News Post

MLB 09 The Show Preview

07:02 AM - January 22, 2009 by Steve_OS

We have just posted our hands on preview of MLB 09 The Show.

Quote:


	"A lot of The Show�s charm comes from its ability to surprise you even after you have played it for 30 hours. Whether it is a new cut-scene you have never witnessed before or a new fielding animation that suddenly pops up for the first time, those are the moments when many gamers really appreciate The Show as a franchise. And that is why it is kind of tough to size up MLB 09: The Show (and most other baseball games) in preview form. In real baseball, it is easy enough to figure out who the stars are and why they mean so much to their respective teams. Yet, it is the little things that are done on the field and in the dugout that will ultimately determine which teams are the most successful. In that same way, it is easy enough to realize that the core mechanics of MLB 09: The Show �- hitting, pitching �- are solid overall, but it will take many hours of playing time to decipher whether or not MLB 09: The Show is another game of the year contender."

MLB '09: The Show screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: MLB '09: The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSPVotes for game: 90 - View All

MLB '09: The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 81 Computalover @ 01/23/09 11:16 AM

this game sounds great!! can you tell me, besides the new stadiums are any upgrades to uniforms and stadiums made it into this year's game.. like my fav the orioles.. new uni's and new scoreboards and a big friggin hotel built outside of left field fence.. (really screws up the city view in from the 1st base line..

# 82 rudyjuly2 @ 01/23/09 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike75


	For example I never ever want the CPU to try and stop me from throwing to any base I chose. Like the force out at second with two outs in 07 and 08 versions! Thank god thats been fixed in 09

Maybe I'm crazy but I didn't think it was a big issue in '07. I felt the short throw was done worse and a problem in the '08 version. Am I crazy in thinking that '07 wasn't that bad in this aspect?

# 83 texbuk84 @ 01/23/09 12:52 PM

Got damnit!!!!!!!!! im going to have to by a ps3 this year. i've been phinning for some baseball and around these parts, mlb the show is the best series.

# 84 texasgmr @ 01/23/09 01:31 PM

Can't wait for this!!!!

# 85 longranger @ 01/24/09 06:37 PM

great preview. this is the only baseball game i have owned and i def. can't wait til this comes out. the catcher pitcher interaction is gonna be awesome.

www.sportstalk4us.blogspot.com

# 86 roolz @ 01/24/09 06:44 PM

The information coming out about this game is teasing

# 87 berta.8 @ 01/25/09 06:29 PM

Will they ever convert the attribute bars to a numerical value?!

# 88 SoxChamp @ 01/25/09 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berta.8


	Will they ever convert the attribute bars to a numerical value?!

Why?

They've said time and time again that they use the bar method on purpose. It requires you to look at a players overall performance on the field rather than looking at two players, and choosing one that's rated 88 over the guy rated 87 (you know you would do this.)

# 89 ChaseB @ 01/26/09 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	While I noticed this, I didn't notice it in the same way that you did. It sounds like an improved version of the 2008 installment. He made no mention of improved AI (though he was only there for a short time and didn't read from a features list, instead pointing out what he saw himself), didn't delve into commentary, and he didn't point out signature batting and pitching animations.

Yea, I usually only write what I see because I think that's really the only, or at least, best way to be accurate in what you write for a game. So if I see something bad or good or whatever I'll write about it, and I will usually not look at a press release etc. when writing a preview because it only clouds things. PS, I'm awful at spotting signature batting and pitching animations, never had a good eye for it.

As for the general bias stuff, I can say I did not feel right accepting the airfare/hotel, and most outlets should (and usually do) avoid accepting anything from the people they cover -- it's just general accepted journalistic practice. However, OS isn't in a spot to pay for every trip we make to see a game, at least not yet, so I think the halfway is at least not hiding it from you all if the writing staff does accept something from a company. Also, I won't be reviewing any versions of The Show for basically this reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbbsinthe


	Im a bit worried about some of these early previews?! Doesnt seem like there is any WOW factor about this years version?! I was hoping everyone would come back and be like;"Holy Sh-t this game is the end all be all!" Anyways its still early and Im a lil anxious thats all!

It's not that I'm not impressed with the game, it's just a known commodity at this point. Plus, I rarely, if ever, get too hyped up in what I write in a preview because usually you don't have enough time with a game to want to say "OMG BEST GAME EVER!" -- especially with a sports game because it's so hard to know how a sports game will hold up, even if you really like it during the first hour or two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sask3m


	Chase, i'm wondering about the hitting, did you use the L stick or just swing w/o using it, i'm wondering if true zone hitting is in this yr. or not, thanks.

I used the L-stick, but since I was so rusty I hit one HR and then I believe one double, otherwise I don't remember many solid hits on my part. As for the true zone hitting, I don't think I would have been able to tell in my time with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sask3m


	catcher giving signs is only as good as the catcher AI, which in most games past hasn't been that good.

I agree with that, but you can always shake off the sign, and hopefully a good catcher is different from a bad one in a clear way in the game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitstreak13


	Wow, this game is an easy buy for me once again. However, like most of us, I am eagerly awaiting any additions to franchise mode. I truly hope they added Single A clubs and/or rookie ball teams to go along with the draft and its supplemental picks. I would be disappointed if players started off in double A again. But other than that, game looks top notch and am looking foward to it.

Yes, please ask about Single A or Rookie teams Comm Leaders because I don't get where all those draft picks are going to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by teebee


	PItching from the behind the pitcher view is terrible though unless it's actually lined up and not the TV style 3/4 angle. You can't get a feel for the strike zone and a pitch that you think is on the corner could be down the middle or a foot outside.

You just suck at video games Tyler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudyjuly2


	It was definitely hit or miss as to when an animation might take over.

Yea, hopefully the being able to branch out of animations helps this. But usually I had a beef with throwing animations (speed-wise) rather than the actual fielding, sans when guys would run over a ball and not pick it up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	Only question... aside from a new pitching camera (which I'm only assuming), have you noticed a new batting or fielding camera? For instance, in the trailers there were some home run cuts that looked like they came from a true-to-life broadcast camera. Was that a real gameplay option, was that just a cut scene, or was that an overall tease that's not even in the game?

The pitching camera appeared to be the same from last year. I didn't really check to see about new camera views though, sorry. And the one HR I hit had a similar cut scene to last year as I pulled it down the line and the camera went into that view behind the batter as he watches if it will go fair or foul.

# 90 Knight165 @ 01/26/09 02:36 AM

Chase

Thanks for coming back into the thread to answer some questions.

Plus....it's totally understandable to accept the invitation(and therefore lodging and airfare) to preview the game. I wouldn't consider this "payment" at all. Absolutely acceptable IMO.

M.K.
Knight165

# 91 ChaseB @ 01/26/09 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight165


	Chase Thanks for coming back into the thread to answer some questions. Plus....it's totally understandable to accept the invitation(and therefore lodging and airfare) to preview the game. I wouldn't consider this "payment" at all. Absolutely acceptable IMO. M.K. Knight165

You always want to avoid somehow being viewed as "indebted" to a company though, that's the bottom line and why it's not good to accept anything -- outside of something like a game for review.

# 92 ChubbyBanana @ 01/26/09 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	You always want to avoid somehow being viewed as "indebted" to a company though, that's the bottom line and why it's not good to accept anything -- outside of something like a game for review.

Just want to echo Knight's comments about coming in here to answer questions.

You're doing a great job, keep up the good work.

# 93 BKAraujo @ 01/27/09 02:19 PM

What happened to this? I am relly interested in reading these interviews.
taken from the preview
"On Monday, be on the lookout for an interview with three MLB: The Show developers (the transcribed interview will deal with a wide range of gameplay topics)."

# 94 bacardiator @ 01/27/09 02:30 PM

Will the WBC tournament be included in the game?

# 95 JermaineDye05 @ 01/27/09 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacardiator


	Will the WBC tournament be included in the game?

If so I wonder if the game will be so realistic as to have your players get injured before the all-star break because they were participating in an unnecessary tournament when they should have been gotten ready for the regular season with their respective teams.

# 96 rudyjuly2 @ 01/27/09 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaeldu


	The Show needs to counter 2k's screenshots with a couple videos and blow them away.

I love the AI video. Hopefully you've seen that one (I've got a link in my Video section in my Arena if you haven't).

I think 2K needs to release some PS3 videos to prove their game doesn't look like crap on the PS3 this year. Until then I've already credited Sony with blowing them away.

# 97 RAZRr1275 @ 01/27/09 06:54 PM

Nice stuff

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