MLB 2K9 Post-Patch Impressions (360 & PS3 merged)

[icicle22]

3 games post patch as the Indians. Pitching is 100% improved. I got 7 strikeouts with CLiff Lee in one game and 4-5 in the next two games with Carmona and Pavano and tons of strikes looking. I love this aspect of the game now.

However, I am not happy with the toned down hitting. Previously I played with custom sliders and would hit 2-3 homeruns in a game, with the occassional 0-1 homerun game. I was okay with this. I had room to pull the sliders back and make it more realistic as I improved. However, my first game with these slider post patch has netted me nothing but singles and an occasional double. Balls that I normally crushed were routine flyballs. So in an effort to see if I can adjust this, I moved the power slider all the way to 100 and played 2 more games and still only hit flares and singles with one doule to the gap. I crushed the ball on 3-4 different occasions and it only hit the wall 2-3 feet up from the ground. None of hits really feel powerful now. It's like they seriously de-juiced the ball.

Sadly, this is the main reason I had chosen 2k over the show as the hitting in the show just felt weak....I never felt like I was really ripping into the ball like I did with 2k9. Now, 2k9 is feeling like the show.....never really feeling like I am crushing the ball or driving it now. All bloop singles, squib hits or flyballs. In fact, I see a lot more weak dribblers in front of the plate.

Now in fairness, the hit variety seems better...as I like seeing all types of hits. But in 3 games, I have not hat that satisfying smash hit to the gap, down the line or deep into the seats. Neither has the CPU. I do not fear hanging a pitch anymore....it will just be a single.

While many complained it was a homerun fest prior to the patch, I actually like the power of the hits, and I could tone it down via sliders.

At this moment, power sliders maxed and I just don't feel "it" anymore and there is nowhere to go from 100!

So now 2k9 feels more like the show....and while to some that might be good, I liked that the 2 games felt uniquely different....now neither feels satisfying to me from a hitting point of view.

Any suggestions? Anyone else noticing a "major" drop in power?

[JBH3]

I'm curious to try out default All-Star. I wonder how much of a challenge it will be.

[jerm21]

Quote: Originally Posted by brendanrfoley

Played a wonderful game last night, Red Sox vs. Rays. Use Inside Edge, throw to cold zones, throw balls on purpose and throw pitches hitters have a hard time hitting. I did that, and here was Jon Lester's pitching line: 7IP, 6K, 1BB, 6 Hits, 2 Runs, 97 pitches. I'm thrilled. Pitching successfully is hard, and I appreciate the challenge.

what difficulty you using? or sliders
and how was your offense? cuz i seem to get incredible pitching my by starters and i can never produce runs! i can get hits though

[spankdatazz22]

Count me in the group that feels patch 2 improved the game/gameplay overall. I haven't played the game since the patch was announced, so hard to make a direct comparison. But pre-patch I found myself becoming disinterested/bored with the game and unable to finish most games which was why I stopped playing.

Now the game feels much more engaging. Most obvious difference is the change made to the pitch gestures; now the increased placement difficulty adds a ton more substance to the pitcher/batter battles. Using a slightly modded version of Guru's sliders to my own preferences/skill level and even I'm seeing extended cpu pitch counts - and I have very little plate discipline. Whatever they did to help smooth out some of the animations has also made a big difference; able to appreciate the walk up anims a lot more. Anims overall just seem better, easier to appreciate. Baserunning anims are still stiff looking and there's quirkiness here or there, but overall they have a lot of good stuff going on animation-wise. Not sure of the the extent of the tweaking done, but it's made it a lot easier for me to appreciate the tv style presentation also. Still need to tweak some but the game is definitely more enjoyable imo; now actually feel compelled to play/practice

[sportyguyfl31]

Im really enjoying default legend.

Im playing a 52 season franchise. (I like playing every game and want to have multiple seasons for once )

1st 2 games, ive dropped, Santana gave up 5 runs to the reds, and I could not locate a thing with Maine who gave up 6.

Lost the 1st game 5-3 and the second 8-7.

I was thrilled to see the CPU crush a curveball for an opposite field homer. Its no longer an auto-out pitch.

Ive hit a homer with church, and delgado has 2 homers...so homers on legend arent impossible if you get the pitch you are looking for, and are able to drive it.

I find stolen bases to be a bit difficult. It seems like if you dont have a super large lead, you are getting thrown out.

[Zalf]

Quote: Originally Posted by icicle22

3 games post patch as the Indians. Pitching is 100% improved. I got 7 strikeouts with CLiff Lee in one game and 4-5 in the next two games with Carmona and Pavano and tons of strikes looking. I love this aspect of the game now. However, I am not happy with the toned down hitting. Previously I played with custom sliders and would hit 2-3 homeruns in a game, with the occassional 0-1 homerun game. I was okay with this. I had room to pull the sliders back and make it more realistic as I improved. However, my first game with these slider post patch has netted me nothing but singles and an occasional double. Balls that I normally crushed were routine flyballs. So in an effort to see if I can adjust this, I moved the power slider all the way to 100 and played 2 more games and still only hit flares and singles with one doule to the gap. I crushed the ball on 3-4 different occasions and it only hit the wall 2-3 feet up from the ground. None of hits really feel powerful now. It's like they seriously de-juiced the ball. Sadly, this is the main reason I had chosen 2k over the show as the hitting in the show just felt weak....I never felt like I was really ripping into the ball like I did with 2k9. Now, 2k9 is feeling like the show.....never really feeling like I am crushing the ball or driving it now. All bloop singles, squib hits or flyballs. In fact, I see a lot more weak dribblers in front of the plate. Now in fairness, the hit variety seems better...as I like seeing all types of hits. But in 3 games, I have not hat that satisfying smash hit to the gap, down the line or deep into the seats. Neither has the CPU. I do not fear hanging a pitch anymore....it will just be a single. While many complained it was a homerun fest prior to the patch, I actually like the power of the hits, and I could tone it down via sliders. At this moment, power sliders maxed and I just don't feel "it" anymore and there is nowhere to go from 100! So now 2k9 feels more like the show....and while to some that might be good, I liked that the 2 games felt uniquely different....now neither feels satisfying to me from a hitting point of view. Any suggestions? Anyone else noticing a "major" drop in power?

What do you have User Batting Pitch Influence set at? To me it seems like post patch 2 has amped up how much impact this slider has. Like you I was seeing a lot of 1-2 homer games with some 3-4s thrown in. Post patch a lot of weak pop ups and fly balls.

I am going to try to find a combination of slightly increased power and slightly decreased User Batting Pitch Influence.

[notasenator]

well, I had a couple of challenging games post patch, I was having trouble hitting well at All Star. Turns out it might have just been my vision, as I got glasses yesterday and today started a Nats franchise with a 22 hit, 12 run outing against the Marlins.

[jonbanks]

Quote: Originally Posted by belljr

WHAT THE BLEEP DID THEY DO TO PITCHING. I can't throw inside to save my life. With Hamels I need to aim over the outside part of the plate for an inside FB....

Yeah. Hit 4 batters through two innings with Moyer, who is known for his immaculate control (one of which hit Jorge Cantu in the friggin foot). I like the inability to just pinpoint pitches but this is crazy.

Patch has generally improved the game, I play on All-Star stock sliders. But user pitching is wild now, and AI still throws a few too many strikes. Any one have any thoughts on this?