever is when your DB tries to sway the ball but misses, leaving the receiver wide open to the endzone...GRRrrrr....One complaint I have, though, is when you change guys on D using "B" or whatever button it is on XBox, doesn't it seem like it doesn't necessarily pick the most logical guy to make the play? Sometimes it switches me to a guy completely behind or out of the play, which ticks me off to no end. I wish it would somehow figure out that you want to switch to the guy closest to the ball carrier that has a shot in hell of making the play...Oh well, maybe in next year's version of NFL...Oh, wait a minute...D'OH!!!!

Practice make perfect. If you have xbox live I could show how I manual catch the ball. It depend on the players that get the step on you but not too many players get a step on me.

Peace

grunt 007

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

Right... but now I see more and more afro's point. The game is sacrificing user control for the sake of realistic results. I don't know if I like that. I'd rather have a happy balance. It's funny, Madden's manual catching a lot better. Despite all arguments, Madden's catching has the edge b/c of ESPN's quirky animations, just like pieta described. It's actually VERY frustrating trying to catch manual passes in ESPN, but it can be done. Little did I know, it would benefit me to NOT manual catch... and that just doesn't seem right to me.

This post contradicts your other post. Hope this thread isnt turning into Madden manual catching is better than 2k5 manual catching. Does jet packing still exist in Madden. Hope we can stay on topic.

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by grunt

This post contradicts your other post. Hope this thread isnt turning into Madden manual catching is better than 2k5 manual catching. Does jet packing still exist in Madden. Hope we can stay on topic.

Instead of making a vague comment like that, how about you back up your comment?

[Afroman4ever]

Grunt,

I'll keep my aim on for the next couple of days...My aim handle is Afroman SA...Just hit me up and we can get a game in. peace

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Afroman4ever

Grunt, I'll keep my aim on for the next couple of days...My aim handle is Afroman SA...Just hit me up and we can get a game in. peace

Cool, I dont have AIM but I have MSN. I send you a private message with my info.

Peace

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

Instead of making a vague comment like that, how about you back up your comment?

Maybe contradiction was too strong but your post on page 2(post 19) and page 3 (post 23). I guess, you were manual catching with Madden and not 2k5. I've been manual catching with 2k5 for the last month and a half. I do it close to 100% offline and maybe 60% online. This is more because my lack of confidence and habit.

I didnt mean any disrespect in anyway.

Peace