MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

[RaychelSnr]

We recently changed our review process. Read all about how we do our reviews now.

One of the luxuries of our new review format here at Operation Sports is that it gives us reviewers a full week (at least) to put a game through its paces. In the case of MLB 2K11, our new format may be a godsend. Why you ask? Because based on my first impressions with the retail build, this game has a long way to go in the next week to impress me.

MLB 2K11 seems to play a fundamentally solid game of hardball. The problem is the game feels extremely unpolished, almost to the point where it’s been impossible to enjoy some of the game's best qualities -- like the reworked timing windows while batting that lead to an impressive amount of hit variety.

In the five hours I have spent with the game, I’ve noticed some extremely irritating graphical glitches. One has involved pitchers magically turning into PS2-style player models when being pulled from the game. Another has involved watching my screen freeze for milliseconds multiple times as a ball is hit into play. And one more beyond that involved a pitching animation glitch that made the ball morph from the pitcher's hand to another trajectory so distracting that it made the ball impossible to hit. MLB 2K11 is not the most aesthetically pleasing game, and it’s becoming abundantly clear as to why the game was not shown off more prior to its release.


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[StormJH1]

It's too early for me to say if I agree, but also too early for me to say that THIS will be the game I put significant hours into. The presentation is awesome no doubt, but is anyone really surprised by the slow-downs and hangups? We've seen this time and time again from this series, and it seems to get worse as they pile more and more architecture on top of the same game engine. So far it hasn't detracted from my enjoyment of the game.

But I will admit that there's an overall sluggishness when the ball is hit into the field that isn't present in something like The Show and really shouldn't be there. Also, I still don't really "trust" that I have full control of the fielders when I'm chasing after a ball. It's certainly more of a "game" on defense than 2k10 was (and I love the new throwing meter), but some of these animations seem almost predetermined from the moment the ball leaves the bat.

[ericdrum]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

And after all of that, which I have only minor disagreements with (especially pertaining to the magnitude of the complaints), I will still be firing up this game and my sealed copy of the Show will still be sitting there on my table. Video games are often like this with me. The whole is something way different than the sum of it's parts.

[therockstar2005]

Thanks for the initial impressions, they are actually really helpful for me. I went and got the game, but until I'm home at the end of the week I can't actually play it, so I haven't even opened it yet, and I'm beginning to wonder if I should just return it and stick with 2k7. I'm not the biggest graphic person around, so in some respects it doesn't bother me that 2k11 isn't the prettiest game around. But the bug reports do worry me, particularly the weird graphic glitches that I've seen blown up all over youtube and what not, along with the wall-HR glitch and fatigue and everything else. Looking forward to further impressions as I try to decide what I should do.

[CoreyMac]

And after all of that, which I have only minor disagreements with (especially pertaining to the magnitude of the complaints), I will still be firing up this game and my sealed copy of the Show will still be sitting there on my table. Video games are often like this with me. The whole is something way different than the sum of it's parts.

You have the Show and 2K11 and The Show will sit sealed? I'm sorry but thats rubbish. The Show 11 is incredible.

[ericdrum]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

You have the Show and 2K11 and The Show will sit sealed? I'm sorry but thats rubbish. The Show 11 is incredible.

I'm sure it is. It's the only baseball game that I've played the last 3 years. I haven't played 2k during that time. 2k11 is simply a refreshing change of pace and FUN to play.

[idrisguitar]

Have to agree with CoreyMac, however I can see how some people could find mlb 2k11 fun, especially considering a lot of people i know are intimidated by the realism and difficulty of the show in comparison.

[CMH]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

Have to agree with CoreyMac, however I can see how some people could find mlb 2k11 fun, especially considering a lot of people i know are intimidated by the realism and difficulty of the show in comparison.

?

Ok a few notes for everyone here:

1. Stop talking about The Show.

2. Stop thinking that people that play MLB 2K only do it because The Show is too hard. If you want to know what's really rubbish, it's that sort of rubbish thinking.

Learn to respect people's preferences.

3. Stop talking about The Show in an MLB 2K thread.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

Thanks for your initial impressions Chris. I agree that the stuff that needs fixing when it rears it's ugly head will make you say WTH...

It's in those moments that people will either:

A- Be totally turned-off, dismiss the game & be disappointed for another year

B- Will see those moments, not be discouraged & play the game & realize there's a good baseball game in between the lines.

For me it's B.

[ScubaXsniper]

After playing almost all game modes, I'd say 2K stepped up My Player and Franchise mode. Game plays better than last year, the usual hiccup everyone once in a while. I give it a B+. Somethings still irritate me, but I feel the game is much improved.

[DickDalewood]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

Good impressions. I'm waiting on a few more reviews and impressions, but I still may end up picking this up... I certainly wouldn't mind having two good games to play, and the presentational stuff sounds great.

[CMH]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

Good impressions. I'm waiting on a few more reviews and impressions, but I still may end up picking this up... I certainly wouldn't mind having two good games to play, and the presentational stuff sounds great.

Agreed here.

I was and still am perturbed by a few things here and there from the demo, but there is still a lot that I like about the game.

I want to at least play it. Get a chance to make a solid opinion from the retail over the demo - which only seems fair to the company.

Also, they made it clear they wanted to make a game that gives the user the power to play the game the way they wanted and I just can't not support a company that understands that.

[adayinthelife]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

And after all of that, which I have only minor disagreements with (especially pertaining to the magnitude of the complaints), I will still be firing up this game and my sealed copy of the Show will still be sitting there on my table. Video games are often like this with me. The whole is something way different than the sum of it's parts.

I don't care what game it is, why on earth would you buy it just to leave it sealed while you play a competing game? If you feel like throwing money away let me get you my paypal address...

[DickDalewood]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

Agreed here.

I was and still am perturbed by a few things here and there from the demo, but there is still a lot that I like about the game.

I want to at least play it. Get a chance to make a solid opinion from the retail over the demo - which only seems fair to the company.

Also, they made it clear they wanted to make a game that gives the user the power to play the game the way they wanted and I just can't not support a company that understands that.

Absolutely agree with that. And I just find it hard to believe the retail isn't better than the demo was. I made it pretty clear how bad I thought the demo looked, but man... presentation can go a long way to winning my heart, lol. I played the hell out of NBA 2K and I can't even tell you the last time I watched a basketball game on TV... the presentation was just THAT good.

Plus, we have a PS3 in our bedroom as well as our living room, and it would be sweet to have something to play in there too

[raskal67]

Re: MLB 2K11 Reviewer First Impressions

I agree with the review in many areas. I am playing this on the PC and another game on the PS3 and I find, due to the wife on the TV, I am playing a lot more 2K11. This is a FUN game, it feels like baseball. The hits, the fielding, even the errors (8!!! in on game, 3 by renteria all on balls up the middle) it all FEELS right. The concerns I have a graphical glitches and statistical glitches (errors again) but in all of the mess, this game is fun.