The Show or 2k?

[Dfost35]

I havent bought a baseball game since 2008, and was trying to decide between 2k and the show. Ive done a little research on both games and the only thing I really like is the fielders awareness rating changes and rtts for the show and 2k appears to have better graphics and well, cant figure out what else.

So what im asking is for is your opinions on which is a better buy, and why and why not?

[Marino]

Re: The Show or 2k?

Moved to appropriate forum.

[N51_rob]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I would say read DirtyJerz32 impressions. He has played both and initally stated that he was going to be a 2K guy this year. It would appear (and I'm in no place to talk for him) that he has concluded that the show is the better buy.

Many people that have both systems or have a choice seem to be picking MLB 11 The Show. I'm sure the OS reviews will be out shortly maybe those can help you.

[dingleberryfinn]

Re: The Show or 2k?

2k is a fine game but i will be playin' mostly show this year

[Dfost35]

Re: The Show or 2k?

KK thanks for the replies, I'll have to check out his thread

[travis72]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I havent bought a baseball game since 2008, and was trying to decide between 2k and the show. Ive done a little research on both games and the only thing I really like is the fielders awareness rating changes and rtts for the show and 2k appears to have better graphics and well, cant figure out what else.

So what im asking is for is your opinions on which is a better buy, and why and why not?

You could rent them both to see which you prefer. 2k's graphics are not even close to the Show. The Show is leaps and bounds ahead of 2k IMO and the vast majority on OS. The only thing 2k has over the Show is the commentary based on my opinion and what I have read on this site. While they both have there share of bugs the guys at SCEA will get theres fixed. From my past experiences whith 2k they won't. Sure they will get some bugs fixed but there will be plenty left. SCEA is the only sports video company that is true to there word and will make sure even the hard core gamer will get a true sim game. I have never had that luck with 2k. This is just my opinion and I am not trying to bash 2k just giving you my opinion. Basically the only ones that will differ will be guys without PS3's. I'm sure there are a few that won't have my opinion but the majority will. I also have a 360 so this is not coming from someone that just owns a PS3.

[dmoney24]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I bought the PS3 for the Show 2011. I've played the Show 2011 ever since I made the purchase on Friday. I've probably played roughly 20 or more hours of the Show.

I played 2k11 for about 3 or 4 hours on Tuesday after my purchase. I haven't touched the game since. I've already ejected the disc and replaced it with NBA 2k11 for 360. I'll give it another shot tomorrow. I have friends who only own a 360 that I play against online so that is the reason I bought both series.

I can't believe that I waited this long to make the PS3 jump. The Show is an incredible game and this is coming from a 2k guy. My opinion is the Show is leaps and bounds a more complete baseball game.

The price of the Show will remain the same throughout baseball season because finding a used copy will be more difficult. I'd assume that 2k11 will be found used rather easily in less than two weeks.

I agree with travis72 that you should rent them both and see which one fits your style.

[travis72]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I bought the PS3 for the Show 2011. I've played the Show 2011 ever since I made the purchase on Friday. I've probably played roughly 20 or more hours of the Show.

I played 2k11 for about 3 or 4 hours on Tuesday after my purchase. I haven't touched the game since. I've already ejected the disc and replaced it with NBA 2k11 for 360. I'll give it another shot tomorrow. I have friends who only own a 360 that I play against online so that is the reason I bought both series.

I can't believe that I waited this long to make the PS3 jump. The Show is an incredible game and this is coming from a 2k guy. My opinion is the Show is leaps and bounds a more complete baseball game.

The price of the Show will remain the same throughout baseball season because finding a used copy will be more difficult. I'd assume that 2k11 will be found used rather easily in less than two weeks.

I agree with travis72 that you should rent them both and see which one fits your style.

You think its good now just wait till they get the patch out to fix the issues. When SCEA does something they do it right unlike other companies, not going to name names but I am sure you know who I am talking about,lol.

[ovrcfntdorgamiartist]

Re: The Show or 2k?

You know, I played baseball video games way back to RBI Baseball and Bases Loaded on the NES. I loved the 2K baseball games from 2k5 to 2k7. They all had issues, but they were really fun to play.

Disappointed with the recent 2K MLB games, last year I got a PS3 and picked up The Show. The graphics, animations, depth, etc., were just amazing, but there was something lacking about it I just couldn't put my finger on. I found some elements of the game cumbersome. The baserunning, the pitcher catching a runner on base, etc., all felt difficult, whereas I thought MLB2k7 had done those parts pretty well.

Playing the demo for both games this week, I'm actually going to pick up the 2K game. The show is an exceptional game and if you really want a ton of depth it's the way to go. But I want a slightly more arcade-ish and fun feel without sacrificing much simulation quality, so for me 2K11 is the way I'm going.

I think it's great we have both games and I hope both sell really well. This kind of competition is what we need in the football games if the NFL can ever end the exclusive rights deal.

[DirtyJerz32]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I would say read DirtyJerz32 impressions. He has played both and initally stated that he was going to be a 2K guy this year. It would appear (and I'm in no place to talk for him) that he has concluded that the show is the better buy.

Many people that have both systems or have a choice seem to be picking MLB 11 The Show. I'm sure the OS reviews will be out shortly maybe those can help you.

I did initially say I was picking up 2k and after playing for 2 days I traded it in for the Show. TS IMO, is the entire package this year, well... every year.

Don't get me wrong, 2k is a fun game. But, IMO so is TS + everything else.

[Jim Jones]

Re: The Show or 2k?

Am I crazy for thinking 2K is the better game this year? I own both and I give the edge to 2K for the following reasons:

As far as gameplay goes, I believe 2k is more fun and more fulfilling as far as hitting goes and I believe they've mastered the art of analog pitching better than The Show has. I know I enjoy analog pitching on 2K a lot more than on The Show.

For franchise, The Show is certainly deeper with a lot more options for you as the GM, but there are SO many issues with it. Horrible trade logic, AI for opposing teams making terrible lineup decisions, the "2013/2014 bug"...stuff that you would hope to be patched, but it wasn't last year. 2K might not be as deep as The Show and it has it's fair share of issues as well, such as salaries being too low, but I love how players progress, where not all highly rated players become good like they do on The Show, and it's more based on performance and stats. This is all based on 2K patching the fatigue bug in franchise.. if they don't do that, then all this is for naught and the game is trash, IMO.

Graphically...The Show craps all over 2K..not that 2K is bad graphically, but the Show is just beautiful.

Both are great games, but if you don't have a PS3, I don't think The Show is worth shelling out the 300 bucks just to get it this year.

[Lerxt]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I just traded in the show and kept 2k. There is no doubt that the show has better graphics and is by far a more complete experience. However, for me, I have always felt that the show relies too much on ratings for the outcomes and 2k feels like the results are because of my skill ( or lack thereof!). I draw more walks in 2k because I can read the pitches more accurately. The pitching in 2k is better than the show.

The show is more polished. Maybe I just needed a change, but I have not regretted my decision since I traded the show in.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I'm responding to this post from the 2K11 Impressions thread. Since it is really a comparison I'm going to respond here instead of there.

So I bought the game ($15) cause of old game trade ins at gamestop.

Ive been playing the show for 4 years in a row now and Im really just tired of it. The graphics, gameplay is great. Very realistic.
To the point where its getting a bit boring, stale.

2K is a very fun game with their pitching inerface. I love it.
Im not into the swing stick stuff so I play with classic but its not as responsive as Id like.

The thing is that I feel like graphics do matter almost as much as gameplay.
Beautiful, seamless make the experience even better. Look at the great swing animations in MVP 05 that felt as though you were swinging hard. The great fielding animations in the show make pressing a button or pushing a stick feel really slick. 2K has great pitching animations where the pitcher seems like he's actually throwing hard!!!
I look at 2K7 and it was a beautiful looking game with simple and boring, non responsive gameplay.
Why couldnt they keep that template and keep working on it?
Add new features like the analog pitching, hitting, fielding but keep the game the way it looked.

I read these posts with people who buy 2K games and "settle" and defend their game.
I read "with the next patch it'll be totally playable."
"It might not be pretty as the show but it still plays a good game of baseball"
"gameplay is tight, this bug and that bug arent really game killers for me"
What the he**?
Why do we put up with it?
You know theyre able to put out a quality product!
But every year we go out and spend $60 on a piece of junk game that looks and almost plays like its worth $15.
I think some of you guys are too soft on 2K.

Maybe boycott them for a year and they'll back in line to make a great game again.
I dont know Im just venting.
Feels like I have no where to go when it comes to videogame baseball.
The show has grown stale, I play through 5 innings and Im bored.
2K is a newer experience so it'll player a bit better, but for how long?
Ive experienced some bugs and its inexcusable and annoying and unnecesarry.
The graphics and framerate drops are totally inexcusable. its 2011, these are next gen consoles that can handle a lot!

It's a lot more complicated than that. For one, 2K signed a really bad deal with MLB in order to get back at EA for killing of NFL 2K. That exclusivity fee means they are spending more money up front than anyone else that makes a game.

Second, Sony props the Show up becasue it is a demonstration of the power of the PS3. so not only does Sony pay less up front, they have a vested interest in spending more on pure graphics and animation becasue it not only sells games, but entire consoles.

No matter how good consoles are today, great graphics and animations are still largely a result of brute force. It takes time (which is money) to go that extra distance. Sony can afford to take a smaller profit on The Show becasue it balances out in extra sales of PS3's, or at least that is their plan. 2K has to generate all of its profit from the game itself.

This has led to tighter budgets which resulted in games being released in states that are far from polished. Over the years, Sony has exploited this to the point that even a drastically better game in 2K10 sold 1/6 as many copies as The Show. There is no way that 2K is going to increase the budget for baseball until they sign a new deal.

So 2K has focused on gameplay over graphics and animations. It's where they are, and no amount of gamer admonishment is going to change that. It's not a lack of pride. It's not lack of skill. It's a financial reality, and 2K is making the most of the situation they are in.

They will fully admit that this is of their own creation. They signed the bad deal. They dug this hole. As gamers, all we can do is choose a game that best fits our needs and desires. the fact is, baseball games don't really sell that well. Even The Show pales in comparison to NBA 2K11 and Madden. It's not even close.

I have no way of actually knowing, but I don't believe that Sony makes a profit on The Show alone. Of course, they have leveraged an excellent game engine to the point of staleness. This makes it cheaper to produce successive games. But they not only sell more PS3's to baseball fans, but the sheer beauty of The Show sells PS3's to people that play other games. It really does show off the console in a really positive way.

But it is really naive of you to think that you should call for some boycott or lack of support for 2K's baseball games. What do you think last year's poor sales were? What do you think this year's poor sales will be?

In the end, it is just a game. If you enjoy it, and find it a good value, great. If not, there are hundreds of other new games to play. The world is not going to be a better or worse place based on the sales of any one game in any genre, and particularly sports.

[Prometheus]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I'm not for boycotting any of the 2K games, but they need to focus on fine tuning what is the basis for an excellent game.

Graphically, I don't think MLB2K11 is all that far behind The Show. Yes, The Show is a bit sharper and more detailed, but I don't find 2K11 to be an eyesore by any stretch. They definitely need to clean up the animations; there's too much sloppiness. To me that really nails my only real complaint with 2K11: sloppiness.

How many homeplate umpires wear their hats backward? How do you miss stuff like that? Why does Buck Showalter look like a wizened geezer who just wondered in from the old folk's home? Wearing a batting helmet, no less?

To me it comes across as a lack of effort on the part of the development team.

[queensbomber]

Re: The Show or 2k?

I'm responding to this post from the 2K11 Impressions thread. Since it is really a comparison I'm going to respond here instead of there.


It's a lot more complicated than that. For one, 2K signed a really bad deal with MLB in order to get back at EA for killing of NFL 2K. That exclusivity fee means they are spending more money up front than anyone else that makes a game.

Second, Sony props the Show up becasue it is a demonstration of the power of the PS3. so not only does Sony pay less up front, they have a vested interest in spending more on pure graphics and animation becasue it not only sells games, but entire consoles.

No matter how good consoles are today, great graphics and animations are still largely a result of brute force. It takes time (which is money) to go that extra distance. Sony can afford to take a smaller profit on The Show becasue it balances out in extra sales of PS3's, or at least that is their plan. 2K has to generate all of its profit from the game itself.

This has led to tighter budgets which resulted in games being released in states that are far from polished. Over the years, Sony has exploited this to the point that even a drastically better game in 2K10 sold 1/6 as many copies as The Show. There is no way that 2K is going to increase the budget for baseball until they sign a new deal.

So 2K has focused on gameplay over graphics and animations. It's where they are, and no amount of gamer admonishment is going to change that. It's not a lack of pride. It's not lack of skill. It's a financial reality, and 2K is making the most of the situation they are in.

They will fully admit that this is of their own creation. They signed the bad deal. They dug this hole. As gamers, all we can do is choose a game that best fits our needs and desires. the fact is, baseball games don't really sell that well. Even The Show pales in comparison to NBA 2K11 and Madden. It's not even close.

I have no way of actually knowing, but I don't believe that Sony makes a profit on The Show alone. Of course, they have leveraged an excellent game engine to the point of staleness. This makes it cheaper to produce successive games. But they not only sell more PS3's to baseball fans, but the sheer beauty of The Show sells PS3's to people that play other games. It really does show off the console in a really positive way.

But it is really naive of you to think that you should call for some boycott or lack of support for 2K's baseball games. What do you think last year's poor sales were? What do you think this year's poor sales will be?

In the end, it is just a game. If you enjoy it, and find it a good value, great. If not, there are hundreds of other new games to play. The world is not going to be a better or worse place based on the sales of any one game in any genre, and particularly sports.

Exactly, they signed a bad to get back at EA.
Who suffers? 2K of course, they'll take a financial hit for a dumb move.
But the fans of the series who have fun with it in the past who are moving on to a different series because 2K failed to come through.

2K let their own fanbase down.
Meanwhile sony listens and communicates directly with their fan base.

And it seems to me that 2K is just either going through the motions and putting out a lack luster game until their deal expires or,
they're just really bad in certain areas of game development.

Its been 4 years since 2K7 came out and it seems as though they keep rebuilding their game with recycled animations.

Sony's game has been improving since 07.
And yes to me 2K's game is miles behind sony in the graphics department.
Im not a show fanboy or anything. Im bored with the show this year and dissapointed with 2K.