Torn......

[wildcatchild]

I just can't make my mind up about which game to buy this year. I rented MVP and MLB and will not be buying either.

So it's down to the two I haven't played, ESPN and All-Star.

I've read just about every post on the baseball threads and I still can't make up my mind. I can't rent All-Star b/c it's not out yet, and I don't feel like dropping a bunch of money on it and then find out it sucks.

ESPN seems like it's going to be the same game as last year, which is good and bad. I could live with it, but why do I want to play the exact same game two years running?

Has anybody played ASB? I've heard it's the best out there this year and I've heard it's a plauge.

[Blzer]

Re: Torn......

Look, problem is, ESPN is not the exact same game. It could be the same engine, but that's basically it.

[Blzer]

Re: Torn......

Look, problem is, ESPN is not the exact same game. It could be the same engine, but that's basically it.

[Blzer]

Re: Torn......

Look, problem is, ESPN is not the exact same game. It could be the same engine, but that's basically it.

[wildcatchild]

Re: Torn......

I know it's not the exact same game. I anticipate it will be like ESPN College Hoops---small changes, with many things being corrected, but some things that still need work. The failure to correct the swing animations is just like VC's failure to improve player movement in CH---not a game killer, but head-scratching.

[wildcatchild]

Re: Torn......

I know it's not the exact same game. I anticipate it will be like ESPN College Hoops---small changes, with many things being corrected, but some things that still need work. The failure to correct the swing animations is just like VC's failure to improve player movement in CH---not a game killer, but head-scratching.

[wildcatchild]

Re: Torn......

I know it's not the exact same game. I anticipate it will be like ESPN College Hoops---small changes, with many things being corrected, but some things that still need work. The failure to correct the swing animations is just like VC's failure to improve player movement in CH---not a game killer, but head-scratching.

[mjb2124]

Re: Torn......

I've played ASB. All I can say is that if you like cursor based games, then maybe ASB is for you. If not, I'd steer clear from it. The zone hitting in ASB is very bad IMO.

ASB's franchise is VERY deep and the staiums look very good. The AI is good also.

However, I've found the gameplay to be very bland. Some seem to love it and others seem to hate it. One other issue I had is the vaccuum effect on some grounder (I had Manny Ramirez chasing a ball in the LF gap. I took a bad angle and quickly realized the ball was going to zip past me. However, the ball took a U turn and wound up in my glove). I've seen this type of vaccuum effect in every game I've played - even on line drives that I've hit into the hole that magically appear in the SS's glove.

To be honest, ASB is a game you'll want to rent. It's just one of those games that many like and many dislike...

[mjb2124]

Re: Torn......

I've played ASB. All I can say is that if you like cursor based games, then maybe ASB is for you. If not, I'd steer clear from it. The zone hitting in ASB is very bad IMO.

ASB's franchise is VERY deep and the staiums look very good. The AI is good also.

However, I've found the gameplay to be very bland. Some seem to love it and others seem to hate it. One other issue I had is the vaccuum effect on some grounder (I had Manny Ramirez chasing a ball in the LF gap. I took a bad angle and quickly realized the ball was going to zip past me. However, the ball took a U turn and wound up in my glove). I've seen this type of vaccuum effect in every game I've played - even on line drives that I've hit into the hole that magically appear in the SS's glove.

To be honest, ASB is a game you'll want to rent. It's just one of those games that many like and many dislike...

[mjb2124]

Re: Torn......

I've played ASB. All I can say is that if you like cursor based games, then maybe ASB is for you. If not, I'd steer clear from it. The zone hitting in ASB is very bad IMO.

ASB's franchise is VERY deep and the staiums look very good. The AI is good also.

However, I've found the gameplay to be very bland. Some seem to love it and others seem to hate it. One other issue I had is the vaccuum effect on some grounder (I had Manny Ramirez chasing a ball in the LF gap. I took a bad angle and quickly realized the ball was going to zip past me. However, the ball took a U turn and wound up in my glove). I've seen this type of vaccuum effect in every game I've played - even on line drives that I've hit into the hole that magically appear in the SS's glove.

To be honest, ASB is a game you'll want to rent. It's just one of those games that many like and many dislike...

[Fetter21]

Re: Torn......

To me it seems like ASB is very close to being a very good baseball game. Unfortunately there are just a few things about it that bug me. I don't like the camera you see after hitting the ball, and online there is no way to change it. The other big thing to me is that I very much dislike cursor batting. I'm really hoping ESPN MLB and their non-cursor batting works out great online and that would likely sell me on ESPN over ASB.

[Fetter21]

Re: Torn......

To me it seems like ASB is very close to being a very good baseball game. Unfortunately there are just a few things about it that bug me. I don't like the camera you see after hitting the ball, and online there is no way to change it. The other big thing to me is that I very much dislike cursor batting. I'm really hoping ESPN MLB and their non-cursor batting works out great online and that would likely sell me on ESPN over ASB.

[Fetter21]

Re: Torn......

To me it seems like ASB is very close to being a very good baseball game. Unfortunately there are just a few things about it that bug me. I don't like the camera you see after hitting the ball, and online there is no way to change it. The other big thing to me is that I very much dislike cursor batting. I'm really hoping ESPN MLB and their non-cursor batting works out great online and that would likely sell me on ESPN over ASB.

[Cardot]

Re: Torn......

I really like ASB, but I agree with JoeBoo 100%. Cursor hitting is really the only system that works in ASB, so if you hate cursors, you'll probably hate the game. Also, if you don't like first person view and want to play online, the the game will disappoint you as "Fielder Cam" is the only option online. In 3rd person view you will also have to deal with the crouch and 90 degree bounces in the outfield, so if these things really bug you, then there are better alternatives.

ASB does have the best stadiums with the most details. Working scoreboards (especially cool on the green monster), and imitation ads really add to the atmosphere. It also has the most parks out of any game including Ebbets field. If you really like the little details of baseball, like fans at Wrigley throwing back a visitor HR, then you'll probably get some good replay value.

Most ASB fans (including myself) really like the announcing of Brenneman and Lyons. Other sounds like Jets at Shea stadium are cool too. Custom tracks on Xbox that play in menus and can be assigned to specific players when they come to bat are a nice feature too.

Another unique feature to ASB is generated pitch counts. These speed up game play and create alot more walks than most video baseball games.

No sliders in ASB. You may view that as a good or a bad thing. I usually don't go too deep into franchise mode, but most who do seem to enjoy it quite a bit.

Tough call. I have been alternating WSB and ASB for the last several years. Both have quite a bit to offer. One thing I miss from WSB2k3 is the option for a shorter season. 162 is the only option in ASB. Good luck either way.

[Cardot]

Re: Torn......

I really like ASB, but I agree with JoeBoo 100%. Cursor hitting is really the only system that works in ASB, so if you hate cursors, you'll probably hate the game. Also, if you don't like first person view and want to play online, the the game will disappoint you as "Fielder Cam" is the only option online. In 3rd person view you will also have to deal with the crouch and 90 degree bounces in the outfield, so if these things really bug you, then there are better alternatives.

ASB does have the best stadiums with the most details. Working scoreboards (especially cool on the green monster), and imitation ads really add to the atmosphere. It also has the most parks out of any game including Ebbets field. If you really like the little details of baseball, like fans at Wrigley throwing back a visitor HR, then you'll probably get some good replay value.

Most ASB fans (including myself) really like the announcing of Brenneman and Lyons. Other sounds like Jets at Shea stadium are cool too. Custom tracks on Xbox that play in menus and can be assigned to specific players when they come to bat are a nice feature too.

Another unique feature to ASB is generated pitch counts. These speed up game play and create alot more walks than most video baseball games.

No sliders in ASB. You may view that as a good or a bad thing. I usually don't go too deep into franchise mode, but most who do seem to enjoy it quite a bit.

Tough call. I have been alternating WSB and ASB for the last several years. Both have quite a bit to offer. One thing I miss from WSB2k3 is the option for a shorter season. 162 is the only option in ASB. Good luck either way.