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***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

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Old 03-04-2009, 05:15 AM   #833
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

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Originally Posted by pjv31
Pastapadre says its one of the wost sports games of the year.
Not even close. Unless he's considering there's only 3 games out all year in sports genre. But to each their own. If we're talking same calendar year, it's a better game than Madden was (and Madden was getting 8's and 9's in reviews somehow). But in baseball games, no, it's not The Show. But as I've said before, no game for me is worth $400. Especially a game I've never been a fan of.
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Old 03-04-2009, 05:40 AM   #834
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

I think it's a horrible game. Maybe my expectations are set too high, but for $60, we should all expect a game to get better. In my opinion, 2K has not. I had more fun playing 2K8.

First of all, there is no excuse for taking customization away. None, whatsoever. Whoever wants to argue this, go ahead. I'll listen. But in the era we're in, with these high powered consoles, we should have games that evolve and get better -- not regress and have customization features stripped away. Not being able to edit batting stances and pitching deliveries is ridiculous. Not being able to edit a pitcher's pitches is downright mind-boggling. These features were in last year's game, and now they're gone. I doubt 2K cares enough to patch this, but it easily one of the consumer's biggest gripes about this title (and rightfully so).

The computer AI swings at everything. I counted 18 consecutive batters that swung at first pitch strikes, and they were borderline pitches. They don't try and work the count at all. I assume the patch is already out and it did not fix a thing. The game plays like an arcade game and not a true baseball simulation. I am not impressed with the interface.

I just don't believe in sugar coating anything and I am not willing to make excuses for 2K this year. They had the opportunity to improve on last year's game and they did not do it in my opinion. The bottom line is, I think a lot of people feel the same way so there is something to my complaints. It does not feel like a next gen game, and they've had years to make it one, and it's not there. They dropped the ball.

On a Q & A over at the 2K forums, one of the developers said that there were features in the game that are simply not there. "Go Cubs Go" comes to mind after a Cubs win... That's not in the game. Is it a big deal? No, but what IS a big deal is the fact that one of the developers flat out lied, or didn't know enough about a product that he helped to create to give a factual answer to a question from a consumer. That's just poor.

I wasted $60, thinking that I'd like this game. I never had time to play the demo and wish I did, so that's my fault. But I just can't believe how bad this game is. The developers better be listening if they want this game to get better.

Hopefully anyone on the fence will read this and rent instead of buy this game. It's not worth it.

4/10
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Old 03-04-2009, 05:43 AM   #835
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

Ok, I just spent the night playing both 2K9 (mine) and my friend's MLB the Show. Both for PS3 obviously. I played 2K7 and last year I played the Show (I played 2K8 too, but not long), so my opinion shouldn't be too biased as of right now. After playing the demos I went in thinking these games would be pretty even. I played 4 games of 2K9 and 3 games of The Show...here are my thoughts...

Gameplay: This is the most important part to any game, IMO. Its a game where in franchise mode, I have to be intrigued to play 162+ games to get my money's worth. Both games were pretty solid in the hits variety department. The Show seemed to have the same as last year, but I think I can say 2K9 improved. As for the pitch counts and stats, both were pretty realistic, here are some results:

2K9 - 4-2, 6-5, 11-8, 3-1 (pretty good variety)
Show - 7-3, 6-4, 2-1 (pretty good)

Stats were pretty good, that 11 point game in 2K had a monster game from A-Rod (2 HR - 6 RBI), but he is one of the best right? Fielding seemed to be smoother in the Show and definitely less errors. In 2K, I had an error a game and the CPU had 1-2 errors a game. The Show barely had any. I did have the 1B come off his bag once in the 4 games which is annoying but it only happened once. One thing I can't stand about the Show is that you still just press X to hit...its too simple and I love 2K's swing stick. It gives you a real hitter's feel to it. As for base running, 2K's is more advanced but takes some getting used to, I found myself hitting the wrong button constantly (keep in mind I was playing The Show too which probably didn't help). But I prefer 2K's. All in all, as long as 2K fixes some problems via patch, I prefer there gameplay...the 1B bag thing would be fine if it happened once in like 12 games, but the ball going through the outfielder is monumental. Btw, I played on All Star for this with no sliders...

Presentation: This is hands down 2K's best feature. Gary Thorne and Steve Phillips are amazing and they will even stop and go with some conversations throughout the game. Its a good one-two punch for the mic. In the Show its still just Matt with a 'chime-in' from the others, its kind of monotone. 2K once again triumphs with the signature styles...I played with the same teams with 2K and the Show and I'll tell you the Show had only 2-3 Cleveland Indians down close when it came to hitting. 2K actually has walk-ups that is very nice and unique. The Show has nicely polished cut-scenes are they are ahead of 2K's, but the Show kept puting up wrong stats for players, bugged me a little. I can't get over the Show's horrible player models either...why does everyone have broad shoulders? How can they not fix that, its very bad if you have a big screen TV. 2K obviously looks more realistic (except for the faces), and the real-time gameplay with the field and the clouds is implemented amazingly. Presentation goes to 2K by a mile here.

Simulation Reality: I continued to sim through 30 games, 2K started to worry me here as Adam Dunn had 16 HRs through 34 games. I guess as long as a cold spell ensues its ok, but he was pretty much on pace for 70+. The next closest was A-Rod with 10 HRs. The Show was good with Scott Rolen with 11 HRs, weird player to be there but I guess realistic number. BA was good in both, through 30 games, Pedroia (2K) led with .372 and Pujols (Show) led with .381. The best record was the Angels in both games, 21-9 (The SHow) and 19-12 (2K)...Show worried me here as the Rockies were only 5-23, 2K's worst team was 11-27 (Nationals).

Tested out a Fantasy Draft in each game too...for you people that rely on this, I didn't like it for either game as nothing was realistic. I'll start off with the Show where the Oakland A's drafted 4 Aces and had 8 total starting quality pitchers, they also had 3 closers, needless to say they didn't have a single impact bat in their lineup. Other teams were vice versa, like the Blue Jays who had 6 great batters and their Ace was Brett Myers and their second starter was Scot Olsen and then 3 minor leaguers behind them. Not realistic at all (unless ur the 2008 Orioles, ). Honestly, 2K wasn't any better in this department, the Cardinals had an amazing lineup and their ace was Jo-Jo Reyes (good luck with that) and the White Sox had great starters/pitching while the best bat in their lineup was Nick Swisher.

Game Overall: I have to give this year's nods to 2K9 so far, even with the issues. The Show seems like too much of a repeat of last year's and I can see a lot of people getting bored with it quickly, especially if they are franchise players (which is the only thing I do). Obviously its different if you do the whole 'road to the show' thing. Another thing that bugs me is The Show takes tons of pride in having the 40 Man roster thing but they only go as deep as double A in the minors. Hopefully, 2k9 will patch things up in a few weeks and this game will undoubtedly be my choice for this year. The Show is still a great game and has the polish without the patches, but I don't see a dramatic improvement from last years, like 2K9. Keep in mind, I only played a few games for each the Show and 2K9...my observations can be scured beyond those games.

NOTE: I have no experience in online play, so I have no idea about the quality there.

NOTE: Chien Mang Wang got a broken nose in 2K's second game and was out 3-6 weeks by getting hit by a line drive. The Show still doesn't have any pitcher reactions and the ball goes through the pitcher sometimes. The Show did have Cliff Lee strain his shoulder, he was out for 1 week.

I think the people with the XBox should be pleased to get 2K9 as its not a stretch (IMO) from the Show, atleast when it comes to gameplay and franchise. IMO, 2k9 is better so far...
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Old 03-04-2009, 06:02 AM   #836
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

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First of all, there is no excuse for taking customization away.
Wow, hadn't gotten that far yet...that does really suck...
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Old 03-04-2009, 06:06 AM   #837
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

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Originally Posted by jobalo85
Wow, hadn't gotten that far yet...that does really suck...
Yeah... For some its not a big deal, but for many, it is. To me, the game is almost just as important outside of the actual game playing (interface, stat simulation, player realism, customization, etc) than playing the game. They took customization away that older consoles had, such as editing stances and deliveries. Just no excuses for this, man.
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Old 03-04-2009, 06:09 AM   #838
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

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Originally Posted by JohnDoe8865
I'm enjoying the game so far despite the many issues. The batters are too aggressive for the AI and the CPU pitchers are throwing 90% strikes even when I take every pitch. I'm not exaggerating. However, I'm still having fun through 2 full games. I'm using bigfnjoe's sliders right now and have been since I popped it in the 360.

I've seen nearly every issue that has been mentioned and they are all there, the 1B step thing, the wonky outfield running, the curious base running on occasion, the catcher sometimes just stands and forgets to get back into his stance, the mistaken stat overlays, etc. etc. I'm not giving 2K or Visual Concepts a free pas by any means. I expect a patch in the next couple months that remedies most if not all of these gameplay problems. I do not expect that stance and delivery editing or the cap on editing players names to be patched, because some of these are issues native to VC's other games (see NBA 2K series).

If VC doesn't issue a patch that confronts the issues that are so widespread, I simply will not buy their product anymore. That's the only way for an individual to make a difference and I'll continue to criticize the game as I do Madden, or NCAA or NBA 2k, or NCAA Basketball, etc.

I think the game is playable in the current build, but it still feels a bit like a late beta build, as supposed to a final polished build. I only paid $50 for my copy after using a giftcard, and I have OOTP 9 (and OOTP 10 on preorder) for my GM/franchise fix.

If you have a PS3, there is absolutely no reason to buy 2k9. But if you are on 360 like me, it is worth playing this year I think. I didn't buy MLB 2K8, as I hated it, and I passed on NCAA Football 09 as it sucked, so I will not buy games that I don't like. I don't regret the purchase of this game, considering it is my only console baseball choice and the value that I think it will give me.

That's my $1.02.
Good post.

Game has flaws people, lots of them. I'm enjoying it for what it is. It's not the worst game ever produced, it's light years better than 2K8 was. All games are what you make them. I'm sure there's been 10/10 movie reviews that someone hated, and then a 1/10 movie that someone loved. Same with videogames. Everyone's opinion is their own, if you like it, shouldn't that be all that matters?

I do hope a patch fixes some of the issues, it would make it more sound of a game.
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Old 03-04-2009, 06:11 AM   #839
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zag
Yeah... For some its not a big deal, but for many, it is. To me, the game is almost just as important outside of the actual game playing (interface, stat simulation, player realism, customization, etc) than playing the game. They took customization away that older consoles had, such as editing stances and deliveries. Just no excuses for this, man.
That's one of the things I'll never understand in the PS3/360 era of gaming. It seems like every sports game has gone backwards removing stuff from previous gen's, then adding it back in later as a "new feature". I shake my head at it every single time.

How come in the Sega Genesis days I had half time highlights from other games in Bulls vs. Blazers? Why could I have every feature and more in a baseball game in All Star Baseball 2004, including expansion and new stadiums.
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Old 03-04-2009, 06:46 AM   #840
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Re: ***Official MLB 2K9 Retail Version Impressions***

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Originally Posted by RealmK
My first impressions are that its above and beyond what 2k8 was. The presentation is excellent, I think the new pitching interface works well enough, batting feels on the whole more solid and I feel I have better control over influencing where balls are hit, maybe too much actually but its an improvement none the less.

Base running is somewhat wonky but that may be just me getting used to how it is now, fielding at times feels somewhat wonky as well with players not getting under fly balls as well as they should.

Solid framerate, graphically its not where it could be but it doesn't look bad by any means. The commentary is for the most part spot on and well delivered. The new interface is slick at least from a presentation factor. I still absolutely loathe 2knav on the whole but at least the menus are laid out well and its easy enough to navigate to what you're looking for.

Over all a very solid and very much improved 2k baseball title, it plays a solid game of baseball, has prolly the best atmosphere a 2k sports title has ever had, runs well and its fun to play which is really all one can ask for.
Now if there is any review that I respect it's this one. I know your history realm so if you are saying all of this, I know those low review scores and crazy complaints are way off. Nice review.
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