It 2k11 worth a rent?

[mlblover15]

Hi long time Show player, but 11 just was to far over my head to get into this year. so am thinking about at least giving this game a rent for a few days. just have a few questions.

1. what are the options when pitching (analong, meter classic?)

2. same thinig with hitting what are the optiorons avail? (zone, timed, analog?)

3. is the commentary limited or pretty expansive

4. i read that if i was to choose auto defense that it will also throw the ball for you? do i not have the option to have auto defense and manual throwing?

5. when fielding (throwing) is there an option to have the throw meter turned off?

I know that graphicly that this game isn't up to par with the show but im willing to deal with that if this game is a little actually a lot less stressful to play.

my problem with that game is that i felt that i was playing a human user when playing the computer when being pitched to. the AI in the game was far and above my comfort level.

i used guess pitch and found out that the computer just like a human user will know when your using it when you guess correctly and "learn" from it. so it was almost of no use to use the feature.

so should i even consider going to the video store and renting this game or should i just do what im doing and stay with my old great friend the show 08 and be happy?

thank you for all your comments and answers in advance. i also haven't played this series since 2005 i think.. if memory serves.

[peigone]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

It's timing-only hitting (no zone), although you can choose to influence hit-type. There are two choices for hitting and pitching, analog and classic (button). Classic hitting has only a contact button and no power button which is a downer. Check swings with Classic are impossible and that feature is essentially broken. Commentary is a plus but turns into white noise after a short while -- stat commentary for example never changes or updates. Fielding meters cannot be shut off. Can't answer your auto-throwing question because I haven't patched my game and don't want to. And auto-fielding is only available post-patch.

You're correct in assuming this game is less stressful (and possibly more fun) to play. It's really more of a pick-up-and-play game, and is simplified for that purpose and reason. 2K developers even stated that's their intention. The AI as well isn't overwhelming (read: cheat-happy) which makes for pleasant gaming. Although some people have complained about AI rubberband scoring in the late innings.

Worth renting for sure. Not sure I'd pay console prices for this game. I bought the PC version for under 30 bucks and felt it was a very good purchase given all the stadium and uniform mods and roster editors that are available for download.

[ambizytl]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

With auto fielding the throwing is automatic. You cannot throw manually unless auto fielding is turned off.

The commentary is quite good in my opinion.

I have played The Show and this game is less stressful and more fun to play, in my opinion. However, there are a few stat bugs and even game summary with patch is bugged, so less stress, more fun, and more annoyances.

[mkharsh33]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

Having played the 2k baseball titles, this is the best game they've put out to date. yes, definitely worth the rent and even worth the purchase.

[Hal Fowler]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

You're correct in assuming this game is less stressful (and possibly more fun) to play. It's really more of a pick-up-and-play game, and is simplified for that purpose and reason. 2K developers even stated that's their intention. The AI as well isn't overwhelming (read: cheat-happy) which makes for pleasant gaming. Although some people have complained about AI rubberband scoring in the late innings.

I don't agree here, at all. The CPU is a tough opponent. and holding on to a one or two run lead is as stressful in 2K11 as any other baseball game. More importantly, fielding ratings matter, which ads to late game strategy. Pitch count fatigue is very realistic, which also makes late inning decisions important.

There is no AI rubber band at all. But you do have to finish games smartly, which can lead to late rallies if you ignore the pitch count.

[jeffy777]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

Having played the 2k baseball titles, this is the best game they've put out to date. yes, definitely worth the rent and even worth the purchase.

My thoughts exactly.

Also, the PC version is even better than the console version (better graphics, downloadable mods including updated stadiums with real ads, real brands for batting gloves, bats, etc.).

[Pappy Knuckles]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

Definitely worth a rent or purchase. I've played a lot of 2K baseball and they really got their **** together this year.

[jeffy777]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

I don't agree here, at all. The CPU is a tough opponent. and holding on to a one or two run lead is as stressful in 2K11 as any other baseball game. More importantly, fielding ratings matter, which ads to late game strategy. Pitch count fatigue is very realistic, which also makes late inning decisions important.

There is no AI rubber band at all. But you do have to finish games smartly, which can lead to late rallies if you ignore the pitch count.

Hal is right. There is no rubber band AI. You do have to keep an eye on your pitch count because a tired pitcher can get shelled if you leave him in too long, and that's realistic.

[peigone]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

I don't agree here, at all. The CPU is a tough opponent. and holding on to a one or two run lead is as stressful in 2K11 as any other baseball game.

I was commenting on the game's general difficulty. The developers stated they simplified hitting difficulty in order to appeal to the pick-up-and-play-crowd. Without any real need to worry about pitch location (zone hitting), the timed-only hitting in 2K11 is much easier and much less stressful than the more refined and much more difficult hitting systems found in games like The Show or Pro Spirits. Likewise when pitching, there's no sense in 2K11 that the CPU offensive AI is cheat-happy, unlike a certain other baseball game I could name. That's one of the first things I look for in sports games these days -- whether or not momentum programming or whatever one wants to call it has been added. 2K11 doesn't appear to be programmed like that, which for me leads to a less stressful and more enjoyable gaming experience. And an easier gaming experience in many ways, yes, although that can quickly be altered via a few slider tweaks.

[The_Mossberg500]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

It's timing-only hitting (no zone), although you can choose to influence hit-type. There are two choices for hitting and pitching, analog and classic (button). Classic hitting has only a contact button and no power button which is a downer. Check swings with Classic are impossible and that feature is essentially broken. Commentary is a plus but turns into white noise after a short while -- stat commentary for example never changes or updates. Fielding meters cannot be shut off. Can't answer your auto-throwing question because I haven't patched my game and don't want to. And auto-fielding is only available post-patch.

You're correct in assuming this game is less stressful (and possibly more fun) to play. It's really more of a pick-up-and-play game, and is simplified for that purpose and reason. 2K developers even stated that's their intention. The AI as well isn't overwhelming (read: cheat-happy) which makes for pleasant gaming. Although some people have complained about AI rubberband scoring in the late innings.

Worth renting for sure. Not sure I'd pay console prices for this game. I bought the PC version for under 30 bucks and felt it was a very good purchase given all the stadium and uniform mods and roster editors that are available for download.

Your console is flashed? Why wouldn't you want to update? It fixes a LOT of the problems in the game that we've waited months for. I don't understand this....

[The_Mossberg500]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

Anyways, you can turn off auto fielding at any time by going to the main menu.

The Show is WAY too hard and kinda doesn't give you some of the excitement that MLB2K11 brings when you get a score or a nice catch. I felt I was pissed after having that long to get a hit (which was almost every game and unrealistic)in MLB The Show, but in MLB 2K11 I felt it was realistic. Even if I were getting hosed, I'd be so into trying to get back into the game. I usually would feel that there was no possibility of gaining any momentum back, but played the game where as in the Show, I felt like slamming a door on my genitals. It wasn't balanced either. There were times in The Show where I'd get a four run lead and it wouldn't matter. It was like playing Madden where there was no momentum. The Show looks a lot better but MLB2K11 is more fun for me, personally. The Show is an exclusive and has been better polished in past years while MLB 2K had so many game killing bugs but they've fixed them.

The graphics aren't a leap in the show, but they are better and it seems there is a bit more realism in the Show in terms of body mechanics but the announcers seem fake, much like Madden. When I played my first MLB 2K game, it was 2K9 and the announcers were so realistic and on point, I felt cheated on Madden (even while being a Madden loyalist). I now had seen part of what caused so many to stay loyal to NFL2K5, even to this day. The announcers will start to say some lines that you are familiar with, but this is going to end up happening in any sports game. The fact of the matter is, MLB 2K11 has the best presentation system of any sports game.

If you don't mind toning a little down on the graphics, then I'd try out this game for sure. Its not going to feel cheap, like going from Madden 11 to Madden 06. I know that I didn't answer some of your questions, but since I played both, I'm sure this can help in making your choice.

I don't agree here, at all. The CPU is a tough opponent. and holding on to a one or two run lead is as stressful in 2K11 as any other baseball game. More importantly, fielding ratings matter, which ads to late game strategy. Pitch count fatigue is very realistic, which also makes late inning decisions important.

There is no AI rubber band at all. But you do have to finish games smartly, which can lead to late rallies if you ignore the pitch count.

I disagree. If you're losing, at least it's not because the the game's A.I. is cheaply made. I felt it was realistic and I wasn't constantly trying to edit the A.I. because of it. But I would still finish out games because it felt realistic and I'd accept it. The only problem I have with A.I. is in My Player but the patch and some minor tweaks with the A.I. made it a little bit better. When I first played My Player, it seemed I would always get left standing on the base, as players get thrown out.

[Hal Fowler]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

I was commenting on the game's general difficulty. The developers stated they simplified hitting difficulty in order to appeal to the pick-up-and-play-crowd. Without any real need to worry about pitch location (zone hitting), the timed-only hitting in 2K11 is much easier and much less stressful than the more refined and much more difficult hitting systems found in games like The Show or Pro Spirits.

I see what you are saying. I thought Zone hitting would be my preference, but in practice it stinks, and really does make the game less fun, in my opinion.

What 2K has done is make waiting for the right pitch much more important than using stick skills. It's much more strategic in that way. Avoiding those breaking balls and low pitches early in the count is important. It's also importnat to avoid pitchers best pitches.

With Inside Edge, you can develop a plan of attack for both hitting and pitching that can be as detailed as you want, or more pick-up and play. So while it is less "difficult" I find it to be deeper.

I do thin one area that most of us ignore, but might find to be worth trying out is the LS for directional hitting. When you go with the pitch, you do get a more solid hit.

And for hitting behind the runner or finding the hole on a hit and run, it works really well. In those instances, if you try to pull an outside pitch or go the other way with an inside pitch, you will lose a lot of power. But slow roller where the 2nd baseman just left to cover the bag might get through anyway.

I have fund trying to hit up in order to bring home a runner form third on a sac fly to be tough to pull off. Too often it leads to a shallow pop-up to the OF that won't bring in the runner. But again, it takes time to wait for the tight pitch.

[mlblover15]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

So i rented it today and played a few innings in exib play. couple of questions.

1. i see there is a black ball marker for hitting, is this important? do i NEED to use it or just let it sit in the middle and press x to swing?

2. when pitching, i see there is a yellow circle, and when i get that circle perfectly aligned with the other circle i get a flurish or whatever of color. i presume that this means i have it right on?

3. i have it on break point right now, which i know is where I'm putting the ball icon in the zone is where the ball is going to break, not end up. is pinpoint considered where the ball will end up or what?

so far after just a very and i do mean very limited time with this game i LOVE the commentary. it is very diverse, the fielders seem to be a bit slow. almost like they are running in quick sand.

I'll have to have more time with it to really get a better feel for the game itself but from what ive seen it seems like a pretty solid game... so far!!

[Hal Fowler]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

1. i see there is a black ball marker for hitting, is this important? do i NEED to use it or just let it sit in the middle and press x to swing?

I turn that dot off in the controller options, personally. If you use it to guess the right location, you get a contact boost. It also shows you the exact location of the pitch and what it is by color coding.

I liked the way it was used in 2K8, as each hitter had a different size circle, and it would shrink if you got behind in the count. Pujols had a mammoth circle.

But it just doesn't feel right the way it is used now.

[Graphik]

Re: It 2k11 worth a rent?

So i rented it today and played a few innings in exib play. couple of questions.

1. i see there is a black ball marker for hitting, is this important? do i NEED to use it or just let it sit in the middle and press x to swing?

2. when pitching, i see there is a yellow circle, and when i get that circle perfectly aligned with the other circle i get a flurish or whatever of color. i presume that this means i have it right on?

3. i have it on break point right now, which i know is where I'm putting the ball icon in the zone is where the ball is going to break, not end up. is pinpoint considered where the ball will end up or what?

so far after just a very and i do mean very limited time with this game i LOVE the commentary. it is very diverse, the fielders seem to be a bit slow. almost like they are running in quick sand.
I'll have to have more time with it to really get a better feel for the game itself but from what ive seen it seems like a pretty solid game... so far!!

I dont know what this is but I've noticed it to. Seems like only the user controlled teams have that mud in the boots outfielders. CPU AI runs hella fast to the ball on D.

The commentary to me will get old fast. I like how they do the team stats but talking about the same player stats and facts day in and say out sucks.