I can't put my finger on it, but ASB just feels more like baseball to me. It has bugs and glitches (both games do), but i feel more in control of my success and failure in ASB. The graphics are decent, and seem crisper than MVP's. The animations are not nearly as good, and some of the physics are out of whack, but even with those issues, i'm still going with ASB. The franchise model has no competition, and the ability to start your own expansion franchise is still the best feature in this series.
I like the idea that you can hit a HR with any player provided you get the right pitch and hit it square. HR's seem much more random and aren't nearly as prevelant as they are in MVP (and i can hit HR's with LH hitters).
I think the pitching is well done. i don't like the meters. I like selecting a pitch and location, and i like the fact that my pitchers aren't perfect. They seem to fatigue properly (maybe a bit early) and as they do, they lose some effectiveness.
I use the 2-d cursor while hitting, as zone hitting does not work. I'm not a cursor fan, per se, but this has turned out to be fun and very realistic. More son than MVP's system. It's much more challenging. Would i like a true, physics-based system? Yes, but since these games don't have one, the 2-d cursor is the best option available for hit variety and realism.
The baserunning in both games leaves a lot to be desired. MVP's is probably easier, but neither is very intuative.
The feature set in ASB is the best there is. The ability to play minor league games in MVP is nice and creative, but the fact that you're not really traveling to other minor league parks, and the fact that player developement is broken really take the steam out of that feature. I also like the fact that you can play franchise games in any park you choose. As a Twins fan, it's nice not to have to play in the dome. I also like the vintage and future ballparks, and i like the fact that i don't have to unlock them. The feature set really adds to the replay value.
The trade AI in ASB seems very good, as well. You have a hard time aquiring prospects and building a dynasty. Beleive me, i tried. I started and expansion team and drafted some high-priced vets to use as trade bait. Dealing them (many of them are All-Stars) for lower rated prospects was not easy, but not impossible. I really had to work at it, and the made the GM portion of the game a lot more fun.
Is ASB perfect? Not by a long shot. Overall though, i'm very happy with ASB and have not put MVP back in my system.
I like the idea that you can hit a HR with any player provided you get the right pitch and hit it square. HR's seem much more random and aren't nearly as prevelant as they are in MVP (and i can hit HR's with LH hitters).
I think the pitching is well done. i don't like the meters. I like selecting a pitch and location, and i like the fact that my pitchers aren't perfect. They seem to fatigue properly (maybe a bit early) and as they do, they lose some effectiveness.
I use the 2-d cursor while hitting, as zone hitting does not work. I'm not a cursor fan, per se, but this has turned out to be fun and very realistic. More son than MVP's system. It's much more challenging. Would i like a true, physics-based system? Yes, but since these games don't have one, the 2-d cursor is the best option available for hit variety and realism.
The baserunning in both games leaves a lot to be desired. MVP's is probably easier, but neither is very intuative.
The feature set in ASB is the best there is. The ability to play minor league games in MVP is nice and creative, but the fact that you're not really traveling to other minor league parks, and the fact that player developement is broken really take the steam out of that feature. I also like the fact that you can play franchise games in any park you choose. As a Twins fan, it's nice not to have to play in the dome. I also like the vintage and future ballparks, and i like the fact that i don't have to unlock them. The feature set really adds to the replay value.
The trade AI in ASB seems very good, as well. You have a hard time aquiring prospects and building a dynasty. Beleive me, i tried. I started and expansion team and drafted some high-priced vets to use as trade bait. Dealing them (many of them are All-Stars) for lower rated prospects was not easy, but not impossible. I really had to work at it, and the made the GM portion of the game a lot more fun.
Is ASB perfect? Not by a long shot. Overall though, i'm very happy with ASB and have not put MVP back in my system.
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