News Post

MLB 09 The Show Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

08:58 PM - February 5, 2009 by Millennium

The MLB 09 The Show demo is up on the Playstation Network Store. Please post your impressions once you download and play the game.

Please don't post anything until you have played the game.

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

# 321 brunnoce @ 02/06/09 07:30 AM

about this body type things i agree with both of u guys, and i hope SCEA can edit that before the game comes out and set navarro and howard to "fat" body type, evan nicer would be if they gave us that option in the editor this year!

# 322 brunnoce @ 02/06/09 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorismary


	Yeah they fixed Mccann ATL from last year (160 lbs)lol and it just drove me nuts (had to create a CAP)as hes huge this year as he should be as I saw him in a few screens . Should at least have a few options if players change , skinny , lean , muscular and portly PS shine on the helmets is perfect and players move great !

they surely can fix that evan by roster updates!
i asked them to take the Buff look out of chavez last year and they did

im pretty sure their roster guy will be asking suggestions this year too

# 323 x1Blumpkin1x @ 02/06/09 08:27 AM

The variety of hits I have seen is great. A few bloopers between infielders and outfielders, some lasers down the baselines. Just hit a nice shot down the 3rd baseline with Howard. Played my first game on legend, lost 4-0.

Damn you SCEA for making me want to win a game with the Phillies!

Someone mentioned earlier an issue with the demo freezing their PS3 when they quit. Just happened to me too.

# 324 SoxFan01605 @ 02/06/09 08:30 AM

Well, I'm late to the party and didn't bother reading through 40 pages, so here's my impressions...Prepare for War and Peace! (That's for you dorismary

...lol):

Like a cocky SOB, I put the game on legend immediately and played as the rRays. I got a hit with Crawford in the first and felt okay about being able to hit (meaning it didn't feel overly hard) and went on to pitch the bottom half. I can tell you, I definitely understand the feeling of having to really concentrate on each pitch.

Also good news (and bad for me...lol) is that the first two hits I gave up were a scorcher down the 3rd base line (that my OF had to chase into the corner) and a double to left center OVER my OF's head (and by a lot too). Loved that it happened on default settings (did not love giving up a run so fast...lol).

Then the beating continued. I got an out, then gave up a walk (I was talking to my wife about her "holy crap that game looks more real every year" comment and suffered for it...lucky for her it was a demo, so it's only a trial separation for now

...lol). Now, with a runner on I give up a three run homer and it's 4-0 Phillies.

Okay...rough start. I'm a pro though and buckle down.......

Apparently not enough as I give up ANOTHER blast (this one longer than the first...lol) and am down 5-0. Naturally, Kasmir is to blame more than my horrid pitching, so I go to get the 'pen active. OH WAIT! No management in the bullpen...lol...let the suffering continue.

And it did as in frustration I just sent a fastball down the middle in the old "go ahead, hit another one a$$hole" move. Apparently the CPU AI isn't as smart as SCEA claims it to be as it didn't grasp the concept of reverse psychology...lol.

That's right folks, mister "HOF" is too easy (yeah, I admit it) just gave up back-to-back-to-back homeruns. Yay me...

The rest of the game is much less exciting, I get a K and a groundout to FINALLY end the 1st...lol. I scattered a few more hits around and scored a run (via my own scorcher...this down the 1B line).

Kasmir also settles down and allows just one more hit the rest of the way.

Rays 1 4 0
Phils 6 7 0

Only chance I've had to play and victory shall be mine...lol. Moral of that story is that Legend will apparently require real attention...lol...silly me

Some notes:

-there seems to be a noticeably more "urgent" feel to hitting. Not sure if it's difficulty level related or not.

-Checks swings weren't hard at all to me. You couldn't get away with the real cheapies, but they seemed just fine. I think the IGN staff is possibly reatrded...lol (really, none of them could check swing? Did they even try?).

-The fielders seemed to have more of a weighted feel...meaning they didn't just jerk towards their next animation. I actually felt myself leaning on the L stick while pursuing the ball over my head. really felt like I was chasing (and failing...lol)

-The CPU is much more imposing at the plate (probably legend, I guess). Once I buckled down and actually used strategy, I did fine, but you really feel like each pitch counts and each mistake could be punished (in my case, SEVERELY

).

-The breaks on some pitches seemed much sharper. Not really harder to pick up pitches, but harder to pick up breaks. I found myself swinging over/under balls by either misreading the break (and being late) or over compensating (and swinging early) at first.

-Dug the umpire crew, intro, some new commentary, the crowd, and all the little presentational touches I saw (I kinda rushed my game through as I had limited time to play, so I know there's still plenty to see...even in the demo

)

-Lighting was phenominal. Loved how it was dusk with the lights on and the gradual transition. I imagine it's a real treat over the course of the game. Top notch

.

Anyway...good stuff. I'm looking forward to trying this out a bunch next week (I'm taking the fam to a state park this weekend for a getaway. A little hiking, fishing, relaxing, etc...a great time of year to go in Texas. weather's good and it's much more quite than in the summer...but I digress

). I'm sure it will keep me going for a while.

Looks good

# 325 LastActionHero @ 02/06/09 08:34 AM

Ok just played my first game.

-The lighting is awesome!
-Had to adjust to the new pitch meter but after 5min all was good.
-Got a nice hit down the 3rd base line.
-Utley didn't agree with a call at 1st base and almost attacked the ump and got ejected haha.
-Noticed little framerate issues but hey it's a demo.

3 Questions:

1. When I move the pitching ball marker it moves really choppy/stuttering while in 08 it was smooth. Is this done on purpose and if so why?

2. I really like the one button fielding idea for diving/jumping but it didn't seem to work properly (yet?). The CPU hit a ball down the 3rd base line and I wanted to dive but instead he jumped! Now this new function should adapt to the situation but in this case it was very wrong!

3. When the CPU hits a basehit and I throw it to second from the outfield the guy on second (2b or ss) still thinks he should try a tag on second just incase while the runner is on 1st.

Ok on to my second game!

# 326 JT30 @ 02/06/09 08:48 AM

I had fun playing the demo after the 5000 hr download

Anyhow, does anyone know how to step off the rubber after selecting a pitch? I know you can do it from the stretch, but you cant from the full windup? Strange

Also, anyone know what the pitch stick is? I noticed this in the controls menu... the R stick

Thanks

# 327 nemesis04 @ 02/06/09 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT30


	I had fun playing the demo after the 5000 hr download Anyhow, does anyone know how to step off the rubber after selecting a pitch? I know you can do it from the stretch, but you cant from the full windup? Strange Also, anyone know what the pitch stick is? I noticed this in the controls menu... the R stick Thanks

You cannot step off the rubber after selecting a pitch with no one on base.

# 328 Diablo25 @ 02/06/09 08:52 AM

One thing I noticed was that diving for balls doesn't always equate to a great play (like in the past)...which is good. I dove for like 5 balls in the 4-5 games I played last night and only got 1 of them. I like that. You shouldn't make every play like that.

There are definitely more animations and signature styles in the game, which is no shocker because the developers promised that. I am a Phillies fan (not bandwagon so don't even go there

) and I noticed Rollins, Werth, Victorino, and Ruiz all had their stances adjusted. Ruiz's is a bit off but Werth's is dead on...all the way down to the way he separates his hands. Utley's could be better but Howard's is right on. Hell, he was the cover boy last year. I had a few miscues in the OF with the new OF routes. I know Ibanez is somewhat of a defensive liability but he was a circus for me last night

# 329 countryboy @ 02/06/09 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemesis04


	Yeah, the guys are pumping their chest, lol. Legend was much harder when we played it. Brian has been tweaking away!

oh no....

I can't beat this legend mode.

# 330 PhantomPain @ 02/06/09 09:26 AM

I got through about 30 pages but I have to leave this morning for some errands.

I noticed a couple of people mention it early on but then nothing else.

But is it widespread that the ps3 locks up after leaving the game (like mine) or are there just a few of us having this problem?

Oh and the game...well...I think everyone knows by now. Couldn't be any happier!

# 331 baseball88 @ 02/06/09 09:28 AM

Here are some of my thoughts about the Demo

It would have been nice to see what the day game looks like to play.
The shoes look alot better with the markings on them.
The pitches are faster than last year.

The faces of the players seem to be better than last year, more detailed. When a player takes off their batting helmet, the hair on the player looks alot better.
I wish we could change the starting lineups in the demo, the final build I'm sure will be alot better. The colors for the teams seem to be alot better and darker this year.
The crowd seems to be alot better this year, more involved and they look alot clearer.

The animations for the outfielders seem to be smoother. Baggy uniforms makes it look more authentic. The cameras seem to be closer this year. The hitting seems to be more realistic this year.

# 332 countryboy @ 02/06/09 09:28 AM

Its tough sitting here at work and salivating to play this game. Oh well.

Anywho, in the game I played last night, I roped one down the first base line with Utley that bounced on the chalk and then into the corner, for an easy stand up double and I was thinking about 3, but decided against it.

Not sure why I felt compelled to post that, but I did.

# 333 K_GUN @ 02/06/09 09:39 AM

my .02$

* rollins hit a 2b into the LF gap....looked/felt so real

* longoria returned the favor with a 2b down the LF line

* lighting...ah lighting.......feel like i got my ole 2k7 lighting system back (and so much more)

* the fans look AMAZING...some in daylight, others in shade...just a seat or 2 away!

* cleaner/more effiecient menu's

# 334 countryboy @ 02/06/09 09:40 AM

I like how Hudler talks about the homeplate umpire and mentions him by name. Nice touch

# 335 UGA14 @ 02/06/09 09:45 AM

Just saw the mascot cutscene, pretty cool.

Overall game is pretty fun. I got beat last night on legend 4-1. Struck out a bunch, pretty hard to get hits on that level.

There are no ejections in the demo as I hit like 9 batters in a row.

Lighting is good.

Fans reacting to foul balls, homeruns, good again.

The bell rang when a homerun was hit.

Kind of cool seeing fans wayyy out in CF walking across the walkway, etc.

I've only seen one beach ball.

# 336 green94 @ 02/06/09 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryboy


	Its tough sitting here at work and salivating to play this game. Oh well. Anywho, in the game I played last night, I roped one down the first base line with Utley that bounced on the chalk and then into the corner, for an easy stand up double and I was thinking about 3, but decided against it. Not sure why I felt compelled to post that, but I did.

Did the chalk kick up and did the line degrade after this happened?

# 337 cheechoo98 @ 02/06/09 09:49 AM

I am also seeing a slight drop in framerate. I noticed it as soon as I threw the first pitch. I put 08 back in after playing the Demo for a few games, just to check. and 08 the pitch is MUCH, MUCH smoother.

I sense an 'oh-oh' only because if they're not seeing it in the Demo at SCEA, then there's nothing being done to address this 'possible' issue

Please, SCEA, check the pitched ball framerate against 08... If there's a drop, then this could affect the on-line game a bit...

Great game, as always..

# 338 countryboy @ 02/06/09 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by green94


	Did the chalk kick up and did the line degrade after this happened?

not that I noticed. It hit in the outfield area. It was a line drive that was roped over Pena's head, he leaped but could not snag it and it was curving towards the foul line. It bounced on the foul line before proceeding into the corner.

It was beautiful.

# 339 mrj513 @ 02/06/09 09:53 AM

Didn't finish my download until late last night so I didn't get to finish the demo, but I did notice during the game intro once the camera began to show a panaramic view of the outfield section of the stadium, you could see some jaggies along the stadium and outfield wall...I noticed this last year as well though it's not as bad from what I saw on the demo.

Has anyone else noticed this and does anyone know if it has been addressed for the final build.

fyi - I have a 42" 1080P hdtv (played the game in 1080P also)

# 340 SoxFan01605 @ 02/06/09 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorismary


	I was gonna pm you for your thoughts (where were you ?) How long did it take you to download ? Maybe IGN was trying to check on power swing ? You might also wanna try taking in game pictures that you can use for wallpapers I think theres a thread . Nice review thanks man ! War and peace quote was meant as a compliment as I type 20 words per minute on a good day lol

-I just got caught in the middle of some in-law drama (we had plans for the weekend and they wanted to visit, at the last second. We said "no" due to the plans and well...I'll just say, thank goodness my wife has the patience

...lol)

-It took about 1 1/2 hours to download...not too bad (though I probably started after the rush (downloaded it in the wee hours).

-IGN...you may be right...doesn't help my opinion on their intelligence...lol...but that would make sense

-I do plan on taking some in-game pictures next week when I get some good time with the game. I hadn't known you could in the demo until I read back a few pages...pretty cool

-Thanks for the compliment. I really don't type too fast...just too much...lol

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