MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

[MattP598]

The one thing that really bothers me about the game is the number of passed balls. I'm getting like 4 or 5 a game. Other than that, just very minor annoyances like the pitching coach coming after every first walk by the CPU. Sometimes the CPU's AI is just bad like runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and a slugger coming up late in the game and they pitch to him. Taking relievers out in the middle of an inning for no apparent reason. Like they will have a lefty reliever in the game who gets the first out and then, with another lefty hitter coming up, they will take him out and put in a righty.

Another thing that isn't a bug but bothers me in pretty much every baseball game is the strike zone. No umpire in major league baseball calls strikes above the belt. I know it's technically a rule, but come on it doesn't happen. I mean if anything leave it as part of the zone, but have the umps just not call it. I like the umps having variable strike zones, but it would be cool if each umpire was a little more consistent. Like, for instance, one guy gives a couple inches on the outside corner consistently, or one guy calls low strikes more often. Right now it seems like it is just completely random, and usually favors the CPU.

Anyway, all my complaints are minor because to me this game is awesome and just a few little things away from being perfect.

[PYA-MUSTANG86]

Online sucks right now. You can't check swing at all, nor can you hit and run. What kind of BS is that?

[slickdtc]

Quote: Originally Posted by MattP598

The one thing that really bothers me about the game is the number of passed balls. I'm getting like 4 or 5 a game. Other than that, just very minor annoyances like the pitching coach coming after every first walk by the CPU. Sometimes the CPU's AI is just bad like runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and a slugger coming up late in the game and they pitch to him. Taking relievers out in the middle of an inning for no apparent reason. Like they will have a lefty reliever in the game who gets the first out and then, with another lefty hitter coming up, they will take him out and put in a righty. Another thing that isn't a bug but bothers me in pretty much every baseball game is the strike zone. No umpire in major league baseball calls strikes above the belt. I know it's technically a rule, but come on it doesn't happen. I mean if anything leave it as part of the zone, but have the umps just not call it. I like the umps having variable strike zones, but it would be cool if each umpire was a little more consistent. Like, for instance, one guy gives a couple inches on the outside corner consistently, or one guy calls low strikes more often. Right now it seems like it is just completely random, and usually favors the CPU. Anyway, all my complaints are minor because to me this game is awesome and just a few little things away from being perfect.

Passed balls were a problem for me until I started pitching to where the catcher called it (the majority of the time). Since then, my pitching has been stellar and passed balls have been way down. It's worth giving a try...

But anyway, yeah, midseason report, same as early season report. This game is gold. In a few short months, it's lived up to every expectation that I had transitioning from MVP Baseball 2005 on the XBOX to this. I've logged nearly 100 games now and now that I'm past the early jaw dropping moments, it's really reared its head as just a rock solid baseball game. After playing one game of MVP since I got this game, I can say that MLB 09 is the best baseball game ever released. SCEA got it right.

My plan is to stick with this game for a few years. They're going to add neat little features in upcoming editions, but the gameplay will probably be largely unchanged (as it should be, since it's pretty much perfect now). I'll just have to fight down the urge of wanting those fresh rosters and those glitzy features.

[PsychoBulk]

Nice article.

For me the pitcher/batter duel in this game is stellar, the biggest thing they really need to work on, and i mean really go to town on, is the fielding, way too many poor decisions taken by AI fielders and Human fielders whilst the AI controls them before the Human take charge on a ball.

Other than that its absolutely superb.

[rondoman]

Quote: Originally Posted by PsychoBulk

Nice article. For me the pitcher/batter duel in this game is stellar, the biggest thing they really need to work on, and i mean really go to town on, is the fielding, way too many poor decisions taken by AI fielders and Human fielders whilst the AI controls them before the Human take charge on a ball. Other than that its absolutely superb.

I concur.

I have seen quite a bit of bonehead dumb plays by the CPU defenders, especially outfielders, causing extra bases. And, they are never recorded as errors no matter how bad.

[Artman22]

Quote: Originally Posted by rudyjuly2

The pitcher/batter duel is fantastic and that's the heart of a baseball game. It's what separates this game from everything else. But the defensive side of the game needs an upgrade - more user fielding errors and an option for analog fielding. The presentation is great but the colour guys need to mesh a little better. Matt V is really good as the play by play. I'd love to have a couple more camera options as well but the current ones certainly work well.

I completely agree with all you said. Fielding needs a lot of work and i agree that we need real manuel fielding. I'll add that the online needs much work as well. Overall the game is good, but just needs a few adjustments with fielding. Theres other things as well like weather, player models, etc.., but fielding should be priority #1 for mlb 10

[magnumpc]

1- fielding needs work
2 - throws from the outfield
3- cpu pitching coach coming out in 1st inning after a walk and overall unrealistic mound conferences.
4- plays where the 1st baseman is nowhere near 1st base for no apparent reason.
5- starting pitchers at the start of a game well rested with an extremely low confidence level.
I know I'm leaving out a few things.

[rondoman]

Quote: Originally Posted by magnumpc

1- fielding needs work 2 - throws from the outfield 3- cpu pitching coach coming out in 1st inning after a walk and overall unrealistic mound conferences. 4- plays where the 1st baseman is nowhere near 1st base for no apparent reason. 5- starting pitchers at the start of a game well rested with an extremely low confidence level. I know I'm leaving out a few things.

Also when the coach comes out he takes awhile to turn the correct skin color.