Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

[_-King-_]

I haven't played or really followed this series since 09. I was curious how it had evolved so I looked up some footage from the latest game.

Now it does look like the game has seen some changes in terms of modes and maybe the gameplay (especially pitching) has been tweaked. It seems like fans are pretty happy, so I know this isn't a Madden situation and they seem to actually be putting out a solid product.

But I have to say, from a purely visual perspective, the graphics and animations look almost identical to what I remember on 09 on my PS3. Now part of this is owed to the fact that the game looked great for its time. I guess baseball being more of a stop/start game, there's not that much that they can show, compared to something like basketball where there is constant movement and infinite potential animations or directions the ball could bounce. But I still couldn't get over the fact while watching new gameplay that the base running animations and some of the cutscenes looked the exact same. Are my eyes deceiving me?

[countryboy]

Re: Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

I’ll just say this

Playing the game the gameplay and animations are vastly better than ‘09.



Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

There are certainly similarities you can draw, but there are a ton of subtle changes that add up to a huge difference.

For example, in 09, CPU outfielders always take perfect paths to the ball, and always catch the ball if it's possible. You were always at a disadvantage if you chose the field manually, and getting an outfield hit was like a Christmas miracle. Everything has to align perfectly in order for the ball to drop. Now we've got misreads off the bat, imperfect ball pathing, better detection for a catch vs a miss, and many new fumble animations, making for a far more dynamic and true to life experience out there in the field.

You might only see one or none of these things happen on a single, isolated play, and that could easily give the impression that the gameplay is pretty much the same, but over the course of a season the changes amount to a huge difference. And that's just talking about outfielders.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

[ODogg]

Re: Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

I said this the other day, although the game is, as said above, actually very much improved in animations and the way it plays from even a year or two ago the look on Playstation 5 especially, needs hugely updated.

I recall seeing some games on PS5 before it came out and then thinking "OMG can you imagine MLB The Show on PS5?!!" and then it comes out and i'm like..........ehh wha? Am I running the right version?

It's not that it's bad, it's not, but it isn't a visual upgrade the PS5 deserves. Sony needs to get on it and do a big overhaul for next years game!!

[GridironGreat]

Re: Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

I said this the other day, although the game is, as said above, actually very much improved in animations and the way it plays from even a year or two ago the look on Playstation 5 especially, needs hugely updated.

I recall seeing some games on PS5 before it came out and then thinking "OMG can you imagine MLB The Show on PS5?!!" and then it comes out and i'm like..........ehh wha? Am I running the right version?

It's not that it's bad, it's not, but it isn't a visual upgrade the PS5 deserves. Sony needs to get on it and do a big overhaul for next years game!!

Nah man I’m with you. By now we should have 3D grass textures and better more realistic dirt textures. The player modes could use an upgrade but the field itself would go a long way.

[ODogg]

Re: Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

Nah man I’m with you. By now we should have 3D grass textures and better more realistic dirt textures. The player modes could use an upgrade but the field itself would go a long way.

It's ironic cuz it's sort of the opposite of Madden. Madden looks freakin' amazing in still shots but has "issues" in animations and just overall atmosphere (although 22 is vastly better so they're heading the right way) but this game is so freakin' good in a lot of animations and atmosphere and yet lacking in just plain ol' graphics.

[Blzer]

Re: Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

They changed player models after '09 (I don't know if it was the year after or whatever, but '09 still had the T-Rex arms).

I don't know if it looks the same per se, but it can certainly feel same-y. I can recreate a play with a camera, commentary call, animation base, etc. and see that it just hasn't ever been rebuilt. Sometimes that can get that stale feel.

The other thing is there are elements that they haven't altered which I've personally been hoping for (certain cameras, night lighting, sound effects, presentation bits, etc.), so keeping those the same can lean to my lack of feeling massive change as well.

It's had its upgrades, just not in all of the departments I hope they would. Combine it with the fact that they're essentially on the same engine, and you're bound to get some of that staleness.

[Seancefc]

Re: Casual fan perspective: visually this game looks the same as 09

The game isn’t close to looking photo-realistic, which is where we should be heading in this gen of consoles.

•Player models are bulky and ugly looking. Some players look like they’re wearing pads under their uniforms.

•Pitch and swing animations are poor at best and are in desperate need of an update. As has been highlighted fastball pitching motion on the show would produce a 70mph fastball.

•Hair- looks ps3 esq.

•Grass- look at FIFA and PES as to how grass should look in a game.

•Ball speed from rubber to plate when pitching- it floats to the plate but reads as 100mph. Is there any legitimate reason a fastball can’t travel like a fastball? My guess is they would need to improve the swing/pitch animations to achieve that, which doesn’t seem on SDS radar.

•Outfield catches drive me crazy…players still sprint to the exact spot the ball is landing and stop dead when they get there. It looks garbage. Sprint off the bat then start slowing when they realise they’ll get there well in time.

•Give us full broadcast presentation instead of constant cutting. Specifically catcher throwing back to pitcher. Anyone who doesn’t want it can still skip but it’s a winner for us simulation nerds.

In my humble opinion none of the above seems too much to ask for in a new console cycle.