Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

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  • rog152
    Rookie
    • Feb 2003
    • 68

    #1

    Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

    i have both all star and MVP and wanted your opinion on a few questions. After enjoying all those features in All Star such as --mound visits, int walks, pitch history,pitcher warm-up, etc. does that take anything away from MVP. I really enjoy the on the field gameplay but i puching buttions just to see if i can find something hidden. Have you had a chance to check out the franchise mode? i really like what EA did with this feature-how about you. having a clear idea of what is expected of you makes me feel like i have set goals to meet or i gone.
  • Dick_Smalls
    Pro
    • Jul 2002
    • 902

    #2
    Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

    I'll try to answer your question as best I can based on just a few franchise games;

    Firstly, I dont see MVP or ASB 2004 as direct threats to each other mainly because they each are very different in mnay ways. They almost compliment each other because their focus is on baseball is a bit different. ASB seems to play a smarter deeper game of baseball with a much deeper franchise mode. The essence of the game is better captured for the player who wants to have the complete baseball experience in terms of building a franchise, watching and aiding players develop thru the 'system'. Being a saavy off the field manager in the way you run and build your team is heavily stressed in ASB. Also alot of the nuances of the sport seem to be more realisitcally captured in ASB 2004.

    However, MVP seems to strive on creating a fun and immersive experience for players who want the actual adrenalin and realism of actually putting a bat in their hands or taking to the mound and facing some of the realistic challenges that a big league pitcher or batter must face on the field. To a very large degree, I think they really captured this feel without making the task overly complicated for the user. The total control pitching system really adds a new dimension to the game that almost seems as if this system should be the standard for all games to follow going forward. The batting experience is also very rewarding but yet streamlined and maintains simplicity in it's execution allowing the user to focus on the aspect of timing and going with the pitch and driving it. The challenge is there because of the realism in the pitch velocities and the way in which the cpu pitchers seem to try to set you up. However, I still feel that I need to have more time with the game to completely base a final conclusion because I fear that the batting system 'could' get a bit too easy over time....altho, Im not sure at this point.

    The franchise aspect of this game is just too early for me to draw any real solid conclusions, I have only played a few games. However, there are some really innovative features in this area as well that make you smile and say...that's a really cool idea. Such as the amount of prestige or importance each game has. Also the manager goals are another area that seems to really add a nice twist to the whole CAREER mode. Despite alot of these little enhancements, the end result on whether or not your going to really enjoy all of this comes down to how the game actually pulls all this stuff together and creates an immersive experience that sucks you into wanting to keep playing the game. As for me, I like to see realism and attention to detail in my baseball games, Most importantly, I like to see the relationships and results of my decisions have an impact in changing the course of the game. " Do I pull my pitcher who is pitching a solid game to try and put someone at the plate who can get that runner home from third? " , Do I take out my RF who is 2 for 2 late in a close game for some extra defensive insurance?" ect, ect. These are the things I enjoy most about baseball. It's too early to say wether or not MVP can deliver on that level but the game, despite some of my concerned impressions, is fun to actually PLAY and that's also what video games are for too....So it really comes down to what your priorities are in a baseball game.

    If there really were any 2 games that I felt BEST complimented each other and were worth owning to give you 2 extremes of the sport, I would say ASB 2004 and MVP were the ones.

    Does this help at all?....If not, I'll try to give more impressions

    Comment

    • Dick_Smalls
      Pro
      • Jul 2002
      • 902

      #3
      Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

      I'll try to answer your question as best I can based on just a few franchise games;

      Firstly, I dont see MVP or ASB 2004 as direct threats to each other mainly because they each are very different in mnay ways. They almost compliment each other because their focus is on baseball is a bit different. ASB seems to play a smarter deeper game of baseball with a much deeper franchise mode. The essence of the game is better captured for the player who wants to have the complete baseball experience in terms of building a franchise, watching and aiding players develop thru the 'system'. Being a saavy off the field manager in the way you run and build your team is heavily stressed in ASB. Also alot of the nuances of the sport seem to be more realisitcally captured in ASB 2004.

      However, MVP seems to strive on creating a fun and immersive experience for players who want the actual adrenalin and realism of actually putting a bat in their hands or taking to the mound and facing some of the realistic challenges that a big league pitcher or batter must face on the field. To a very large degree, I think they really captured this feel without making the task overly complicated for the user. The total control pitching system really adds a new dimension to the game that almost seems as if this system should be the standard for all games to follow going forward. The batting experience is also very rewarding but yet streamlined and maintains simplicity in it's execution allowing the user to focus on the aspect of timing and going with the pitch and driving it. The challenge is there because of the realism in the pitch velocities and the way in which the cpu pitchers seem to try to set you up. However, I still feel that I need to have more time with the game to completely base a final conclusion because I fear that the batting system 'could' get a bit too easy over time....altho, Im not sure at this point.

      The franchise aspect of this game is just too early for me to draw any real solid conclusions, I have only played a few games. However, there are some really innovative features in this area as well that make you smile and say...that's a really cool idea. Such as the amount of prestige or importance each game has. Also the manager goals are another area that seems to really add a nice twist to the whole CAREER mode. Despite alot of these little enhancements, the end result on whether or not your going to really enjoy all of this comes down to how the game actually pulls all this stuff together and creates an immersive experience that sucks you into wanting to keep playing the game. As for me, I like to see realism and attention to detail in my baseball games, Most importantly, I like to see the relationships and results of my decisions have an impact in changing the course of the game. " Do I pull my pitcher who is pitching a solid game to try and put someone at the plate who can get that runner home from third? " , Do I take out my RF who is 2 for 2 late in a close game for some extra defensive insurance?" ect, ect. These are the things I enjoy most about baseball. It's too early to say wether or not MVP can deliver on that level but the game, despite some of my concerned impressions, is fun to actually PLAY and that's also what video games are for too....So it really comes down to what your priorities are in a baseball game.

      If there really were any 2 games that I felt BEST complimented each other and were worth owning to give you 2 extremes of the sport, I would say ASB 2004 and MVP were the ones.

      Does this help at all?....If not, I'll try to give more impressions

      Comment

      • rog152
        Rookie
        • Feb 2003
        • 68

        #4
        Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

        thank you for your quick reply, from reading your many post here on this site, it seems you are enjoying both of these games as am i, question-the batting in MVP, does it lean more towards the "easy mode" or "zone mode" of All Star. i am getting a little confuse switching between the two games. i'm i right here are not-MVP batting is a combo of the "Easy and Zone mode" in All star. with MVP i can time swing like easy mode but here is where i get a little confuse. in the swinging. with All star the swing is done to try and reach the ball whereever it might be headed-but in MVP swinging is only to decide what happens after the ball is hit(similar to cursur battling with the tilt. Am i on the right track. thanks

        Comment

        • rog152
          Rookie
          • Feb 2003
          • 68

          #5
          Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

          thank you for your quick reply, from reading your many post here on this site, it seems you are enjoying both of these games as am i, question-the batting in MVP, does it lean more towards the "easy mode" or "zone mode" of All Star. i am getting a little confuse switching between the two games. i'm i right here are not-MVP batting is a combo of the "Easy and Zone mode" in All star. with MVP i can time swing like easy mode but here is where i get a little confuse. in the swinging. with All star the swing is done to try and reach the ball whereever it might be headed-but in MVP swinging is only to decide what happens after the ball is hit(similar to cursur battling with the tilt. Am i on the right track. thanks

          Comment

          • Dick_Smalls
            Pro
            • Jul 2002
            • 902

            #6
            Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

            Rog...Im not really sure about what your asking however, I'll try to answer it this way; MVP's batting would lie somewhere in between ASB's EASY batting and Zone batting system. In MVP, you really dont need to pick a zone in the strikezone to make contact......it's really all about timing alone. Picking a zone will just allow you more control of the type of swing you put on the ball but it's not mandatory from what I've experienced.....I could be wrong tho.
            From what I have seen, any pitch that is in the strike zone is hittable if timed right with just a button press. HOWEVER, pushing in a direction with the 'stick' will have an impact on the way in which your bat hits the ball in MVP. It strives to simulate swinging your bat high, low, outside, inside thru the strike zone to put better placement of the ball the way a real hitter would take his swing to drive the ball or go with the pitch. This aspect would slightly resemble the Zone based system in ASB.

            Basically it's a combination of both systems in ASB. if you simply press the swing button with no stick direction pushing, it will resemble the EASY batting system of ASB. If you swing the bat with a direction push it will 'slightly' resemble the Zone batting system of ASB but if your really looking for a better example of MVP's hitting system, High Heat's batting is a closer match.

            Comment

            • Dick_Smalls
              Pro
              • Jul 2002
              • 902

              #7
              Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

              Rog...Im not really sure about what your asking however, I'll try to answer it this way; MVP's batting would lie somewhere in between ASB's EASY batting and Zone batting system. In MVP, you really dont need to pick a zone in the strikezone to make contact......it's really all about timing alone. Picking a zone will just allow you more control of the type of swing you put on the ball but it's not mandatory from what I've experienced.....I could be wrong tho.
              From what I have seen, any pitch that is in the strike zone is hittable if timed right with just a button press. HOWEVER, pushing in a direction with the 'stick' will have an impact on the way in which your bat hits the ball in MVP. It strives to simulate swinging your bat high, low, outside, inside thru the strike zone to put better placement of the ball the way a real hitter would take his swing to drive the ball or go with the pitch. This aspect would slightly resemble the Zone based system in ASB.

              Basically it's a combination of both systems in ASB. if you simply press the swing button with no stick direction pushing, it will resemble the EASY batting system of ASB. If you swing the bat with a direction push it will 'slightly' resemble the Zone batting system of ASB but if your really looking for a better example of MVP's hitting system, High Heat's batting is a closer match.

              Comment

              • rog152
                Rookie
                • Feb 2003
                • 68

                #8
                Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                thanks- you got a good idea of what i was asking, man MVP moves very fast, i really love the pitching-when you make a mistake you know it. also did you get WSB and if so what is you opinion. which team will you be running in franchise with MVP. me, i will be taking all the Calif. team starting with the Angels.

                Comment

                • rog152
                  Rookie
                  • Feb 2003
                  • 68

                  #9
                  Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                  thanks- you got a good idea of what i was asking, man MVP moves very fast, i really love the pitching-when you make a mistake you know it. also did you get WSB and if so what is you opinion. which team will you be running in franchise with MVP. me, i will be taking all the Calif. team starting with the Angels.

                  Comment

                  • Dick_Smalls
                    Pro
                    • Jul 2002
                    • 902

                    #10
                    Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                    I didnt really like WSB last year because I felt it played to thin a game of baseball plus there were alot of flaws in the pitching engine.....I havent gotten this year's version, but I did get to play a full inning of it when I went to pick up MVP at EBGames and I wasnt too impressed with the gameplay. Im not saying that it wasnt good it's just that I wasnt feeling the game. The cursor batting system it uses is very responsive but I was turned off simply by the fact that the batters swings felt very rubberband like and there was no smooth transition when you wanted to take practice timing swings before a pitch... the game would simply just reset the animation abrubtly back to the beginning of the batters swing with no transistion whatsoever.....I hit a few balls around also and The outfielder throws seemed very loopy....I just wasnt getting sucked into it...however the graphics were much cripser and more colorful then any baseball game I have seen.....But I just cant give you enough info on this title because I havent given it a serious amount of play.

                    Comment

                    • Dick_Smalls
                      Pro
                      • Jul 2002
                      • 902

                      #11
                      Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                      I didnt really like WSB last year because I felt it played to thin a game of baseball plus there were alot of flaws in the pitching engine.....I havent gotten this year's version, but I did get to play a full inning of it when I went to pick up MVP at EBGames and I wasnt too impressed with the gameplay. Im not saying that it wasnt good it's just that I wasnt feeling the game. The cursor batting system it uses is very responsive but I was turned off simply by the fact that the batters swings felt very rubberband like and there was no smooth transition when you wanted to take practice timing swings before a pitch... the game would simply just reset the animation abrubtly back to the beginning of the batters swing with no transistion whatsoever.....I hit a few balls around also and The outfielder throws seemed very loopy....I just wasnt getting sucked into it...however the graphics were much cripser and more colorful then any baseball game I have seen.....But I just cant give you enough info on this title because I havent given it a serious amount of play.

                      Comment

                      • GTheorenHobbes
                        Banned
                        • Jul 2002
                        • 2572

                        #12
                        Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                        Thanks for the impressions, Dick. It's got its flaws, but I thought ASB was the best baseball game out last year and I've really enjoyed the time that I've put into this year's version, but will be picking up WSB or MVP this weekend. (Been a crazy week at work). Anyways, I didn't care for last year's WSB (actually preferred the much criticized WSB2k1 for the DC to last year's XBox version) and am disappointed to read your comments on the pre-swing animation issue from your brief time with the game. Can you comment on how the pre-swing animation compares in MVP? Thanks!

                        Comment

                        • GTheorenHobbes
                          Banned
                          • Jul 2002
                          • 2572

                          #13
                          Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                          Thanks for the impressions, Dick. It's got its flaws, but I thought ASB was the best baseball game out last year and I've really enjoyed the time that I've put into this year's version, but will be picking up WSB or MVP this weekend. (Been a crazy week at work). Anyways, I didn't care for last year's WSB (actually preferred the much criticized WSB2k1 for the DC to last year's XBox version) and am disappointed to read your comments on the pre-swing animation issue from your brief time with the game. Can you comment on how the pre-swing animation compares in MVP? Thanks!

                          Comment

                          • Dick_Smalls
                            Pro
                            • Jul 2002
                            • 902

                            #14
                            Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                            GTheoren, One of my small gripes in MVP is there really is no preswing timing swing in the game....if you press the swing button before a pitch, your batter defaults to a full cut swing which could actually leave you helpless if the pitcher engages in his windup.....While your waiting for the animation of your full swing to end, you might not be able to get set quick enough to be ready for the incoming pitch. I think ASB and maybe High Heat? are the only games that allow you to take realistic timing swings at bat. Sure this may seem like an insignifigant thing...but not any more insignifigant than some of the things I see people around here complain about....For me this is a very realistic portion of the game that gets me set before each at bat....it psychologically gets my timing prepared before a pitch. However, no big deal.

                            Comment

                            • Dick_Smalls
                              Pro
                              • Jul 2002
                              • 902

                              #15
                              Re: Dick__Smalls--some questions to you

                              GTheoren, One of my small gripes in MVP is there really is no preswing timing swing in the game....if you press the swing button before a pitch, your batter defaults to a full cut swing which could actually leave you helpless if the pitcher engages in his windup.....While your waiting for the animation of your full swing to end, you might not be able to get set quick enough to be ready for the incoming pitch. I think ASB and maybe High Heat? are the only games that allow you to take realistic timing swings at bat. Sure this may seem like an insignifigant thing...but not any more insignifigant than some of the things I see people around here complain about....For me this is a very realistic portion of the game that gets me set before each at bat....it psychologically gets my timing prepared before a pitch. However, no big deal.

                              Comment

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