MLB 2K9 Review - All Things Considered - JohnDoe8865's Blog

JohnDoe8865's Blog

MLB 2K9 Review - All Things Considered

Posted on March 19, 2009 at 03:58 AM.

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**Warning Very Long Read Ahead**

So, I wanted to try my hand at writing a review that I would want to read. Something that takes into account the bugs, glitches, and possible fixes to a game. I decided to start with MLB 2K9 from 2k Sports and Visual Concepts.

I wanted to spend some time with that game before giving it a fair review. I understand that not everyone who writes a review has time to do this, because of deadlines and the need for a release day review in many cases. Thankfully, I have the time and have put in the hours with the full retail version. Here are the results.

So in my case I'm gonna start by explaining how I review a game. First off I begin every game at 5/10 or 50/100 which ever you prefer. From there I take both positives and negatives into account to formulate a final score and then I give a "potential score" based on the bugs being patched and other issues being resolved.

I also classify every bug or annoyance by importance. A significant bug loses 1 full point out of 10. A minor bug or annoyance loses between 0.1 and 0.7 points out 10. A major positive or great leap forward can garner 2 or more points.

So with those basic ground rules set, let's begin!

MLB 2K9 Review - 3/19/09

Base Score 5/10.

The negatives: I'm going to begin with the negatives because I like to end with a positive note and with what this game gets right.

Okay, out of the box MLB 2k9 isn't very playable to a true sports gamer. It just isn't right. It has no sense of balance or real game immersion. Upon tweaking sliders, you can alleviate some of the many issues that plaque this year's MLB offering.

For example using some great community sliders here at OS you can begin to get the CPU pitcher's ball to strike ratio more in line with real life. You can also make user pitching harder and somewhat more challenging, although not enough of a challenge for a good amount of people who have played the game. You can get the CPU to attempt more steals. You can cut down on infielder speed, a long time 2k Sports baseball issue. You can also tweak a myriad of sliders to enhance the batting experience.

A key issue to many, myself included, is the removal of sliders from this year's game. I consider this to be a big issue and a poor decision and thus I take 1 point away from the score for removing some of the most effective sliders from MLB 2K8 to MLB 2K9.

It is a 4/10 now.

Let me just say that MLB 2K9 has some MAJOR balancing issues. By now we all know about the hyper-aggressive CPU batters who will swing at every first pitch if it isn't blatantly out of the zone and will even swing on some that are clearly off the plate. After many hours spent tweaking by the community and many slider combos, it has become apparent that only a patch or fix from Visual Concepts, the developer of MLB 2K9, will remedy the problem of balance and AI hitter aggression.

I feel like the controls for hitting this year are solid but not spectacular. I would prefer a true zone hitting system as seen in the High Heat series. Instead we get the option of batting with the R-Stick or classic button control or using a huge baseball bat cursor to try and make it more challenging. I really have no complaints here, although I would like to see progress in this area in 2K10. VC needs to find a more realistic way to influence hits than pushing a direction on the L-Stick. Also, many veterans of the series are aggravated that the step timing influence is completely removed, so I think it'd be a good idea to have it return for 2K10 as an option for those users.

Many have also speculated that the highly touted "Inside Edge" scouting feature is broken as well. I fall on that side of the fence. The walk ratings are all showing a letter score of "D", no matter if a player is rating highly or poorly with regards to plate discipline.

The Inside Edge scouting reports do provide a wealth of knowledge for the baseball gamer looking for something more, and I commend 2K on using it again this year and trying to make it a more integral part of the gameplay experience. The problem lies in the execution or lack thereof in MLB 2K9.

So while I add a point for bringing Inside Edge onto the field and integrating it throughout more than previous versions of the MLB 2K series, I also dock that same point for the AI hitter aggression and seemingly broken application of the feature.

Still just 4/10 at this point.

So now that we have covered batting AI and issues, let's look at pitching issues. Upon booting up the game for the first time you find many inaccuracies among the MLB pitchers in the game. Many key pitchers were missing pitches or worse yet, had the wrong repertoire of pitches. This was later corrected largely by a "Living Roster" update, but what about hardcore gamers without an internet connection or access to PSN or XBL?

The controls for pitching are some of the best I've played with personally and add a sense of control that simply mashing a button doesn't give you. Many are not happy that the 3rd step in the pitching process has been removed and added as optional, but after the MEATBALL fiasco with MLB 2K8 I certainly do not fault VC for slightly simplifying the controls for pitching. The option is there for those that must have it, unlike the step timing that was removed completely.

Some complaints have come up about the pitching being too easy to pinpoint your pitches. While I agree somewhat, I think the trade off for less frustration is fair this year.

Fielding is one area of hot discussion not only here on OS but over on 2K's own boards. The fielding mechanic of using the right stick to throw to each base is brilliant in my opinion, no matter what game it originated from. For those who prefer old school buttons for bases, you can still use that option as well. The problems begin with fielder speed and slowdown, first basemen who decide not to touch the base, and outfielders who can't pick up the ball.

Infield speed has always been an issue of contention in 2K baseball, but I think it's as good as it's ever been this year. Where some problems begin to show up, is in the outfield. In an attempt to keep players from twitching in the outfield and over running balls, the computer offers some basic assistance by default to help you get to the landing spot.

The animations are nice but the problem here is that many, many times the spot that the computer "pulls" you to, isn't correct and the ball either goes over your head, through your legs, or right past your running player. This has led to many frustrated gamers. It is a minor but annoying issue and I'm taking 0.5 points off for it.

There is also a widely reported issue of players becoming "stuck" on parts of the geometry of the stadiums and running in place while the ball sits un-retrieved and the runner scores an inside the park homerun. It needs to be fixed in the patch.

3.5 out of 10 as it stands.

On to other miscellaneous issues with the game. The default rosters have big league players, the wrong skin color. This has also been a big 2K stumbling point in the past. Anyone with cursory baseball knowledge knows the race of the most of the players and if 2K wasn't sure on a guy, they have the MLB license for crying out loud! Look it up. This issue was corrected in a Living Roster update, so kudos to VC for fixing the issue. It still should have never shipped that way. 0.1 pts off the score.

3.4/10

The 1B glitch. Do I even need to go into more detail? I believe it to be a case of an animation that is not triggering when called upon and a fix will hopefully be included in the next patch from VC. -1 point for a major bug that affects gameplay.

2.4/10.

The exclusion of a simple Exhibition mode. Are you serious? So all we are offered is "Play Now' and we have to invent workarounds involving two controllers or having several different roster saves just so we can play against a team's #2 through #5 starters?? It defies logic to leave out Exhibition Mode, a staple of every game since the NES Baseball days! -0.7 for this issue and it just falls below being a major issue because we, as a community, have found a workaround.

Score tallies at 1.7/10 so far.

Tag-Up to score from 3rd glitch. When tagging up to score on a sac fly from 3rd base with less than two outs, the player on third base will often take several slow jogs before beginning to run to home plate often costing your team a run on the process as he is thrown out from the deep outfield. This needs to be addressed in the new patch from VC. -0.4 for this issue, it has potential to be a major problem over a franchise.

1.3/10 if you are scoring with me.

Stuttering frame rate on balls hit down the line. For me this is such a minor issue that I'm not going to knock off points for it, but it does need to be mentioned. It does happen and it is annoying.

Scoring errors and statistical anomalies. It is true that no baseball game is completely free of these issues but they are issues nonetheless. Users have reported outs not recording correctly, saves not being recorded correctly, runners from 3rd scoring on a 2 out ball in play and the run counting anyway, and other odd scenarios that defy correct reporting.

Also, not being able to replace your pitcher before an inning starts means that you cannot use a mound visit for that pitcher in that inning. That is a small issue that needs to be fixed.

I'm going -.03 for these issues combined and we stand at 1/10.

I also need to mention the complete failure on 2K's part to allow us to customize batting stances and pitching deliveries in MLB 2K9. This was in 2K6, 2K7, and 2K8! There is no good enough excuse for not allowing us to customize a game that we bought. It really is a baffling omission and the only reason I'm not docking points for it is because I'm not sure if it is an intentional decision or an oversight.

I will however dock points for the edit players limit. The limit to editing players names caps out at around 120 I believe, which renders much of the planned user created content worthless now. Many people were looking forward to naming the minor leagues and sharing those with the community. The discovered limit on that has killed that. I know some efforts are ongoing to try and solve it with the C-A-P system, but it should have never come to that. This needs to be addressed with a patch as well if possible. -0.7 points for this large mistake.

0.3/10 is the score now.

I'm sure I've missed some issues still yet, but at this point I think I've hit the major ones and plenty of minor ones. If you want to leave another issue in the comments section, please feel free.

Now on to the GOOD stuff about MLB 2K9! Yes there is a lot of good stuff here. I'll start with the first two things you get when you boot up the game, the sound and menus.

The menus have always had a love them or hate them feel for a lot people. This years menus are very familiar for me as they are almost directly imported from NBA 2K9. I find them easy to use and much better than previous efforts. I'd also like to commend VC on choosing a really good selection of menu music this year. We have everything from classic rock to Latino inspired jams. I enjoyed hearing "The Final Countdown" as I booted up the game. Often times menus are taken for granted (see Madden) but I'd like to give some recognition for what I feel is a good system. +0.2 for the menus and menu music.

0.5/10.

The next subject I want to tackle is graphics and on-field sound. I've found that most people are mixed on the issue of graphics, mainly sighting the need for more transition animations and a lack of fluidity in many motions that are included. I actually quite enjoy the graphics this year DESPITE the ridiculous Pepsi and State Farm ads. Don't over-do the adds again in 2K10 OK? I'm gonna let it slide this year. I still think that overall, MLB 2K7 was a better looking game in total appearance.

I'd be remiss if I didn't give some kudos to the living ballparks. I'll go into presentation later for the new Virtual Director, but the small detail of the fans going for a foul ball is appreciated.

The stadiums are the best I've seen in a 2K baseball game, from dimensions, down to little details like tarps and box seats. They could still use some refining, but they are nice.

The player models are very good and while I won't argue that they are as good looking as SCEA's MLB The Show 09, I do think that they are better proportioned in body scale.

Add in the new signature stances and deliveries and you get a very nice graphical package. I will give 2K 1.5 points for the graphics. It would have been 2 points, but the overkill of ads won't allow me to do that. Overall a nice package in the graphics department.

2.0/10.

On field sound, from the fans to the PA announcer, to the outstanding commentary in MLB 2K9 is a truly praiseworthy highlight. The fans react dynamically to the action, getting loud at the right times and standing up on big plays. This has been a huge thorn in the collective baseball game side for years, and I hope to see continued improvement in this area.

The commentary is top flight. The choice of Gary Thorne as lead man was a great one. I know people are mixed on Steve Phillips in his real life commentary, but in 2K9 he is excellent opposite Thorne. I've found the duo to be among the best commentary I have heard in a sports game. They have a natural flow to the conversation and on-field action which is so underrated and important. No one wants to hear a cut and paste mess. I can't say enough good things about the commentary team.

If there is one negative to the sound department, it is the old 2K bat on ball sound. It needs to be recaptured with several different contact points and added in for the correct type of hit in 2K10. Some people also hate the organs that seem to play almost non-stop during a game, but I find them somewhat charming. I'm giving 2K 1.5 points in the on-field and commentary sound department.

Now we are at 3.5/10.

Virtual Director or Real Time Stadiums. This is a groundbreaking approach to presentation and one that I hope to imitated in all of the other major sports video games in the years to come. The details are amazing. From seeing the players taking practice hacks, to the bat boy running onto the field, the bullpen guys tossing, and the dugout being full of guys who look alive! You can actually see your manager (Joe Torre looks eerily lifelike).

This is a terrific idea that is hampered slightly by some buggy execution. Being that it is the first year of the new in game real time world, I'm not going to be too hard on it's flaws.

But to mention a couple of flaws, on user mound visits, your manager does tend to get the lower half of his body stuck under ground and players sometimes float in the dugout like spirits.

When you add it all up I'm giving the Virtual Director 1 full point and I would have given two points if not for the graphical glitches involved in it's execution.

4.5/10

On the field of play, the AI seems adequate at making somewhat realistic decisions in my playing time. They will bring in a reliever when necessary, pinch hit late in the game, and even pinch run on occasion. Obviously there is room for improvement here, but this is one area I can say that I'm OK with this year. It is a step up from 2K8 in my opinion. Another point to that, is now the CPU will actually attempt to steal and steal often, nullifying a bug that existed in 2K8. The AI also attempts drag bunts and will play small ball when it is appropriate. No change in score for this category.

Some other noteworthy things that I like about the game are as follows:

2K Beats Customizable Stadium Sounds. I know this isn't a feature exclusive to MLB 2K9 by any means but it is a nice feature for 360 owners and I appreciate the ability to add in some of the real life sounds of the game. +0.2 for the feature.

4.7/10.

Playoff Mode. We finally see the return of playoff mode in the 2K baseball series. In the past we had situational mode, but this allows the user to jump into the playoffs without going through a 162 game season. +0.1 for bringing this back.

4.8/10.

Living Rosters. I am thrilled that Living Rosters made it over from NBA 2K9. So far they have really delivered with timely updates that reflect the latest transactions and also fixing some issues that the game shipped with. For example the LR has been able to correct jersey, helmet, cleat, and sock color combos that were wrong by default. And while these things should have never been wrong in a full price product, those of us with PSN or XBL are thrilled to see these things fixed. With the great community here @ OS, users can even upload the updates onto AR or Max Drive saves for people without their gaming system hooked up online.

A fix for the Cubs schedule is also promised through the Living Rosters and some speculate that VC might be able to tune the game's balance through it as well. Living Rosters are a terrific feature that shouldn't be taken for granted. Remember the days of 4 updates a year or before that, no updates unless it was user created? This feature gets a full point from me.

5.8/10.

Franchise Mode is a given in today's sports games but I will give VC kudos for the face lift with MLB.com and improved trade logic. +0.3 points.

6.1/10.

Finally I do think there is a quality that is hard to measure in a review and that is Fun Factor. I find myself having fun with MLB 2K9 for the most part and that is important to getting my moneys worth out of the title. For all of it's issues, it still has me holding out hope when I would have given up and traded in an inferior title. This one compels me to hope for the patch and hang in there. I gotta give it +0.2 for Fun Factor.

Final Score - 6.3 out of 10

Now here comes the last part of my review, so if you've made it this far, just hang in there for a little bit more.

IF the proposed patch by Visual Concepts and 2KSports does come about and IF it includes fixes to the bugs that were mention earlier (Inside Edge balancing, OF speed and getting stuck on the walls, 1B error glitch, tagging up to score from 3rd bug, scoring errors, editing limit fix, other small issues) the game could potentially be an 8.4 out of 10.

The reason it couldn't reach any higher is because I docked a point for taking away sliders, I docked 0.7 for excluding Exhibition Mode, 0.5 for poor animations in some key areas, 0.1 for shipping the game with default rosters that included long time major league players with the wrong skin color, and 0.3 for the still not quite steady framerate. Inaccurate ratings are one thing, but to not even know that Kevin Millar is white!?

So you're final scores are:

As of 3/19/09 MLB 2K9 socres a 6.3/10 or 63/100.

MLB 2K9 has the potential with a great patch to score 8.4/10 or 84/100.

Comments

# 1 stlstudios189 @ Mar 19

Pretty fair review. I think the game is very fixable and I enjoy playing it right now. I would give it a 7.0 now and an 8.0 post patch.

# 2 tsbraves @ Mar 20

Excellent review! You've been fair about the glitches without being harsh and your kudos are right on. For me personally if the patch will address the gameplay glitches (1st base error, outfield stuck in molasses, tagging from 3rd, etc.) and give us back the editing features I will be one happy camper!!

Thanks for a "spot on" review.