For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Just updating now that this game has been out for ~one month...

I still have no desire to purchase. Very happy with my decision not to, especially while the hype cannon was going full bore. I have been seeing a ton of commercials for the game, but if anything they've hardened my stance even more (especially those ridiculous 3-inning game spots--that's not baseball!). It has also been a real positive playing OOTP virtually nonstop over the spring instead of editing rosters like before.

I do have to say that I'm not sure if there are many others like me (us) out there. Case in point, this thread was on page 4 and hadn't been posted in for almost 2 weeks. Even a lot of the guys who posted in this thread were of the "I wouldn't have bought it, but..." variety and all of them obviously bought the game. In fact, I read an article that mentioned that this was The Show's best opening month ever and the game was the 2nd best seller on PS4 in March (behind Far Cry 5). So, congrats to the devs although for me I guess this is what it must feel like to "age out of console games." That they can remove and/or neuter old school modes without any notice and still maintain/improve their sales figures tells me all I really need to know about where this ship is headed. We old-timers who loved playing franchise mode, building teams, getting as many features and depth as possible are being replaced (or have already been replaced) by the grind-for-loot, virtual currency of items and collections, role playing crowd.

[KBLover]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

We old-timers who loved playing franchise mode, building teams, getting as many features and depth as possible are being replaced (or have already been replaced) by the grind-for-loot, virtual currency of items and collections, role playing crowd.

For me, I look at sports games like other genres - going to use RPGs for example since that's what I was playing most of today.

If I want a game that will kick my teeth in, kick me in the jewels, and then chop of my head while I'm doubled over in pain and then laugh because I died from it all, I'll play Darkest Dungeon.

If I want a not-so-brutal affair that's more "bright", I guess, I can play Ni No Kuni 2.

If I'm in the mood for some tactics with my RPG, I can play FFT or Tactics Ogre.

So in the same vein of OOTP vs PYS vs The Show...

If I'm in the mood for the whole NPB experience and playing games in languages I don't know much of - I'll play my old PS3 copy of PYS.

If I'm in the mood for some "light" franchise, especially now that I have my carryover from MLB14 alive again, I'll play The Show.

If I want the baseball version of Darkest Dungeon, I can play OOTP.

If I want bright and airy...I can fire up Baseball Stars or soon, SMB2.

So, while I would love for MLB The Show to get it's franchise teeth back, as long as OOTP exists - it's fine. Just a matter if I feel like trying that year's version of The Show or not. I can scratch the itch with other IPs, just like I do with other game genres.

I mean, The Show franchise mode itself has been like this since, what, 13? Not like we can be all that surprised about the direction, imo.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

My problem with your argument is that I never feel like playing "franchise light." lol. Not worth my time and investment for the grueling amount of roster/slider editing work that this game requires year after year. I think plenty of others (though not enough to dent their sales numbers apparently) feel the same. I would love to share your outlook and view games in such an a la carte manner. I'm more of the all-you-can-eat buffet type where I want one game to meet all my needs for that sport/genre. I don't want to have to pay $200 for a pu pu platter of games that I don't really like all the way. I'd rather pay $60 for one that I will wear out (or $30 in the case of OOTP).

[Caulfield]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Just updating now that this game has been out for ~one month...

I still have no desire to purchase. Very happy with my decision not to, especially while the hype cannon was going full bore. I have been seeing a ton of commercials for the game, but if anything they've hardened my stance even more (especially those ridiculous 3-inning game spots--that's not baseball!). It has also been a real positive playing OOTP virtually nonstop over the spring instead of editing rosters like before.

I do have to say that I'm not sure if there are many others like me (us) out there. Case in point, this thread was on page 4 and hadn't been posted in for almost 2 weeks. Even a lot of the guys who posted in this thread were of the "I wouldn't have bought it, but..." variety and all of them obviously bought the game. In fact, I read an article that mentioned that this was The Show's best opening month ever and the game was the 2nd best seller on PS4 in March (behind Far Cry 5). So, congrats to the devs although for me I guess this is what it must feel like to "age out of console games." That they can remove and/or neuter old school modes without any notice and still maintain/improve their sales figures tells me all I really need to know about where this ship is headed. We old-timers who loved playing franchise mode, building teams, getting as many features and depth as possible are being replaced (or have already been replaced) by the grind-for-loot, virtual currency of items and collections, role playing crowd.

one month in and I haven't been prompted to play a 3 inning game. The day I am is the day I hang up my video gsme cleats.

[Unlucky 13]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I'm very content that I skipped last year. Also happy that I did decide to buy this year. Moderate improvement.

[Caulfield]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I'm very content that I skipped last year. Also happy that I did decide to buy this year. Moderate improvement.

I really think skipping a year is a great way to see differences, rather than buying year to year.
It's very possible I will skip next year until I can pick it up very cheaply so I can carryver my franchise into MLB 20. And I have never missed buying the Show immediately since 07 or 08.

[BigOscar]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I am playing the game a lot, but if I'm honest with myself I probably would not have bought it if I knew this is what it would be like. Just not a big enough improvement and quite a lot of things have gone in the wrong direction. I'm pretty much down to just franchise now and that is no different from last year, despite the "phases". The hitting is improved, but the fielding is worse, which is particularly annoying as I had such high hopes when they said they'd addressed the "everyone is ozzie smith/Andruw Jones" issue.

It's still a perfectly good and enjoyable game, but I was a lot happier this time last year, despite all the server problems. (yeah the servers work now, but the online game is unplayable, so does that really matter?) The real plus point is the big problems are the sort of thing that have made a step in the right direction but gone wrong, so next year should be well placed for a genuine improvement (except DD, which seems to be heading in a bad direction)

[nemesis04]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Still have not opened the app on the game.

[SevenTwentyNine]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I didn't buy this year because I almost strictly play RTTS and the limitations to the archetypes was not well thought out at all. If next year it's the same thing then I'm just stick with 17.

[3fiddy]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

Seeing all the pitch speed complaints. Pci miss placement. Happy to have a refined MLB 17 to play. With a franchise I pick a play stlye. Played 100 games with hitters that are athletic in the field. Now starting a defense first team.

[MattP598]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I haven't bought it this year and probably won't. Possibly after some significant price drops. Franchise mode(all i play) is exactly the same as it has been for years now. Phases?? This isn't a new feature, just a way to streamline the game so less hardcore players will play.

It's sad. This game is the reason I bought a PS4 way back when. I used to comb the city looking to get an early release copy somewhere.

Thank God for God of War.

[Unlucky 13]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I wanted to add one thing more, for those on the shelf. I've been playing The Show since 2008, and baseball video games since the 80s. It may just be my own personal style of play that effects it, but I have gotten a much more realistic, true to life experience while batting this year than ever before.

In the past, going back as far as I can remember, being able to draw walks was the most difficult thing in the game. Harder than hitting home runs. I would always attempt to, but the CPU pitchers tended to either throw meatballs right down the middle or else work the corners like Greg Maddux. Very little in between. This year, I've been able to average 2-4 walks a game, sometimes as many as six or seven. And I'm now in early July in my franchise and its still holding true.

I have multiple players on my squad with more than 30 walks, and in general most of my players have an on base percentage about 50-60 points above their batting line. It only took a few minor tweeks in the sliders, and I'm playing on Veteran Plus difficulty with the variance turned off to keep it at that point.

For me, this is the biggest game play improvement in the series in years. I may have stumbled upon it and others might not be having the same luck, but I'm very happy. Heck, I walked the bases loaded in my game last night.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I wanted to add one thing more, for those on the shelf. I've been playing The Show since 2008, and baseball video games since the 80s. It may just be my own personal style of play that effects it, but I have gotten a much more realistic, true to life experience while batting this year than ever before.



In the past, going back as far as I can remember, being able to draw walks was the most difficult thing in the game. Harder than hitting home runs. I would always attempt to, but the CPU pitchers tended to either throw meatballs right down the middle or else work the corners like Greg Maddux. Very little in between. This year, I've been able to average 2-4 walks a game, sometimes as many as six or seven. And I'm now in early July in my franchise and its still holding true.



I have multiple players on my squad with more than 30 walks, and in general most of my players have an on base percentage about 50-60 points above their batting line. It only took a few minor tweeks in the sliders, and I'm playing on Veteran Plus difficulty with the variance turned off to keep it at that point.



For me, this is the biggest game play improvement in the series in years. I may have stumbled upon it and others might not be having the same luck, but I'm very happy. Heck, I walked the bases loaded in my game last night.

Not a stumble. The pitcher AI is the best I have ever seen on a console baseball game.

I play near default (all cpu pitching sliders are on default in my set-up) HOF/HOF

Hands down the best version of The Show ever and honestly game play wise it is not even close. I played 17 from release to release of 18.

Will never play that version again.


Sent from Palm Trees and Paradise using Operation Sports

[tabarnes19_SDS]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I've barely touched it. Franchise has regressed.

Still have not opened the app on the game.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[nemesis04]

Re: For Those Who Are Not Buying MLB The Show 18, Why Not?

I've barely touched it. Franchise has regressed.

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We’re not their target audience anymore. It was fun while it lasted.