A lot of people seem to be excited about ASB, and I'm trying to understand why. I played last year's game, and I don't know, I just can't get into a game where you have to swing before the ball is even thrown in order to hit it. Maybe I missed something. Before you respond, I'm not trying to start a war, I won't even mention what game I think is the best (I've already said it in other posts), and will definitely get my money, I would just like to know why you like ASB, what you think it has over the other games.
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
Not sure either but for some reason I am still looking forward to it. I am sure Guru can tell you what the appeal is. -
Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
I think it does little things right that get over looked-pitchers wear jackets when they get on base-working bullpens-balls bounce off of things for homeruns-the out of town score boards work(in some parks)-pretty good ball physics-stadiums are pretty accurate-passed balls-at times pretty decent cpu fielding and baserunning AI-good player animations minus the squatting-many different batting and pitching forms-and so on...
I feel what kills the game is:
squatting: this gives the game a slugish and unfinished feel.
pitch speed/cursor: either the pitch speed is too fast or the cursor moves too slow but this gives the user the feeling that unless the cursor is "guessed" in the right location, the pitch is impossible to hit.
controls: at times the fielding feels unresponsive especially when one trys to dive while the baserunning can become cumbersome.
sound: with the announcers turned off, there is no sound. with a runner on second during a one run game, a ball hit in the gap, the crowd is quiet, runner rounding third, quiet, crosses homeplate some clapping.
no manual replay: enough said.
Some of these things appear to be corrected for ASB 2004 but the squatting remains and replay is still not viewed as marketable by the designers. So there is no way to replay Ty Cobb squatting after he silences his home crowd with a triple to right. I feel people are atracted to it because it does have potential but that might not be enough with all the games that are coming out this spring.
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
The game has a lot of little details (like pickoffs from the windup, broken bats, and so on), the animations are smooth, the franchise mode is pretty decent, there are lot of extras such as the expansion mode, trivia game, unlockable stuff, etc. that no other game has. I think WSB, ASB, and HH all cater to somewhat different crowds, although since they're all baseball games, there's bound to be overlap as well.Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
Expecting a reply from Guru in
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
ASB appeals to me because it is, in my opinion, the most complete and realistic baseball game on the market. Not everyone feels that way, but I do. Like FatPitcher mentioned, it's the little things that make ASB so cool to me. I see something new in every game I play, be it the 1st baseman tossing the ball to a fan after a foul pop out or a guy getting taken out at 2nd on a DP attempt... there's always some little baseball nuance that, along with excellent gameplay and great graphics, add up to a whole baseball experience.
I've heard the arguement that the pitches are too fast, but you are the first to say you have to swing before the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. That is simply not true. The pitches in ASB have a realistic, big league speed to them. Maybe they are hard to hit.... but that is part of the realism to me. I shouldn't be able to set up on a low inside curve ball and then hit a high outside fastball. If things like the lack of balls pulled down the lines are fixed, it will be the best pitcher/hitter interface around (again, in my opinion). It has been said that hitting major league pitching is the most difficult thing to do in professional sports... you shouldn't be able to put the game in your machine and get 15 hits in your first game, even in rookie mode. Timing is everything, and it should take practice to hit consistently.
The franchise was very cool, especially the expansion team franchise mode. I spent many, many, many hours building a team up from an expansion draft to a world series champion... everything from the mascots to the uniforms were sweet. Beyond that, I like the trivia game, the baseball card extras, and the unlockable teams. The old time players were fun to use, and many of them had their unique motions and faces... again, little details. Add in old stadiums like the Polo Grounds and you have the formula for one hell of a baseball game.
PS- The "squatting" issue that so many people now call a game-killer is just a graphics thing... it in no way affects gameplay. Also, baserunners don't squat, so your Ty Cobb triple story would never happen. Saying you won't buy the game because the fielders get into a certain position after the play is over is like me saying I won't buy a game because the 2nd baseman double-pumps when throwing the ball or because the fielder's gloves are too big. It's just a graphic, not a dropped ball at 1st base or a runner that doesn't go home from second on a double to the corner.... just a graphic.Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
at BD
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
I like it because it takes a genuine amount of skill to be able to hit well, something no other baseball game has ever required.Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
pitch speed/cursor: either the pitch speed is too fast or the cursor moves too slow but this gives the user the feeling that unless the cursor is "guessed" in the right location, the pitch is impossible to hit.
<hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> There is an option to turn the cursor off. Played at All Star level with cursor off,stike zone overlay off,will provide you with a good game. I understand that WSB will also provide that option,which should satisfy everyones taste. More options = better for all sports gamers.
Guru you been gone awhile: vacation? I missed you man!
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
Yeah, I was in Vegas watching my Lobos blow the game against UCLA.Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
I enjoyed the game for a while but my only gripe is the pitcher throws to many strikes, not enough balls. And that pitcher fatige is a game killer for me. And sometimes they will give you a hit a the ball is nowhere near the bat.
I absolutly loved the presentation and graphics of the game. Very beautiful. But the batter/pitcher interface is the only thing that needs to be fixed that will make this game a classic.http://neverfollow.biz (Independent Music Group)Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
I have to agree with Arenas. This game does a lot of little things right but misses on the larger issues. I have never been more excited about a game only to be disappointed when I played it.
Watch a movie of ASB and you'll see that the batter does not even begin his swing until the ball is at home plate. This is a problem.
Then there's:
Too many opposite field home runs
You can't properly move your outfielders b/c the camera angle doesn't show you the trajectory of the ball.
Which leads to the lack of camera angles
Length of games -- even on "fast-game" this game moves slowly.
Player creation and edit abilities are limited.
I like this game until I actually have to play it. If they just retread last year's game with more off-field options, II'd rather give EA a chance than be disappointed for the 3rd year in a row.Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I absolutly loved the presentation and graphics of the game. Very beautiful.
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Graphic wise I don't think any of the games touch WSB...Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
I feel the same way about the graphics in ASB.Comment
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Re: Trying To Understand The Appeal Towards ASB...
The appeal for me... confirmed online play.Comment
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