MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

[TheGameV30]

i can tell u from my games it was not poor management of my pitching for the cpu comeback. it's happened a number of times to my starting pitching, relief guys and closer, all w/ plenty of energy and pitching a good game til a bunch of bloop hits and a cheap hr. and it's happened too many times in my game for me to chalk it up to just darn good hitting haha. and i do realize this happens in real baseball during long seaons, but it seems like it happens far too often in my game. becomes frustrating. i dunno

[S2S]

Re: MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

I've always been a fan of the game so of course obviously I was going to dig this years version of it. Overall it's great, I sold my 360 just for the sole purpose of remembering that this game doesn't come on the Xbox 360. And I do not regret it.

About the gameplay. I play my franchise on manager so it evens out evenly. I had a game where I beat the Reds 18 to 6. With one of my players(Casey Kotchman) hitting 3 homers in the game. And I've had games where my pitcher is in the 5th or 6th. Give up a hit or walk, Bring in a fresh reliever, He gives up a bloop single or homerun. I've got to say I've never been more annoyed by a game when that happens. When I had it on the Ps2 while waiting for my Ps3, I ended up slinging my controller against the wall in one of these bright moments. But alas I still play it because obviously it's the best.

On my RTTS, I've had fun with it and I've done good. Made it into the Braves starting lineup out of the 2010 spring training and they even traded Chipper so I could keep the spot. And I've been crushing the Met's and the Phillie's pitching so it's allllllllllllllllllll good.

Online I've had fun with it except for the lag right before the pitch gets to you but obviously you can adapt.

Overall the game is great and worth the money, I'm still managin' my franchise and trying to find the time to do my RTTS too.

My biggest flaw though is the derby being taking out. Because mainly when I'd have my friends over, We'd challenge each other to see who could win and hit the farthest homers. Please put it back in for 2010.

[cjnoles9399]

Re: MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

I'm glad the my PS3 can't post on this board or there would be constant accusation of some "human comeback code." Honestly, in about 102 games so far I have won probably 4 or 5 times in my last at-bats and have blown games in the computer's last at-bats about the same amount of times. It all evens out, especially if you are patient at the plate. I've gotten to K-Rod, Lidge, Capps that I can remember in the 9th with leads.

Just like in real life players hit the wall. I play with the Braves and was cruising with Mike Gonzalez all year until he blew saves on back to back nights at Boston via walk off homers. In about a month since he only has 3 saves and has an ERA around 4. I removed him from the closer role for Soriano and have been doing fine.

[TheGameV30]

i thought of another thing they should correct. when a pitcher gives up consecutive hits/walks/runs/hrs and you go do a mound visit, there is really no reason why their confidence should LOWER becuz of this. the reason for the pitching coach/manager going out there is to RAISE their confidence and not to lower it. that little bug is kind of frustrating. (and by kind of, i mean it is)

[countryboy]

Re: MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

i thought of another thing they should correct. when a pitcher gives up consecutive hits/walks/runs/hrs and you go do a mound visit, there is really no reason why their confidence should LOWER becuz of this. the reason for the pitching coach/manager going out there is to RAISE their confidence and not to lower it. that little bug is kind of frustrating. (and by kind of, i mean it is)

its not a bug, its meant to be that way. Some pitchers become even more frustrated/lose more confidence when they get the visit.

[TheGameV30]

also seems like about 60% of the curveballs either end up in the dirt or dead middle-middle w/ only missing the pitching mark by... 2 mm? seems kinda wrong

[TheGameV30]

some, sure but that means they make it normal for all the pitchers in this game? did they really go through and pick out certain pitchers to have this happen and not to others? i'm thinking no but i could be very wrong

[RaGinG TyRanT 5]

Re: MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

Nice choice of screens. I took both of those up at the event.

Enough can't be said about the pitcher/batter duel. Hope this doesn't get touched.
It's absolutely intense, every batter, and when the big boys step in, you gotta be sweatin' it.

You also have to be on point when you go to bat with a big time
hitter. You need a solid eye because the pitchers tend be very careful, and smart. It is a great experience.

My only gripes with the game are the following.
1.Check Swings
2.Outfielder's

It can get frustrating when you barley hit the x button and the batter will just swing , and other times you duplicate the same action and pressure on the x button and now you get the check swing.

I would like it to work in this manner. In order to get a full swing you have to hold the button down, and depending how long you hold the button down will determine how much of a swing is executed. You barley tap it and the bats barely moves off the shoulder. The pitching in this game is so real that we need more accurate controls for the swing of the bat. Fast balls come so fast you need to get that bat started and then decide if u want to fully commit to a full swing, and I feel with this type of control we can get that.

With the outfielders. My problem is when they run at full speed and go a long way to track a fly ball when you get to the spot, they don't stick their glove out to make a play. They just stay in the running animation. I would like for them to get alert to stick that glove out when they get near that spot. It works perfectly when you have time to get under the ball, but it's very inconsistent when your running at top speed and go a long way.

Besides the 2 issues I mentioned I dont see anything else that needs to be touhed gameplay wise. Just add more dressing to the game , but the meat and potatoes of the game is very well cooked

[Eski33]

Things that can be improved:

1) Presentation
--In-game scoreboard from around the league
--In-game highlights from around the league with critical games
--Improved atmosphere of rivalry games

2) Weather (cold, rain, snow, rainouts, makeup DH's)

3) More inform options (more classic options)

4) Classic teams and stadiums

5) Mini-games

6) Not to bite off of 2K but have a "Crib"-type area where you can unlock items such as classic-style pennants, mini-helmets, Customizeable jerseys that can be framed and hung on the walls, etc.

7) More options in regards to bats (pine, oak, length and weight)...Have aluminum as an unlockable...

8) Fly-bys of stadiums during pre-game that shows the exterior

9) Fix AI lineup glitches

My list is primarily presentation oriented....The game is the best on any console....

[RVD]

Re: MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

MLB 09 is a great game, but there are definitely things that need to be addressed...

1) Consistency in the Pitching/Batter matchup...it's so frustrating to hit a pop up or ground into a double play when you hit a good pitch with Wheelhouse/Perfect, and then pull a low and away pitch for a homerun.... That definitely contributes to some of the "scripted" feeling of the game IMO

2) I find it very very difficult to read high fastballs in this game. They need to work on the camera angle or figure out a way to make it easier to read high pitches. I seem to aim under a lot of high meaty fastballs (which seems to take away from the pitching/batter matchup because I barely ever crush high fastballs (in the zone) that should be mashed. (i play on pitch speed 3 btw)

3). Baserunning is still very awkward. I swear I still cannot hook right slide towards homeplate...I always seem to slide towards the infield and get thrown out-- copy MVP's base running controls.

3) The color commentary needs to be fixed/scrapped/get new guys. The play by play guy is ace, but the color guys are always chastising the hitters or saying something dumb that really takes away from the realism.

4) Add a different home run cam....follow the ball without it leaving view if you turn it off and don't immediately zoom in to the batter showboating...it just looks awkward. There is that one cutscene where it shows the hitter and the ball from a lower view that is the best imo...i wanna see the ball leave the park.

5) Scrap the rating bars and give numerical ratings...this has always been something that really made no sense to me for such a simulation

[TheGameV30]

RVD, u can turn off hr celebration and then it will follow the ball. i can't remember if it's in the regular options menu or just in-game options. also, they have numerical ratings in this game so....?

[Shadymamba]

I have also had a problem with the past balls in critical situations and the baserunning in RTTS is just too confusing L1 to advance R1 to retreat thats it..you hit it 3 times you want to head home from 1st hit it twice you want to go to third. and for franchise or exhibition let the buttons be the runner selected circle 1B, triangle 2nd, square 3B along with the L1 sequence and you good the ol MVP format 05..other than that this game plays great i just use auto baserunning for the time being def a 10 for gameplay in my book

[Avordo99]

This game is great! Only gripes are as follows:

1. Rex needs to go! Cannot stand the negative comments as this really detracts from the great commentary Matt projects.

2. Would like to see something like 2K's throwing/batting interface. Give the gamer the choice of user either buttons or analog sticks.

That's really it! Again, cannot stand the negative commentary Rex brings to the game. That's my biggest gripe! 2K9 has the commentary nailed (IMO). Thanks.

[Avordo99]

Well said!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

This game is great! Only gripes are as follows:

1. Rex needs to go! Cannot stand the negative comments as this really detracts from the great commentary Matt projects.

2. Would like to see something like 2K's throwing/batting interface. Give the gamer the choice of user either buttons or analog sticks.

That's really it! Again, cannot stand the negative commentary Rex brings to the game. That's my biggest gripe! 2K9 has the commentary nailed (IMO). Thanks.

Well said!