MLB 09 The Show Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

[bighurt27]

Pros:Game runs smooth in 1080p!!!!!
Collision much better on double plays (see screen shot).
Pitching meter much clearer.
Fielding animations fantastic.
Cons:Haven't found any yet!!!

I think I'm in love.

[silver540i]

The lucky 4 already told us how good this game was....and this is now resoundly confirmed.

1. Great lighting. Hitting in the 2nd inning was made quirky due to lighting. I had to focus to really track the pitches.

2. Batted ball physics improved somehow. Smoother, the down-the-line hits are far more realistic (I had a nice double down 3rd baseline that would have been snagged last yr.)

3. I play 720p, not only would I NOT complain about framerate, I think it actually improved. Pitcher delivery seems smoother, and the swing response is quick. Overall gameplay smooth.

4. Pitch breaks and speed are beautiful.

5. Infield degrading. This may seem super minor for most people, but it makes the stadium way less static and gives great realism.

6. I'm loving the tighter menu and display look. Nice change.

1 single CON : pls give more gameplay camera options. The Broadcast cam in replay is dynamite. Is it a framerate issue to use during fielding gameplay?

Can't wait for retail version. Dismiss the complaints devs....you have fine tuned this into a masterpiece.

[Segagendude]

Quote: Originally Posted by vinny_b

which football game is that?? Visual Concepts/Sega will not have the NFL license, next year.

Lol, just what I feared. Not going there!

Just played another game, the Phils won, (me), after a two run shot by Utley.(3-1 final) the gameplay itself is very similar to 08's, so I was able to check swing (light tap X),power swing (The square), and so on. And the pitch meter is about the same (I always pitch from pitcher view, like I'd see on tv)
So, I won't have a problem picking up 09 and jumping right in.

I too set down the controller and watched the various scenes, such as the mascot, the first baseman chatting with the runner, etc. Amazing stuff!

The crowd looks soo much more alive, and sound seems about the same, perhaps a bit amped up this time around.

The lighting is spectacular!!!! The day to night transition is amazing!And the worn out infield----wow, just wow!

I didn't notice any clipping issues (i.e. "morphs"). Players colliding looked real, not like a video game at all.

Commentary seems to be mostly the same as last year.But that's not a bad thing, so long as Rex doesn't repeat himself as much.....lol.....

Bottomline:
Last year was my first ever MLB game bought for PS3. This will definitely be my second one!

Great job again to the devs!

[bcruise]

My running, rambling thoughts from the first game, default everything (a lot of this stuff has been said, but I picked up on a few things I didn't see mentioned yet):

Pre-Game: Very nice. Was a little surprised to see the lineup intros for every batter taken out, but no biggie if it saved on the audio space for other stuff.

1st inning: Okay, I can see what the guys are talking about with the framerate, but I didn't reset my PS3 before starting. So we'll see how that is on game 2. Either way, I trust the devs and community leaders, and it's less noticeable when batting.

L3 now shows where your plate coverage indicator was, in addition to your timing. Nice touch, though I'd guess it probably won't show up with guess pitch off.

Smoked a base hit past 3rd, and got treated to the first broadcast-style replay. These guys have done their homework, it looks just like on TV.

Umpiring introduced by Vasgersian with a graphic. Sweet!

2nd inning: Saw a fan walking up the stairs behind the plate. Hudler comments on Keller, the HP ump. Not much action so far, 0-0 with 1 hit a side.

Timing on hitting is definitely different as others have noted. Some of my hacks on fastballs have been quite a bit early (and I was one of the few who was actually able to pull the ball last year). Hudler actually comments on this, saying Kazmir (not by name) has had them offstride with a bunch of early swings. Once again this game takes words right out of my mouth - it does that every year without fail.

Vasgersian falls way behind the action on a grounder base hit to left - familiar issue to us Showaholics (don't want it to be all positive here). Could just be limited audio for the demo too.

The lighting has moved....where I could see light earlier out by the mound is no longer there.

Even on Veteran, the CPU is working the strike zone, and trying to get me to chase out of the zone.

Longoria muffs a backhanded stab at 3rd, and is charged with the error. Accurately, IMO - the ball wasn't hit all that hard. He bails himself out a moment later, starting this:




(BTW, you don't HAVE to be in the replay mode to take a screenshot - just need to bring up the XMB and you can take a live shot of something if you're quick enough)

I will point out that I did see a slight clip (and I'm sure the diehards will notice it) but that doesn't bother me in the least. Inning over, still nada.

3rd:
Kazmir pops up a sac bunt that the catcher is slow to (probably my fault), and I only get the out at 1st. Probably gonna regret that one...

Yep.




Iwamura singles to right, driving in the run. Got a good look at the new fielding animation. While I love it, it does sort of feel like you lose some control, and there are probably people who will be less than thrilled about that. Also had a play at the plate (though not very close) and there is now a nice dirt track across the batters box.

Oh boy. next batter, BJ Upton. The aftermath:




If you look closely, you can see the fans reaching for it out by the 374 sign. I know that was in last year, I'm mainly just showing the screenshot thing again. BTW, new fist pump scene of Upton rounding 2nd. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that this is Veteran, and that I suck.

3-0 Rays. Hamels noticeably wild after the long ball, as when I miss mark (even a little), he misses badly.

Longoria goes deep, 4-0. Finally the inning ends.

Kazmir starts out the bottom half by making me look stupid on an eye-level fastball. Again, Veteran - it's not just lobbing it up there hoping I don't hit it.

Night is very much starting to set in at this point.

I steal on a 1-0 count (with 1 extra step lead), CPU pitches out, Rollins is dead meat. Nothing else happening this inning still 4-0.

OMG, a 1-2-3 for me! Last chance coming up. Sky is black now, hard to believe the difference from a few innings ago.

Drew the only walk thus far, 1st and 2nd with out. DP ends it, 4-0 final in 4.

Great, great experience. Still challenging even on the default difficulty. I'll try resetting and see if the framerate issue is gone.

[Cubfan]

Finished my first game. Me as the Phillies 2/3/0 and the Rays 1/5/0 on Vetern. Trailed untill the second inning when i got two back to back doubles. The second double hit just in the side the foul line in right field. The outfielder just couldn't get there in time. The change from day to night is just a beautiful thing. The foot prints and chalk lines dispearing is really cool to see also. I loved the new way the out fielders take the aproch to the ball. Can't wait for March 3rd.

[thaSLAB]

The demo had basically rendered me speechless... too much to even get into. Just put it like this, WOW!! Wowowowowow!

I do have one major gripe: this demo has ruined MLB 08 for me!!! (as in, I don't want to go back to playing it LOL)

Seriously, this game in insane!! Crazy insane!

Edit: I didn't witness any framerate issue at all. Actually the responsiveness is much better this year. The small input lag I had in 08 is gone now... Like many have said, I am early on swings a lot more now. I am on a 52" Bravia as well, FWIW.

[dorismary]

Well after a 8 hour download lol , gotta try the pause stop /start trick next time I download
So far after 1 inning I like the take any screen shot and make it into a wallpaper.
The OF route to the ball is perfect and no more pinpoint pitching very nice so far.

[carolo59]

Gm Play @ pitching Really Tight, What a joy to play. Outstanding job scea Team, my hats off too you folks. You folks should develop a football Gm and show EA sports how its done.