MLB 2K11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (PS3/360)

[DirtyJerz32]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffy777

On Hard difficulty? Yeah, it's REALLY tricky on hard, lol...but pretty easy on Normal/Pro. When I get the game, I'll probably set the sliders somewhere in between for stealing.

It's insanely hard. As soon as I feel the controller vibrate the CPU throws to the base I'm trying to steal. OMG it's crazy!

[DJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by DirtyJerz32

It's insanely hard. As soon as I feel the controller vibrate the CPU throws to the base I'm trying to steal. OMG it's crazy!

Same here, although I usually am able to get back to first instead of being picked off @ 2B. I am horrible at the timing of pressing and releasing the RT.

[DirtyJerz32]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

Same here, although I usually am able to get back to first instead of being picked off @ 2B. I am horrible at the timing of pressing and releasing the RT.

They need to make it a lot easier or something. Hopefully a slider well hope this issue.

[jeffy777]

Quote: Originally Posted by DirtyJerz32

They need to make it a lot easier or something. Hopefully a slider well hope this issue.

It will definitely help because it's really easy on the normal setting if you try switching it back from Hard, so there's gotta be a sweet spot in the middle with slider settings, or even All Star difficulty maybe.

[JayhawkerStL]

The trick to stealing is studying the pitcher's delivery. There is usually a clue that lets you know when it is safe to take off. Some pitchers have a nice hitch and you can really make them pay.

But you need to find the optimum moment for each pitcher to really steal with any regularity.

[TimeBombTown]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned but has anybody noticed the "skin" they out on the players? It's mostly noticeable around the neck area I first saw it on Jonathan Sanchez and you can tell they tried to make the skin wrinkle when they move, but they just end up looking like they're made out of the same stuff as Stretch Armstrong. Also the necks themselves seem to be too thin...and Hamilton looks like an alien.

[hurdinator]

OK. So I have put in a number of solid hours on the demo up to this point. Here are my impressions.

Graphics:
First stand out feature is the quality of the lighting and shadows. Colours are realistically rich and the balance of shadow and light is just about spot on.
Stadiums and general staging are great as usual(2K are always good at this).
The players are better than 2K10 but still have a plastic look. Having said that I have seen some great mo caps and facial expressions. Texture of uniforms still leave a bit to be desired.
General animation and movement is improved but what is a bit anoying is the intro presentation. I like a seemless game intro I can watch to ease myself into the atmosphere. But part way through this intro it unexpectedly cuts important stat screens after a few seconds. Grrr.

Gameplay:
I hope we can change the batting camera view cause it is an ugly, ugly sight on the demo.
Getting a base hit is a challenge, and one I welcome with open arms. Maybe I'm just crap but I have not got a Homer yet. Contact in the sweet spots seems to be of a much higher importance.
Base stealing is hard! It takes some pretty sweet timing with a close eye on the pitchers action to have a chance. Thank god for the sliders in the full game.
Pitching is a hard thing to master in 2K11...GOOD! I dont want to paint the corners every pitch and the variable strike zone is an exciting, and highly welcome frustration.
I tend to think the pitcher gets rattled too easily, even with a high composure rating. Sliders will save this as I tend to feel too many runs will be scored in the full game or worse, managers will take starters out too early.
The fielding mechanics are definately the highlight this year. Great modifications in the catching sphere and the throw metre seems to make perfect sense, flowing nicely with the rythm of the game overall.

Now for a few gripes...

...Firstly, I have to mentioned the poor batting camera and I cant remember if we have been told about alternate views? Its no big deal but just gets under my skin how ugly it looks. Secondly, I have experienced a number of buggy, odd instances. At one point I was pitching and a ball began floating behind my back like a damn ghost was copying my every move! I also experienced my catcher pushed 3 -4 yards towards the dugout by a struck out batter as if the catcher was on an imaginary skateboard, ughh! Finally, I had two of my outfielders run THROUGH each other before taking a catch deep. What the hell? No collision? Thats not cool, simply not cool at all.

Overall:

Love it! I am sure the technical glitches can be easily fixed and as long as the commentary is varied enough I might just play through an entire 162 game 'chise this time round. Well done 2K on a very decent demo.

[rudyjuly2]

Had another fun two games this morning. I actually didn't hit a HR in game two - first time ever (I think I hit at least one HR in my first 8 or 9 games)! The cpu still hasn't hit a HR off of me either. I think the contact swing may be more powerful but there is still too big a gap imo. I think my hitting sliders from last year will probably be close to what I have to do this year. Sliders will certainly be key as usual in almost any sports game.

One thing that I think will need a boost is OF speed. It's something I normally turn down in baseball video games but in this case I think they let too many balls go for hits in the OF. I do like the variety of animations in the infield and Beltre is great at 3rd base. I may just use the buttons for throwing to bases as I don't think there is any penalty for aiming poorly with the stick.

The AI is still rough in spots. The cpu took second base on me and my outfielder had a lazy animation throw to second. On hits to the right side of the infield a runner on third should normally go home but the cpu didn't send a guy at all. The cpu also tends to pull their closer too soon. As soon as he blows the save they would usually take him out of the game last year and the same thing. I was down one run and tied it up in the 3rd inning against Feliz after two hits and one out. They yanked him immediately which is a mistake imo.

I'm still loving the hitting though - even if it's too easy. It just feels SO much better this year. Bottom line is the game is a lot of fun. It still needs some polish but I'm excited for the full game on Tuesday.

P.S. For those that have the option to play on Hard on the 360, you have mentioned that you don't get a fielder assist at those levels. Will we have true difficulty levels this year or is it still a global slider system that is adjusted to provide difficulty levels? Is there a fielder assist option in the game that gets turned off?