MLB The Show 2012 (PS3)Follow

I am sure there are ball fans out there, that may even have a PS3. If you fit into this category, I suggest you get this game. Especially if you have the PS Move.

Changes from '11

So far the only thing I have noticed that is really any different is the pitching, instead of the traditional pick a zone, throw ball, hope it works to an out. This year they implemented Pulse Pitching, which is kind of like it sounds. A pulsing circle will give you the approximate range of your pitches movement, the bigger the circle the more the ball will stray from your desired location, the smaller the more accurate it will be.

It is a nice change, and makes pitching more interesting overall. But it also is harder, as the game progresses and you tire the circle will be harder and harder to manage leading to more arrant pitches and less overall control on location. Which is very realistic, but it makes those complete games harder to come by.

The real reason to get this game (assuming you have a previous year). Other than updated rosters (rookies, retirements etc) is for the move functionality.

The move function on this game is awesome. hit, pitch, catch, throw. (I am sure others like sliding are also applicable). At first it is difficult to control (not out of fault of the game) everything is about timing.

Pitching kind of feels like the old style 3 button click golf swings, (without clicking obviously) with a gauge for power, and accuracy. Releasing the T button to soon (or late) results in bad pitches (just like a real pitcher who releases a ball wrong.) This will take some practice, as every pitcher has a different release point, and every pitch gets to that point at a different time

Fielding requires finesse as you can over throw the bases (and even into the stands) the indicated power is shown by directional arrows pointing to the location of your throw. (yellow is short, green is good, red is long.) You have to keep T held through the process (catching, throwing, releasing). If you let go of T your player can and will often drop the ball.

Hitting, probably the easiest of the 3 main functions, a steady swing for a contact swing, or step into it for a power swing. Hitting itself is pretty fair, if you swing at the favorable pitches in zone, like real life, chasing things on corners or outside the zone will usually result in a foul or outright strike. Bunting is pretty neat to in the sense you can long or short hop it, set bunt or drag bunt, all on the movement speed and timing of the bunt button being hit (move button).

Playing via the move takes some getting used to, the Indians beat my Jays in 5 innings (i gave up.) 37-2. My pitching was awful, but not as bad as my fielding (yay over throwing into the stands) the only success I had was a 2 run shot with Bautista, but It was very good exercise, I got a decent sweat going from it, and felt like I had actually played a game of ball.

I highly recommend this game to the baseball fan on the PS3. It is great fun.

(all the old stuff RTTS, Season, Franchise etc is back as well).

Edited, Mar 9th 2012 6:17am by rdmcandie

This video is funny because it won't happen.

In related news, even in video game land my Mets can't win.

The defenders automatically move to the ball, all you control is the catch, throw (and power) and release. The AI will preform the required navigation.

I am not aware of any controls that incorporate the Nav Wand, only the Move Wand. But for the most part it is pretty easy to get the basics....mastering it however, well that might take me 162 games, hope I make the playoffs.

In related news this is the second game that has made me happy to have bought the move. Tiger Woods 2012 was the first, but this is just so much better. What ive always wanted in a baseball game.

See you in 2 hours after I get my *** stomped.

Edited, Mar 9th 2012 3:36pm by rdmcandie

This actually made me rather upset the first time I saw it.

Next year!