What's Different?

[e0820]

Re: What\'s Different?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Volman said:
wtf is a saturn ? Maybe you should try a more up to date version of the game?

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[Brando70]

Re: What\'s Different?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
rman said:
It seems that a few are praising this game as if was a new baseball game from Sega, but in the time I had the game I saw very little change and felt that it was last years version with online play. Sure they added a few things, but nothing to raise an eye brow over. I keep hearing that the games has TONS of new game play. Now that a week or so has passed since many of you got the game...what is new and what stands out? What makes you want to spend $40 to play this game? Is it not last years game with a new cover? No flaming please, just info...thanks!

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On the surface, not much has changed at all. But beneath the hood, as some others have pointed out:

--True aim batting, which is the best batting system IMHO.
--Greater variety of hits, especially if you use the Classic one-button method.
--Much beter variability in CPU and human pitching. It was not easy to draw walks realistically last year, this year you can. Plus, you really have to pitch the corners this year, so it's easier to throw walks.
--Sliders are easier more responsive.
--No steal bug, plus stealing is better implemented.
--Injuries are more realistically implemented, no more act of God arm injuries on players not throwing.
--Gamecast. I can't get through a season without simming, and this really makes me feel more involved when doing that.

I played WSB 2k3 last year and enjoyed it for a few weeks before becoming bored. ESPN has been crack, I can't stop playing it. The gameplay is definitely more realistic, and that's the biggest and most important change of all.

[Brando70]

Re: What\'s Different?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
rman said:
It seems that a few are praising this game as if was a new baseball game from Sega, but in the time I had the game I saw very little change and felt that it was last years version with online play. Sure they added a few things, but nothing to raise an eye brow over. I keep hearing that the games has TONS of new game play. Now that a week or so has passed since many of you got the game...what is new and what stands out? What makes you want to spend $40 to play this game? Is it not last years game with a new cover? No flaming please, just info...thanks!

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

On the surface, not much has changed at all. But beneath the hood, as some others have pointed out:

--True aim batting, which is the best batting system IMHO.
--Greater variety of hits, especially if you use the Classic one-button method.
--Much beter variability in CPU and human pitching. It was not easy to draw walks realistically last year, this year you can. Plus, you really have to pitch the corners this year, so it's easier to throw walks.
--Sliders are easier more responsive.
--No steal bug, plus stealing is better implemented.
--Injuries are more realistically implemented, no more act of God arm injuries on players not throwing.
--Gamecast. I can't get through a season without simming, and this really makes me feel more involved when doing that.

I played WSB 2k3 last year and enjoyed it for a few weeks before becoming bored. ESPN has been crack, I can't stop playing it. The gameplay is definitely more realistic, and that's the biggest and most important change of all.

[Brando70]

Re: What\'s Different?

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
rman said:
It seems that a few are praising this game as if was a new baseball game from Sega, but in the time I had the game I saw very little change and felt that it was last years version with online play. Sure they added a few things, but nothing to raise an eye brow over. I keep hearing that the games has TONS of new game play. Now that a week or so has passed since many of you got the game...what is new and what stands out? What makes you want to spend $40 to play this game? Is it not last years game with a new cover? No flaming please, just info...thanks!

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

On the surface, not much has changed at all. But beneath the hood, as some others have pointed out:

--True aim batting, which is the best batting system IMHO.
--Greater variety of hits, especially if you use the Classic one-button method.
--Much beter variability in CPU and human pitching. It was not easy to draw walks realistically last year, this year you can. Plus, you really have to pitch the corners this year, so it's easier to throw walks.
--Sliders are easier more responsive.
--No steal bug, plus stealing is better implemented.
--Injuries are more realistically implemented, no more act of God arm injuries on players not throwing.
--Gamecast. I can't get through a season without simming, and this really makes me feel more involved when doing that.

I played WSB 2k3 last year and enjoyed it for a few weeks before becoming bored. ESPN has been crack, I can't stop playing it. The gameplay is definitely more realistic, and that's the biggest and most important change of all.

[Anaxamander]

Re: What\'s Different?

Honestly, I can't fathom how people think this game isn't an improvement over last year--then some people think it's actually worse!

Wow. I could never go back to playing WSB 2K3. There are MANY reasons why I think ESPN is better. Here they are.

I enjoyed it last year, but the batter interface was so boring that I never finished my season. I hate cursors, so I used Timed last year, which was rather boring and too easy.

This year, True Aim is working out great for me so far, and the pitching allows randomness, even moreso than last year.

The CPU will walk you. I cannot stress enough how important this is. I was playing a game the other day and I drew so many walks that I thought about adjusting sliders, but then I looked at the box score I realized I had 9 BBs... which is not uncommon. This would never happen in MVP.

The stealing bug is fixed.

The bat connects with the ball.

I still love the ESPN behind the pitcher view.

Jon Miller is awesome.

You can play/watch CPU games in franchise.

I just love it. I found my baseball game this year. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Anaxamander]

Re: What\'s Different?

Honestly, I can't fathom how people think this game isn't an improvement over last year--then some people think it's actually worse!

Wow. I could never go back to playing WSB 2K3. There are MANY reasons why I think ESPN is better. Here they are.

I enjoyed it last year, but the batter interface was so boring that I never finished my season. I hate cursors, so I used Timed last year, which was rather boring and too easy.

This year, True Aim is working out great for me so far, and the pitching allows randomness, even moreso than last year.

The CPU will walk you. I cannot stress enough how important this is. I was playing a game the other day and I drew so many walks that I thought about adjusting sliders, but then I looked at the box score I realized I had 9 BBs... which is not uncommon. This would never happen in MVP.

The stealing bug is fixed.

The bat connects with the ball.

I still love the ESPN behind the pitcher view.

Jon Miller is awesome.

You can play/watch CPU games in franchise.

I just love it. I found my baseball game this year. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Anaxamander]

Re: What\'s Different?

Honestly, I can't fathom how people think this game isn't an improvement over last year--then some people think it's actually worse!

Wow. I could never go back to playing WSB 2K3. There are MANY reasons why I think ESPN is better. Here they are.

I enjoyed it last year, but the batter interface was so boring that I never finished my season. I hate cursors, so I used Timed last year, which was rather boring and too easy.

This year, True Aim is working out great for me so far, and the pitching allows randomness, even moreso than last year.

The CPU will walk you. I cannot stress enough how important this is. I was playing a game the other day and I drew so many walks that I thought about adjusting sliders, but then I looked at the box score I realized I had 9 BBs... which is not uncommon. This would never happen in MVP.

The stealing bug is fixed.

The bat connects with the ball.

I still love the ESPN behind the pitcher view.

Jon Miller is awesome.

You can play/watch CPU games in franchise.

I just love it. I found my baseball game this year. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[jujuhound]

Re: What\'s Different?

For me, the biggest three changes that saved ESPN for me were:
(1) making the outfields bigger - now if I pull a ball down the line or hit a hard shot over a fielder, it is a double rather than being cut off or caught every time.

(2) more walks - both me and the CPU. If you are not giving up walks, turn the skill slider up and you will have to.

(3) True Aim Batting - best option out there; very good implementation of zone-like hitting.

I wasn't even going to consider ESPN this year b/c it looked the same from previews and early reviews. Once I tried it, I knew that was completely false. If you think it is the same, you didn't play it very much or you are not very observant.

[jujuhound]

Re: What\'s Different?

For me, the biggest three changes that saved ESPN for me were:
(1) making the outfields bigger - now if I pull a ball down the line or hit a hard shot over a fielder, it is a double rather than being cut off or caught every time.

(2) more walks - both me and the CPU. If you are not giving up walks, turn the skill slider up and you will have to.

(3) True Aim Batting - best option out there; very good implementation of zone-like hitting.

I wasn't even going to consider ESPN this year b/c it looked the same from previews and early reviews. Once I tried it, I knew that was completely false. If you think it is the same, you didn't play it very much or you are not very observant.

[jujuhound]

Re: What\'s Different?

For me, the biggest three changes that saved ESPN for me were:
(1) making the outfields bigger - now if I pull a ball down the line or hit a hard shot over a fielder, it is a double rather than being cut off or caught every time.

(2) more walks - both me and the CPU. If you are not giving up walks, turn the skill slider up and you will have to.

(3) True Aim Batting - best option out there; very good implementation of zone-like hitting.

I wasn't even going to consider ESPN this year b/c it looked the same from previews and early reviews. Once I tried it, I knew that was completely false. If you think it is the same, you didn't play it very much or you are not very observant.

[SnakeEyez]

Re: What\'s Different?

I just wanted to jump in here with a few questions of my own. Thx in advance for any answers

1) Is the ball still extremely "floaty" off the bat? When I played last year line drives and such seemed to hang in the there before landing in the outfield. I really didn't like that at all...

2) How are the ball physics when a line drive or blooper lands on the outfield grass this year? Last year's game was like bouncing a basketball off concrete, you'd never know it was grass if it wasn't green out there..

3) How are the assortment of batting stances and face graphics? I really disliked seeing 4 or 5 becnh players or relief pitchers with the same face.

4) How smooth are the player movements in the field and on the mound?

thx.

[SnakeEyez]

Re: What\'s Different?

I just wanted to jump in here with a few questions of my own. Thx in advance for any answers

1) Is the ball still extremely "floaty" off the bat? When I played last year line drives and such seemed to hang in the there before landing in the outfield. I really didn't like that at all...

2) How are the ball physics when a line drive or blooper lands on the outfield grass this year? Last year's game was like bouncing a basketball off concrete, you'd never know it was grass if it wasn't green out there..

3) How are the assortment of batting stances and face graphics? I really disliked seeing 4 or 5 becnh players or relief pitchers with the same face.

4) How smooth are the player movements in the field and on the mound?

thx.

[SnakeEyez]

Re: What\'s Different?

I just wanted to jump in here with a few questions of my own. Thx in advance for any answers

1) Is the ball still extremely "floaty" off the bat? When I played last year line drives and such seemed to hang in the there before landing in the outfield. I really didn't like that at all...

2) How are the ball physics when a line drive or blooper lands on the outfield grass this year? Last year's game was like bouncing a basketball off concrete, you'd never know it was grass if it wasn't green out there..

3) How are the assortment of batting stances and face graphics? I really disliked seeing 4 or 5 becnh players or relief pitchers with the same face.

4) How smooth are the player movements in the field and on the mound?

thx.