MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

[econoodle]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

First off, mad props on your avatar, haha.

Yeah, I saw/played more than six innings, with everything in place (visual overlays, commentary, etc.). I haven't played 2K10 in a while, though, so I can't really compare, unfortunately. Nothing stuck out to me as being wildly different from 2K10.

i loved the overlays in 10, so less change the better!

[SamitSarkar]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

So in your objective opinion was the game enjoyable and good?

[Let me emphasize at the outset that the following two paragraphs do not constitute anything close to my final opinion on MLB 2K11. They're just initial thoughts based on a relatively short gameplay demo.]

First off, any opinion is inherently subjective; I can only tell you what I believe, and I'm not trying to present my thoughts as facts. There's simply no such thing as an "objective opinion." Okay, now that I'm done being pedantic...

From what I saw/played (spent about 45 minutes with it), 2K11 is definitely better than 2K10 -- and 2K10 was a good game, IMO. Not great, but good (I never actually was able to review 2K10 for Destructoid, but I played a bunch of it, and I would probably have given it a 7/10). I haven't yet been able to check out MLB 11 in person, so I can't compare it to 2K11 directly, but it still doesn't seem like I would want to play 2K11 over MLB 10, for example.

I mean, 2K says they're focusing on polish this year. That's great, because 2K10 was a solid foundation. I think 2K11 could be very good (again, all I saw was gameplay; they weren't yet talking about stuff like online play, Franchise, or My Player). But the way I see it, making incremental improvements to 2K10 simply isn't going to produce a game that's as good as The Show. Let me be clear: I don't want to dismiss 2K11 altogether after only a 45-minute demo. But I didn't see anything that blew my mind, and The Show pretty much manages to do that every year. I don't expect I'll be able to recommend 2K11 over MLB 11 to PS3 owners, but who knows? Maybe MLB 11 isn't all that much better than MLB 10. We'll see. (I'm supposed to be checking out The Show next week, so I'll post a preview on Destructoid when I do.) If you only have a 360, though, I think you'll be happy with 2K11.

[jeffy777]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

Thanks for the article and extra info Samit!

How was the base running? Did you try any steals?

[SamitSarkar]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

How was the base running? Did you try any steals?

Nope -- I was playing with the Yankees ('natch), and I only got Brett Gardner on base once before the inning ended quickly.

[Saberq]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

[Let me emphasize at the outset that the following two paragraphs do not constitute anything close to my final opinion on MLB 2K11. They're just initial thoughts based on a relatively short gameplay demo.]

First off, any opinion is inherently subjective; I can only tell you what I believe, and I'm not trying to present my thoughts as facts. There's simply no such thing as an "objective opinion." Okay, now that I'm done being pedantic...

From what I saw/played (spent about 45 minutes with it), 2K11 is definitely better than 2K10 -- and 2K10 was a good game, IMO. Not great, but good (I never actually was able to review 2K10 for Destructoid, but I played a bunch of it, and I would probably have given it a 7/10). I haven't yet been able to check out MLB 11 in person, so I can't compare it to 2K11 directly, but it still doesn't seem like I would want to play 2K11 over MLB 10, for example.

I mean, 2K says they're focusing on polish this year. That's great, because 2K10 was a solid foundation. I think 2K11 could be very good (again, all I saw was gameplay; they weren't yet talking about stuff like online play, Franchise, or My Player). But the way I see it, making incremental improvements to 2K10 simply isn't going to produce a game that's as good as The Show. Let me be clear: I don't want to dismiss 2K11 altogether after only a 45-minute demo. But I didn't see anything that blew my mind, and The Show pretty much manages to do that every year. I don't expect I'll be able to recommend 2K11 over MLB 11 to PS3 owners, but who knows? Maybe MLB 11 isn't all that much better than MLB 10. We'll see. (I'm supposed to be checking out The Show next week, so I'll post a preview on Destructoid when I do.) If you only have a 360, though, I think you'll be happy with 2K11.

Thanks man I actually play it on PC but I get it ......I know it wont be better than The Show 11 I was just wondering if it was better than 2K10 to warrant a purchase .....

[Saberq]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

Also dude forgot to ask were players faces normal on the field not generic like last year and if you played a night game was the lightning ok not bleak like last year and do animations play them selfs out(no blue flash between pitches)?Sorry If it is to much

[Scottdau]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

I love what I am reading. I think I will have two baseball games this year and narrow down the pros and cons and just stick with run. I think this is going to be a good year.

[SamitSarkar]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

Also dude forgot to ask were players faces normal on the field not generic like last year and if you played a night game was the lightning ok not bleak like last year and do animations play them selfs out(no blue flash between pitches)?Sorry If it is to much

1) To be honest, I couldn't really tell, but I wasn't looking that closely. I'll keep an eye out the next time I see the game.
2) I only played a sunny Yankees-Rangers day game in Arlington.
3) I like a quick game, so I just kept pressing A after each pitch -- I never wait for animations. So I'm not sure.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

I guess I understand the appeal of having two baseball games. But with so many games sports games dropping in March alone, I just can't see the justification.

We have TW 12, Fight Night Champion, Shift 2, NASCAR The Game 2011, and Topspin 4.

And that doesn't even count Homefront, Dragon Age II, and Crysis 2.

And that's just March.

Of course, the NHL and NBA playoffs will be in full gear, so those games will be begging for attention. Who has time for two baseball games?

[jeffy777]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

Samit: So the pitching is definitely improved, eh? My main complaint with 2k10 was that it was too easy to paint the corners on every pitch, but it sounds like they adressed that, which is great news.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

Samit: So the pitching is definitely improved, eh? My main complaint with 2k10 was that it was too easy to paint the corners on every pitch, but it sounds like they adressed that, which is great news.

Honestly, I'd probably take just that one fix over every other thing that needed work. If they get that right, it's just going to be frickin' beast of a game.

So far they have addressed my biggest worries. Pitching seems to be fixed. Fielding not only seems fixed, but they also seemed to have enhanced it beyond what we were hoping for.

No word on injuries, or how franchise mode is going to work. No word on allowing us to edit opponents line-ups and pitchers in Play Now games.

But I have to say, if these fixes are contained in MLB 2K10's skin, color me a very happy man.

[HITTERSAURUS REX]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

This question is to SamitSarker:
In your 45min of playing MLB2K11. Did you realize auto-fielding, fielding vaccum assist been removed? Do you now feel you are in complete control of positioning your fielder to make the defensive play?

[jr86]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

From what i have been reading around here there seems to have been a big focus on the pitching and fielding but absolutely nothing has been mentioned about any batting improvements.
For me, the batting needs a vast improvement i.e the sound of the ball off the bat and also the speed with which it makes it to the outfield, and also for the love of god get rid of that goddam ARROW that appears every time you hit a HR. It totally kills any suspense.

[dolemint]

Re: Destructoid preview of MLB 2K11

This article was someone's observations playing the game. It did not sound like a marketing piece to me.

Previews aren't entirely objective. They are very heavily influenced by the publisher. After all, the preview writer only gets a short period of time to play. They obviously have to rely on publisher feedback to get the information on what's new out.

Look at the following two quotes. Nearly identical. Just sayin'.

Say you have Vlad Guerrero, who has a solid arm. Red might just mean he pulls the third basemen off the bag, where Pablo Sandoval would probably launch the ball into the cheap seats.

And even if you overshoot all the way into the small red zone, his throw might only pull Mark Teixeira off the first-base bag. But someone like Luis Castillo will not only have a sizable red zone -- if you end up in it, his throw is likely to sail into the stands.

The writer does add their own personal two cents to it, but every preview just about makes every game sound awesome. It's PR. It's only come review time when real flaws are uncovered. Not to say that'll happen with 2K11, I hope not. It certainly sounds like it's on the right track, at least.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: MLB 2K11 Preview (Destructoid)

Did they let you play with any options like fielding camera angles or sliders? I'd love to get more info in those areas.