So I have just finished up year three of my Nationals franchise and I have come to several conclusions. I would like to point out that this review is just my opinion.
Over the course of over 500 games, I finally feel like I can put my thoughts into a review.
MLB 15 the show does a lot of things right. The stadiums look beautiful and the lighting has never been better. While some people don't like the player models I for one think they are outstanding. They uniforms look nice and the overall gameplay has seen some improvements.
However I don't think that all is not right in Camelot.
The commentating is definitely showing its age and has become truly annoying. I remember in one blow out where I was down 9-0 and has just given up back to back home runs, I finally got one across the plate barely hitting the corner, "That's what makes him so dangerous is his ability to paint the corners". Really its the 3rd inning and I am at 70+ pitches and that's what makes me dangerous? Just bad.
Fielding has seen some definite upgrades. Players take better and worse routes to the ball, this all makes it a little more realistic in the field. But the animations hold the advances back. While I am not going to say the animations are bad they are behind the advances. Way to many errors can be traced to animations or even plays not even tried on the ball. I tracked all of my fielding errors and looked at replays. A great majority of errors were caused by the fielders gloves not even being open to make the catch thus causing the ball to bounce of his glove. Fielding rating or glitch I don't know and I am not getting in to that.
Pitching has really seen some work. The new pitches and animations really add a lot to the atmosphere. It is nice to see realistic breaks and spins on the ball. Really adds to the hitting as well. But they have removed the cat mouse game of getting the runners on base. The chance of picking someone off is so remote and anything but a casual throw lead to the ball sailing into the stands with disturbing regularity. Runners do not take leads and even the slowest runner usually has no problems getting a base. Throwing over and the new slide step can cut down on the attempts at stealing but does not seem to have a whole lot of factor on the success. Add to the equation that the Pitchers stamina in the play offs is completely hosed. This directly lead to me getting eliminated from the play offs twice.
Hitting has seen some advances as well. The new Directional hitting interface is a nice addition. Having a new mechanic for stat based hitting, to me , is a great idea. However they once again removed elements for every advance. Pure analog hitting has been basically cut in half. No longer needing to pull back and then move forward, except for a power swing, has really taken my interest away from this mechanic.
So......
All in all I think MLB 15 is a good game. I obviously enjoyed it, I played 3 complete seasons. But for me too many things were taken away or in my opinion overlooked entirely for this to be considered a great game. For the first time ever I am ready to shelve this. I am just tired of fighting a game to be good. I have gone back to 14 as I feel the gameplay is more polished and more to my liking. Not to mention I can go to the play offs without fear of the game taking away my chance to win. MLB 15 is definitely the prettier game but I don't think its the greatest.
I would give this game a solid 7 out of 10. I will still buy next year, most likely. But I also think I will wait and see what has been changed or taken away next year before doing so.
Over the course of over 500 games, I finally feel like I can put my thoughts into a review.
MLB 15 the show does a lot of things right. The stadiums look beautiful and the lighting has never been better. While some people don't like the player models I for one think they are outstanding. They uniforms look nice and the overall gameplay has seen some improvements.
However I don't think that all is not right in Camelot.
The commentating is definitely showing its age and has become truly annoying. I remember in one blow out where I was down 9-0 and has just given up back to back home runs, I finally got one across the plate barely hitting the corner, "That's what makes him so dangerous is his ability to paint the corners". Really its the 3rd inning and I am at 70+ pitches and that's what makes me dangerous? Just bad.
Fielding has seen some definite upgrades. Players take better and worse routes to the ball, this all makes it a little more realistic in the field. But the animations hold the advances back. While I am not going to say the animations are bad they are behind the advances. Way to many errors can be traced to animations or even plays not even tried on the ball. I tracked all of my fielding errors and looked at replays. A great majority of errors were caused by the fielders gloves not even being open to make the catch thus causing the ball to bounce of his glove. Fielding rating or glitch I don't know and I am not getting in to that.
Pitching has really seen some work. The new pitches and animations really add a lot to the atmosphere. It is nice to see realistic breaks and spins on the ball. Really adds to the hitting as well. But they have removed the cat mouse game of getting the runners on base. The chance of picking someone off is so remote and anything but a casual throw lead to the ball sailing into the stands with disturbing regularity. Runners do not take leads and even the slowest runner usually has no problems getting a base. Throwing over and the new slide step can cut down on the attempts at stealing but does not seem to have a whole lot of factor on the success. Add to the equation that the Pitchers stamina in the play offs is completely hosed. This directly lead to me getting eliminated from the play offs twice.
Hitting has seen some advances as well. The new Directional hitting interface is a nice addition. Having a new mechanic for stat based hitting, to me , is a great idea. However they once again removed elements for every advance. Pure analog hitting has been basically cut in half. No longer needing to pull back and then move forward, except for a power swing, has really taken my interest away from this mechanic.
So......
All in all I think MLB 15 is a good game. I obviously enjoyed it, I played 3 complete seasons. But for me too many things were taken away or in my opinion overlooked entirely for this to be considered a great game. For the first time ever I am ready to shelve this. I am just tired of fighting a game to be good. I have gone back to 14 as I feel the gameplay is more polished and more to my liking. Not to mention I can go to the play offs without fear of the game taking away my chance to win. MLB 15 is definitely the prettier game but I don't think its the greatest.
I would give this game a solid 7 out of 10. I will still buy next year, most likely. But I also think I will wait and see what has been changed or taken away next year before doing so.
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