Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

[Jack1975]

Hi Guys,

I'm a 36 year old dude with a kid,wife,house and dog. Seeing the cool videos for MLB the show I admit I'm dangerously close to purchasing a PS 3 or Vita? Which would you recommend?

I also admit my gamepad skills would suck quite badly and I would play in manager mode? Is it worth purchasing if I'm going to strickly play in this mode? Does the CPU do a good job of in game managing (pinch hitting, pitching changes) as an opponent? Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

Jack

[Knight165]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Hi Guys,

I'm a 36 year old dude with a kid,wife,house and dog. Seeing the cool videos for MLB the show I admit I'm dangerously close to purchasing a PS 3 or Vita? Which would you recommend?

I also admit my gamepad skills would suck quite badly and I would play in manager mode? Is it worth purchasing if I'm going to strickly play in this mode? Does the CPU do a good job of in game managing (pinch hitting, pitching changes) as an opponent? Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

Jack

Jack;

I love the mode. It's really the only way I play through my franchise.
Yes...the CPU is pretty good at handling the team. ....you can also influence the pitching changes somewhat through the manager hook slider and also the SP and RP stamina sliders.(if you play an "old school game"....maybe with some of the awesome historical rosters guys make)...and want to see your opponent leave his pitchers in for a longer haul.

They added the ability to choose uniforms this year...pre-game...so that is a plus. There are also some new screens to see stats and matchups(player card is available in some new places).....and the in game ticker adds to the franchise feel of the game.

There are some things to be aware of.....the game is really a CPU vs. CPU game that has a "forced" setting to let you step in and manage your team....BUT there are some instances where the CPU overrides your team(not really any of your decisions...it's sometimes in spots where you aren't doing anything)...such as when you have a guy on 1B and a 2-1 count...the CPU might call for a hit and run.....sometimes with 1B open and a big bopper up...it might intentionally walk him(I find that if I know that one is possible....I pick pitch locations and it doesn't do it)....
But it's a great mode and those little things don't detract from it IMO.

M.K.
Knight165

[treyraq]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Jack,

What Knight says.
I had gone the whole PS2 generation without a console but 3 years ago I felt the need again. Metal Gear 4 got me thinking of a PS3 but it was the Show 09 that solidified the decision for me. I too was worried about actually playing the game, and although it was hard to pick up after not playing a baseball game for about 3 years, I "discovered" the Manage-only-mode" and there was no looking back. There are a few flaws of the design (or non-design) of the mode but it took me about 2 years for them to stand out, and I still played it religiously and the developers keep working on them, so...
I'd say since you're especially seeking this mode, with the fact of how good of an improvement '12 looks to be, this should be a no-brainer for you.

I would go for the console over the Vita, so you can appreciate the graphics and presentation of the game.

[Jack1975]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Thanks for the responses. Simply the most beautiful game I've ever seen. I've been watching the preview videos of the new version all night. My wife thinks i'm nuts.

[Knight165]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Thanks for the responses. Simply the most beautiful game I've ever seen. I've been watching the preview videos of the new version all night. My wife thinks i'm nuts.

You are.....but that's a good thing.
We all are in here.

M.K.
Knight165

[nomo17k]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Hi Guys,

I'm a 36 year old dude with a kid,wife,house and dog. Seeing the cool videos for MLB the show I admit I'm dangerously close to purchasing a PS 3 or Vita? Which would you recommend?

I'm like you, an old dude but with no kids, no wife, no house, and no dog. I've seen plenty of MLB the Show gameplays and I admit I'm dangerous close to suggest that you try this video game. (I'm looking for a rehab facility to rejoin society... but just cannot find a place with a PS3...)

Vita is nice for not occupying your entertainment station which you presumably share with your family, but the PS3 version has a little more to offer so you might be more impressed by that...

You don't really need great stick skills to enjoy this game. In fact one of the thing I like to do is to just let CPU play against another CPU and watch as if it's on TV. The play variety is great that I don't get bored just watching from the side when I'm actually not playing. But you can be a manager or GM and enjoy that way as well of course. If you like baseball and video gaming, this game literally gives you the best experience.

[tgreer]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

MoM guy here, trust me if you like baseball at all you will love this game. Even better this year after watching all the videos!! Talking about what the batter did last night, what they have done last 6 games etc...This will add a lot to our franchises!! Please Knight tell me all these presentation additions made it into "our" little mode

[Doran]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Jack;

I love the mode. It's really the only way I play through my franchise.
Yes...the CPU is pretty good at handling the team. ....you can also influence the pitching changes somewhat through the manager hook slider and also the SP and RP stamina sliders.(if you play an "old school game"....maybe with some of the awesome historical rosters guys make)...and want to see your opponent leave his pitchers in for a longer haul.

They added the ability to choose uniforms this year...pre-game...so that is a plus. There are also some new screens to see stats and matchups(player card is available in some new places).....and the in game ticker adds to the franchise feel of the game.

There are some things to be aware of.....the game is really a CPU vs. CPU game that has a "forced" setting to let you step in and manage your team....BUT there are some instances where the CPU overrides your team(not really any of your decisions...it's sometimes in spots where you aren't doing anything)...such as when you have a guy on 1B and a 2-1 count...the CPU might call for a hit and run.....sometimes with 1B open and a big bopper up...it might intentionally walk him(I find that if I know that one is possible....I pick pitch locations and it doesn't do it)....
But it's a great mode and those little things don't detract from it IMO.

M.K.
Knight165

The part in bold is what has always kept me away from Manager Only mode, seriously. I've been doing CPU vs. CPU franchises almost exclusively, but what I really want to be is the manager and GM. (I can't play. I'm terrible.)

Now with uniform selecting, it brings me a step closer. Plus, I'm a hardcore uni geek too, so that helps.

The only other mode I play is ROTS, as I find it easier to play just one person. And now that uni selecting is in that mode, too... I can't wait to play this year.

[PhillsPhan26]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

The best sports game on the market IMO. It's a win win.

[Jack1975]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Great to see such a vibrant manage only community here!

[poster]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

I am starting to feel close to the point where I am not good enough to play the game myself (35 yr old), ha ha. I have never tried this mode, but may have to give it a shot this year. Also in the wife and toddler club so it is hard to always sit down and play. I do love that The Show has in game saves, crucial for those times where I just can't stay awake to finish during limited night time play time or have to stop playing to take care of my baby girl.

So can you jump into games to play in this mode, or is it strictly that you can manage and that's it? Do you have to pay attention throughout pitch by pitch or can you leave the room, etc. without too much going wrong?

[BSUFAN]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

I am an older gamer ( 59 years young, lol ) and I got a PS3 just for the Show just this past November 2011. Nothing to be ashamed of ( kids , wife, ect ) other than you enjoy baseball , MLB The Show is the best baseball game out there, so do yourself a favor and get a PS3 and a copy of MLB12 and enjoy the heck out of some awesome gameplay and graphics second to none. The details in this game are outstanding it's just like being there.

[tessl]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Hi Guys,

I'm a 36 year old dude with a kid,wife,house and dog. Seeing the cool videos for MLB the show I admit I'm dangerously close to purchasing a PS 3 or Vita? Which would you recommend?

I also admit my gamepad skills would suck quite badly and I would play in manager mode? Is it worth purchasing if I'm going to strickly play in this mode? Does the CPU do a good job of in game managing (pinch hitting, pitching changes) as an opponent? Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

Jack

Since no other game offers the opportunity to manage the game with these graphics, I would recommend the show. The cpu does a decent job but the downside is the cpu also interjects itself into your managing of your team with things like intentional walks, pitching around batters and hit and runs. The developers don't believe enough people play the mode to make it worth fixing.

Technically it isn't manage mode, it is franchise mode and you have the option to manage the games.

Aside from that yes, I would recommend the game. You will make six of us who manage the games.

[BlingBling19]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

The problem I have had with manager mode is I have no idea if SLIDERS play any part in the outcome of the game.

Also the games seem to take MUCH MUCH longer than when playing them as a user. Maybe like a hour for a user v cpu game and upwards of 1 1/2 to 2 hours for manager vs cpu.

Also find the pitchers from both teams will not consistently throw strikes. Most times the Ball to strike ratio is much closer than it should be. This goes for even the better pitchers in the game.

The other problem is most starters will have 5+ walks in a game at least that is what I have run into.

[BlingBling19]

Re: Never owned a PS3 might buy for manager mode, need opinions

Also relievers who should be like shutdown pitchers usually will find themselves in trouble.