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

[Blzer]

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

But seriously now 2KSports...you wasted your time working on the freakin CLOUDS instead of the batter/hitter A.I.??? Is this a joke?

Different departments, different objectives. Focus on one of these aspects does not hinder the focus on the other.

[Eski33]

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

This is pro difficulty so yeah. What do people expect? lol. NBA 2k9 the demo was ridiculously easy as well. It's kind of silly to be nitpicking a game on easy mode. So when i was blowing out the cpu 20-0 in the nba 2k9 demo it sucked? No I realized it was a demo on easy difficulty. The trends to do seem to follow the higher difficulties though and you kind of can get a feel for how its going to be, but still.

There is a huge difference between NBA 2K and MLB 2K and that is perception....People know NBA 2K is rock solid while MLB 2K has lost confidence with gamers. For 2K to put out a soft demo and not provide at least an option to make the game more challenging is, in my opinion, not a good move. Especially after coming off of last year's debacle...

[Blitzburgh]

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

After playing way too many 3 inning games about the only thing I am not enjoying is the fact that I can't use other teams and really start getting into this game. I understand some peoples negatives and it really comes down to what bothers you and what doesn't. It's never going to be unanimus. That is why previews/reviews are fun to read but take from them what you wish.

The suttle AI hicups and animation querks don't really bother me. Heck, even the organ and bat to ball sounds are fine with me. I personally would love to see some better lighting and faces but someone else might not care 2 cents about that.

From playing just a 3 inning DEMO I would give this game an 8 overall. It is IMO huge steps above 2k8 and the smoothness alone on a nice HDTV is something to see.

I hear some people are experiencing frame rate drops and the pitch speed is not fast enough... I am not and if I am, I just can't notice it enough for it to really matter. Each to their own, but remember, these are only opinions and everyone will have a different one.

[Pirate]

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

We can laud the positive aspects of the game, but where does that get us on making sure the inaccuracies and deficiencies are corrected?
When MVP 2004 was released five years ago it had some issues, but it also had many features that are lacking in this game. If the ability for take-out slides was available in a game five years ago, then why is it not in this game?
When a player throws to a base, that layer should look at the base he is throwing. Again this was in High Heat back in the early part of this decade, but is absent here.
Collision detection should have been more refined. Some of the collision issues are terrible. A player just stands over home plate while another bats… this is unacceptable for a major company.
As I have pointed out, Wall height is not a nitpicky complaint; it’s a real game play issue. It’s lazy to let this pass.
Missing animation frames when a batter moves to put the bat on his shoulder is another feature that should have not been overlooked.

Then there are issues that many of you are calling nitpicky:
Clouds moving too fast
Ball being too big
Too many of the same ads
Adding in buildings for the sake of advertisement

Many of these issues seem small and insignificant, but games many years ago had these issues ironed out. For the sake of technological advancement this game should too. I don’t understand why people are giving this game and company a free pass to produce a game that is inferior to its counterparts of today and yesteryear.
If these issues are not voiced, 2K will have no reason to fix them and produce a more complete videogame experience. Seeing as they hold exclusive multi-platform rights to Major league Baseball, we can only hope they take our concerns and act on them. Avoiding the inaccuracies and deficiencies will only get the consumer another poor game for your $60 or even the $20 PC price-point. In this economy, I want a quality product for that kind of money. MLB 2K9 is not that product.

[kGinGreen]

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

There is a huge difference between NBA 2K and MLB 2K and that is perception....People know NBA 2K is rock solid while MLB 2K has lost confidence with gamers. For 2K to put out a soft demo and not provide at least an option to make the game more challenging is, in my opinion, not a good move. Especially after coming off of last year's debacle...

I agree it's perception. That's why I posted that. NBA 2k is no better than this game. People are crazy. That's the point. It's marketing. My opinion is both games do some nice things but neither game overly impresses me. I think in general this gen of sports games has been kind of a letdown. It's been a lot of retooling and trying to do new things and I've yet to find a complete sports game. Even the show last year wasn't as great as people hyped it to be. It did some things that really won a lot of people over, but it wasn't without it's flaws. It's all perception and marketing. I personally think 2k is one developer that gets put in the spotlight and is overhyped at times because people just really want to like or dislike their games. I think this game does some really nice things as far as presentation and gameplay is concerned but whether it will win people over is another story. If it wasn't for the show this game would probably be getting talked about like nba 2k9 is. BEcause they are pretty much the same game. Just a different sport. The crowd and presentation is actually more advanced in this game. Franchise mode will probably also be that way. MLB 2k8 was terrible and people are going to be skeptical, plus people are happy with and are going to compare it to the show and that's not the recipe for good perception.

[WVNCTN]

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

As an older gamer with a career, I'm fortunate in that I'm able to own both an Xbox 360 and a PS3. I nearly sold my PS3 at the beginning of the year because I simply don't use it that much. I utilize my 360 much more and prefer it to the PS3. I'm glad I didn't ditch the PS3. Even if I just keep it around for occasional Blu Ray viewing and baseball gaming it will be worth it.

But, I am disappointed by the baseball gaming options on the 360. After playing numerous 3 inning games via the demo I can say that I think MLB 2K9 is an improvement over MLB 2K8 but it still is rather disappointing compared to SCEA's MLB.

I've decided that once again, I won't be purchasing MLB 2K. I do applaud their efforts on improving the game and hope they continue to do so. I would like to purchase a baseball game to play on my 360 one day but it won't be this year.

My impressions:

The fielding is not very fluid and this, IMO, is the biggest detraction in the demo.

I do like the batting and pitching.


Presentation: The play-by-play is very good. Bat sounds? Not so good. Graphics? Average for next gen.

If this game's fielding becomes more fluid and the graphics and player models improve slightly, I will purchase this game. Until then, I think I'll just be buying one baseball game.

[Pared]

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

I'm supposed to pay $60 for a BETA of MLB 2K10?

You're not supposed to do anything aside from try the game and if you like it enough, buy it for your enjoyment. It's a very simple concept.

No one is forcing you to do anything. You're not supposed to keep playing the demo, yet you do.

Funny how that works.

For those saying the demo should have been more solid, I completely agree with you. Either way, it's out there, and if you want to give the final a shot by renting it (Gamefly is pretty affordable) then by all means, do so. If they haven't fixed most of the issues you're seeing, pat yourself on the back for a job well done and move on.

[mwjr]

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

Wow. Some of these animations are awful.

1. Second baseman charges in to field a weakly-hit ground ball. He grabs the ball and I want to try a throw to 3rd base. Now, because of where his momentum is taking him, in order to make this throw the 2nd baseman would have to either (a)stop and swing his body around clockwise so that his feet are planted and he can throw or (b) do a complete 360 and throw to 3rd as he spins. Instead, the 2nd baseman holds his arm out towards 3rd base, like he's pointing a gun, and the ball magically shoots out of his arm, again, as if he were shooting a gun. It was awful.

2. Left fielder breaks on a ball hit down the line. He makes the catch, and keeps walking right into the wall. And walking. And walking. He's trying to walk into the wall for like 10 seconds. Pretty rough.

3. I knew these would be annoying, and I was right. Those omni-present puffs of dust are just ridiculous. It looks like the players' feet are on fire.

On the positive side, the CPU stole a couple of bases, which was a very nice touch.


Overall, the graphics look good. I like the new Stick swing, and, if I'm not mistaken, it feels like the zone hitting is in the demo, which I really like. But the animations I mentioned above are weak. I don't know that they're enough to keep me away from the game as long as there's an immersive franchise mode.

The demo is lacking. It needs more teeth. Right now there's not enough to make me go out and buy it without renting it first. When a demo is done right, I can be enticed into buying a game without renting; NASCAR 09 is a great example of how a demo should be done. I played that demo and was hooked because there was so much depth to the demo. This? Not much there. So it's definitely a rental.

[ckarlic]

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

As an older gamer with a career, I'm fortunate in that I'm able to own both an Xbox 360 and a PS3. I nearly sold my PS3 at the beginning of the year because I simply don't use it that much. I utilize my 360 much more and prefer it to the PS3. I'm glad I didn't even if I just keep it around for occasional Blu Ray viewing and baseball gaming.

But, I am disappointed by the baseball gaming options on the 360. After playing numerous 3 inning games via the demo I can say that I think MLB 2K9 is an improvement over MLB 2K8 but it still is rather disappointing compared to SCEA's MLB.

I've decided that once again, I won't be purchasing MLB 2K. I do applaud their efforts on improving the game and hope they continue to do so. I would like to purchase a baseball game to play on my 360 one day but it won't be this year.

My impressions:

The fielding is not very fluid and this, IMO, is the biggest detraction in the demo.

I do like the batting and pitching.


Presentation: The play-by-play is very good. Bat sounds? Not so good. Graphics? Average for next gen.

If this game's fielding becomes more fluid and the graphics and player models improve slightly, I will purchase this game. Until then, I think I'll just be buying one baseball game.

I will have to agree with you 100%. I too own a 360 and a PS3 . I played the 2k9 demo and wasn't impressed at all. Quite honestly, i feel bad for those baseball fans who do not own a PS3. They really have no choice. But, like you said, that game is a great improvement over last years version. Now, I know the demo was from an earlier build so who knows what the final product will look like. Anyway, here are my pros and cons of the 2k9 demo:

PROS:

**Play by Play--Great commentating and just like watching a tv broadcast...nice
**Pithcing and hitting--Pitching has been improved alot from the 2k8 iteration. So much so that I feel confident in what I throw.
**Presentation--Great atmosphere

CONS:

**Players faces--They just look awful in my mind
**Bat sounds are bad and annoying IMO
**Fielding seems a bit herky jerky
**Player animations are just weird

All in all, I was left unimpressed with the demo. Im still on the fence about whether or not I will be getting this game. I will definitely want to rent it first to see if it is a lot better than the demo.

[JMD]

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

The problem I have with 2k baseball since MLB 2k7 is realism. When you have a competing game that is so much better you really need to step it up and MLB 2k8 and now 2k9 (based on this demo) has not done that. MLB The Show is to 2k baseball what NFL 2k5 in to Madden football. They are the games by which all that follow will be judged. As EA with Madden has not yet been able to capture the excellent game play and realism of NFL 2k5, The MLB 2k series has not been able to capture the game play and realism of MLB The Show.
After playing both demo's, MLB 2k9 and The Show 09 there is just no way I could justify buying 2k9 this year.

[mwjr]

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

The problem I have with 2k baseball since MLB 2k7 is realism. When you have a competing game that is so much better you really need to step it up and MLB 2k8 and now 2k9 (based on this demo) has not done that. MLB The Show is to 2k baseball what NFL 2k5 in to Madden football. They are the games by which all that follow will be judged. As EA with Madden has not yet been able to capture the excellent game play and realism of NFL 2k5, The MLB 2k series has not been able to capture the game play and realism of MLB The Show.
After playing both demo's, MLB 2k9 and The Show 09 there is just no way I could justify buying 2k9 this year.

In their defense it looks like VC has the game moving in the right direction. The game may be good enough to own, but I personally won't make a decision based on this very basic demo. I could very well buy The Show for my PS2 as my baseball fix this year.

[mwjr]

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

Oh, and I really like how when you're in the field you can see the baserunner's steal rating by holding the LT. Very nice addition.

[tmac55]

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

As a side note. I have to admit, when I originally played the demo for NBA 2K9, I was not that impressed. I was leaning towards Live 09, but when the actual games came out, NBA 2K9 delivered an improved product in the final product.

This could very well be the case from what i saw in the G4 video. It's possible so I am not jumping to conclusions.

This is all we have on 360 and overall, I can already see improvement over 2K8 and the final product could have some of these ironed out.

[baa7]

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

1. Second baseman charges in to field a weakly-hit ground ball. He grabs the ball and I want to try a throw to 3rd base. Now, because of where his momentum is taking him, in order to make this throw the 2nd baseman would have to either (a)stop and swing his body around clockwise so that his feet are planted and he can throw or (b) do a complete 360 and throw to 3rd as he spins. Instead, the 2nd baseman holds his arm out towards 3rd base, like he's pointing a gun, and the ball magically shoots out of his arm, again, as if he were shooting a gun. It was awful.

That's been in the series since 2K5, yes. But in fairness, NHL 09, which many here claim to be GOTY, has funky animations just like that. A skater will be making a cut when you go to shoot. Instead of planting his skates first, the puck will simply and magically take off towards the net, even though the guy is facing the boards with his weight on his back skate.

[callmetaternuts]

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

Donwloaded the 360 demo last night to try. I rented 2k8 last year before buying "the other game". While 2k9 isnt perfect, it does alot of things right, and corrects alot of 2k8's crappy problems (framerate, meatballs, and overall awful gameplay). I know its a demo but hitting seemed too easy. First pitch i saw with Rollins was deposited over the centerfield wall for a homer. Pitching seemed fun and even if they did take away the meatball, i still dig the motion controlled pitching.

Batting on the other hand just seemed like you pre-loaded and pusehd forward and you would hit almost anything.

Not sure about the dust clouds everywhere. Is Pigpen from Charlie Brown playing?

Overall its a big step forward, but still has some work to do.