I loved this game when it first came out, but the patches have ruined it for me

[Padgoi]

When the game first came out, I absolutely LOVED it. Hitting felt real. The ball seemed to actually go where it should based on my swing feedback. Home runs felt earned. Everything was on point and I was loving it.

However, after the last few patches, it just seems like Show 17.5 again. The wild pitches are once again out of control. Catchers are MUCH quicker to the ball, but the runners get SUCH good jumps that you can't throw them out regardless. The rainbow throws are back. Rocket bunts are still a force out at second base regularly. Home runs going foul by two inches are back. CPU making web gems whenever they want are back. The outfield grass seems slower again, so those hard hit balls down the line that were PERFECT when the game was first released are now back to being like last year, when they slow down and result in singles. Hitting seems back to last year where the swing feedback means nothing. Home runs don't feel earned anymore, they feel handed to you. Hitting in general seems off again, like the user input isn't being taken into consideration enough and the game is dictating hit result. And the CPU rallies seem COMPLETELY fabricated again. Take this example last game.

I'm locked in a 1-1 game with the Blue Jays. Eighth inning, Judge hits a homer and I go up 2-1. I was 3-0 at the time so I just KNEW something was going to happen. Next half inning, I bring in Robertson as the setup man. First batter can of corn, one out. Next batter is Pillar, clean single. He steals second. Next batter fielders choice, Pillar goes to third, two outs. Donaldson is up. I know the propensity for throwing wild pitches in this situation is ABSURDLY high in this game, so I am intentionally keeping the ball high and on the corners to prevent a wild pitch. Second pitch of the at bat, aiming high and outside, ball somehow bounces in dirt and scoots away from Sanchez. The ball got maybe 2 feet away from Sanchez, certainly not far enough to try to score, but Pillar takes off. Sanchez runs to the ball and I underhand the ball to my pitcher who SHOULD be covering, but for some reason, he decided he didn't want to on this particular pitch and the run scores. Situations like this feel completely scripted, as in there's almost NOTHING you can do to prevent the CPU from scoring and it's why the age old comeback discussion has come up every single year.

Has anyone else noticed this regression since the patches have been released?

[countryboy]

No

The gameplay has gotten better for me since they patched pitch speed and more so with this latest patch “unfreezing” infielders so that the user can actually field balls hit just over their head. I made my first leaping grab with an infielder just the other day.

I also think that hitting has been more “pure” since the latest patch. Can’t really describe it other than it feels even better than it did out of the box which I felt was great.


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[doubledeuceR6]

I still really enjoy the game. There are certainly frustrating moments and I do notice the differences after each patch.

The wild pitch thing can be infuriating and its seems inevitable with runners on especially in a tight game.
One thing I hate is the catcher will scoop any ball in the dirt with no one on but let there be a runner on and it seems it gets through and goes to the backstop every time.

[Gosens6]

I'm actually having a blast with this game. After saying I wouldn't purchase this year because of a lack of franchise improvements, I'm so impressed with the gameplay, I'm more than happy with buying.

I'm seeing more of a variety of hits than I've seen in any year previously, pitching is so completely satisfying for me, it might even be a little too easy. Last night I pitched a 2 hitter against the Jays with Luis Severino. I saw no wonkyness of the CPU being "scripted" to score, or the dreaded "6th inning comeback".

The game is fun as hell. I was completely unimpressed with 17, but I can't stop playing 18

[JoshC1977]

It was an amazing game at release; it is better even now.

[Frostball]

To me the hitting felt better before the patches now it almost seems like 17. Before the patches I got hits down the line now I barely see any
and it just doesn't feel the same as when the game first came out. Don't get me wrong I'm still having a blast playing it just feels different

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[Detroit Tigers]

Only thing bothering me is I almost never strike out. Literally playing on Legend with timing at zero and pitch speed at 8 to compensate and still seeing games with only 2-4 Ks. And it’s not like I’m some wizard at this game; making contact is just too damn easy.


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[Caulfield]

I was disappointed when it came out (Because)of no season mode but I eventually warmed up to playing Franchise 100% instead of 50%.
As for hitting I haven't had a drastically different experience post patches over release day Show. But that probably has more to do with my poor eyesight and even poorer hitting ability.