MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here

[vwnut13]

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

My impressions:

(I have been playin the show since 2006. 2K5 was the last 2K game I played. more + signs, more serious, IMO)

+ Hit two homeruns in the first two innings.
+ Batting camera angle is weird.
+ Outfield angle is weird.
++ Matt Holliday dropped first ball hit to him.
++ Matt Holliday ran to third base (From LF) on a no doubt HR
+++ No advance on ball thrown in stands
+++ Bunting stance is weird!
++ Massive delay on dives
+ Infield dirt dark splotches

Played a game as the Cardinals, and couldn't do anything. I wonder if the team ratings affect teams too much.

[misterkrabz]

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

Annimations are much improved. The pitch is easier to read (location and speed) than in the other baseball game making drawing walks easier. Saw a killer double play started by a glove flip to the second baseman. Overall Im impressed with the fielding (throwing meter is cool and and I made a few great diving plays that aren't so frequent in the other game)...pitching seems pretty much the same. Hitting can feel a little generic (down and up on the R stick to hit). The baserunner timing is better making triples more difficult. Graphics are ok but the colors do pop. I downloaded both PS3 and 360 demo's and I must say the 360 version looks and feels better. The colors are crisper and the face textures seem a little better (and this is coming form a PS3 fanboy).

This is the first year where I think I might buy the 2k game. I would like to see more options out of their demos though. I want to see other camera angles...make bench moves...and gimme some sliders or difficulty settings please. The demo overall is really watered down and that's disappointing. If you're on the fence then the demo probably isn't enough to convince you to buy...there's just so much that's left out that could be the difference between buying and waiting yet another year. I'm probably a "buy" because I love video game baseball and this game plays pretty well for what it is. And that is a more "arcadey" version of baseball compared to The Show but it looks like it will net some realistic statistical results...so you get a little of both worlds.

If it plays well online (not holding my breath) and you can have an online franchise I could be spending some serious time with game...if not it will be an occasional play and "trade-in" game in 6 months.

[BA2929]

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

Played a few "games" after work, here are my impressions:

Loved:

--The 'Pitch Track' when you hit left on the directional pad. They had this in MVP 05 and I've missed it ever since, but 2k has made it even better. Now I can see where I've thrown pitches in the at-bat and when I'm hitting I can see tons of stuff, incliding where a pitcher has thrown first pitches to lefties or what he threw me in my previous AB. Great addition. BEST addition, imo.

--Actually hit two HRs with Beltre on contact swings. That didn't happen much last year unless you were using a guy with 90+ power. (If he has 90+ power against righties, forgive me. Still nice to hit HRs with contact swings)

--The new throwing meter is cool. Still trying to figure out how to cancel a throw though. No button is listed for it in the menu. LOVED that I could actually change which base I could throw to after I had already selected one.

--The outfield seems bigger this year. That's a plus.

--The scoreboard actually had a sweet looking graphic on it! Not a generic thing that didnt even fill up the jumbotron.

--Had a nice looking double play where Kinsler flipped it with his glove to the SS who made a nice turn. REALLY liked that. Felt smooth and not forced.

--Seemed like it was easier to see what pitch was coming in.

--Gloves actually look like real baseball gloves. Not something someone bought at Toys-R-Us that came with a plastic bat and a wiffle ball.

--Mike Napoli pimped the grand slam I hit with him at the plate. "Pimped" means he stood there watching it sail over the wall for those of you that aren't into baseball slang. It was oppo, but it was a high and away fastball. Not like last year where you would hit a HR on a low and away curve. Also had Beltre do the same thing on a no-doubter. Different looking though, that was a plus.

--Seemed like more of the crowd was in 3D.

--I was late on an inside fastball and grounded out weakly to the 2nd baseman. Awesome. Exactly right.

Hated:

--The new running animation for baserunners. They all look like Forest Gump to me. Running stiff, up and down and almost looks like they're jogging. Elvis Andrus looked like he was jogging to 2nd on a steal attempt. It looks fine on a HR trot, but not when guys are sprinting. However, I did like how guys rounded the bags.

--The way the CPU fielders will stop their fielding animation and pause.... then start their throwing animation. This was in 2k11 and I hated it then as well.

--The celebration animation runners have when they score runs. MLB guys dont jump up and down and pump their fists after they take a 1-0 lead in the 1st. Didn't happen every time, but it happened. This was in 2k11 as well.


Not sure what to think:

--The new fielding animations are just ok to me. The guys actually look like they're trying to throw hard, but its a little excessive sometimes.

--I can't decide if I like the new "you've thrown a pitch too much" stuff. When I used Ogando I threw the change-up probably 5 times and it was in the red the rest of the game. I understand what they're going for, but with a guy who only has 3 pitches, it really limits you.

--Slight freezing on foul balls. Hopefully this is a demo issue, but it was in there last year so who knows.

--99mph doesn't look or sound like 99mph to me still. Looks like 88-90mph. 99mph is FAST 2k. I understand you made 100+ look and sound like this, but seriously, 96-99mph should feel the same way. Problem was in last years game as well. This could have been because it was on PRO and a demo also. I'll let it slide for now.

----

The CPU actually made a pitching change against me after I scored 8 runs off of Kyle Lohse. They brought in Kyle McClellan in the top of the 3rd after I put up 5 against Lohse without recording an out.


Overall:

This demo feels like a tighter version of 2011. Slightly better graphics, slightly better player models, same music and the same crowd noise. As many others have said: If you liked 2k11, you'll like this, as this seems like a more polished version of that game. I'll be getting it, but it might not be on release day. I want to hear if they've done something to My Player, as that's the mode I usually spend the most time in.

That's it for now. I don't want this to be 10 pages long.

[RobSkillzz]

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

At most it was OKAY for me. Very decent game, with a few graphical upgrades from 2K11.

I will definitely not buy this right away, but later on down the road after a price drop.

[Scribe1980]

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

Almost the exact same game as 2k11 (PS3). Graphically, a slight bump. Faces and unis look clearer, no ballpark jaggies. That's it. Same undecipherable throwing meter; speed of runner v. fielder's throwing still feels off (any big league player who stops running out a grounder 20 feet from the bag doesn't play for long).

One new concept: The change in the quality of pitches, if it has been 'overused'. A nice idea, theoritically, but after a couple of games I fear the logic behind it has been implemented incorrectly. Let me explain:

If no one can touch your out pitch, you continue to throw it until they can.

In both games I played, I was seemingly penalized out of the blue for simply using a pitch too much (circle turned red), rather than for what the CPU did against it (in this case, Wainwright's 12-6 curve). In other words, the sheer quantity of 12-6 curves thrown by me, rather than CPU success against it, determined whether the circle graphic for the 12-6 curve turned red.

Once that happened, THEN the CPU had success against that pitch. I either couldn't throw it for a strike, or the CPU whacked the cheese out of it.

So a pitch the CPU couldn't lay a bat on for 3 innings suddenly failed me, solely due to the circle going red on me for "overuse" rather then for any CPU success against it.

That's not the way it works. My .02, anyway.

Demo Verdict: I pop in 2K11 when I want a break from the 'other game'. Got it post-patch for 13 bucks in December, downloaded the final rosters for that season and just made moves I was aware of. Will continue to play it as my "break" game, rather than drop $60 on 2K12.

[ryan36]

Guys, no comparisons please. Thank you.

[rudyjuly2]

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

I’m very rusty having not played any baseball games since last summer. Played three games of the 2K12 demo with one going 4 IP. I was 2-1. Overall the game looks and plays very similar to 2K11 with a few noticeable tweaks.

Obviously the new reward/penalty system for each pitch as well as the game forcing you to mix up your pitches is new. I didn’t mind your pitch getting an automatic reduction for giving up a hit – like a fastball dropping from 89 to 88 but why automatically colour it red? I would rather see those green/red penalties only change colour after a total adjustment of five or more. But it was fine in the time I played. I did feel that the pitch usage was a bit restrictive, especially early on as the percentages can get out of whack really quickly.

The other change was the new throwing meter which I still have to get used to. In three games I made two throwing errors. It seems like a good idea but I have to use it more.

The ball physics and hit variety seemed the same. It’s early so I don’t know. I did see two hits where a ball was pulled on a pitch over the outer half but the hitting system still feels very rigid. Ball outside you go to the opposite field. This led to way too many opposite field HRs last year. My other complaint over the last two years has been the wide disparity between contact and power swings. They were just too different. I can’t tell if this was fixed yet or not although I’m guessing they left this alone. This usually resulted in the user having to crank power up for the cpu although the cpu did hit one HR off of me on Pro.

The base running animations when rounding second or third look better but the runner still “snaps” into his straight line animation. The animations to 1B are still bad as runners don’t run through properly or don’t round the base properly. It’s just odd.

A few details that stood out as wrong or odd. I hit a HR with Josh Hamilton (I only hit one and the cpu only hit one with Josh as well) and the LF ran in the entire time until the ball landed in the stands. I hit a routine grounder to Kinsler at second and he did an underhand throw to 1B that landed in the dirt. Feliz is now a starter for Texas so he should have a windup but he only throws out of the stretch. I did hit 100 mph with Feliz on one pitch but the sound effect from last year – the extra loud pop on triple digits – was gone. I’m fine with that but just thought I would note it.

Overall the game seemed a lot like last year other than the throwing meter and new pitch confidence system. I’d like to hear a lot more about franchise mode and if they fixed all the bugs and problems last year. Right now I’m going to pass on this game this year.

[jb1]

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

This is my first ever experience with 2k Baseball and I have to say I had a lot of fun. Played three games and for the first two I was getting beat up badly while I learnt the controls. My third game was fantastic however, winning 3-1 in 6 innings.

Once I got my timing down hitting was fun but the pitching is what really impressed me the most. 2k looks to have a great pitching system in place with a lot of good information at your disposal to make solid decisions on the mound. Also loved the presentation (something I feel 2k always does a great job with) and when coupled with the commentary i'm sure it will feel even better.

There were a few things I didn't like however, stuttering was an issue on my PS3, also at times it felt as though the game was being rushed with the timing of the music and PA announcing new batters. I also noticed the Left Fielder running in on home run which just looked odd.

Overall though I really enjoyed the demo, as a 2k baseball rookie and a relatively new Baseball fan who is still learning about this great sport after 3 years i'm excited to try and pick this game up. Might not be easy hunting out a PC copy here in the UK but i'll be doing my best come next week.

[ukmark]

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

Gave it a shot last night and while it does feel 'tighter' than last year's version as others have noted, it just felt stale and generic. Other than pitching--which this game has that in spades, nothing else from this game really stands out. I know if commentary were in the demo, that would shine---so pitching and commentary are two big facets of the game. But that does not justify a $60 expense in my budget. Sorry 2k--I want to like you---I love your NBA series, but this one is just not doing it for me.

[brewersfan84]

Re: MLB 2K12 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Impressions Here

Keeping it short and sweet.... my impressions are very high for this game, the demo was very polished and the game is improved highly over last year!

[shogunofharlem3]

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

Played 2k11, loved it. Played 2k12 last night and thought it was good in my short time.

I only played defense in the demo as I wanted to see how the throw meter worked out and some other various things.

Looked pretty smooth to me. Meter is pretty cool how it changed and it is tough to hit that green. Pretty cool.

Pitching is good, as usual.

Fielding looked super slick at some points and then I had a few moments where my outfielders went into super speed to catch the ball, total opposite of the slow motion effect in last few years game. Overall, was happy with the fielding.

2 things got me though.

1. coulnd't figure out how to cancel a throw, I could reroute it but not cancel it. I'm sure if I kept playing I'd find that input.

2. This is a big one for me. It seems you still have to throw to either the cut off man OR to a base. You can't seem to throw to a base and have it get cut. That irks me!

All in all, very pleased to see 2k12 get smoothed out.

[bonannogiovanni]

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

Played only two innings, but my impressions are on the same wavelength as the majority in this thread: a few noticeable upgrades but almost the same game as last year.

What stands out to me are:
- the graphics, jaggies and 2d crowds have been toned down drastically,
- animations, both in batting and fielding, pitching seems tha same to me
- hit variety, foul balls are possible without using the horrible defensive swing

Had this been 2K10 I'd be enthusiastic of this installment.

To those who practised with check swing, is it better than last year where it was impossible to execute?

[Money99]

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

Played a few games (about 10 innings total).
- Noticed a throwing error that pulled my 1B off the bag.
- Pitching is still really fun.
- hitting is tough. I stink at games, I know that. But I found that if I pulled the ball it was always foul. I think in the 10 innings I played only pulled 3 or 4 total balls that were in fair territory. Only 1 landed safely. Almost all my fair balls were hit up the middle.
I would definitely have to make the pitch speed slower to get accustomed to the proper timing.
- no homers from either myself or CPU.
- a few weird animations. One was a player running out a ground ball but as soon as I was thrown out, the player immediately stopped like he hit an invisible wall. Stuff like that. I'm hoping it's just because it's a demo though.

Overall, I liked what I played. I would have loved commentary, but it is what it is.

[kpkpkp]

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

YES!! THEY FIXED CHECK SWINGS!!

In last years game check swings were bugged. More specifically it was the umpire calling check swings that was bugged... they would always call a strike on you even if you held up on a ball outside the zone. This effectively rendered check swings useless.

The FIRST thing I did in the demo was check my swing over and over, and sure enough its finally fixed. When you hold up on a ball, they correctly appeal to the 1st base coach and he makes the call.

Aaaaanyways.. my impressions:

PROS
-Check swings work! A baseball game with check swings! Who woulda thunk it??
-Less jaggies on player model edges. Though shadows still look jagged.
-I like the new pitch system where over using certain pitches has drawbacks.
-I noticed a couple of the new catcher animations which is nice.
-I had a nice variety of hits.
-Base running being more rounded looks much better.
-I did not see hardly any vacuum gloves on infield liners. Except a little bit when one hit to my 2nd baseman came at him fast, he dove and the ball sorta magically got sucked into his glove, but it was incredibly minor.
-There are much less 2D fans in the stands. Paper thin fans always looked so dumb.. more of the fans are 3D models which makes it look so much better.

CONS
-I still saw some stuttering when I hit foul balls like lat year. I guess this isnt the end of the world cuz I NEVER saw it on balls in play. And usually a foul is headed to the stands so its not like you're going to make a play anyways. If you are going to make a play its usually on a foul ball popped up high giving you plenty of time to get under it.. so occasional stutter on fouls is a non-issue for me.
-Shadows on player models still look jagged.


All in all I'll probably buy it. But with all the bugs in years past I wont buy it right away. Check swings working is huge for me... but the other bugs in franchise mode ruined 2K9 2K10 and 2K11 for me. I will wait to buy... I wont be burned again on a bug filled product. I'll wait untill after the first patch and then decide. Skyrim keeps me plenty busy in the mean time.

[Blazzen]

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

I've played 6 innings and overall its better than I thought it was going to be. It's a more polished version of 2k11. I saw a lot of the things already mentioned in this thread, nothing really to add. Still on the fence about buying it.