Likes and Dislikes of ESPN MLB

Likes and Dislikes o

Ok, after you have played at least somewhere between 5 and 10 games of ESPN MLB please post your likes and dislikes of this game.

Please include specifics about the settings that were used during your games.

This info will help us gather more info to use when compariing against ASB.

Thanks,
MLB Commissioner

 

ouch - will ANY game be good enough?!?

 

QUESTION: Can you check swing online? I hate the fact that in ASB you couldn't.

 

i really dont see anything big thats wrong they got everything they needed right

 

Yes, you can check swing online.

No profiles online, but there isn't much to a profile anyway like with a hockey game.

No widescreen support (that blows).

Not sure on 720p/HD support, my HDTV only does 1080i.

Animations aren't as crisp as MVP, but the game plays pretty well.

Things I'd like to see improved on (for online play):

-be able to turn off rumble when you are aiming outside of the K zone (not enough walks in the game, and it's too easy to paint the corners)

-online sliders (nowhere to be found)

-no way to turn off/on the DH online (so now we can't move the Brewers back to the AL to even up the divisions for our league )

-online friends list does not show what game your friends are in. Can't believe this one at all. Completely .

Good thing is, the gameplay is pretty damn good. Graphics aren't MVP quality, but the gameplay (and online support) is what it's all about for our league. So far, in my few games online, it seems PRO level yields the best game (ALLSTAR is way harder to hit, and actually easier to pitch as the pitchers seem to have more stuff and better control). True Aim seems to work well too, as timing-only hitting is way to easy, and cursor batting is next to impossible without turning on the batting cursor (which is turned off online).

Still undecided on the 1 or 2 button hitting option. I don't care for the option of selecting contact/power while I'm swinging, so I prefer the "classic" option which is one button to swing at the ball (it's hard enough to locate the pitch/follow the ball, much less decide if you want contact or power at the same time).

Rosters are pretty well updated, the Cards roster sucks though (no Lankford, no Womack, M. Anderson is in the minors rather than Bo Hart)

 

yea i want tony womack

 

yes you can check your swing. the buttons are pressure sensitive if you just tap it checks your swing

 

my biggest gripe is the online interface, what was sega thinking with the friends list. it shows friends online but it doesn't show what game they are playing.

 

I'll give ASB this, On ESPN.. When the guy tries to catch a fly ball.. he looks like he's got a water balloon between his legs and is trying not to drop it... Weird stance... lol. ASB gave a nice graphic catching fly balls... So far that's the only complaint... I'll check back soon and give my 3 cents

 

i just noticed that friends list problem...

i wonder if thats patchable... it seems simple enough!

 

Does anyone else notice the pitches come in a little choppy sometimes? like alot slower, different timing than offline....weird...

 

Well in every sports game, there is a little slowdown compared to offline. Silly Erbs. Plus your connection stinks.

 

Erbs - In the games I played last night, they were all butter smooth, same pitch speeds and framerates as playing offline. Must be your connection.

Yeah, the graphics and animations are sorely lacking, even a step backwards from last year and probably all the way down to 3rd in that department (with MVP being 1st, ASB 2nd).

However, we all know that eyecandy doesn't really make the game "good" for online league play or help with it's replayability. I'm pretty satisified with the gameplay, actually I'm pleasantly surprised thus far (typically playing online with Pro, True Aim, 1 button hitting settings). On those settings, you have to know how to pitch, keep the hitter off balance and make them be patient at the plate. If the pitcher throws meat down the middle, you'll get good wood on it and get lots of hits. If the pitcher knows what he's doing and paints the corners, changes speeds, throws balls that are unhittable to make you chase, etc... you'll have a hard time getting hits. Just like it should be.

Of course, one evening of playing the game isn't enough to make a judgement yet (on the game or settings) and we really need 1-2 weeks of constant play to see if there are any gameplay deficientcies to worry about.

 

Whats the difference between the difficulty settings?

 

MP - read

 

i played some offline last night.

i want to chime in on the graphics... certainly no better, and probably a little worse than last year! how does that happen?!?!? i know it doesnt really matter to us, as gameplay is king - but how annoying! make a pretty game, too, please!

my fielding is quite interesting. every once in awhile (like once an inning) i'll instinctively pull the "dive" trigger that makes my fielders dive out of the way of the ball. i seem to have perfected turning a grounder to SS into an opponent's home run.

talk to me when you've reached my level of skill, folks!

 

goalie...I had the same problem last night. I would go for the "run" trigger and get the "dive" trigger by accident. That mishap yielded 10 runs against me in the 1st inning.

I believe if we played each other it would look like a kindergarten tee-ball match. Everyone in the outfield chasing the ball and only the catcher in the in-field.

 

lol at goalie.

I know exaclty what you mean about the homerun.

Those damn 'Superman' impersonators in the outfield.

 

So far I like the game (haven't played ASB). I'm a little disappointed in the graphics, but the functionality is great.