Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

[brezz2001]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

So it's a bit tricky. When you go to the demo screen, the top option "get demo" is grayed out. If you go to "all downloads" then you can find it under there.

Brian

[Gennataos]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

When I got up this morning, there was a 2k9 cover label under MLB2k7. So I am not sure if they made a mistake or what.

I just checked alphabetically and via the Sports and Recreation genre. Alphabetically, 2k9 isn't even listed, but 2k7 has the 2k9 box art. By sports genre, 2k9 is listed, but unavailable just like it is via New Arrivals, but again the 2k7 demo has the 2k9 box art.

I know this isn't necessarily impressions, but people will be coming here to read about the demo and I figured this info would be useful. I'm sure it'll get fixed, but not likely before I have to leave for work.

edit - It's there under alphabetical listings now, but still without the box art and unavailable.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Well maybe theres a glimmer of hope afterall. Its a damn shame theres no option to experiment with any sliders.

Also, (can't believe i forgot this in my review...lol.). I struck out 5 batters in two "games" looking. So the CPU WILL take strikes...though they do seem very aggressive overall. Just saw some comments on that and wanted to chime in.

[stlcardsfan44]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

I just checked alphabetically and via the Sports and Recreation genre. Alphabetically, 2k9 isn't even listed, but 2k7 has the 2k9 box art. By sports genre, 2k9 is listed, but unavailable just like it is via New Arrivals, but again the 2k7 demo has the 2k9 box art.

I know this isn't necessarily impressions, but people will be coming here to read about the demo and I figured this info would be useful. I'm sure it'll get fixed, but not likely before I have to leave for work.

Yeah, thats exactly what I saw. So is the game under 2k7 then?

[areobee401]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Play a quick game this morning and left feeling underwelmed. Not what I expected at all.

[brezz2001]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Yeah, thats exactly what I saw. So is the game under 2k7 then?

See my post from above, if you click on "all downloads" when you go to the 2k9 demo screen, you can find it there.

Brian

[Gennataos]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

So it's a bit tricky. When you go to the demo screen, the top option "get demo" is grayed out. If you go to "all downloads" then you can find it under there.

Brian

This worked for me. The first time I tried it, it did me some error, but it seems to be working the second time. Thanks!

[~Guru~]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Stat overlays when the player comes up at bat seem to small, and almost feel generic.

It lacks "pop" of a network presentation.

Nice that it has the stats it does, but just doesnt have that "broadcast flair".

ok ok ok we get it that you think is terrible....not your cup of tea

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Here you guys go, direct link

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/offers/0ddf0001-0000-4000-8000-00005454884a?cid=SLink

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

ok ok ok we get it that you think is terrible....not your cup of tea

What do you just track me down just to say something snarky to me?

It is in IMPRESSIONS THREAD. I will post as I see things.

You dont have to read what I say. In fact, pretend I dont exist if it bothers you that much.

[stlcardsfan44]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Here you guys go, direct link

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/ga...884a?cid=SLink

Man, I saw that this morning but didn't think that had anything to do with 2k9. Oh well, guess I will check it out in 10 hours when I get off work.

[Artman22]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Okay, played a couple games. Here are some quick pros and cons:

+Commentary is very good. I think if they can keep repetition from being an issue, it could be the best "booth" in baseball videogames in terms of game quality. No, that's not hyperbole either. I'm talking general flow and work between the two guys. It's impossible to tell if it will have the staying power or neat touches through a season that The Show's crew has (that's doubtful anyway) but I like what I hear.

+Camera work (presentational). This will be a boon for this game. They get the camera angles pretty well and make nice cuts at good times. The hitting/pitching camera is locked in the demo, so nothing to comment on there.

+Real time. The "life" it adds to the park, mainly at field level, is very good and can help immerse you in the game. I had a neat play where I broke my bat on a hit and the bat boy went after both main pieces. Subtle touch that I liked.

+Control responsiveness. Both pitching and hitting feel more fluid in responsiveness. The hitting "feels" much better and the pitching is more polished. Good stuff.

+Fielding. I liked the fielding overall in 2K anyway, and it feels as fluid as ever. BIG fan of the throwing meter too. Not really new in that regard, but still a plus IMO.

+Lighting. While I won't begin to debate relative sun positioning...lol (just playing Blzer) the lighting was a pleasent surprise. The colors had that "pop" I was looking for and the stadium looks good panned out.

Now for the negatives:

-Lets get all this out of the way...Organ, bat sounds, Organ, bat sounds, Organ , bat sounds...BIG FAT BOOOOOO...lol. There, that's done.

-Animations. when they're on, they're beautiful. When they're not, it's painful. More off than on, unfortunately. the transitional and "reactive" animations are actually quite good overall. What brings it down is the herky-jerky running/walking, the weird no-look throws and horrible swings. I'm sure some will be ironed out a bit in the final, but some of those are trademark 2K baseball, so don't expect much there.

-Real time. No, you're not hallucinating. I put it in as a + and a -. The thing is, for everything it adds, a lingering look at a player wondering around in a circle lost is shown (Picture a senile old man in a mega-mall....okay, now he's a robot...lol, got it?). It's part of the growing pains I'm personally able to live with, but it can be downright scary at times.

-Collision Detection. Zero. Saw players go through players, walls, benches in the dugout, themselves, their gear...just not there. Hopefully they'll have at least reduced the opportunities for it to be so galring come final.

-Ads. The game is brought to you by Pepsi, with a SP brought to you by Statefarm, whose stats are sponsored by Pepsi, in a park sponsored by Statefarm and Pepsi, in a game at the conclusion of which, your Pepsi player of the game is presented by Statefarm. The sad thing? Minus the very last State Farm, I didn't make any of that up. Yuck.

-Control ease. Pitching might be okay with the ability to go back to the 3 step system. Hitting is a joke. I could close my eyes and hit the ball. That is not a joke...I actually did it to check. No step influence might have killed the hitting...dead serious. Hopefully in the final build, with slider adjustment and difficulty levels and all that, it will be better. I'm a bit worried here though.


Now some other notes that aren't strictly a plus or minus.

*Graphics are better than I though. Base player models are good and the stadium looks pretty good overall. The uniforms and equipment is disappointing at best. There is a general cartoonish look to the and they either look rubbery or inflatable (gloves are BAD for this). Still, much better than 2K8 overall and certainly a step back in the right direction.

*gameplay felt relatively untouched other than it being easier. Again, hopefully this will be something that is flexable in the final build. Nothing to me jumped out as "new" here, though to be fair the fluidity of the controls being improved might carry over to gameplay with the right slider set.

*hit variety is definitely improved over 2K8, but I personally don't agree with the rave reviews it's getting. That's subjective though, so I'l leave it at that. I guess the important thing is it has indeed improved.

*Sig style are much more hit and miss than I thought they would be to be honest (always considered it a plus for the series). Odd the WS teams were like that. not making it a negative yet though. This is one area I'm willing to give 2K some benefit of the doubt.

That's it for now (isn't it enough...lol). Sorry for the long post, just wanted to get across what I noticed.

Bottom line is I do see an improvement over 2K8. Nothing to "wow" you particularly IMO, but certainly a good rebuilding effort and looks to be potentially enjoyable. I think if a couple of my gameplay concerns are ironed out (or can be adjusted for with sliders) it should be a fun game overall. Looking forward to renting it and seeing how much polish was added.

The end (I know, I know...looong...lol...can't help it)

I agree with most of your impression. It's good to see educated posters like you. Anyway back to the game. Just like you said some animations are nice and right on point but some are a bit off. The commentary is the best i've ever heard for a baseball game. Steve philips actually sounds good lol. I also struck out 7 batters so far. You can't leave strikes right down the middle andexpect the CPU to look at it. I've struck out the CPU painting corners. Overall it's a fun game to me.

[ericjwm]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Also, (can't believe i forgot this in my review...lol.). I struck out 5 batters in two "games" looking. So the CPU WILL take strikes...though they do seem very aggressive overall. Just saw some comments on that and wanted to chime in.

Like the sound of that... thanks for the update!

That's been my main concern for awhile now. I can live with some animation oddities, as long as the AI isn't too out of whack & will take some strikes.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

ok ok ok we get it that you think is terrible....not your cup of tea

It's impressions, he's not trolling, he's giving impressions as he's playing. Not everyone will agree on any game. There will be good and bad.

[Artman22]

Re: Major League Baseball 2K9 Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

ok ok ok we get it that you think is terrible....not your cup of tea