MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

[RaychelSnr]

Chase Becotte: Every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in.

Most of my initial thoughts about MLB 2K11 can be found in the preview I wrote a couple days ago, but this demo basically serves to cement a lot of those impressions.

Christian McLeod: For once, I'm with Chase. If you can look past some of its rough graphical and animation edges, the MLB 2K11 demo plays a very solid game of hardball.

Caley Roark: I'm with you guys: I think there is a fun game of baseball buried somewhere in 2K11. However, I'm not sure the demo reflects that. I saw too many flaws in the demo to truly say that 2K11 has improved a great deal over 2K10. (For the record, I thought 2K10 was much better than 2K9.)

Chris Sanner: If you are not as into realism as a hardcore baseball guy is, and if you are willing to overlook some pretty dumb AI moves, I think MLB 2K11 is going to be your type of baseball game. The Show can be a bit overwhelming to the casual baseball player, and I think 2K has wisely tried not to copy The Show's success verbatim.

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[Redemption]

Chris, I find it odd that you say hardcore fans will not be able to overlook some issues and then you point to Timmy being pulled as evidence. Really?

From what I understand, the 3 inning game either acts like the 7th/8th/9th, or 3rd/6th/9th (this is also why you see pinch hitters/runner in the 2nd during the demo). Either way, the 2nd inning is equal to either the 6th or 8th, and certainly pulling your starter after he starts either of those innings and gives up a couple quick runs is reasonable.

Idk, it just seems silly that that is what you decide to bring up as your major criticism of the game. Surely there were better ways of expressing your "The show is realistic, 2k is not" argument. No?

[JayhawkerStL]

Chris Sanner: If you are not as into realism as a hardcore baseball guy is, and if you are willing to overlook some pretty dumb AI moves, I think MLB 2K11 is going to be your type of baseball game. The Show can be a bit overwhelming to the casual baseball player, and I think 2K has wisely tried not to copy The Show's success verbatim.

What kind of back-handed BS is that? After the work 2K put into differentiating the fielders and pitchers, and the dynamic ratings, you could argue that 2K11 is on the verge of becoming the most realistic game on the market.

And while it may not be there yet, the notion that The Show is overwhelming to the casual fan is beyond a joke. In fact, it's reliance on style over substance, as it looks amazing, it exactly what draws in the casual fans that don't nail The show for its problems.

But I've seen this kind of comment from the community day guys enough to know that they are just carrying out more of Sony's PR for them. But it really had no place in this look at the 2K demo.

[ericdrum]

Re: MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

And while it may not be there yet, the notion that The Show is overwhelming to the casual fan is beyond a joke. In fact, it's reliance on style over substance, as it looks amazing, it exactly what draws in the casual fans that don't nail The show for its problems.

Yeah I don't see how the Show is overwhelming at all. That game can be dumbed down as much as you want it to. I think I understand where Chris is coming from, but he could have chosen different words. At the end of the day for me... I know that the Show is "better", but you'll never convince me that it's more fun. For some reason I can play 2k for hours and can't play the Show for nearly as long. I'm buying both, but I can tell you right now... 2k will get double the hours.

[Picci]

Re: MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

Good job guys. 2k is great for a pickup fun baseball game. I need Rule 5, Waivers, Status 1, finances, etc...etc.....for my baseball lust though. Casual gamers probably wouldn't care for it much.

[DontHateOnNumber2]

Re: MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

Wouldn't Rule 5, waivers, etc. be more suited for Front Office Manager though?

[Picci]

Re: MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

Wouldn't Rule 5, waivers, etc. be more suited for Front Office Manager though?

Yes it would, but when you add gameplay and graphics, it's even better.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

Wouldn't Rule 5, waivers, etc. be more suited for Front Office Manager though?

I wouldn't say that. But they are pretty much meaningless when the AI cannot make smart basic roster decisions. As I've said before, this is not an issue for The Show specifically, as I have yet to see an AI be capable of the kind decision making required to makes trades, draft players, cut players, and sign free agents in any sports game.

Including it is just more style over substance. It makes gamers think the game is deep, so they can brag about their dynasty in which they laid waste to a feeble AI.

But seriously, this notion that 2K11 is just for casual fans, while The Show is for hardcore fans is just PR spin from Sony to deflect the advances 2K have made in player differentiation. 2K11 has been stats heavy, and has made the game deeper from a strategic standpoint. Instead of discussing that, community day guys have run with the casual game spin.

I appreciate the criticism of the demo that the other guys have made, as they are based in the reality of playing the game. These are things that either need to be fixed, or we have to weigh how much they impact the overall game experience. I'd be a fool to say that the demo came off as perfectly polished. And some of the stuff may be part of what we have to live with in this version.

I'm just objecting to the fanboyastic take Sanner had. It didn't relate to the game in hand, and just served as PR spin for Sony. It felt out of place in this roundtable.

[destructocid]

I can't believe people are actually defending 2k. This is a company that hasn't put out a quality baseball game since 2007. They then released 2k8 without even bothering to finish it. It seems each year 2k just changes the number on the box, from 2k8 to 2k9 to2k10. That's the biggest change from year to year. I feel 2k has simply coasted the last few years, putting almost zero effort or money into their product. I really feel like they're ripping their customers off, and that's not right. I'm not bashing 2k fans, I was a 2k fan, until 2k8. Idk, if some people enjoy the game, that's great. I just feel that 2k has been very deceptive and disingenuous. I a. A fan of the show now, but believe me, I would love nothing more than some serious competition. I would love to have to decide between two great games every year, but I don't see that happening anytime soon

[Greene_Flash03]

Re: MLB 2K11 Demo Impressions Roundtable

Yeah I don't see how the Show is overwhelming at all. That game can be dumbed down as much as you want it to. I think I understand where Chris is coming from, but he could have chosen different words. At the end of the day for me... I know that the Show is "better", but you'll never convince me that it's more fun. For some reason I can play 2k for hours and can't play the Show for nearly as long. I'm buying both, but I can tell you right now... 2k will get double the hours.

You know what, I feel the same way. I've been playing The Show series since PS2 days, but after trying both demo I noticed I've been playing a lot of 2K11 than The Show. I can't explain it. I really do believe 2K11 has a 'hidden' fun factor.

[Cryolemon]

Wouldn't Rule 5, waivers, etc. be more suited for Front Office Manager though?

Yeah, but that doesn't mean it should be in 2k11 too.

[tinpanalley]

So funny... I've always considered 2K Baseball to be WAY more sim in their options and overall reflection of the game than The Show and across the board I find them to be more accurate than anyone else, even than EA Sports. Fun games, but if there was ever a bastion of arcadey game play... "it's in the game". The only reason 2K's failed in the past to me is due to glaring gameplay issues and mechanics. But as a side by side comparison of the experience of watching real baseball on television, 2K always comes out on top. To ME. Not as a fact, as an opinion. It's not just about looking pretty, it's about playing a good game. I think there's also a little placebo/peer pressure on this The Show supremacy thing. There are a LOT of graphical issues with The Show that people don't mention because they're considered to be the kings of console baseball. Look how long it took people to go, "ok, fine, I admit, Madden does suck a bit". I predict that if 2K11 comes out swinging (sorry, couldn't resist), you'll see a larger percentage of people this year seeing them as at least equal if not giving the edge more to 2K this year. You already see it in the reviews, people talking about why The Show didn't do anything new.

Anyway. One man's opinion. To me Hardball 4 on the PC is still king.

[jeffy777]

Good read guys, but I also have to disagree with Chris's comments about this being a game for casual fans. Yes, the graphics certainly are not as realistic as The Show, but beyond that I just don't see what would make this game more for casual gamers. Dont forget that the default demo difficulty is pretty low (there is way to put it on Hard if your on a 360 though.....and it makes a HUGE difference). The game is definitely going to be more challenging this year than previous years with the addition of variable strike zones, decreased pitching accuracy, more demanding fielding, etc. And the fact that we will actually have to worry about defensive substitutions in late innings is certainly not something the casual fan would be interested in. Then there's the beefed up injury system with reoccurring and nagging injuries.....Dynamic Player Ratings......I could go on......but my point is that I think this game will cater to both hardcore and casual fans, depending on the difficulty settings.

For me personally, I know I'm not a casual fan (I've been playing baseball games since the 80's) and I forsee myself really getting a lot out of this game.

[acarrero]

The Show was a great game...in 2006, it's the same game since, until they decided to copy 2K this year with analog controls. Bottom line is The Show sort of admitted 2K was ahead of them when it comes to gameplay.

[vln13]

I'm with Chris all the way - I'm a Show guy who preordered both games because I am intrigued with the dynamic rosters and presentational elements. 2k11 is a very fun, more casual style game. It has a more easy, pick up and play style, and the controls make it a lot of fun. I have no problem with this, even if my passion is devoted to the more time-consuming, deep, true to life baseball of Sony's game.