MLB 2K9 Post-Patch Impressions (360 & PS3 merged)

[Captain Mallow]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

Well. I only say that because the slider set I had been working on was going great (the one w/ hum success 70/cont 5/Pwr 75). I had neglected to update my thread because I wanted to get more games in, but I was loving the results - and finally hitting the ball hard w/ marginal power guys, getting HRs from Rollins after about 20 some games and various slider sets, and then HRs by Adam Jones and Mora on my BAL team.

As far as the 1st base glitch, it occurred some, but sparingly w/ my sliders - and it didn't really bother me since errors in general weren't really coming all that often, at least it put one in the error column.

W/o the gesture rating, pitching IMO becomes annoying. With my slider set prior to this patch I was getting creamed enough by the CPU in certain games - so pitching doesn't need to be EVEN harder for me.

This is only one game I've played, but I also saw some troubling AI player management that I hadn't yet seen pre-patch; that ex. was posted in here a few pages back.

EDIT: Oh and my user record is 14-16 so I've found a good set, challenging me at least...Too bad its pre-patch.

Anyone know the extent of what the patch does for franchise?

Sounds like the same experience I've been having. Using Joe's sliders with slight tweaks (increase my fielders' speed; decrease CPUs). Now the game is playing so well for me (very challenging to my last-place O's...finally, realism!) I'm not going to download the patch for a while...at least not until all the reviews are in.

[Smitty730]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

can anyone investigate the "countless" changes made to franchise mode? I've played a few pre-existing franchise games and I still notice the horrible stat displays from "last year," notable "top fielder in 216"

I'll post any notable changes that I see.

Also, should we expect a roster update before the Phillies-Braves opener or what?

[Bwnarrow3]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

Wow, I am very impressed with this patch. It really fixed a lot of the things that could not be fixed by sliders alone. The hitchy animations are mostly gone and I only had one fielding blunder in my last game (Ball went through Cantu's legs).

The AI agressiveness is toned down enough so that it can be acceptable with appropriate sliders. I honestly believe that even though it'll take a few weeks to find great sliders, that, when we find them, this game will play a great game of baseball.

The only big gripe that I still have with this game is the progressive lighting. It is still too hyperactive. But for me that is really the only thing that I can't deal with.

I am now really looking forward to playing this game throughout the summer. The pitching is great with how sensitive it is now, the hitting is realistic, and the fielding, while not perfect, is bearable. With some good rosters, sliders, and custom music, I should have a great time playing this game.

[Hoos]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (PS3 Only)

Looks like they are on the right track. I think this game is quite fun as a change of pace from the Show to play here and there..

different kind of game, but still fun. I haven't seen a definitive answer, (going to download the patch here in a bit), but have the OF issues been alleviated or at least improved?

Bk, for me in two offline games and one online game...............YES!!!! Not one fielding gaff in 3 games......

That was one of my biggest gripes in the demo and after watching this forum for impressions, the full game as well. That's one of the reason I never picked this game up or rented it until now.

So again I say, YES the fielding is much improved IMHO!!!

[Ferrari997]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

whatsup guys, i just played my opening day game. noticed a lot of changes.


-all of the default batting stances/windups are changed, they gave them their true batting stance instead of a default one (probably so we wouldn't have to edit batting stances)
!

What do you mean all default batting stances are changed? I play as the Cubs and I still see that some of my players still have their original default batting stance, the same as before the patch.

[bkrich83]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (PS3 Only)

Bk, for me in two offline games and one online game...............YES!!!! Not one fielding gaff in 3 games......

That was one of my biggest gripes in the demo and after watching this forum for impressions, the full game as well. That's one of the reason I never picked this game up or rented it until now.

So again I say, YES the fielding is much improved IMHO!!!

NICE....

I just played a game on all-star default Padres vs. National.. Game played pretty well to me. Not the ultimate sim, but well within realm of reality..

I think this game will fit nicely as a fun change of pace game for me to play this summer.

[buzzguy]

Good to hear that the latest patch seems to help the game.

[jerm21]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

What do you mean all default batting stances are changed? I play as the Cubs and I still see that some of my players still have their original default batting stance, the same as before the patch.

oh. well for the red sox, jed lowrie has his batting stance now instead of the default. and a lot of my relievers have their set deliveries!

whatsup with pitching though! it doesn't hit where i want the pitch..how do i get it to the area i want it? because if i keep getting the yellow to fill the circle all the way, my pitcher will get tired easily.

[notoriouzwun]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

Anyone know if the patch fixed the Chase Field Glitch? Where if you hit a homerun to very deep left center field approximatly where what use to be called Fry's Picnic Pavillion is the ball glitches and the runners wont score on the homerun. Its quite annoying cause your game is over once that glitch hits.

[Skyboxer]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

Cool! I'm home now and will play in a few. Any recommended sliders yet?
I know it's early but any that are decent that I can go from there?

[brendanrfoley]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

Played another game with the patch, and I'm very impressed. Random thoughts and observations:

- CPU Aggressiveness is toned down, but it will jump on poorly executed pitches. Pitch Gesture is monumentally important, especially on breaking pitches.

- User-controlled pitchers are far less accurate. It provides a great challenge, and I actually walked three guys during my last game.

- Fielding is much, much more enjoyable. It's less twitchy and more fluid.

- Are we sure progressive lighting isn't fixed? I started my game at what looked like 2pm or so in the afternoon. The lights came one near the end of the game, but there was much more sunlight out. It looked like it was about 6pm or so.

- Smoother transitional animations... there's no doubt Visual Concepts worked on stuff after the game went gold. This patch includes too much to believe otherwise.

- Overall, I'm thrilled. MLB 2K9 plays a pretty darn good game of baseball with this patch, and we haven't gotten into the nitty-gritty slider tweaking just yet. I'm estatic!

[dakpak]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

i honestly still enjoyed the game pre patch even with the obvious gripes everyone shared here, and post patch 2 im really enjoying the game!!!

it appears to me after 2 offline games and two online games there were definite changes, such as:
-pitching is harder,
-no more slow outfielders,
-no more 1st base glitch,
-more patient ai, more ai striekouts,
-no more easy pickoffs at 1st or 2nd base

to me mlb2k9 just plays a very solid game of bball, and im still using BFJs ver4 sliders.

i caved in an purchased mlb09 the show for ps3 earlier this week, its a beautiful game !! & it plays great, and i think ultimately the better title of the two, nonetheless i think im gonna play offline w/my marlins franchise and rtts on ps3 w/ mlb09 the show, and play online with my united league buddies with mlb2k9 on my xbox360.

i personally am going to enjoy this summer with gaming baseball on both consoles. i hope others can enjoy the game as i do, cya online. peace!

[Smitty730]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

What do you mean all default batting stances are changed? I play as the Cubs and I still see that some of my players still have their original default batting stance, the same as before the patch.

Not EVERY PLAYER has an updated batting stance. However, my first game with the Phillies with Patch 2, I played a quick game against the Rays and noticed two changes.

Jayson Werth has an updated batting stance, replacing the dorky generic one. I don't know if it's Werth's batting stance, but it looks close enough to real life for my approval.

Carlos Pena also has what appears to be HIS signature style, which is cool.

On the downside, 2K did not update Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, Matt Stairs, Greg Dobbs and Chris Coste, which is inexcusable, but oh well.

[Bwnarrow3]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

- Are we sure progressive lighting isn't fixed? I started my game at what looked like 2pm or so in the afternoon. The lights came one near the end of the game, but there was much more sunlight out. It looked like it was about 6pm or so.

Really? Maybe my first game was a bad first impression.

[Eddie1967]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Official Patch 2 Available, Impressions Here (360 Only)

I've played two games with the patch. I was disappointed after my first, but feel much better about my second.

There a two big changes on the pitching side. First, the gesture is far more sensitive. User-thrown pitches can end up all over the place. There is a catch, though. The computer is more likely to swing at what it things is a poorly thrown pitch. When you do nail the motion, though, the computer will take. I've seen some terrific at-bats and have a real fear of screwing up against opposing hitters. User-issued walks are entirely possible, especially if you want to avoid grooving one to a great hitter.

Fielding is definitely smoother, in both the infield and outfield.

And, this cannot be understated -- the smooth transitions into batting stances (no more "snap") us beautiful and allows Signature Styles to shine through.

With the patch, MLB 2K9 is head and shoulders above 2K8. It's a solid B+ game in my opinion, and will carry me through the baseball season (easily). It also excites me for the prospects of the series.

Visual Concepts is taking the MLB 2K franchise seriously, and it shows.

Love those impressions sounds like this series made a big leap from 2k8 after all especially post patch 2.