MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

[tnixen]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

Are you talking about vibration? The only reason I turn it off in-game (especially with a regular controller) is because I don't want it turned on while pitching, because I think it starts to vibrate when I'm reaching the edges of the strike zone. If the two vibration types could be separated, then I would consider it for hitting.

However, how does it work for hitting? Does it vibrate more for solid contact? Because technically, when players hit the ball sweetly, they feel it less. Likewise, when you get jammed and break your bat, it stings like a... well, you know.

100% agree with you on this!

I hope this is how it will be for the PS3 controller too.

[LastActionHero]

Another cool thing, that don't think anyone has mentioned is the "force feedback" when you make contact with the ball. It is very noticeable and accurate for the different types of hit. It's also present when using the Move controller. Feels great, especially in homerun derby.

Awesome!!!!
This was on my wishlist!

[NEXTTOSPEED]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

classic hitting and pitching r still in the game? i cant get into the analog hitting and pitching, classic's all i use... guess im old school...

[EnigmaNemesis]

classic hitting and pitching r still in the game? i cant get into the analog hitting and pitching, classic's all i use... guess im old school...

Yes.

They do not remove old control features. Only add to them and evolve/tweak the old.

[statum71]

Hey Pared....

I know this isn't a Q&A but please tell me those user-outfield diving catches are more "do-able" now. In years past I hated that the timing had to be super-ultra accurate. Which caused me not to dive at balls in the outfield at all in fear that it would roll to the wall.

I wanna enjoy guys like Ellsbury on defense for a change.

[kenkraly2004]

Looking forward to getting MLB 12 The Show for PS3 in March. MLB The Show us the best baseball videogame series period. THE SHOW ROCKS!!!!

[Spaced Ace]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

How about the balls-to-strikes ratio this year? Don't get me wrong, it's been possible to draw walks previously, but even with extreme patience, sometimes the CPU just pounded the zone like they all were Greg Maddux. The borderline calls didn't help my cause either. My question is, are you rewarded more for showing patience at the plate this year? Drawing more than three BB per game in previous versions of The Show was a rare occurrence. Thanks for any insight on this topic.

[Qb]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

How about the balls-to-strikes ratio this year? Don't get me wrong, it's been possible to draw walks previously, but even with extreme patience, sometimes the CPU just pounded the zone like they all were Greg Maddux. The borderline calls didn't help my cause either. My question is, are you rewarded more for showing patience at the plate this year? Drawing more than three BB per game in previous versions of The Show was a rare occurrence. Thanks for any insight on this topic.

In my experience, walks or the lack thereof often revolved around pitcher confidence. I consider myself a fairly patient hitter and I usually draw my share of walks. But I have my weaknesses -- CHANGEUPS GRRRRRR!!! -- and if I whiff a few times early, the CPU seems to rack up confidence quite quickly. Once their confidence is up, it seems like they're more accurate, which can quickly pile on if the user doesn't make something happen. However, it can go the other way as well if you start to knock the pitcher around early or draw multiple walks.

Anyways, we heard confidence was reworked. I saw a brief comment in the Q&A thread mentioning it was "more stable", but I'd love to hear more impressions from any of the community guys. I think it has enough of an impact on the the pitcher/battle interface to merit some discussion.

[jmik58]

Did you notice that outfielders aren't aligned so deep as in past installments? And to build on that, did you find that the new ball physics changes also allowed for balls to be hit OVER the heads of outfielders?

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

This review does nothing without video

JK...thanks, Pared for the insightful write up. Sounds like good stuff.

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

Did you notice that outfielders aren't aligned so deep as in past installments? And to build on that, did you find that the new ball physics changes also allowed for balls to be hit OVER the heads of outfielders?

Depth looked about the same, as mentioned the left and right fielder were adjusted to all more hits into the gap. There were a fair amount of shots over the fielders heads. Overall it felt pretty good but there were a few head scratchers on how the outfielder was able to track and get to the ball because off the bat it felt really good that you did damage. Its a tough balance placing the fielders because moving them around tends to knock another type of hit out of balance.

[Pared]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

Did you notice that outfielders aren't aligned so deep as in past installments? And to build on that, did you find that the new ball physics changes also allowed for balls to be hit OVER the heads of outfielders?

Did you skim my writeup? I didn't even proofread it in an attempt to have it posted earlier for you guys.

Fielders were also slowed up a bit to allow hits to drop in over fielder’s heads – late game defensive substitutions are especially key now more than ever.

[Pared]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

In my experience, walks or the lack thereof often revolved around pitcher confidence. I consider myself a fairly patient hitter and I usually draw my share of walks. But I have my weaknesses -- CHANGEUPS GRRRRRR!!! -- and if I whiff a few times early, the CPU seems to rack up confidence quite quickly. Once their confidence is up, it seems like they're more accurate, which can quickly pile on if the user doesn't make something happen. However, it can go the other way as well if you start to knock the pitcher around early or draw multiple walks.

A few things help this immensely.

1 - The pitcher was tuned to where he CAN become wild. I had a few instances where I received 4 pitch walks, and 6 straight balls. On of the 4 pitch walks was to start a game.

2 - The new camera angle should help considerably in limiting the effectiveness of changeups. What was once my bane is now something I can read very, very well off the pitcher's hand. I know everyone at CD kept trying to throw me changeups and I wouldn't bite anywhere near as often as in the past.

I'm pretty sure you can get an almost similar batting view with the custom controls in 11. It's amazing what a difference it makes.

[tnixen]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

A few things help this immensely.

1 - The pitcher was tuned to where he CAN become wild. I had a few instances where I received 4 pitch walks, and 6 straight balls. On of the 4 pitch walks was to start a game.

2 - The new camera angle should help considerably in limiting the effectiveness of changeups. What was once my bane is now something I can read very, very well off the pitcher's hand. I know everyone at CD kept trying to throw me changeups and I wouldn't bite anywhere near as often as in the past.

I'm pretty sure you can get an almost similar batting view with the custom controls in 11. It's amazing what a difference it makes.

I am just so happy to hear this!

I always felt the CPU pitcher control in MLB The Show was just too darn good compard to real life. I hardly would ever see a 4 or 5 starting pitcher or some crappy bull pen pitcher come in and can't throw a strike.

In real life it happens often where a pitcher can't find the strike zone and I am happy this will finally be the case in MLB 12 The Show too

Thanks for the info.

[nemesis04]

Re: MLB 12 The Show - Gameplay Impressions

I am just so happy to hear this!

I always felt the CPU pitcher control in MLB The Show was just too darn good compard to real life. I hardly would ever see a 4 or 5 starting pitcher or some crappy bull pen pitcher come in and can't throw a strike.

In real life it happens often where a pitcher can't find the strike zone and I am happy this will finally be the case in MLB 12 The Show too

Thanks for the info.

Considering you have a tough time being able to check swing, I can see why you would not see something like that!