Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

[DarkOmnios]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

One question, franchise mode, does the CPU offers trade to the player??

[cardswin2006]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

One question, franchise mode, does the CPU offers trade to the player??

Yes. Although in two seasons, I think I've only received 2 trade offers. One per year. I didn't take either of them.

[DarkOmnios]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Thanks for the info

[mwjr]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I've received quite a few ofers, but have turned most of them down.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Gary Thorne refers to Toronto as the Toronto Jays sometimes. That's wrong. It's completely fine to say Jays but when you start with Toronto you have to use the full name Toronto Blue Jays.

[aloncho11]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

^Agree with you. Time to revamp the commentary for next version too.

[Franchise408]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

In response to the question regarding CPU initiated trades: Yes, the CPU does offer trades, and I have definitely had a handful of them.

As a previous poster said, I've declined every trade received, but the CPU does offer them, which makes me happy.

As far as my impressions of the game go, well I haven't really played a baseball game since maybe MLB 2K5 on the PS2. And I haven't played The Show as I don't have a PS3, so I can't compare. I can only comment on my experienecs with 2K11, and thus far, my review is mostly positive.

The game is rather difficult, but I find it to be a good difficult. I feel like many of my struggles come down to the team that I am using (Giants) and the glaring weaknesses that they have (hitting, bullpen). I feel that my player's ratings matter (I can usually shut most opponents down with Tim Lincecum of Matt Cain, but things don't go as well with my bullpen or lesser rated starters), which is one of the main things I ask for in a franchise mode. If I go out and spend big bucks on a top rated free agent, or make a blockbuster trade, I want to feel the rewards of that. I've played some franchise modes where the ratings don't seem to matter, the outcomes is predetermined by a difficulty setting, and it doesn't matter what players you have, or what players the CPU has, the result is what the CPU deems it to be according to difficulty sliders. So I give big ups to 2K for that.

I feel like once I get over the learning curve (like I said, haven't played a baseball game since PS2 days), and get myself some better players in franchise mode, I'm gonna be rocking this game out pretty hard. The question is how long I stick with it, since baseball isn't my favorite sport out there. I'm never into it as much as I am NFL or NBA.

[actionhank]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I'm liking the game so far, but there are just so many little things that make me want to rocket my controller into a wall.
I was playing last night, and on a routine double play, it gets hit easily to the 2nd baseman. I try to tag 2nd and throw to first, and Weeks just seizures in place, then slowly slides backwards without moving his feet, about 2 seconds too late to tag the base, then throws to first way late.
Then today, in the post season, i get a leadoff tripple with Braun. Next guy up hits a deep ball to the outfield, so Braun leads himself off and i'm mashing the bumper and trigger trying to get him to go back and tag up, instead it just says "H" in his on base indicator, and he goes no place. I hit both bumpers and triggers and he just stays there until the ball gets tossed to 3rd and he's out.
This game is so close to being great, but they just missed so many little bugs.
Hopefully 2k12 gets it sorted out. If we can't have The Show for 360, 2kSports could at least put a bit more polish on the game.
It's fun, but it needs help.

[DJ]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Does anyone know why I can't get the MLB Today achievement to unlock on the 360? I played the Yankees-Red Sox game last night (I was the Yanks and won 5-4 in what was a real good game), and yet, no achievement? I hadn't played this game in over a month (waiting for the patch), but decided to fire it up last night. I had played MLB Today around Opening Day and of course, didn't get the achievement to unlock then, either.

It's not a huge deal, I'm just curious as to why it's not unlocking for me.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Does anyone know why I can't get the MLB Today achievement to unlock on the 360? I played the Yankees-Red Sox game last night (I was the Yanks and won 5-4 in what was a real good game), and yet, no achievement? I hadn't played this game in over a month (waiting for the patch), but decided to fire it up last night. I had played MLB Today around Opening Day and of course, didn't get the achievement to unlock then, either.

It's not a huge deal, I'm just curious as to why it's not unlocking for me.

It wouldn't unlock for me either until I played a 3 inning game (I believe). Give that a shot.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I don't think all the achievements work. I'm pretty sure the HR robbed trophy doesn't unlock. I think that's one thing they are trying to patch.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I don't think all the achievements work. I'm pretty sure the HR robbed trophy doesn't unlock. I think that's one thing they are trying to patch.

I do know that my position player in My Player that jumped from AA to the Majors hasn't unlocked any of those achievements, but I don't mind. I have a pitcher going through and maybe he will.

[Hal Fowler]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

Seriously, post-patch, this game is a 9/10. The bugs some folks are "finding" aren't bugs, but features. And we could have only dreamed that the game would get stats as close as they have now. The slider junkies, God love them, are drilling down on stuff that are well beyond what anyone would have ever expected for a console baseball game.

Statistically, it stacks up pretty nice with anything else out there that you use a controller to play with. I love the work the slider guys are doing, because more realism is always better. But right now, I can use a set of sliders and just play and have great games.

There is always a danger in any sports game of spending too much time drilling down, and not enough time enjoying the game for what it is. I can list a set of fatal flaws for the best versions of every sports game out there.

2K has a taller hurdle because they took a really bumpy road to this point. They have a competitor that has been at the top of their game for several years now. So there is always a focus, even by its biggest fans, to find the flaws.

While I have enjoyed the recent MLB 2K games, it was always with some major caveats. There were always some pretty blatant shortcomings that you had to forcibly overlook.

This year really is different. It had some serious bugs that still needed to be squashed, but the core gameplay and statistical models are pretty awesome. And right now, for the average Joe Gamer that would never look at a forum, but just wants a good baseball game, this is one of the better games that have been released.

I will spend a bit more time nailing down some aspects of the game, but after Memorial Day, I'm done tweaking. This is the game I have been wishing 2K would release. Yes, it can get better. But the presentation, gameplay, and the added strategic elements of hot/cold streaks, fatigue, and defensive ratings that make a difference make this a compelling game of hardball.

It is approaching BBPro in terms of simulation, and it exceeds High Heat and MVP in terms of gameplay.

[RogueHominid]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I'm with you, Hal. This is a great game post-patch. It's got a remarkable balance between a pickup and play feel and a sim gameplay foundation. That's really hard to achieve. One can tweak sliders all day long and look for things that aren't perfect, but at the end of the day, the game plays a very sound game of baseball.

The hitting and pitching mechanics are great. The duels at the plate are great. The fielding is much more dynamic and engaging. The management side of franchise mode is deep. I'm not sure what's not to like. I'm at the end of May in my A's franchise and am having more fun than I've ever had with a baseball game.

[cardswin2006]

Re: Official MLB 2k11 - Impressions Thread

I agree with you guys completely. I haven't had this much fun playing a baseball game since MVP 2005.

I'm fully engrossed in my franchise, but the gameplay is really where it's at. The hit variety is outstanding after the patch with dribblers, pop ups in no mans land, and infield flys all part of the equation. Fielding seems to be a bit more refined as well.

I still have a moment almost every game where something happens and I just think to myself: "Man. That looked beautiful." Whether it's waiting on the changeup and smacking a frozen rope up the middle, or watching the CPU outfielder get turned around on a ball hit right at them, or my own outfielders casually making the play to end the inning, this game really engrosses you in the moment.