Or is it just a mirage? I've heard quite a few people say they play 2k because it's just more fun. I'm one of them. Fun is obviously subjective but to be honest I've played both games for years and I find it more fun even though it has some massive inconsistencies. I'm glad there will be a 2k13 for these reasons.
1. Controls feel looser and like you have more control over the action. In reality i don't think you do, but something about the game feels loose which gives it a more fun feeling. I think this goes for batting, pitching and fielding. There is something about 2k games and their control that just feels fun. I don't know how to explain it other than that. Really like the swing types and it all seems to make sense though.
2. Pitching gives you more to do. It also gives you more to do while feeling instinctive and it doesn't take your eye off the plate. I think the analog pitching in 2k is the best in class and makes you feel like you are throwing the pitch. I also think particularly in 2k12 compared to past versions there is enough variety as far as how you hit your gesture and where the pitch actually goes which adds a lot of variety to the pitching. This is one area where I think 2k could actually do more though as far as passed balls and hitting batters etc. Make it even more difficult at times.
3. I think the commentary and soundtrack really add to the atmosphere of 2k12. The music choices are good. The commentary and announcers just sound like you are at the ballgame.
4. I actually am someone who likes the art style of 2k12. It just looks extremely rough in spots. But i've always liked a more cartooney look to my sports games. The game can look really cool at times this is more a pro/con. Other times the games looks ugly.
5. Stat overlays and inside edge are relavent and bring you deeper into the game. PLayer ratings and trade logic seem to be smart in this game. Games also seem to play out realistically as far as boxscores. If baseball was a numbers game which it is this game holds it own and even surpasses the competition. Sometimes I wish 2k would delve even deeper into what players do and their tendencies in situations but overall the system itself seems very solid.
What holds 2k back
1. There need to be more animations in between play and just in general. Too often players don't animate correctly or at all which really takes you out of the game. There is a lack of personality to the game which is disapointing because on the surface this game looks like a game that would have a lot of that even with it's quirks. I've learned to just hit A to advance the action which solves some of the issues but there are still too many issues as far as when i'd expect a player to animate or celebrate and when they actually do. 2k has had robot players in the past. They've also had some of the best animations around. What's disapointing to me is the lack of animations in general in the field. Pitchers, fielders, batters all still feel pretty static. I see the same animations over and over or none at all.
2. Players slow down and speed up unrealistically in the field and at the plate. There is a herky jerky feeling to the game in general which really takes you out of the game. Often fielders won't react in time. There is a lack of balance and variety particularly in the field.
3. Crowds feel dead at times. Other times have some personality but crowds in general are very inconsistant.
4. Camera's can be pretty static and don't really show off the stadiums like they could. Where the show kind of pans around the stadium in between plays 2k kind of sticks with the same camera angles. I'd like more variety this year. The camera angles that are there are excellent. I just want more.
5. Attention to detail. Crowds jump for fly balls unrealistically. Balls can go through parts of the stadium etc... Too much here to list.
I think overall 2k could have a very good baseball game and compete but there are too many inconsistencies with this game right now to really put it in that class. Is the game more fun in spots? I think so. I'm not someone who needs the best graphics around. I would like 2k to add more variety though and clean up some of the herky jerkyness to the game.
Most years I think this game is just passable. Probably in that 6.5 to 7 range but something keeps me coming back. Something about the controls and feeling of the game. These are more just general observations but what do you think? I'd be interested to know why people keep coming back to this game. It seems to be people who have an opportunity to play the Show but just choose this game. Why do we do that?
1. Controls feel looser and like you have more control over the action. In reality i don't think you do, but something about the game feels loose which gives it a more fun feeling. I think this goes for batting, pitching and fielding. There is something about 2k games and their control that just feels fun. I don't know how to explain it other than that. Really like the swing types and it all seems to make sense though.
2. Pitching gives you more to do. It also gives you more to do while feeling instinctive and it doesn't take your eye off the plate. I think the analog pitching in 2k is the best in class and makes you feel like you are throwing the pitch. I also think particularly in 2k12 compared to past versions there is enough variety as far as how you hit your gesture and where the pitch actually goes which adds a lot of variety to the pitching. This is one area where I think 2k could actually do more though as far as passed balls and hitting batters etc. Make it even more difficult at times.
3. I think the commentary and soundtrack really add to the atmosphere of 2k12. The music choices are good. The commentary and announcers just sound like you are at the ballgame.
4. I actually am someone who likes the art style of 2k12. It just looks extremely rough in spots. But i've always liked a more cartooney look to my sports games. The game can look really cool at times this is more a pro/con. Other times the games looks ugly.
5. Stat overlays and inside edge are relavent and bring you deeper into the game. PLayer ratings and trade logic seem to be smart in this game. Games also seem to play out realistically as far as boxscores. If baseball was a numbers game which it is this game holds it own and even surpasses the competition. Sometimes I wish 2k would delve even deeper into what players do and their tendencies in situations but overall the system itself seems very solid.
What holds 2k back
1. There need to be more animations in between play and just in general. Too often players don't animate correctly or at all which really takes you out of the game. There is a lack of personality to the game which is disapointing because on the surface this game looks like a game that would have a lot of that even with it's quirks. I've learned to just hit A to advance the action which solves some of the issues but there are still too many issues as far as when i'd expect a player to animate or celebrate and when they actually do. 2k has had robot players in the past. They've also had some of the best animations around. What's disapointing to me is the lack of animations in general in the field. Pitchers, fielders, batters all still feel pretty static. I see the same animations over and over or none at all.
2. Players slow down and speed up unrealistically in the field and at the plate. There is a herky jerky feeling to the game in general which really takes you out of the game. Often fielders won't react in time. There is a lack of balance and variety particularly in the field.
3. Crowds feel dead at times. Other times have some personality but crowds in general are very inconsistant.
4. Camera's can be pretty static and don't really show off the stadiums like they could. Where the show kind of pans around the stadium in between plays 2k kind of sticks with the same camera angles. I'd like more variety this year. The camera angles that are there are excellent. I just want more.
5. Attention to detail. Crowds jump for fly balls unrealistically. Balls can go through parts of the stadium etc... Too much here to list.
I think overall 2k could have a very good baseball game and compete but there are too many inconsistencies with this game right now to really put it in that class. Is the game more fun in spots? I think so. I'm not someone who needs the best graphics around. I would like 2k to add more variety though and clean up some of the herky jerkyness to the game.
Most years I think this game is just passable. Probably in that 6.5 to 7 range but something keeps me coming back. Something about the controls and feeling of the game. These are more just general observations but what do you think? I'd be interested to know why people keep coming back to this game. It seems to be people who have an opportunity to play the Show but just choose this game. Why do we do that?
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