MLB 09 The Show Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

[duke776]

Quote: Originally Posted by jim416

You've dumped your VHS player, right? 8 track player in your car? (man, some of you guys wouldn't even know what an 8 track player is, lol)

Lol, I actually have both of those. Though, I've never used the 8 track, we still use our VHS player. I actually know a lot about old stuff because my dad...As for that 8 track, it's been sitting right next to us at the computer for years(not sure why though). I really wonder if he even knows it's still there.

[CMH]

Quote: Originally Posted by ericjwm

Took you long enough. But yeah, the overall improvement to this yrs game is mindboggling. The quicker bat speed is a huge plus & makes hitting more enjoyable. I don't think they've done much with the player models (new ones might be coming 2010), but the lighting completely changes the entire appearance of the graphics engine. Finally got a batting stance/pitching delivery overhaul that's been long overdue. Things appear real promising! So welcome to the club! I'll be getting both games once again this yr. I'm sure 2K9 will offer a somewhat diverse experience.... better or not.

I've been reading about the quicker bat speeds and I'm sure that explains why I'm so early on everything. I have to keep reminding myself to sit on the pitch.

You're probably right that nothing was done to the models. It's likely just the lighting system that has made it look that much more amazing. Even when dark, the light from the stadium shines nicely off the uniforms, players, and helmets.

I did notice that pitching motions (at least for Kazmir and Hamels) have improved in some way. Last year, my complain about pitchers was that it seemed they didn't throw with any effort. It's like they flicked their wrists and magically threw 90+ mph. They also didn't follow through enough.

Well, that's not the case in 09 with the pitchers on the mound. They finish strong and the ball comes out of their hands rather smoothly. I also haven't noticed any ball slowdown. Not sure if people were aware of this, but if you watched a replay you could sometimes see the pitched ball slow down to match up with the swing of the bat. I've checked replays quite a few times and havne't seen it, which makes me believe that it'll create more hit variety.

Always good!

I'm definitely getting this title. I'll see how I feel about the 2k9 demo before I commit. I think it'll be a good title, but I have to decide if I want one or two games. I wish I could play with all 30 teams in a season mode with MLB 09. That would be a big selling point. I actually prefer to play out a season and pick my own "Game of the Week" and enjoy the year that way. Haven't been able to do that in a long time and 2K9 is finally offering that option again.

[Jdurg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob_NYY

Toshiba 32 incher. I'm in love, it breathes new life into the 09 demo, and it didn't even need it! '09 can't get here soon enough. I was also watching a Yankee "classic" game from last year they were showing on YES. Wow, I can't believe I went all this time on an SDTV!

Lol. It's an amazing difference, isn't it? I was introduced to HDTV back in February of 2007 at the Superbowl. When I bought my first house that September, I made sure to have enough saved to get a good HDTV. I have a 42" LG LCD TV that is simply phenomenal. I love it. I now have trouble watching SDTV as the low resolution really shows up now that I watch TV/Movies in HD and play games in HD. It's remarkable.

I had the same experience when I first started watching Blu-Ray movies. I can easily see the difference between a DVD and a Blu-Ray movie even on a good upscaling DVD Player.

If you want an ever bigger "WOW" factor, upgrade your sound system. I just finished my speaker upgrade (went from good quality 5.1 surround sound system to a custom built, highest-quality speaker system) and the sound difference is stunning. When playing MLB, the surround audio is stunning. When playing Rockband/Guitar Hero, the sound quality is insane.

[ty5oke]

yankeePride,
You know you can play any game on the schedule this year for that particular day. So you could pick your game of the week and play it.

[Scottdau]

Quote: Originally Posted by jim416

You've dumped your VHS player, right? 8 track player in your car? (man, some of you guys wouldn't even know what an 8 track player is, lol)

I still have one. It looks like a dynamite box. I played my kiss 8 tracks.

[CMH]

Quote: Originally Posted by ty5oke

yankeePride, You know you can play any game on the schedule this year for that particular day. So you could pick your game of the week and play it.

During a franchise? If so, then that's the major selling point right there. I mean, I was going to buy this regardless, but now I don't think I need two baseball games. I'll still see how I feel when I play the 2K9 demo. But, The Show pulled ahead for sure.

So, any idea how this works? I'm assuming I can basically set everything to Computer Control (re: Contracts, Line Up, Rotation, Marketing, etc.) so that I don't necessarily have to control one particular team. Because I'm assuming I still need to "control" a franchise. I can't just choose to absolutely control all 30 teams in the league.

That's ok. That's a manageable way to get this done. I like seeing season stats when I play like this, that's why I don't just go into exhibition mode.

Thanks for that.

[VonRye]

I played on Legend last night and won 2-1 in 8 innings on a walkoff 2-run HR by Jayson Werth off J.P Howell. Hamels was filthy that game (9 K's 4 hits allowed).

I played another game on Veteran after that and Hamels couldnt find the strike zone for anything in the early going but turned it around and I won 4-3 in 4 innings. I hit back-to-back homers with Utley and Howard in the first but had to make a comeback thanks to Hamels' struggling with his control (well, actually ME having trouble pitching with Hamels, but you all knew that...lol).

[ehh]

LOL, this is why this series has driven me up the wall the last four years when it comes to hitting.

I posted earlier about the HR cam and Nemisis recommended to turn it off. So I wanted to hit another HR as soon as possible so I could see how it looked without the HR cam. I put the game on rookie with all sliders maxed out to make it as easy as possible to hit (contact, power, solid hits, timing, etc) and I've played 23 innings since then and I haven't hit a single HR and have only scored 4 runs with me hitting as both teams. Won 1-0, 1-0, 2-0, all the games went to extra innings. So I haven't scored a run in 23 innings w. the Rays on rookie. I thoroughly suck. Just a lot of hard line drives that are caught by OF's.

I hit at least 15 balls to the warning track, several of them I checked the swing analysis of and it was wheelhouse with perfect timing, LOL. I just can't figure it out sometimes.

Just frustrated I guess, on rookie with power/contact, etc maxed out I should be able to drop bombs pretty easily, especially since you get tons of fastballs down the pipe on rookie. Oh well.