MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

[liberaluser]

I finally realized what bothers me so much about the color-coded pitch abuse system! Instead of being it's own thing, your pitch ratio should be factored into the pitch rating numbers your given depending on how the batter does against you.

So for example, if your playing perfectly by abusing one pitch, your rating should stay high, period. Maybe a small penalty on how high the rating is but nothing serious.

The risk comes into play when the batter DOES hit the ball cleanly. Your overused pitch would take a huge hit in it's ratings, much bigger reduction than if it was a regular batted hit.

This system would require more strategy since it's up to the pitcher how much he wants to use mix-ups or play risky and possibly lose a main part of his arsenal for a while.

[rckabillyRaider]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

Playing on ps3. I like it overall. I like the auto fielding option, though as others mentioned I don't like that they pause for a second before throwing the ball. That causes the runners to be safe on close plays. Also don't like the camera angle. Didn't buy last year's version so I'm not sure if we can change the angle in the full game. The animations don't fell silky smooth, but it doesn't take away from the overall feel of the game. Not bad.

[AllJuicedUp]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

I finally realized what bothers me so much about the color-coded pitch abuse system! Instead of being it's own thing, your pitch ratio should be factored into the pitch rating numbers your given depending on how the batter does against you.

So for example, if your playing perfectly by abusing one pitch, your rating should stay high, period. Maybe a small penalty on how high the rating is but nothing serious.

The risk comes into play when the batter DOES hit the ball cleanly. Your overused pitch would take a huge hit in it's ratings, much bigger reduction than if it was a regular batted hit.

This system would require more strategy since it's up to the pitcher how much he wants to use mix-ups or play risky and possibly lose a main part of his arsenal for a while.

I think the point is, outside of someone like Rivera, a pitcher can't throw the same pitch over and over again or it will start to get hit hard because batters will start to sit on it. To me, the decreased rating essentially means that the batter is now looking and waiting for that pitch.

The pitch doesn't magically become worse BECAUSE it gets hit hard, it gets hit hard BECAUSE it becomes predictable (simulated in the game by making it worse)

[Frost33]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

I really feel like this is a much tighter, more polished 2k11, and that, in my opinion is a very good thing. The thing that really jumps out at me about 2k12 is the fun factor. Having that "it" factor, puts this game as a buy for me. But as others have said, I think I'll wait on the purchase. I bought last year's on launch and was VERY frustrated by the bugs and glitches that seemed to take forever to fix. I'll wait and see what issues this years game has. Plus I'll be picking up Mass Effect 3 the same day and that will take up a bit of my time.

[tvman]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

Has anyone been able to check swing using classic hitting? I've tried double tapping as i saw mentioned in this thread but no luck for me.

By the way i did let my wife and dog out of the fridge.

[mrclutch]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

I played last years game for a couple months (before I bought my PS3) and the demo doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. 2k11.5 as we are fond of saying.

I mean I think it's a pretty good game. Looks and feels about the same. A little smoother and some minor plus ups. Good not great.
I'd say if you liked last years game you should like this one as well. If you didn't like last years then it's time to move along IMO.
Cheers.

[Kernel Pie]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

After 2 days with the demo, I've decided to pass on this version. I played 2k11 a lot and did enjoy it, but I had major gripes that I wanted to see addressed in 12, and they either weren't fixed, or were fixed poorly. The 2 main gripes I had, were the post-play animations, and the base-running.

The first was not addressed at all, and we still have to suffer through horrendous cutaways to zombie-stares, players robotically wandering around the field, and just general ugly, cringe-worthy art direction all around. This aspect of the game is a steaming 'F minus.' I thought for sure they would have fixed the post-play pitcher animations from last year. Leaving so many of those animations untouched is not gonna do it this year for me.

The second one, they tried to fix, but failed at it. Yes, players do round the bases now instead of making right angle turns, but the motion looks completely unnatural and 'floaty,' for lack of a better term. The players seem too light, and the movement lacks the violence and the energy of a 200 lb athlete moving full steam and then sliding explosively into a bag. They tried to fix it, so I'll give credit there. But I expected it to look better honestly.

Everything else is basically a wash from 2k11, except some new fielder animations, pitch tracking, and a working throw meter (after 3 years). I truly believe this will be the last in the series, and I for one am not going down with the ship.

[cheechoo98]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

As others have mentioned, why 2K takes the commentary out of the Demo, is a head scratcher and really hurts it. The commentary is awesome and rivals The Show's commentary...

- I really love the pitching mechanic that has been in 2K for the past few iterations - also, IMO, rivals The Show's.

- love the fielding cameras. I like how you see the fielder + the hitter/base runner, + the sky, all in one camera. It,s actually similar to The Show's Road To The Show camera. And the 'good at bat' cam in The Show. I wish The Show had that camera as an option for regular gameplay.

- the batting camera is awful IMO, at least in the demo, they should include different batting camera options. I never understood this camera that 2k implemented.. And all the GUI stuff added to the strike zone. I haven,t played the actual game, so I don,t know if all that strike zone GUI stuff is optional. They should include the option to turn it off in the demo.

- in the Demo, some animation issues hurt it. On a 3rd out, AFTER Beltran caught the flyball... The scene Cut-to: Closeup of Beltran... Running forward, (with ball in glove) then, Beltran reverses direction and runs towards the wall, then Beltran reverses direction again towards the dugout...

So things like the above have made my mind up to stick with The Show this year -- when I was 90% leaning to taking a year off since 1998 from the Show (and EA) - and going with 2K...

[DJ]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

Man, the more I play this demo...the more I like it. It just has a "fun" feeling to it. Can't wait to see what the finished product will be like.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

Yeah, overall I'm enjoying the demo but I think as far as a purchase goes, I'll wait until we get closer to Opening Day and see what the community has to say about the game then. I bought 2K10 and 11 but the bugs in both games drove me away, so I'll be a little more patient this year.

[celtics6]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

I've played a few games now. Went back and dloaded the 2k11 demo as well. I had owned but it's long since traded in. Still really liking it and think 2k improved on a lot of things I didn't like about 2k11 as far as gameplay and graphics. I think the game has more personality to it and plays really solid. In 2k11 you would see those fielding miscues even still. I don't see them here. The game just flows and paces itself really well. 2k11 did a better job of this post patch but still felt pretty bland. The graphics are a bit cartoonish but really pop this year.

Anyways I don't want to hear any show fanboys on youtube comments saying omg this is trash. Do these people even have lives?

The fact is it looks like 2k will release a fun baseball game this year and worthy of my purchase. I've played the demo a bunch of times and it seems pretty flawless. No the animations are not going to be up to par with the other game but the 360 is somewhat limited in this regard.

As far as fun factor and gameplay I think this game more than makes up for it at this point. Is it perfect? No. Do we finally have a solid baseball game on the 360? I would say yes. It took an entire gen which is absurd and 2k should refund my money. But finally.

2k11 was about a 7. Pretty decent. 2k10 a 6. 2k9 was a joke. This game is pretty great. Maybe not 10 territory but I can legitamently say this game will be in the 8 range.

I've always preferred 2k's gameplay anyways. I think they make the best sports games as far as gameplay is concerned. It just takes them forever to iron out the bugs. But at least they deliver eventually. Not that this is acceptable but it's better than getting crappy gameplay and the same rehashed game every year with bells and whistles no one asks for. And yes we've been paying for a beta test and for 2k to build this game this entire gen.

Is this game reinventing the wheel and that different from previous versions? Nor really. It's just a polished version of and what this game should have been in the first place.

[brendanrfoley]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

I have to be honest; I'm disappointed.

It feels largely the same as 2K11 to me, and I am not seeing increased hit variety. I have not fielded (or hit) a single ball that necessitated a fielder to charge. No choppers. Grounders just hit the ground and stick.

On the presentation side, I see too many of the same issues that nagged at me for the last two years; long awkward camera shots, jerky animations and too much 'gaminess' in general. Outside of a few minor tweaks, the presentation of this series stalled after 2K10.

It's too bad, too. The MLB 2K series created "realtime" presentation only to fallback tried-and-true cut scenes featuring players that magically teleport from one spot on the diamond to the other.

[bodhiball]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

I think as always it will come down to personal preference. I prefer ultra realism and a feeling of being immersed in the sport I am playing, but I can totally see how this game would be a fun video game to play. Its fun. It does not make me feel like I am playing a real game of baseball and if I focus on the details I get easily frustrated.

To be honest, while I played the demo I kept thinking to myself, if this game came out 6 or 7 years ago it would be AMAZING. But compared to what we are all used to seeing graphically now, its incredibly far behind. From the uniforms and hats that look like rubber, to the helmets with no reflection or shine, to the flat cut-out fans in the upper decks, it falls flat.

I applaud their progress and the desire of this team to not give up after years of struggle with the series, both financial and amongst the fans of the game. It was good to see them try one more time.

Like I said, I had fun playing a video game for an hour or so, but its not a purchase for me.

oh...and if you are a fan of organ music, you will LOVE this game!

[bakesalee]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

I tried the demo - first hands on with 2k baseball since 2k7.

I just can't get over the hitting. I don't like the "swing stick". I'd have to argue, if this method is more realistic, why don't we push our left and right analog sticks (L up, R up L up, R up multiplied by about 40 times real quick) to move our runners legs when advancing bases?

[JoeRyan33]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

On the presentation side, I see too many of the same issues that nagged at me for the last two years; long awkward camera shots, jerky animations and too much 'gaminess' in general. Outside of a few minor tweaks, the presentation of this series stalled after 2K10.

It's too bad, too. The MLB 2K series created "realtime" presentation only to fallback tried-and-true cut scenes featuring players that magically teleport from one spot on the diamond to the other.

I haven't played the game in a few years, and the presentation was better from what I remember of 2K10. Things have regressed in this area, they certainly haven't moved forward.

I was playing on PS3 and the textures weren't too great on jerseys and grass in particular.

The gameplay just isn't doing it for me. I remember having some fun on 2K10, but this year I just feel disconnected with it. Pitching feels a bit tedious now and the hitting is too simplified to keep me interested.

[bonannogiovanni]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

Has anyone played both Demos from PS3 & Xbox360 to compare?

I have, on PS3 the crowd (and the background overall) is blurrier to better conceal jaggies (remember it doesn't have an AA filter unlike the 360).