MLB 2K9 First Hands-On (Gamespot)

[Blzer]

Here's the problem with the hitting system (and I've said it before recently, so I apologize if I sound like a broken record):

To hit a home run, the ball must go into the air, correct? So it can't drive into the ground. What better way to get it in the air than to influence it into the air, yes? Now, there are some players that have a much greater probability of getting that ball over the fence once it's in the air, and others have less of a chance.

So what do we do when the better home run hitters come up to the plate? Obviously we won't deprive them of their power, so we'll aim for the fences. Even if it doesn't go out, at least we had that chance. What about the players that have a lesser chance? We won't necessarily influence ground balls, but we won't influence fly balls. Why? Because if it doesn't go out, it's probably just a fly out.

So what does this cause? An abnormal number of home runs for your really good home run hitters and zero home runs for your non home run hitters.

Now this brings us to... why don't I just not use the left stick? Two reasons: 1) it's no fun, 2) it removes hit variety.

I also hope this game doesn't give you better contact influencing fly balls on high pitches as opposed to low pitches. I made a post about this a while back that I'm going to bring back up if people think otherwise.

Quote: Originally Posted by Seamless

EXACTLY what I was thinking. I'm not sure why everyone is complaining about the "zone" hitting, this explanation sounded EXACTLY like MVP '05, where you could influence where the hit went, but ultimately, you still had to "go with the pitch" in order to hit the ball solidly. In other words, if the pitch is thrown outside and you swing inside (or vice versa), you're going to hit a little dinker, whereas if you go with the pitch, you're going to make solid contact. If anything, this is more realistic than strictly zone hitting. So not sure what everyone is wary about.

Some people, aka Blzer, didn't like this hitting system and considered it a game breaker. My post is an indication as to why. The final reason is it takes contact out of the equation (at least by our skill).

By the way, 2K7 had the same hitting system as MVP, it just wasn't as advanced.

[tyler289]

Quote: Originally Posted by Seamless

EXACTLY what I was thinking. I'm not sure why everyone is complaining about the "zone" hitting, this explanation sounded EXACTLY like MVP '05, where you could influence where the hit went, but ultimately, you still had to "go with the pitch" in order to hit the ball solidly. In other words, if the pitch is thrown outside and you swing inside (or vice versa), you're going to hit a little dinker, whereas if you go with the pitch, you're going to make solid contact. If anything, this is more realistic than strictly zone hitting. So not sure what everyone is wary about.

I hope it's like that. I need to hear more about it, but I really hope it's like MVP.

[Knight165]

I don't know...it doesn't sound exactly like that to me.(MVP)...sounds way to easy to get a groundball/flyball....according to what you want.
We'll see.
What does sound good is the specifically are addressing the problems people had in '08.
Graphics look good....except that one Reyes one looks like he dipped his hands in blue rubber cement and the strapped on two wrist watches!
The player personality aspect is intriguing...that should be fun if done well.
Good stuff.

M.K.
Knight165

[bodhiball]

am I just WAY too picky about my visuals? Its quite possible since I dont see anyone else seemingly frightened by the look of the screens.

What is up with the large logos on the hats? That B on becketts hat is almost the size of the entire front. And everything looks like rubber, not a whole lot of shadow/highlight/detail

and yes, it could just be a very early build. Just seems like non-nextgen graphics so far.

[King Gro23]

Quote: Originally Posted by tyler289

It sounds nice - especially the player personalities - but that first beckett picture looks awful. Who holds their glove hand facing up when pitching?

[Blzer]

Quote: Originally Posted by bodhiball

am I just WAY too picky about my visuals? Its quite possible since I dont see anyone else seemingly frightened by the look of the screens. What is up with the large logos on the hats? That B on becketts hat is almost the size of the entire front. And everything looks like rubber, not a whole lot of shadow/highlight/detail and yes, it could just be a very early build. Just seems like non-nextgen graphics so far.

I'm very pissed about the visuals, but I think right now it actually will be the last thing that I'm worried about (which is weird for a graphics whore).

[SoxFan01605]

Quote: Originally Posted by King Gro23

Good pictures, but they look nothing like the way his glove is up HERE:


Not saying it's anything to freak about right now. Just saying the guy had a point

[tyler289]

Quote: Originally Posted by King Gro23

Fair enough - I'm not a Red Sox fan so that explains it - but the 2k9 image has his glove a little too out there, but the attempt is realistic nonetheless. Thanks for the correction.