MLB The Show 19 First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

[GoodyBucs]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

Quick Impressions after two games, and using my Ultra-Realistic slider set, that I load the latest version from the prior year, and adjust after ten games.

Colors pop, looks great, faces are better and so far, I think the pitch movement has seen some upgrade towards realism. That said, can 4we someday assign an SDS employee to go to Baseball Reference or Brooks Baseball, and write down the pitches that pitchers actually have? David Price has a sinker and a curveball. It literally took me less than 15 seconds to find that... And yet in 2019, he has neither in this game. We see thread after thread about the color of dugout walls and whether or not the infield dirt behind the plate is the correct shade of red, but pitch repertoire... *sigh*

While I like the camera additions pre pitch, it takes some getting used to not pressing A to get out of the screen, and realize you chose the #1 pitch.. Plus, if you are looking for the catcher's input on a big pitch, it is not there. Likewise, you can peek in at the catcher's sign when you are on offense, and cheat on the pitch he called. I'm turning it off.

Fielding is good so far, although lots of miscues in the outfield using my sliders... I'll play more games, but it seems like if you go with an easy touch on the stick running to the ball, you'll pay dearly. Better to just run full speed, and slow down at the ball marker. Arms are better, branch animations are better, and runners respect the better arms in the outfield for sure. Well done.

Hit variety with regards to choppers, and flares are super cool and fresh. And although it threw me off to begin with, the new Defense Dynamic camera got a tweak. It really shows the depth and scale of the field in relation to the player's size. This is an upgrade, and after a few games, it will be easy to transition to.

I have been pounded both games so far, with Price giving up a lot of hits and runs. Maybe that's because he is missing 20% of the pitches he uses in real life.

Presentation is freshened up and looks great. I won't say it is all-star caliber yet, but to grind out a career like that is something to be proud of...

Player models seemed to have gotten a retouch. Guys that are,... *ahem*.. "portly".. look like they carry more weight.

Sounds got an upgrade, and if you use the "Broadcast" setting with Dolby Surround, the umpire calls, bat sounds and crowds sound great.

So far, and obviously only two games in, it is early, but I am excited to dive in to my next three-game test set, and see what our new game brings. More to come shortly...
~syf

How do you feel your sliders change from season to season? Do they tend to stay the same after the 10th game or do you have to make a lot of adjustments?

[R9NALD9]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

Only played a couple of innings.

Things I love:

• Colors seem to pop more this year and graphics on balanced setting seem to be slightly better than 18. Noticeable on my TV at least.
• Gameplay is great as always
• Love the new presentation bits
• Hitting is miles better than the last couple of years. At least in my limited time so far

Things that I'm really disappointed in:

• Upon start up I selected my favoriate team the Giants as usual. Seriously the same background image. Would it have been that hard just to update these for a new fresh look. At that point it made me feel I'm playing the same game again. Such a small thing but easy to update from year to year.
• The stadium select images are incredibly ugly. Low Res and doesn't do the game's graphics (which doesn't even measure up to other sports games) justice. Just use real life images because the current ones are truly ugly
• When the Dodger's lineup was shown they featured Turner. His picture was so low res you would think it is a PS1 game. In fact there are low res images all over the place. Surely this can't be that hard to get to HD graphics...the point of current gen consoles

[og236]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

So far, I am having the most fun I’ve ever had playing this game.

I’m really enjoying the pitch speeds on HOF & Legend because it’s actually a challenge to hit the CPU now. In 18 I had to max the pitch speed slider & it was still too easy, I doubt I’ll max it this year.

The gameplay is amazing, the best it has ever been imo. The variety of hit types combined with the new emphasis on fielding makes such a huge difference.

At first I was skeptical about March to October, but consider me a fan. It’s actually really fun because of the situations they put you in. I’m a big franchise guy so I’m definitely disappointed that there was basically nothing done to franchise but I have hope.

Moments is a great addition, & I love the clips that play before the beginning of each moment.

The presentation is getting close to 2K levels imo with the new camera angles, they are really well done & just like on TV.

I think this could be the best MLBTS we’ve ever gotten, would be in the running for best baseball game ever if they worked a ton on Franchise.

[ChopperDave6609]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

It seems like I'm getting way too many line-outs when hitting pitches in or near the middle of the zone with good timing and contact. I had this problem a bit in 18, but so far in 19 I think almost half of my outs are like this. I wish I was kidding. I know not every ball hit well like this is an automatic hit, and I know line-outs happen, but it's getting really frustrating. Is anyone else experiencing this?

[OneTonneBaby]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

Played for 20 mins before work so not an in depth impression but was slightly disappointed with the presentation on the opening of the game. I didn’t buy 2018 and the commentary and presentation was so similar to 2017 I thought I had loaded the wrong game up.

I overran a ground ball which is probably a good thing as the cpu would eat them up for you before. Worried I saw the annoying double clutch before throwing twice. More later...

[elfdutch]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

Wasn’t going to purchase it at first but caved in anyway.
Could only play a few games this morning before going to work, so can’t really fully judge the game yet, but some things do stand out.

Fastballs are indeed faster, I’m having more trouble picking up on them which is a good thing.
Decided to continue my ’18 franchise of the ’96 Yankees.
The framerate isn’t as good as 18, I agree with what others wrote, but it is very playable.
Switched from balanced to fast and it’s ok, just not as good as 18.

I always use dynamic cam on defense. This year it’s more zoomed out and I hate it.
The alternative is to use medium, but that’s too zoomed in for my liking.
The dynamic cam in 18 was spot on for me, so not happy with this.

Since I play with quick counts only, I did not get to see any new camera’s which is a shame.
Also noticed that now suddenly all teams use their pitcher as a DH. Must have something to do with carryover save?
I only control 1 team so no idea if I can correct this for all the teams.

Must say I really do not see a big difference comparing to ’18. I’m sure it will come after playing more, but right now it’s a bit underwhelming for me.

Oh by the way, I noticed that with the new animated line up screen they talked about one of my key players, but the animation that played was a player from the opposing team 

The commentary…..killing them softly station to station. I really can’t hear this anymore so thinking about just playing without commentary.

Definitely not giving up on this game, but really hoping that they at least patch in the new cams for quick counts or presentation wise it will be mostly the same as ’18.

[BleacherCreature]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

I hit into 5 double plays in my last game last night. Never had that happen before.
On the pitching side of that game (and the previous one too) I noticed if your closer is struggling with location he’s in for a very rough outing. His confidence gets shot very quickly. Seems like pitcher confidence in general plays a bigger role than in previous years.


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[LastActionHero]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

I always use dynamic cam on defense. This year it’s more zoomed out and I hate it.

The alternative is to use medium, but that’s too zoomed in for my liking.

The dynamic cam in 18 was spot on for me, so not happy with this.

I hate it too! 18 was perfect. Such a shame they didn’t leave in the 18 dynamic cam [emoji24]

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

I went back to default pitch speeds and I know this is 99.8% coincidence, but the game seems to play better..

There is obviously no rationale explanation for this, but in the 2 games that I've went back to default, there seems to be more balance in hitting, foul balls, swings and misses, and strikeouts. Yeah I know, its a coincidence but thought I'd share.

One thing I am loving more and more about this game is the defense. Last year was a step in the right direction in getting separation between gold glove caliber fielders and average fielders, etc.. This year, that separation is even greater. Patrick Wisdom is my starting 3B. His fielding ratings are 99 reaction and 92 fielder rating. I've had him make plays down the line, in the hole and he's even dove for a ball in shallow left field and made the catch. My last game I started Matt Carpenter there. His fielding ratings, 72 reaction and 68 fielding. He was easily making the routine plays and even a few plays where to had to take a step or two in either direction, but those plays that Wisdom would at least get a glove on, forget about it! Carpenter just wasn't capable of making those types of plays.

I thought the gameplay in '18 was superb. The gameplay in '19 blows it completely out of the water. I mean its completely night and day, at least for me.

Kudos to SDS for the on field gameplay.

[bigwill33]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

The visuals of the new purple sky at dusk combined with the pre pitch cameras make this game new enough to warrant a purchase for me. They really figured out a great way to show off these tremendous ballparks with these views now, something many of us have been clamoring for.

I’m still breaking in the game and figuring out the game play so I can’t comment much on all of it definitely quite yet. There are a few things that are concerning, but a lot of good, too.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

Legend is so much harder. My god. I'm struggling. Homeruns are coming at a premium. Pitch speed is perfect. First year ever I haven't had to touch the slider.



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[Willis135]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

I went back to default pitch speeds and I know this is 99.8% coincidence, but the game seems to play better..

There is obviously no rationale explanation for this, but in the 2 games that I've went back to default, there seems to be more balance in hitting, foul balls, swings and misses, and strikeouts. Yeah I know, its a coincidence but thought I'd share.

One thing I am loving more and more about this game is the defense. Last year was a step in the right direction in getting separation between gold glove caliber fielders and average fielders, etc.. This year, that separation is even greater. Patrick Wisdom is my starting 3B. His fielding ratings are 99 reaction and 92 fielder rating. I've had him make plays down the line, in the hole and he's even dove for a ball in shallow left field and made the catch. My last game I started Matt Carpenter there. His fielding ratings, 72 reaction and 68 fielding. He was easily making the routine plays and even a few plays where to had to take a step or two in either direction, but those plays that Wisdom would at least get a glove on, forget about it! Carpenter just wasn't capable of making those types of plays.

I thought the gameplay in '18 was superb. The gameplay in '19 blows it completely out of the water. I mean its completely night and day, at least for me.

Kudos to SDS for the on field gameplay.

Prior to moving back to default did you increase or decrease pitch speeds? I decreased speeds and then couldn't hit at all. Went back to default and I'm hitting much better.

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[og236]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

I hate it too! 18 was perfect. Such a shame they didn’t leave in the 18 dynamic cam [emoji24]

Yesssss, I hate this new dynamic camera, last year was perfect

[elfdutch]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

Yesssss, I hate this new dynamic camera, last year was perfect

Not something you'd expect from SDS, they usually add stuff without removing other stuff.
They could have just added dynamic2 and given us the choice to go to the new cam or stick with the old cam.

I remember the guys saying something about it during one of the streams, saying that with this new dynamic cam the depth perception on fly balls is a bit better.
That's nice but i didn't have any problems with that in 18 and i want my old camera back!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 19: First Impressions Thread (IMPRESSIONS ONLY)

Prior to moving back to default did you increase or decrease pitch speeds? I decreased speeds and then couldn't hit at all. Went back to default and I'm hitting much better.

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I increased them. Everything felt out of balance so I went back to default to re-evaluate everything and it has been much better.

If it gets to be too easy to make contact then I'll gradually increase, but my last game I struck out 13 times, so I don't think there's a need to change.