Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

[BlackBetty15]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Impression:

+Uni's

Wow I love to see the 70's 80's uni's I grew up with in the this game. Now if they just had the classic stadiums to go with it!

The only thing that really makes me mad is last year the graphics were pretty good on PS3...this year the gameplay is AWESOME, the game is awesome, but it is the UGLIEST game I have seen to date on the PS3. I mean jaggies all over the place, blurry graphics.The whole thing looks last gen. Even on the close ups the number fonts on jerseys are jagged and blurry. When pitching EVERYTHING on the homeplate is jagged and PS2ish. Dont know if xbox has this problem but this is way terrible for me. Too bad too because literally the game itself is a pure joy to play. Hit variety is sweet, fielding is sweet and franchise is nice. Just too bad the game is downright atrocious looking.

[Saint19]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Only played 1.5 games thus far on my PS3. That's because half-way through my first MLB Today game it froze as it was wiping off of one of the stat overlays. The text and part of the overlay were frozen...but the commentary continued. Had to restart.

Did a Play Ball game next and it was pretty fun. The gfx are horrible. I didn't get THE SHOW cuz I have the 09 version of that. While they've added analog now. I didn't think it was THAT DIFFERENT. I wanted something different. Hopefully it works out.

I actually tried to get both games with the offer from Modell's...but they canceled my order. Although the said later they'd honor it. I just didn't feel like taking that chance again.

Anyways, the little bit I've seen from the 1.5 games and the demo have been fun. Let's hope it only gets better.

[Rob_NYY]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

2K11 has ridiculously awesome commentary.

Other than that, I didn't like much else about the game so I'm not going to comment too much. But the AI in the game needs a total overhaul. The CPU plays like my 7 year old nephew. He never knows when to PH, when to pull a pitcher, when to bunt, etc. Some of the CPU's decisions are inexcusible for a baseball game in 2011. These are fundamentals that Triple Play 99 got correct and so has every baseball game since then. Yet, these basic baseball smarts elude 2K's baseball games.

While playing against another person with baseball knowledge, the game is decent. I had fun playing against friends. But sitting at home alone playing against the CPU is impossible for me.

[Spanky]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I actually tried to get both games with the offer from Modell's...but they canceled my order. Although the said later they'd honor it. I just didn't feel like taking that chance again.

Taking a chance? There's no risk. They can't steal your money. Either they honor your order or they don't.
I got an e-mail today saying mine has been shipped.

[pistolpete]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

This is a funny little game. The stamina thing is weird, there are some odd animations and glitches, but I have a lot of fun playing it.

I like that games move quickly, the menus are attractive and responsive.

[Saint19]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I didn't mean taking a chance monetarily...only why give them my money. I didn't like how they pulled a fast one last time after I thought it would've been shipped already. No bother. I like the game I got. So I'm fine.

[peigone]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

the AI in the game needs a total overhaul. The CPU plays like my 7 year old nephew. He never knows when to PH, when to pull a pitcher, when to bunt, etc. Some of the CPU's decisions are inexcusible for a baseball game in 2011. These are fundamentals that Triple Play 99 got correct and so has every baseball game since then. Yet, these basic baseball smarts elude 2K's baseball games.

My thoughts exactly. And because of that, it really isn't a baseball game per se -- more of a "have fun swinging the bat and hitting the ball" game.

[Greene_Flash03]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

My thoughts exactly. And because of that, it really isn't a baseball game per se -- more of a "have fun swinging the bat and hitting the ball" game.

It sucks because the pitching and hitting is really fun in this game...However, some baseball basics are ruining this game (PH, fatigue, etc)... I hope it gets patched.

[cardswin2006]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I know someone else had a thread about this somewhere, but this topic probably belongs in here.

There are A LOT of hits in this game, but seemingly minimal amounts of runs being scored by the CPU. I just had a line last night where they 5 runs on 18 hits. If it was just a game or two it would just be an aberration over a long season, but I've had those disporportionate totals before in other games.

It seems like the CPU never gets the big hit, like an extra base hit when the sack are full. I'd like to think I'm just good at pitching, but they seem to get singles at will at times (like giving up 5 singles on 7 pitches).

I'm wondering if I need to turn up power and cut the contact sliders for the CPU? Another issue as has been mentioned in another thread is the base running aggressiveness. The CPU just doesn't challenge your fielders to make the play at the plate, or take the extra base when it would be close.

Now I haven't turned up the baserunning aggressiveness slider just yet, but someone in the "Bug/Glitch" thread has and hasn't seen a difference as of yet.

[Greene_Flash03]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I know someone else had a thread about this somewhere, but this topic probably belongs in here.

There are A LOT of hits in this game, but seemingly minimal amounts of runs being scored by the CPU. I just had a line last night where they 5 runs on 18 hits. If it was just a game or two it would just be an aberration over a long season, but I've had those disporportionate totals before in other games.

It seems like the CPU never gets the big hit, like an extra base hit when the sack are full. I'd like to think I'm just good at pitching, but they seem to get singles at will at times (like giving up 5 singles on 7 pitches).

I'm wondering if I need to turn up power and cut the contact sliders for the CPU? Another issue as has been mentioned in another thread is the base running aggressiveness. The CPU just doesn't challenge your fielders to make the play at the plate, or take the extra base when it would be close.

Now I haven't turned up the baserunning aggressiveness slider just yet, but someone in the "Bug/Glitch" thread has and hasn't seen a difference as of yet.

I tried fixing this with sliders, so far so good.

Last night me and cpu had 8 hits with the final score of 6 - 3. I dont want to post my sliders here on OS yet, because I'm still working on it.

But if you want to test it out, shoot me a PM.

[moose141]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Well, I've gotten three games in so far with 2k11 and thus far I've really liked what I've seen. I haven't really gotten any of the glitches that anyone has mentioned thus far, but obviously three games is a small sample size thus far.

Overall impressions of the game so far are that the presentation is fantastic, I love all the statistical overlays when players come up and the commentary is in-depth and insightful. I also enjoy at the end of the game all the highlights and such, which for me after having not gotten 2k since 2k7, is incredible. The graphics haven't really been a big issue for me personally, as I've had a lot of fun actually playing and can overlook the game not being as "clean" looking as other 360 games.

In my three games, I played all as my Buccos and really had fun, I liked getting to throw in the different uni's as well. First game was a solid 6-4 win over the O's from the MLB Today lineup. Then I had a nice 5-2 win over the Cubbies at PNC Park, but my third game (a home game against San Diego) really did it for me.

I was down 4-1 into the eigth after struggling against Latos for the whole game, and just tore their pen apart. Got two runs back in the eigth to cut it to 4-3, and then with 2 outs and a 2-2 count in the ninth Neil Walker smacked a single up the line to tie the game and send it to extras. I used plenty of guys manufacturing that run in the ninth, and then really had o finagle my lineup until the 14th inning, when Garrett Atkins came up to pinch hit and smacked a walk off solo shot that really just felt awesome!

I have seen a lot of singles and both teams having too many hits for my liking relative to the number of runs we score, but hoping that some slider adjustments can work with that. Overall though I've really enjoyed all the analog controls (since I played the demos for 2k10 and 2k11 a bunch), and definitely looking forward to getting a Pirates franchise started soon.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

There are A LOT of hits in this game, but seemingly minimal amounts of runs being scored by the CPU. I just had a line last night where they 5 runs on 18 hits. If it was just a game or two it would just be an aberration over a long season, but I've had those disporportionate totals before in other games.

It seems like the CPU never gets the big hit, like an extra base hit when the sack are full. I'd like to think I'm just good at pitching, but they seem to get singles at will at times (like giving up 5 singles on 7 pitches).

I'm wondering if I need to turn up power and cut the contact sliders for the CPU? Another issue as has been mentioned in another thread is the base running aggressiveness. The CPU just doesn't challenge your fielders to make the play at the plate, or take the extra base when it would be close.

This was true last year and true this year although not quite as bad. I've got cpu contact at 35 and power at 75. The bigger the gap the less singles you will see and the more extra base hits you will see. Just play around with it for the right combination for you.

[spit_bubble]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Early Impressions

I haven't played enough to know if good simulation type results are possible, and have only been playing single games on the default difficulty, but man I am liking this game.

The animations are functional, the graphics are not very impressive, and I have seen a few strange things occur. But the good far outweigh any bad I have seen so far.

-The camera angles are great, and I really like how each stadium has a unique pitching camera (when set to "Broadcast" view).
-The pitcher versus hitter battles are very good, though as I mentioned above I haven't played enough to tell if full on realism is possible.
-Total control hitting feels very nice. It has a simplicity to it, and it just feels right.
-Total control pitching I'm not too keen on, but classic pitching I like a lot. When your pitcher gets rattled I think it's very well done.

This game feels like a keeper. That could be because I had somewhat low expectations for it, and maybe I just haven't played enough to have problems creep up on me. But usually I can tell pretty quickly whether a game is worthwhile, and I'm seeing enough at this point that makes me think this is one of those games.

I don't know... Gimme a few weeks I suppose.

Well, it only took a few days...

There are issues in the game that make me say: hold off until at least the next patch.

-I've had the AI manager leave starters in too long late in games, and pull them too quick early on.
-I've also had runners on the AI controlled team not score from third on a grounder, when they clearly should have.

These two issue alone take a great deal away from the realism. Hopefully they can correct these things, along with the other bugs and glitches that various people have found.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, because this still has a chance at being a very good game with a solid patch.

[BlackBetty15]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Aaaaaaaaactually...and this is a kind of grey statement not intended to rail you, they DO kind of steal your money. 2K is VERY popular at advertising one thing and delivering an entirely different product. Its only in this MLB series too which is puzzling and I blame Ronnie mostly for it because of his lack of community and marketing. Ramone is THE standard of how to interact with community leaders and press in the marketing of their game. While I think that 2k11 made HUGE and amzing strides in the gameplay department, I think its absolutley ******** that they take 2 hughe steps back in graphics and visual representations of the game of baseball. I mean 2k10 was fine...gameplay needed a huge lift....so 2k11 gameplay is fine but now graphics is where gameplay was last year! mlb2k7 graphics were amazing gameplay/framerate stunk....2k8 graphics stunk but gameplay was better! In my opinion 2K is the KINGS of stealing from its consumers (especially of the xbox community) because they promise year after year that the game is better when its not, it gets better in certain areas and gets worse in others. I mean, one thing that puzzles me is that they PRIDE themselves on player sig styles. Batting and pitching right! Been a 2K staple since 2007! Yet in 2k10 they botched several players by blatenly removing their sig animation and giving them generics but calling it sig. THIS YEAR, they took PAST sig styles of players already removed from the game (retired players) and simply renamed it for current players. (IE Aubrey Huff has nomar garciaparras old stance, Jay Bruce had griffeys old stance, and I saw other players have like mike lowells old stance, gary matthews old stance, carlos delgado's old stance) This is pure laziness and kind of "pulling the wool over our eyes" ploy. I hope I am not out of line but to me, a company that has a CONSISTANT track record of repeatedly having problems like the MLB 2K franchise has had is something that needs to be held accountable for. Also lets not hide the fact that 2K never released ANY copies to be reviwed by anyone so as to avoid issues of the game to be put out before release day to sucker consumers into day 1 purchases. Just sayin

[Gamblin79]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

MLB 2k11 is a good step forward for the franchise.I bought the game yesterday and have played 3 MLB Today games on the default All Star setting. I'm enjoying the game so far and am impressed with the advances that have been made since 2k10.

Pitching is just plain fun in this game. You can't hit your spots dead on with mediocre or poor pitching like in previous editions. This adds to the realism of the game.

Batting has improved as well. The default camera allows for you to get a good read on the ball coming out of the pitcher's hand. The right analog stick is intuitive and responsive. You can "feel" when you get a hold of one.

Fielding is the aspect of this game that has been updated the most in this iteration. No longer does every fielder play the same. There are noticable differences in the way a gold glover flashes the leather as opposed to an average fielder. This was sorely needed and I'm very glad it's now in the game.

Of course the game is not without it's faults. The AI leaves middle relievers in the game too long. I was playing as the Rangers vs Cubs and I roughed up the starting pitcher in the 1st inning scoring 5 runs. The AI manager yanked the starter and put in a reliever. The score was 6-2 in my favor going into the 5th when I put up a 7 run inning. It was obvious the reliever was gased and needed to be pulled but the AI left him in.

I don't know if this is a problem yet because my sample size is too small but way too many triples on my part. It's too easy to turn an obvious double into a triple with guys that shouldn't be beating throws. Maybe I was just facing poor defenses or was getting lucky. I need to play more games to see if this is really a problem.

The graphics in this game are average for a next gen system. The edges of shadows are blocky, they blink and are just plain ugly. Some of the players do not look anything like their real life counterparts and some are spot on.

The fatigue bug in franchise is a game breaker for that mode but I'm sure it will be addressed in the next patch.

Overall MLB 2k11 is a solid game that I'm sure will provide many months of enjoyment.