MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

[dodgerblue]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

The one area I have to compliment 2k on is hit variety. I am seeing lots of different hit types and plenty of doubles. Statistically speaking there should be lots of doubles and I'm seeing them in the alleys, over guys heads and down the lines.

[BigBlue]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

Let me begin by stating that I enjoyed last year's game very much. In fact, my buds and I played it right up until the release of 2k12.

While some of the enhancements are noticeable right away, some changes leave me shaking my head and asking the simple question: Why?

I love the new layout, the presentation, lighting aspect, pitch rating changes, new fielding throwing meters, check swings coming back. The game does have a smoother playing experience after the release day patch. So I haven't seen any framerate issues.

Here's a short laundry list of head-shaking items:

- I am not a fan of the new base running animations. I want what was in 2k11. Bring back the head down, busting out of the batter's box down the first base line on an infielder grounder running style back. I don't like the runner looking up at the sky upright style incorporated in the game this year. I also want to see it on stolen base attempts, etc. I do like the rounding of the bag, but I shouldn't see it on infield grounders. I'm seeing too often the batter running down the line as if trying to beat out an infield grounder on hits to the outfield. 2k needs to clean this up.

- I'm still seeing base runners retreating to their base on sure base hits and especially with two outs. This was also in the game last year and I was hopeful that it would be corrected this year. With two outs, I want to see the head down full out sprint regardless of the situation. Let me be the one to send him back if necessary.

- I saw a grounder hit to the right of the first baseman and the pitcher not react to cover first base. Needless to say, the runner was safe. Hoping it was a one time occurrence.

- I liked last year's home run trot better. Not liking the new upright, look to the sky style. Not every player runs the same. Too bad that you couldn't incorporate different styles to groups of players. That would've fixed it for sure if it was editable.

- I have always hated seeing a position player take the mound to start the next half of the inning after he pinch hits for the pitcher. This has been in the series for years and I was hoping that it would've been cleaned up. Very lazy of 2k not to have addressed this.

- I was hoping to see less quirky hitches between animation transitions. I still see goofy animations from time to time. Example, a human controlled outfielder lazily tracking a fly ball. If you move too far away from the landing circle, his arm juts out behind him to make the awkward catch.

2k12 would have been a tremendous step forward, if only the minor changes mentioned above were made. Why some areas were given so much attention (and not necessarily improvements) leaves me hoping that a patch would give me the complete baseball gaming experience I have been wishing for. Because, let's be honest, this could very well be the last patch that 2k releases. And if that's the case, why not go out with a bang, 2k?

BigBlue

[Cavicchi]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

If playing exhibition games means anything, I am seeing way too many errors on both sides, CPU and User with auto fielding. Sliders are at default so that is not a factor. Kemp is dropping fly balls hit right to him, Brandon Phillips is making 2 throwing errors in a game, and Jose Reyes looks like an amateur with all his throwing errors. Otherwise I've enjoyed the game, though I am not a fan of the new pitch system where they change color...

[Radja]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

- I'm still seeing base runners retreating to their base on sure base hits and especially with two outs. This was also in the game last year and I was hopeful that it would be corrected this year. With two outs, I want to see the head down full out sprint regardless of the situation. Let me be the one to send him back if necessary.
BigBlue

this cost me in a 12 inning game last night. it was a hit to left with runners on first and second. only one out though.

[tmac55]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

I have had the game since release day and have played about 10 full games in MLB today for fun.

Pros:
Pitching
Commentary
Hit variety
Lighting/Shadows
Presentation
Improved player models/managers and equipment/accessories
Sim results in a mock season I checked out for fun, were passable compared to 2k11 (Tigers vs phillies in WS, Tigers won) e.g. lots of guys over 30 HRs with 100 + RBIs, accruate batting AVG

Cons
Framerate!! Even tried some custom cams people suggested on here and the chopping always returns. In 2012, a sports game should not be suffering like this
Animations are garbage.. especially baserunning
In general, like most 2K sports games, the graphics suffer immensely.

I think the 7.0 IGN gave the game is about where I stand at the moment. It's a fun and very realistic experience gameplay wise (which 2K usually does well); however, for a game in 2012, the graphics are severely lacking and when you combine this with the framerate, it takes away from what is a good game under the hood. I basically feel like i am settling for this because sadly it is our only option on 360.

[Altimus]

How is this for PC? After promotions I can get it for $9.99 on Amazon downloads.

Sent from my HTC EVO

[spacefunk]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

I haven't played a baseball game on the 360 until now so a lot of stuff is new to me. The choppiness doesn't really bother me. I've been blown away by the commentary! The lack of throwback unis is disappointing. Especially when they had so many back in the PS2/Xbox days. It's hard to judge gameplay when you are using the Pirates. I need to find a balance between realism and fun. Which means winning more than the real Pirates. PNC Park looks great but Downtown Pittsburgh doesn't. About 2 or 3 buildings there don't exist IRL. But overall I'm enjoying it. Best presentation I've seen in a sports game. I'd give it a 7.5.

[Romain El 82]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

I haven't played a baseball game on the 360 until now so a lot of stuff is new to me. The choppiness doesn't really bother me. I've been blown away by the commentary! The lack of throwback unis is disappointing. Especially when they had so many back in the PS2/Xbox days. It's hard to judge gameplay when you are using the Pirates. I need to find a balance between realism and fun. Which means winning more than the real Pirates. PNC Park looks great but Downtown Pittsburgh doesn't. About 2 or 3 buildings there don't exist IRL. But overall I'm enjoying it. Best presentation I've seen in a sports game. I'd give it a 7.5.

I've struggling with that as well, especially on the hitting side. It's difficult to find a balance between being able to hit and hitting too much. And McCutchen can't hit well for me, for some reason. I don't want to stoop to the level of editing players buuuuut...

[Money99]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

Rented 2K12 this weekend and I can't put it down.

In 2K I love how I have individual defensive ratings for all different positions. I also love fielding fly balls is different between fielders.
I put Brandon Inge at 2B and in his first game he overthrew an easy flip to Peralta and then pulled Fielder way off the bag on his next play.
I checked his ratings and he's a 25 at 2B, hahaha! So I changed that and he's been rock-solid every since (1-3 with a triple and 2 RBI's last game - INGE baby!).

I absolutely love playing with classic hitting. I'm seeing a lot of hit variety. I may have to increase the power settings though. Not sure yet.
I've only hit one-bomb (with Cabrera) in 3 games.
The CPU seems to have no problems with it though. In my game against the Yanks, I lost 3-1 and all of their runs were by HR; Granderson, A-Rod and some other lefty hitter I've never heard of). Both Granderson and other lefty took advantage of the short-porch in RF.
A-Rod destroyed my pitch for a deep bomb into left-center.

I may also have to increase difficulty for pitching. Fister got 25 straight outs before the Jays finally got to him. And boy did they ever when they did.
Thanks to a Peralta error, I got the bases loaded and hung a 2-seamer over the plate against Bautista. BIG mistake. He crushed it into the left-field stands for the grand salami.

One thing I've also noticed is that you can absolutely pull outside pitches. All of the HR's I've seen thus far have been pulled pitches and on half of them they were on the outside of the plate. Awesome to see.

The game has issues, no doubt; Fielder tagged a guy while running to 1B and he rolled off of Fielder without getting the out.
I stole 2B and Escobar didn't cover the bag.
The color's are also off. What's odd is that the Tigers stripe on the pants is the perfect dark shade of blue, but the hats and undershirts are a light brighter. What's up with dat?

All in all though, after 3+ games I'm having a LOT of fun with 2K12.
I've played both games and I like the gameplay a lot more than the other.
If 2K12 was as polished as their competition it's not even close IMO - this game would be a 10.
But how many times have we said that about a 2K game, haha.
With some of the issues the game does have, I think 8/10 is probably fair. Maybe 8.5/10.

I really hope 2K continues to make baseball games. I fear that we'll never see that polished product we all want until the next-gen boxes come out and VC is allowed to build their own engine from the ground up.
VC inherited a lot of the bad but they've certainly improved this game with their short time with it.

I'm going to try some My Player this afternoon. I love those modes.

I've struggling with that as well, especially on the hitting side. It's difficult to find a balance between being able to hit and hitting too much. And McCutchen can't hit well for me, for some reason. I don't want to stoop to the level of editing players buuuuut...

I find I hit worse with my better players as well, but I think it's because I squeeze the controller a little too hard when they're up to bat, haha.
When Cabrera or Prince step to the plate, I want to hit a bomb so bad that I'm not patient enough at the plate.
I'm getting better though. My last game Miggy went 2-4 with a deep double and Fielder went 4-4 with 3 singles and a double.

EDIT: Everything on default sliders with classic hitting and time-hitting selected.

[Radja]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

Hrs come in bunches, money, and i think ratings really come into play here also. i had zero on 6 or 7 games with analog hitting, but with classic i started getting HR's. but it was on mistake pitches or against guys who will give up HR's.

playing the top pitchers, there were times i just knew i was going to hit it out, but i ened up with deep fly balls or less. the top dogs are hard to hit solid.

so far i have had a blowout and several close games. i have rocked the starter but then got shut out be the pen and vice versa.

the other thing is the dynamic ratings. right now, a few of my guys cannot buy a hit and others are hittnig over 300. zack cozart is hitting over .500 for me in 5 games. scott rolen is under .100. it will all balance out in the end, but rolen is killing me right now.

[Cavicchi]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

I started a franchise and played two games, so this is kind of premature for impressions. I really enjoyed playing, and of course, great commentary. The one thing I miss is knowing what kind of pitch I hit, type, speed, and location.

As long as the game doesn't have freezing issues, I will be very happy!

The biggest concern for me so far is how fast CPU OFs run around catching fly balls. Anyway, at this point, I am glad I made the purchase even though I have another baseball game.

[Money99]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

Hrs come in bunches, money, and i think ratings really come into play here also. i had zero on 6 or 7 games with analog hitting, but with classic i started getting HR's. but it was on mistake pitches or against guys who will give up HR's.

playing the top pitchers, there were times i just knew i was going to hit it out, but i ened up with deep fly balls or less. the top dogs are hard to hit solid.

so far i have had a blowout and several close games. i have rocked the starter but then got shut out be the pen and vice versa.

the other thing is the dynamic ratings. right now, a few of my guys cannot buy a hit and others are hittnig over 300. zack cozart is hitting over .500 for me in 5 games. scott rolen is under .100. it will all balance out in the end, but rolen is killing me right now.

That's good to hear. I just lost a 4-2 game to the Rangers where not one run was scored via HR. It was nice though. I liked the variety in hitting and the organic feel of the game.
I would have scored 1 more run if not for my horrible running skills. I want to press the right-stick for sliding and LS for running, haha.
Still having a blast.
I might start a franchise tonight. I've got both games in my house (my brother lent me his PS3) and I've played the other one once. But I can't put 2K down.

[Artman22]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

After playing this game for 2days straight, I'd give it a 7. The gameplay is ok, but the Graphics are really bad. Horrible color palate and franchise mode seems unchanged. This game plays a fun game of baseball and the commentating is great. Some of the animations feel a lot better then before, but some still look like they need some work. If 2K had more man power on this game it could be great, but it seems like 2k doesn't put too much importance on this title and because of that this game suffers. I wonder what's going to happen next year with the 3rd party license...

[Cavicchi]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

Well, I played 2 more franchise games, 4 in total, and I'm not liking a few things:

Jose Reyes has made 5 errors in 4 games. From 12 Total Chances he made 5 errors! Fielding percentage for Reyes is .583

Energy levels seem to reduce more for my players. After 3 games let's compare the following players:

Padres: Venable Durability 82 Energy 91

Alonso Durability 85 Energy 91

Hudson Durability 78 Energy 91

Bartlett Durability 84 Energy 91

Headley Durability 84 Energy 91

Quentin Durability 78 Energy 91

Maybin Durability 83 Energy 93

Dodgers

Kemp Durability 98 Energy 88

Ethier Durability 84 Energy 85

At this point, I see no reason to continue with player fatigue on because it doesn't work right, at least not to me.

As for Reyes, I don't think the Marlins shelled out all that money for a guy who can't field ground balls, or make throws to first base.

Also, there must be lots of pitchers in the majors according to this game who throw a circle change, but not Kershaw. Wikipedia has Kershaw with a circle change, and I've seen that in other places. Anyway, I still like the game but it could have been much better.

One last thing, I have warming up pitchers turned off and get a message about my starter being warmed up and later getting cold in the pen.

[jmalone11]

Re: MLB 2k12 - Impressions Thread (PS3/X360)

I'm impressed with the game for the most part, but I have found a few glitches that they haven't fixed from previous years. You still get the players at 1B running through each other, the terrible wall scaling catches, etc. I'm hoping if they're going to remain the licensee for the game, they fix it, or pass it along to someone who will...