Worst Game of 2009?

[The Kid 24]

I was reading pasta padre's site the other day and I found something on there... where pasta rated MLB 2k9 as the worst game of 2009!!!! I don't agree with this one bit.... I don't see that at all, does anyone else agree with pasta?

[spankdatazz22]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

His opinion is not to be respected when it comes to 2K games. I'm sure he's lump NBA2K10 in but he knows it'd make him sound like a complete idiot. Guaranteed, I bet he's singing the praises of Madden 10 (and every other EA game) yet holds it to a lesser standard than he would any 2K game. I've tried at length to make the argument that this game is really not all that different from Madden, and in many ways has done more to push videogame baseball forward than Madden has done for videogame football. It's a matter of people having different standards for the game.

[mkharsh33]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

not the worst...personally i enjoyed this baseball game more than madden, but that's just me. some slider tweaks helped, but still left it flawed. but i would admit that even i found this game to be enjoyable, though those games were few and far between.

[bulls23]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

His opinion is not to be respected when it comes to 2K games. I'm sure he's lump NBA2K10 in but he knows it'd make him sound like a complete idiot. Guaranteed, I bet he's singing the praises of Madden 10 (and every other EA game) yet holds it to a lesser standard than he would any 2K game. I've tried at length to make the argument that this game is really not all that different from Madden, and in many ways has done more to push videogame baseball forward than Madden has done for videogame football. It's a matter of people having different standards for the game.

Agreed. I like reading his site, but he must be gettin coin from EA. He would diss NFL 2k5 if it were coming out now.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

I dunno. Worst game of 2009? Probably not. Worst team sports game of 2009, it is definitely in the discussion IMO. Too many things wrong that never were properly addressed, etc. It was made more frustrating by the loads of unrealized potential rooted in the games features and controls.

And I agree that the series done some positive things in pushing the genre forward (in terms of controls, RTP, and commentary innovation), but innovation does not a good game make. Actually, that's one of the biggest frustrations...the overall unfinished feel of their baseball games.

Until the 2K baseball team at VC gets these concepts working together and make a more stable product that accurately represents the sport they are trying to recreate, then they'll likely continue to receive such criticism (fair or not).

[spankdatazz22]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

And I agree that the series done some positive things in pushing the genre forward (in terms of controls, RTP, and commentary innovation), but innovation does not a good game make. Actually, that's one of the biggest frustrations...the overall unfinished feel of their baseball games.

Until the 2K baseball team at VC gets these concepts working together and make a more stable product that accurately represents the sport they are trying to recreate, then they'll likely continue to receive such criticism (fair or not).

That's my point - the criticism isn't fair when compared to other games. I use Madden as an example because I feel the titles are somewhat similar but perceived differently because of the differing standards they're held to. And all the more frustrating when you see a guy like Pastapadre pushing a certain agenda, which people fall in line and follow. I'm not trying to say 2K9 was a good game. While I feel it was an improvement over 2K8, I found 2K8 post-patch to be more engaging. But people/outlets like Pastapadre sicken me because they're part of the problem w/sports gaming today (imo). Given we don't have any choice but to accept exclusivity it'd be nice if these gaming sites that pass themselves off as more or less neutral worked towards informing gamers instead of steering them towards their products of choice.

That's what kills me. Madden can be looked at as a huge improvement and the outlook for it positive, despite the fact it hasn't done much to push football gaming forward. It's biggest contribution for having complete NFL exclusivity the past six years is Pro-Tak. And that feature's about to be eclipsed by a much smaller company w/no football development experience. At the very least MLB2K can point to many more areas where it's contributing to help push videogame baseball gaming forward. Yet some want to keep pushing this agenda that MLB2K's a complete failure while looking at Madden as a success. I don't get it myself

[Blzer]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

This is not even close.

The worst game of 2009 was Action Girlz Racing for Wii.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

That's my point - the criticism isn't fair when compared to other games. I use Madden as an example because I feel the titles are somewhat similar but perceived differently because of the differing standards they're held to. And all the more frustrating when you see a guy like Pastapadre pushing a certain agenda, which people fall in line and follow. I'm not trying to say 2K9 was a good game. While I feel it was an improvement over 2K8, I found 2K8 post-patch to be more engaging. But people/outlets like Pastapadre sicken me because they're part of the problem w/sports gaming today (imo). Given we don't have any choice but to accept exclusivity it'd be nice if these gaming sites that pass themselves off as more or less neutral worked towards informing gamers instead of steering them towards their products of choice.

That's what kills me. Madden can be looked at as a huge improvement and the outlook for it positive, despite the fact it hasn't done much to push football gaming forward. It's biggest contribution for having complete NFL exclusivity the past six years is Pro-Tak. And that feature's about to be eclipsed by a much smaller company w/no football development experience. At the very least MLB2K can point to many more areas where it's contributing to help push videogame baseball gaming forward. Yet some want to keep pushing this agenda that MLB2K's a complete failure while looking at Madden as a success. I don't get it myself

Well, I wasn't making any references to Madden (one way or the other) as it's irrelevant to the state of 2K's baseball game to me. As far as sweeping criticisms are concerned, I'd say they are actually on equal footing in terms of user criticism from the various "sim" gamers. Your issue seems to be with critical reviews, and I can definitely see your point, but I would again submit that 2K has deserved it's critique whether or not Madden has deserved it's relatively free pass.

My point is simply all of these gripes and comparisons are moot. Regardless of the standards for a game like Madden, NCAA, whatever, 2K's failures are their own. Fix up the game, make those innovations work cohesively, and better acclaim will come. If I were rating 2K9 on what it could be, I'd be more inclined to share your views. As it stands, for me (and I fully respect the opinion of those who see more in this game than others...mileage may vary and all that) it's just not a very good game. Hopefully 2K10 will change all that. We'll see.

EDIT: and for further clarification, none of this is meant to be a commentary on the validity/invalidity of PastaPadre's reviews...just my own thoughts.

[spankdatazz22]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

EDIT: and for further clarification, none of this is meant to be a commentary on the validity/invalidity of PastaPadre's reviews...just my own thoughts.

Understood. I bring Madden into this discussion because I know it's one of the games Pastapadre champions/seems to think highly of, so I wanted to draw a comparison (although I do speak often to the relative free pass Madden has gotten the past five years) to show how much of a hypocrite he is (imo). I see a lot of people say Madden's now a good game yet say MLB2K is horrible in the same breath. So I throw a bunch of views out to spark discussion - surprisingly no one's seemed interested in disputing anything I say.

So while I do agree that 2K's failures are it's own, I feel it's also relevant to make the point these games aren't being judged the same way.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

For the record, he is talking about worst SPORTS game of 09'. He is a sports gaming site.

Not overall "video" game.

[Blzer]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

For the record, he is talking about worst SPORTS game of 09'. He is a sports gaming site.

Not overall "video" game.

Action Girlz Racing isn't a sports title?

Fine then, the worst sports game this year was NBA Unrivaled.

[CMH]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

You guys can discuss your feelings on the baseball game. You can discuss that you may disagree or agree with pastapadre's comments on his site (as a reviewer, I'm sure even he knows that his words can and will be faced with scrutiny).

However, you cannot insult him. I don't want to have to return to this thread and end up closing it because a few posters forget this rule.

[CBMerling]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

I was reading pasta padre's site the other day and I found something on there... where pasta rated MLB 2k9 as the worst game of 2009!!!! I don't agree with this one bit.... I don't see that at all, does anyone else agree with pasta?

I'd agree with him, MLB 2k9 was the worst sports game. It is the only XBox product I have traded in for MLB 09: The Show on PS3.

I don't even own a PS3, had to use my brethren's.

Hopefully this year can be an upgrade, and even if it gets worst sports game this year, I would be pleased as long as it is better than last year's game.

Have to respect someone's opinion. He has his own reasons, like you have your own reasons why it is NOT the worst game.

[spankdatazz22]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

Have to respect someone's opinion. He has his own reasons, like you have your own reasons why it is NOT the worst game.

I can respect another person's opinion but disagree with their reasoning. I've read people try to make the argument that the movie Avatar is only worth 1 out of 10 stars because they think the movie's bad ("the story's not original... horrible movie!"). But obviously that's a ridiculously extreme view. Everyone can have an opinion but at least have one that makes sense.

I'm not saying MLB2K9 doesn't deserve to be labeled as '09s worst sports game. I'd think 989's NBA game deserves some consideration, but I guess most don't expect much from it. My thing is I don't understand how someone could say MLB2K9 is horrible, yet say Madden is good/great in the same breath. That's my argument because the titles seem very similar. I don't see how it's any worse than Madden 10 where legitimate comparisons can be made. For example, MLB2K9 has batters that are overly aggressive. Madden still has it's robo-QB issues. Madden has OL/DL/DB/WR issues. MLB2K has issues w/individual player tuning. I'm guessing MLB2K has issues with homeruns; Madden has issues w/interceptions-turnovers. Madden 10 has presentation issues where it still hasn't caught up to older football games let alone top notch next gen games (Madden may be the only next gen sports title that doesn't have stadium or player specific chants for example), . MLB2K9 doesn't really have that issue and has actually pushed baseball gaming forward with realtime presentation. Commentary in MLB2K9 is infinitely better than Madden 10's commentary. Madden offers a relatively clean online experience, MLB2K9 I'd guess not so much. MLB2K9 is easily the more innovative title. If Madden doesn't change it's running animations next year I think there'd be a lot of disappointment (no way players like Darren Sproles/Randy Moss/Brandon Jacobs should have the same running animations in this day/age). Not an issue in MLB2K9. Madden has ball trajectory issues, MLB2K9 not so much.

Just saying I don't see how there's some huge disparity between the titles. Now if you can convince me I'm exaggerating Madden's issues then feel free. But to me there's not much of a difference. Too often people want to blurt out that a game is worthless or unplayable without giving any legitimate reasons why.

[cubsfan203]

Re: Worst Game of 2009?

Anyone who says it was the worst game of 2009 either didn't play more than one game, or played it before it was patched.

I had more "fun" playing 2k9 than I did any of the other sports games that were released this year. People just get caught up on "Oh look at all the bugs" and don't take time to enjoy it for what it is, a game with unique gameplay.

I find it funny how much people bashed this game for bugs, when games like Modern Warfare 2 have twice as many and are still considered one of the best games of the year.