Early MVP Thoughts
This is my first MVP Baseball game on the consoles. I’ve always been a PC baseball guy whenever possible so I have always played the series on my computer. That doesn’t mean much…just thought I’d share.
Anwyay, after playing a few quick games tonight, I have a few notes to share about the NCAA baseball game, listed out in traditional “Bill Notes” form which means break out the bullet points!
- The game looks grainy looking to me. Maybe this is console-itis? The PC version of MVP last year looked a LOT better than this. Now, I personally don’t care all that much about it, but it’s not a drop dead gorgeous game.
- Ohio State’s baseball team is not Ohio State’s football team! We’re a B-. Damn. heh
- I do like that the bullpens are pretty weak on a lot of teams. Get past that #1 pitcher and watch out…
- Even thouygh it’s early, I do see more control issues here than in the MLB version. Will there be enough walks and Ks? I dunno yet, but it looks promising.
- I like zone hitting SO muchy more than the usual MVP swing method. I’m not a big fan of the new analog swing; give me my zone hitting damn it.
- I like that you have power, contact, and plate protection options now.
- Pitching feels just like MVP last year, although the umps are tougher on the corners. I see a lot of balls called that I know would have been strikes last year. This is good.
- People complaining about a “lack of college atmosphere” have apparantly never been to a regular season college baseball game… which I assume is in fact most people.
- The PbP is kinda weak and stale and I can’t hear Mike Patrick without waiting for Paul McGuire to chime in.
- Hitting is HARD. Even on Varsity lvl and with Zone hitting on, it’s not easy. At least not yet.
- The CPU SAC Bunts! Yeah!!
- I haven’t touched any of the Dynasty mode stuff yet.
- Nice hit variety thus far. Choppers, liners, bounders, etc.
- Lotsa sliders. Haven’t touched them yet. (Not that I won’t…it’s just too early to do that stuff)
- So far, after a few games, nothing that screams, “That was !&@%ing stupid.” I consider this a huge plus.
- I’m seeing a lot of errors. Well, not a crazy amount, but more than in a MLB game.
- Yes, they carry aluminum, and no, the TING isn’t as loud as I’d like it! More later…
January 19th, 2006 at 11:27 pm
I’ll be picking up the Xbox version tomorrow. I really hope someone releases rosters like they do for football. Bill, where do they have Clemson ranked? Baseball America has Clemson pre-ranked at #2! GO TIGERS!
January 20th, 2006 at 9:29 am
It is grainy. I have a third party VGA add-on that lets me play xbox games a monitor. At 720p the game is grainy and sometimes cloudy. Not as good as MVP 2005. And in some of the better stadiums, there are some stuttering issues. Nothing too bad, but noticable when the screen goes from the SS to the 1B during a ground ball put-out sequence. A step back in graphics. But if there was going to be a step back anywhere, this is the one place I can forgive it. But it sucks that the place where the slowdown is the most noticeable is in Rosenblatt Stadium.
Sure it is early, but I was pleased with the games I played. Not as many HRs on mistake pitches. In MVP 2005, every mistake I made went deep. I have also walked more players. In 2005, I could get an 0-2 count and then waste 3 pitches knowing full well that I could hit the corner on a 3-2 99% of the time. In this game, sometimes I miss the plate and like you said, sometimes the ump doesn’t give me the corner. And bunting is cool. I lost a game in 10 3-2. In the top of the 10th I gave up a single to lead off the inning. The next guy bunted and I basically did with my controller what a fielder can do in real life - I looked to second, decided to go to first and took too long getting the ball out of my glove. The next guy bunted also and it was a great bunt and he beat it out for a hit. Bases loaded and nobody out. In MVP I would either give up a gapper or an HR, but I managed to do a good job pitching. A forceout at home, a Sac fly and a line out. Gave up 1 run, but avoided really bad damage. Of course I could not get a run in my half of the 10th, but it still was a fun experience.
I hate that i will have to do all the recruiting. It is not something I enjoy - at least in a baseball game. I wish ther was a way to have the AI at least help.
January 20th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Good stuff Kevin.
And man..the Buckeye bullpen is brutal. 3-3 game and I bring in a MRP, who promptl;y gives up a double, a walk, a single..and a grand slam. And this is on VARSITY lvl!
January 20th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Craig I’ll check after Ashley gets off the Xbox.
January 20th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
I got my MVP. They have Clemson ranked #14 and Florida ranked #2. I like it so far, but don’t like the new batting interface. I turned it to zone hitting and classic throwing. I’ve only played 2 games, but I like what I see so far.
January 20th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
Yeah everyone is raving about the lock and load or whatever that near hitting thing is called, lol. I’m still a ZH guy. I fear change!!