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First off, I've played MLB The Show since the beginning, and before that it was MLB 2K, World Series Baseball, VR Baseball, Batter Up, Bases loaded and yes even Major League Baseball featuring Ken Griffey Jr. Since I can remember sports video games have been just about the only games that have mattered and I grew up during the growth of the video game (29 now).
So to hear people bash MLB 2013 The Show for slight improvements, or similarities to last year's game is beyond me. When I sit back and look at the big picture of where sports games have been and what they are now, it's incredible. Even in the last five years it's a crazy positive difference.
Anyhow, this year's game is very similar to lasts, I haven't gone out and read any reviews so these are just my thoughts upon playing a few games today. I will update as I see fit as I play more. The changes are subtle, just like the game of baseball. The game though is still fantastic.
Also I typically play against the computer, on legend, in franchise mode. I want the most simulation type experience possible. So I turn off the strike zone and most feedback except for pitch speed. I also make everything as manual as possible.
The first thing I noticed with this year's game is the change from a circular batting curser to a more oval two hash marks type shape. Of course you can change this in the options but I think it is more correct to actual baseball. The bats sweet spot is longer than it is tall so it should be like this, not a circle. We still have the same power/regular/contact swing options too, which I like.
The biggest difference in hitting it seems is that the "window" for the batter to hit the ball is far different, and easier I might add. On legend mode there were numerous times against CC Sabathia that I thought I was late and struck out when my batter would either foul the ball off or put it in play. So batting is easier on all levels it seems because of this. Which is fine, as I would almost always lead the league in K's. This also has created some slightly weird placements of the ball off the bat though, as my hitter will pull the ball when sometimes I feel like I've obviously been fooled. Ball mechanics are still excellent though, and it's not like I'm hitting the ball out of the park like in an arcade game etc.
As far as pitcher batter battles these are all very similar to last year's game and excellent. Ichiro sucks to pitch to, gives long at bats, and Johnny Gomes is mr. all or nothing. I can't believe how realistic the pitch counts and batter pitcher match ups are to real life. The box scores at the end of the game look VERY accurate and I love that. Stats are a part of baseball and MLB gets it right most of the time.
Pitching is pretty much the same with the same options and controls. The difference though is that the ball paths seem to be a little smoothed out and more realistic. A sinker is a little less sharp at the end, the curve balls arch a little more and fast balls have a better simulation of "late life." It's great.
Fielding at first seems too similar to lasts years game as a lot of the motions of the fielders are identical. I wish they had updated player movements a little more. I'm fine with a lot of the gameplay stuff but the visuals and motion for the players is what really makes it feel like you are playing something "new." At first I thought it was identical to last years game but after more extensive gameplay there are many small changes that give the fielders a different feel. While it may have felt like more of a new game if they had altered and added more motions, they certainly did pay attention to this area. It can be noticed mostly when players dive or jump after a ball. In the past they used to "lunge" at alien like speed to catch a ball when now the motion is much more human and they really have to "make the play" or get to the ball. There are also other intricate things added to fielding, but don't expect an overhaul.
Batting stances and pitching wind-ups are as good as ever and each player's general motions fit each particular player fairly well. So when CC winds up and throws he feels and looks like the big old lug that he is.
As usual MLB has provided a fairly accurate game that feels like baseball, real sim ballgames. Which is what I want. This year's version may not blow you away with new features and visuals, but it was already a great game and it still is.
More updates to come later on.
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After a couple more games it's even more evident how the subtleties of ball mechanics have improved in each aspect of the game. Players react differently to hard hit balls and soft hit balls. Batters can "carve" the ball better based on their swings, the arch of batted balls is more realistic than last years game and balls skid along the ground in a more fluid manner which is more realistic. It takes a while of play to really notice this but it's in how the ball will deflect off a fielder when short hopped or in how the ball caroms on a 55 foot curve-ball. They did some nice work here.
Other than that another nice option is more pitching and hitting views. I usually keep the default view for hitting, but I always pitch from behind the pitcher in some fashion usually with "outfield" view. It looks like baseball on TV and I think gives a better approximation of what it is like to pitch rather then being from the POV of the catcher.
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Amazon user "A Phillips" wrote this in the comments section and I believe it's very important to understanding this years game and the improvements over previous versions, so I will quote him and add thoughts:
"...last night 3 things happened, that I can remember. One I hit a ball to the 2B and picked it up dropped it and picked it back up. Another ball I hit to Youklis was lined to 3B very hard defensive play,it bounced off his glove and I was safe at 1B. The day before, Rafael Furcal hit a HR , Morse tried to snag and rob it it hit of his glove and bounced into the Spring Training crowd. I have all of these on video by the way. I have a litany of video I could show you the addressd my correction of the smoothness of defensive gameplay.
By the same token, Morse made a breathtaking diving catch that was not at all video gameish, its what you'd expect to see in a Major League ball game. Addressing defensive gameplay and its smoothness and all around gameplay is something must be done to unlock the capabilities of this game..."
The point here being, that the more you play, the more subtle improvements you'll notice as to realistic events occurring as they would in an actual ballgame. Great baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian is somewhat famous for saying the the most fascinating thing about baseball is that on any given day at the park, you can see something that has never happened before, whether it be a minor statistical occurrence, or a major feat like a perfect game. You truly do get many of the "small" parts of baseball in MLB The Show and it can't be overlooked. I remember in past years being frustrated that fielders would never throw short hops to the first baseman. then they added in short hops but the way the first basemen handled them was unrealistic. Now as mentioned above, in this years game the reaction and plays the fielders make based on what the ball is doing is quite exceptional. And aside from the similar motions that the players do, the actual result and movement of them is definitely refined in this years game.
A Phillips also wrote:
"'out of the box' this game needs alot of adjustment, or a little if you know what youre doing, to unlock the full potential of this game. Maybe google this and it will help. Madman Sliders"
This is also an important note. This game NEEDS adjustment through the gameplay settings and sliders to play optimally and most importantly how YOU want it to play. It indeed as refined a game as actual Major League Baseball. A true simulation. So some research on sliders or experimenting on your own will be necessary with this game.
Thanks MR. Phillips for the great insight!
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As a series MLB: The Show has been the most consistent of all the yearly sports representations this generation. Consumers have come to rely on exceptional baseball authenticity, realistic gameplay, fantastic graphics, and deep franchise and career modes to invest time with. What has been missing though is sense of accessibility and an acceptable online experience.Those aspects however are no longer holding the franchise back. MLB 13: The Show is the iteration that pulled everything together to finally become a complete product and in doing so will absolutely deserve to be in contention for "Best of" awards late this year.
POSITIVES
*Gameplay and Authenticity
The unforgiving nature of The Show has finally eased off with the expansion of the hitting timing window. Far more rewarding and satisfying, hitting success has improved dramatically but not to any sort of unrealistic level. Averages were so consistently low in the past, with too many instances of timing and placement feeling "right" but still being punished, that now it just feels far more fair. Ultimately fan factor is being impacted here to a great extent.
All facets of MLB 13 show improvement over MLB 12. No longer unforgiving at the plate the overall balance and variety in games has increased. Scores are more realistic and producing runs through means other than home runs is a more viable strategy. Comebacks can be made and momentum and confidence are factors.
Changes to make "Guess Pitch" less of a crutch have proved worthwhile, and the new throwing meter provides more involvement and control over events in the field. Franchise mode benefits from new budgetary adjustments, scouting overhaul, and numbered player ratings. The Show is also well known for providing as many options as possible in regards to aspects such as controls, difficulty levels, and camera angles.
*Graphics
Outside of the crowd MLB 13 shines in the graphical department. The lighting, player faces, player models, parks, and animations are all top notch. Though the PS4 will be needed to take that next step there is no discounting that MLB 13 is arguably the best looking sports game out today. Understated changes from year-to-year have gotten it to this place and, even though not dramatically different than last year, it has earned such recognition.
*Road to the Show
Largely due to the increased timing window at the plate enjoyment in RTTS has expanded. The shift this year for pitchers is less evident but general gameplay balance regardless of position has been good making the experience challenging but far less frustrating. Changes to fielding cameras don't have much of an impact, and presentation wise the focus being from a player's perspective works in some ways and in others doesn't fully connect. It was fine to lose the commentary but having them jump in for a statement here and there unexpectedly seems odd. The camera cuts and on-screen displays after important events within the career are great touches. Not sure what the point is to the leaderboards but they are there now. The new sim screen which allows for seeing the events take place is a valuable addition. Loading times feel as though they have been reduced. What the mode desperately needs is a form of situational training rather than expecting people to learn things on the fly by trial and error.
*Online
Though not perfect online has taken huge strides this year. Connections are more consistent and performance smoother, the opened hitting window makes the games more entertaining to play, and several smart design decisions (pitcher fatigue, Guess Pitch, matchmaking) have made the entire experience one worth seeking out. The result is obvious as scoring and batting averages are up across the board and ERA and strikeout numbers are down.
*Postseason mode
Interest in the new Postseason mode was not particularly high heading into release but it exceeded expectations. This is a great way for those people who don't want to invest the time, or don't have it, within franchise but want to play games that feel as though they have meaning. There are plenty of options available in setting up the brackets and the special presentation and ratcheted up atmosphere makes the games stand out from all the others.
NEGATIVES
*Commentary
While the commentary is by no means poor, it has become tired, and is long overdue for an overhaul. That realization wasn't just made this year but has been discussed as an area that needed addressing since MLB 09. MLB 11 switched out Rex Huddler for Eric Karros replacing one poor contributor for another. MLB 13 brings in Steve Lyons with Dave Campbell departing. Lyons presence is not really felt all that much. The feel of the commentary, the pacing (including too much empty space) and manner in which it is threaded together, just hasn't advanced while competition within the genre has taken major steps forward technologically and featured complete booth changes. It is particularly disappointing within playoff games as the commentary just does not match the heightened atmosphere.
*Minor Issues and Omissions
Gameplay wise the frequency that the CPU throws strikes in power zones on the first pitch of each at bat, which has been well documented, is worrisome and affects strategy at the plate. There is also some sort of slowdown affecting players as they round third base. Those few issues and an occasional stutter on pitch releases will hopefully be patched. Elements of baseball like rainouts, doubleheaders, and retractable roofs that close still haven't been implemented.
There is a growing sense that The Show has stalled as far as the PS3 goes and really needs the capabilities of the PS4 to advance any further. That's not to say it is totally deficient in any single way, just that in playing it every year the series is showing reduced returns as far as leaps go. Areas discussed already such as commentary may fall into that category as SCEA isn't going to make big investments in the last year or two of the current generation when they'll be looking to totally differentiate one from the other and help to justify the PS4 next fall.
SUMMARY
This is the year that MLB: The Show finally pulled it all together to offer a complete product with exceptional value. Though it may have hit somewhat of a wall on the PS3, the PS4 providing an opportunity to break through in the weaker areas like collision detection and commentary, the changes that were made for MLB 13 still made a significant impact. The Show is a now must-have for any true baseball fan regardless of whether interest lies in Play Now, Postseason, Franchise, Road to the Show, or Online.I simply don't agree with, or even understand for that matter, the negative comments on this game. The only thing I have to say is be aware of what you are purchasing. This game is designed to SIMULATE baseball. You can't just get up to bat and swing at every pitch and expect to be good at this game. Timing is key. Pitch selection is key. Pitch location is key. This is how baseball really is. This isn't a button smasher, you need to learn, practice to be good at it.
I can't comment on the negativity that this is just a roster update, because I didn't play 2011 or 2012. I own 2010 and in my opinion this game is head over heels better from 2010 to 2013. Graphics, game play, and overall presentation are much better than 2010.
I have spent some good hours playing this game and I have loved every second of it. If you want a true baseball simulation this is the game for you. If you are looking for an easy game where you hit a homerun every other at bat, hit .540 with 85HR....this probably isn't the game for you.
Read Best Reviews of MLB 13 The Show Here
This is the best baseball game on the market. I usually play franchise mode however I noticed a few changes for the worse this year. one example is that once a player hits 35 36 they don't just decline they crash. you will go into the season with a great player ranked 90 and leave with a back up ranked 66.Want MLB 13 The Show Discount?
Have a PS3 just for the Show, it is that good. Fantasy baseball on steroids. BLOWS AWAY MADDEN, NBA2K, and MLB2K, it's like watching a game but you are in control.
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