MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

So what's the difference between this and swing influence from the past?

Good question. I'm honestly not sure, aside from the obvious (a new OSD, a camera that changes, etc).

[Smallville102001]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

I've been using the batting practice and I think i'm going with directional for the time being. It feels a lot like the MVP system and makes a ton of sense to me now.

Zone hitting I like but it involves a lot of thumb gymnastics and from years past I would have a meatball pitch lined up with perfect timing with the PCI right on top of the ball and all I would get is a ground ball.

Still need a couple games to determine for sure but it's directional for now

I don't really get how zone is more thumb gymnastics has both zone and this is moving the left stick so really using it is like using zone when it comes to how you control it.

[Ebounce88]

Been playing the show for two years now and used zone. After a couple games this year always late obviously with zone hitting pushing ball to opp I switched to directional or timing.. not even using the directions I was pulling ball more, hitting into gaps and more homers.. I feel like I've been cheated for two years not using timing online but zone. Seems to take skill out of game using directional but I feel like the playing field just got even... anyone else feel like timing or now directional is kind of cheap compared to analog and zone?

[volsfan39]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

The directional hitting is an awesome hitting mode. I was always a timing guy and you can still do that just like all the other years and it works the same as timing no difference, but the cool thing is if you are looking for a certain pitch location it allows you to move the camera a slight bit in and out up and down. This will let you focus more on trying to hit the ball the other way or pulling the ball in different situations. I don't use it that much but it is nice it's there if I need it to try and move runner over or hit behind a runner...If you are not using the dynamic camera for offense then you are missing out!!

[tinpanalley]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

For people like me who play in broadcast view while hitting AND pitching, this new hitting mode has FINALLY made that possible. In this view, it was never clear and nobody could ever seem to answer whether the hot zones responded to the batter's point of view or the pitcher's, whether influencing left was player specific or camera specific, it was just a mess. Now it's SO much easier. You wanna swing away to push the ball, swing to that direction. You wanna pull, swing in THAT direction. But the camera specific nature of Directional Hitting makes it so that none of those questions matter anymore because it's so straightforward. I don't see how it makes things more challenging as people say. I think it's brilliant and more intuitive.

[hunterdawgs10]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Haven't seen many people mention it so I'll put it out there :

Guys remember that batter tendencies play a factor in this as well.

If you try to go opposite field with an 'extreme pull' hitter you won't have as good of results as if you attempt to go opposite field with a 'push' hitter.

To access the spray charts for each hitter press options during your at bat.

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Haven't seen many people mention it so I'll put it out there :

Guys remember that batter tendencies play a factor in this as well.

If you try to go opposite field with an 'extreme pull' hitter you won't have as good of results as if you attempt to go opposite field with a 'push' hitter.

To access the spray charts for each hitter press options during your at bat.

Correct! There is some strategy to this because you can also over compensate by influencing to their strong side pulling or pushing balls foul that normally would be fair without the influence.

[DBMcGee3]

Glad to hear that the zone hitting is an option, because honestly this directional hitting sounds a lot like the terrible hitting system from those god awful 2k games. In my opinion, it isn't realistic (or remotely rewarding) to be able to swing without having to locate the ball with some sort of cursor, the size of which should be determined by the ratings of the batter. If you want to pull a ball, you should swing earlier, and preferably wait for a pitch on the inside half of the plate. It's that simple.

[Dolenz]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

I don't really get how zone is more thumb gymnastics has both zone and this is moving the left stick so really using it is like using zone when it comes to how you control it.

It's simple. Moving the stick is not required in Directional. I played a months worth of RTTS last night an barely used the direction controls at all.

It has been said before and I'll say it again. Directional is not a simplified zone. I don't believe pushing the directional control to the outside of the plate and then swinging at a pitch on the outside increases your chances of making good contact, that is still based on timing of the swing. All it does is try to influence the direction of the hit off the bat.

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Glad to hear that the zone hitting is an option, because honestly this directional hitting sounds a lot like the terrible hitting system from those god awful 2k games. In my opinion, it isn't realistic (or remotely rewarding) to be able to swing without having to locate the ball with some sort of cursor, the size of which should be determined by the ratings of the batter. If you want to pull a ball, you should swing earlier, and preferably wait for a pitch on the inside half of the plate. It's that simple.

I am strictly a zone player and I find the directional hitting mechanic very well done. It allows the user some added input besides timing. It does not sound like you tried it and I am not asking you to but it is very far from being a terrible system. Some people do not have the capacity for zone this is a nice upgrade for them.

[sink4ever]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

I wonder if enough people complained and didn't just accept the situ would/could they patch the Zone+Analog option back in (to me, and maybe I am alone, it was close to perfect in replicating the real world experience without a bat)

Wait, are you sure Zone + Analog isn't in there? My understanding is that you choose your hitting options in 2 stages now. One is directional (timing) or zone. The other is the input option (button or zone). Can't you just choose analog input and zone hitting?

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

Wait, are you sure Zone + Analog isn't in there? My understanding is that you choose your hitting options in 2 stages now. One is directional (timing) or zone. The other is the input option (button or zone). Can't you just choose analog input and zone hitting?

You can do that.

[Drmetzger3]

Am I the only one that thinks Pure Analog is the way to go? I tried directional hitting because I thought it would be more like MVP 05 but either my memory of it isn't correct or games have changed so much that it's no longer as realistic as I thought. I've played baseball for over 25 years now and I feel like the last few years of pure analog was the most realistic way of hitting. Not only did you have to time the pitch and swing at the right time but you had to time your stride. I can't for the life of me figure out why that option was taken out. Combine the stride timing, with swinging inside, outside or middle and you have something realistic and challenging but not overly difficult. I play on legend and have very realistic stats on average. Please bring the real pure analog back!!

[Nero84]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

I was a zone guy, but I've tried the directional hitting with analog input and love it. If you pair it with a tight almost first person camera then it's the closest you'll get to actually feeling like hitting in real life. I won't be going back to zone.

[BroadStreetDog]

Re: MLB 15 The Show: Directional Hitting Impressions

I see why they did it though, to broaden the appeal to pre-schoolers and those with casual knowledge of the game (women=majority of peeps on planet)==crass (short term only because it will come back to bite) grab at $.

Speaking of crass.....