MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

[whosgotcha]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

Just played my first full game. Spring training Mets vs Orioles. Only thing I can say is If you're not a baseball fan you will be after playing The Show.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I have the worst time hitting Beckett. He's untouchable it seems

My buddy I played head-to-head with would probably agree with you. His Yankees couldn't touch Beckett.

[Segagendude]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

One word: TOUGH.

Tough to hit, tough to pitch a great game, tough,tough,tough.

I even went to Rookie mode, and got shelled by the freakin Royals, 11-3. (Spring game) I'm the Indians franchise.

It's going to be a looooonnnggg summer...........

But, I like the game. Unlike 08, where anything remotely close to the strike zone was a bomb for me, this one is challenging.

Graphics, are a TEN. How real does it seem to see fans walking around, hearing their boos and cheers at the appropriate times, etc!This game totally immerses me, and I almost forget I'm playing a video game...(until I strike out for the umpteenth time!)

Lighting is exquisite. Much better than last year!

Small gripes, but, why would a catcher be wearing his shades while behind the plate!? I don't think I've seen that in real life.

Also, the helmets are a tad too glossy for my tastes, but look great all the same.I do like how Hafner's has some minor wear on it, since he's been there for awhile now. In real life, his helmet looks aged as well, so this was a decent touch.

Dirt-----well, even after a half-arssed slide, the player's uniform looks like it was plastered with brown spray paint. A bit overdone, but good I guess.

Field degeneration------great new touch! I never realized how much better this makes the game look, til I play a quick game in 08, and always have pure white,clean chalk lines!

Gameplay:
As mentioned, tough. Maybe I just stink, but I jumped right into Veteran (Same level I played in 08)
Wow, what a difference! As in, you must BE an MLB veteran to totally shellack the CPU. Ok, maybe just in my case...
So, I swallow my pride,bump down to Rookie, and......well, read the Royals result above.

Tougher, much tougher. But at the same time, the challenge keeps me coming back. I actually daydream about what I can do to improve in this game. I started watching the WBC just to pick up some pitching/hitting pointers. (When the fastball should be expected, what's considered a "pitcher's pitch", and so on.)

Unlike some other sports games that were so easy, I lost interest after winning 9 or 10 straight games with relative ease, this one really commands my full attention with every pitch, play, and at-bat.

This surely has longevity written all over it.

My final impressions:

Outstanding, but extremely challenging sim. Yes, I said sim, not game. This is the first time I'll actually play every Spring Training game, as every loss means nothing. I'm fearful of the regular season, however........

[wsu_gb23]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I just played a game on HOF after playing all my other games on Legend level. The first thing I notice is that pitches are must easier to read on HOF, thus it is easier to make contact. I hit 4 homeruns with the Marlins at Nationals. 10 hits total.

With pitching however, I notice that the CPU is way more agressive on HOF compared to Legend. I gave up 3 hrs. to Josh Willingham, 14 hits total for the Nationals and lost 8-4.

I really like the way I can make contact on HOF, but do not like the battles (or lack there of) I have with pitching. Is there a good set of sliders I could use to increase my hitting ability on Legend; basically, what would be comparable Legend hitting sliders to feel like I am playing on HOF difficulty?

It's almost like I wish I could play HOF while batting and Legend when pitching.

[PVarck31]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I am so damn frustrated with this game. I have now lost 9 games in a row. ON VETERAN I was the Red Sox vs the Orioles. Beckett was lights out till the 8th, when he promptly gave up 5 runs. I swear there is comeback AI in this game. I had given up 1 hit prior to the 8th.

And don't tell me I don't know how to play the game. I have been playing Sony baseball games since MLB Pennant Race on ps1.

Don't get me wrong. I love the game. It is just frustrating me to no end.

[Scottdau]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I am so damn frustrated with this game. I have now lost 9 games in a row. ON VETERAN I was the Red Sox vs the Orioles. Beckett was lights out till the 8th, when he promptly gave up 5 runs. I swear there is comeback AI in this game. I had given up 1 hit prior to the 8th.

And don't tell me I don't know how to play the game. I have been playing Sony baseball games since MLB Pennant Race on ps1.

Don't get me wrong. I love the game. It is just frustrating me to no end.

You need to put in a another pitcher.

[Scottdau]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

One word: TOUGH.

Tough to hit, tough to pitch a great game, tough,tough,tough.

I even went to Rookie mode, and got shelled by the freakin Royals, 11-3. (Spring game) I'm the Indians franchise.

It's going to be a looooonnnggg summer...........

But, I like the game. Unlike 08, where anything remotely close to the strike zone was a bomb for me, this one is challenging.

Graphics, are a TEN. How real does it seem to see fans walking around, hearing their boos and cheers at the appropriate times, etc!This game totally immerses me, and I almost forget I'm playing a video game...(until I strike out for the umpteenth time!)

Lighting is exquisite. Much better than last year!

Small gripes, but, why would a catcher be wearing his shades while behind the plate!? I don't think I've seen that in real life.

Also, the helmets are a tad too glossy for my tastes, but look great all the same.I do like how Hafner's has some minor wear on it, since he's been there for awhile now. In real life, his helmet looks aged as well, so this was a decent touch.

Dirt-----well, even after a half-arssed slide, the player's uniform looks like it was plastered with brown spray paint. A bit overdone, but good I guess.

Field degeneration------great new touch! I never realized how much better this makes the game look, til I play a quick game in 08, and always have pure white,clean chalk lines!

Gameplay:
As mentioned, tough. Maybe I just stink, but I jumped right into Veteran (Same level I played in 08)
Wow, what a difference! As in, you must BE an MLB veteran to totally shellack the CPU. Ok, maybe just in my case...
So, I swallow my pride,bump down to Rookie, and......well, read the Royals result above.

Tougher, much tougher. But at the same time, the challenge keeps me coming back. I actually daydream about what I can do to improve in this game. I started watching the WBC just to pick up some pitching/hitting pointers. (When the fastball should be expected, what's considered a "pitcher's pitch", and so on.)

Unlike some other sports games that were so easy, I lost interest after winning 9 or 10 straight games with relative ease, this one really commands my full attention with every pitch, play, and at-bat.

This surely has longevity written all over it.

My final impressions:

Outstanding, but extremely challenging sim. Yes, I said sim, not game. This is the first time I'll actually play every Spring Training game, as every loss means nothing. I'm fearful of the regular season, however........

The Seattle catcher does that with the shades and so does Irod. And even the A's catcher wears them too.

[PVarck31]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

You need to put in a another pitcher.

I did once he got warm. I was pitching a 1 hitting with like 70 pitches in the 8th. Beckett was mowing everyone down. Still had 1/4 of his energy left.

[Scottdau]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I did once he got warm. I was pitching a 1 hitting with like 70 pitches in the 8th. Beckett was mowing everyone down. Still had 1/4 of his energy left.

That was a bad manager move there. You have to have the guy ready and if Josh is losing it it is time to pull him. You also, need to make wise pitches. This is a game you can't make mistakes with. You need to be sitting straight up and eyes focus on the T.V. No lying down with this game. You have to put 100% on the game.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

That was a bad manager move there. You have to have the guy ready and if Josh is losing it it is time to pull him. You also, need to make wise pitches. This is a game you can't make mistakes with. You need to be sitting straight up and eyes focus on the T.V. No lying down with this game. You have to put 100% on the game.

You also have to realize that late in the game, the pitches don't have that much movement and control gets a little more wild. First pitch strikes are extremely important so you can try a nibble.

It's tough to know when it's time, though. When you start to lose it in this game, it can hit in a wave of momentum the other way. But, hey, that's baseball.

[ehh]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I decided I'm gonna go for the gusto in franchise mode, play all 162 games and hopefully the playoffs as well. This game is THAT good that I can picture myself playing it religiously until September or October. The odd retiree bug has me a little concerned too for multi-year franchises.

So anyway, I kicked off my season tonight in Baltimore, CC was great. Allowed one run in seven innings and struck out eight. Guthrie was equally great for Baltimore, this guy was POUNDING the strike zone. Even though I was patient as hell he was just throwing strike after strike and I couldn't put anything together. Eventually I tied it up at 1-1 in the 8th inning on a big two-out single by Tex. I took a 2-1 lead in the 9th on a sac fly by Lastings Milledge (traded Wang for him, I want Hughes in the rotation and Wang is boring to pitch w. in this game). Unfortunately I didn't get Mo up in time to fully warm up, brought him in the game while he was still cold. Everything he threw was right over the plate and the O's teed off. I gave up three straight hits, then got a pop out and a strike out before Luke Scott launched a walk-off grand slam over the fence in right. A crushing way to start my long trek but I certainly will learn from my mistake and have Mo up in plenty of time from here on out.

Playing on Hall of Fame, only changes are a click down on throwing speed, fielder speed and AI solid hits.

[ChubbyBanana]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I am so damn frustrated with this game. I have now lost 9 games in a row. ON VETERAN I was the Red Sox vs the Orioles. Beckett was lights out till the 8th, when he promptly gave up 5 runs. I swear there is comeback AI in this game. I had given up 1 hit prior to the 8th.

And don't tell me I don't know how to play the game. I have been playing Sony baseball games since MLB Pennant Race on ps1.

Don't get me wrong. I love the game. It is just frustrating me to no end.

You don't know how to play the game....

I'm just playing. Like scott said you really need to watch you energy and confidence meters. Also you'll get better at detecting when your starter is about to lose it the more you play. Be patient, and make sure you're pitchers are "Ready" status in the pen unless in an emergency, then you can probably get away with "warm".

Also look at confidence and use mound visits to your advantage. You'll get the hang of it

[Hammerhunker]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I have gotten over it's minor flaws and realized just how great a game it is....

When throughout our sports videogaming career have we come across a game like this? I don't want to hear any other game even whispered in the company of this game, lol.

The total presentation of this game is so surreal; am I watching a real game or is this a video game? The added enhancements to the game like the batter/pitcher breakdowns, individual defensive adjustments, et al, goes to show you that this development team read every wishlist post and used many of them.

The above quote makes me laugh. I compare this quote to taking out the most beautiful women in the world, then the next morning while talking to your buddies telling them once you got past her little flaws, you were able to bed her

[SportsTop]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

The above quote makes me laugh. I compare this quote to taking out the most beautiful women in the world, then the next morning while talking to your buddies telling them once you got past her little flaws, you were able to bed her

That's actually a pretty good analogy....and damn funny too.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: MLB 09: The Show - Impressions

I am so damn frustrated with this game. I have now lost 9 games in a row. ON VETERAN I was the Red Sox vs the Orioles. Beckett was lights out till the 8th, when he promptly gave up 5 runs. I swear there is comeback AI in this game. I had given up 1 hit prior to the 8th.

And don't tell me I don't know how to play the game. I have been playing Sony baseball games since MLB Pennant Race on ps1.

Don't get me wrong. I love the game. It is just frustrating me to no end.

You and my brother are in the same boat. He swears that any inning the cpu gets a hit, they score (and possibly score big). I have noticed the number of big innings I give up this year seems a lot higher than last year. When you get in trouble, you really seem to get in trouble in '09. Perception or reality? I don't know. But I know that when I get in trouble, the worst thing I can do is give in. I still try to nibble, even if giving up walks, I use mound visits and break out a voodoo doll to help get out of the inning.

Both Galarraga and Edwin Jackson were cruising and then had one bad inning that ruined their outing and chased them from the game. I'm not even giving up that many HRs. Just singles that compound to really hurt.