News Post

What's Hot and What's Not With MLB 09: The Show

10:49 AM - February 27, 2009 by RaychelSnr

Last week, I discussed some of the strengths and weaknesses of Visual Concepts’ Major League Baseball 2K9. This week, I will be turning my attention to the other baseball game being released on March 3rd, SCE San Diego’s MLB 09: The Show. In contrast to MLB 2K9, MLB 09: The Show is coming off of a stellar outing last year and is looking to improve upon its past efforts.

Much like MLB 2K9, MLB 09: The Show offers a very cinematic experience, and looks to be a very impressive game. However, not everything can be perfect in MLB 09’s video game baseball world. So with just days remaining until final retail copies of The Show reach OS HQ, here are some positives and negatives I have noticed in Sony’s latest baseball game.

Read More - What's Hot and What's Not With MLB 09: The Show

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

# 21 asu666 @ 02/27/09 01:47 PM

Longest wait EVER!!!!!

# 22 SDwinder @ 02/27/09 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip1010


	I've been playing 2K for a few years and I'm new to The Show, but I have to say I wouldn't mind seeing a throwing meter when you're fielding. I loved it in MVP, and I loved it in the recent 2K games. It's nice to have that extra little bit of control. But other than that everything is lovely. Glad to make the switch.

You dont need a visual meter. The longer you hold down the button the harder you throw the ball, with more chance for an error. It is all done by feel and touch, so no meter needed.

# 23 Bumble14 @ 02/27/09 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim416


	A "resounding" NO? Stuck out that much? Listen we played a build of the game at the end of January. You played a demo from mid-December. Seems there are comments already appearing that the guys at the event "were right". Can you personally afford it should be the factor in ANY purchase, not just this game. The definite progress made with pitching/batting mechanics, one guy already said he saw obvious differences in talent, 40 man rosters, lighting, audio, new animations, on and on, not going to list them here. Not trying to hijack this thread just giving you my answer. This isn't a roster update.

I never said the game was a roster update.

My point is that the core gameplay mechanics are identical to 08 aside from some additional animations, lighting, polish. Based on the demo, the game feels the same.

Like I said before, I think the Show is awesome, it's just that the demo was not that big of a leap over 08 in overall gameplay feel to me.

New animations, and overall polish are great- but without any core gameplay additions, I have a hard time throwing the Show 08 aside. That;'s not a knock on the 09 version, more so of a compliment to just how good the 08 version was.

# 24 ShowTyme15 @ 02/27/09 02:02 PM

So the day games have static sunlight right? Does this mean no shadows creeping around or do the shadows stay in teh same spot the whole game?

# 25 Bumble14 @ 02/27/09 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim416


	Nobody said you said it was a roster update, I said that. You're back to comparing the DEMO to the final product. If that's what you want to do, then stay with 08. In my opinion, and it looks like the opinion of many, it's vastly improved. Just the hitter/pitcher matchup alone is worth it. I couldn't even play the demo but a few times as the build we played put THAT to shame. I don't know what "core gameplay" issues you are talking about, but then again you're stuck comparing the demo the the final product.

I am comparing the demo to the final product, hence why I stated I was comparing the demo to the final product in my original statement.

The reason I am comparing the demo to the final product is because most of us haven not played the final retail version of the 09 game. Could the final retail version completely blow my mind? Sure. My point was that based on the demo I am not lining up at my local electronics store an hour before they open to pick this game up due to the already high quality of 08.

Core gameplay elements= hitting controls, fielding controls, pitching controls, foul ball cut scenes, cut scenes in general. general presentation, etc.

I'm sure there have been areas that I mentioned that have seen polish, it's just that the 09 demohas the same "feel" when playing as 08. That most likely will not be an aspect that changes when the game releases.

# 26 Bumble14 @ 02/27/09 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim416


	You haven't played the final product, but you're going to go ahead in your mind and make a decision that not much has changed? Okay. Not really worth much more discussion. Your decision.

Jim-

Honestly, are you reading anything I am saying?

I will say it again- based on the DEMO (key phrase, "based on the demo"), not much has changed.

I am a bit confused how I praise the Show 08, say 09 is very similar based on my time with the demo, and that is somehow a bad thing? Think about it- I am saying that 09 is still great, it just hasn't changed enough for me to consider it a day 1 purchase.

I understand you really like the game, but you need to realize I am not attacking it, so stop defending it. I even said that the final retail build may change my mind about my current feelings.

There is a ton of hype surrounding this game, and the purpose of my original post was to get people to honestly and objectively answer the question I posed. The Show series is baseball bliss-it's just important to discuss if the improvements to the 09 version are really that big of a deal to invest in the game. It's really a simple concept in relation to this article that should be discussed.

# 27 sgthalka @ 02/27/09 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDwinder


	You dont need a visual meter. The longer you hold down the button the harder you throw the ball, with more chance for an error. It is all done by feel and touch, so no meter needed.

Fielders have these color bars that come out at your feet ... one is a normal throw, the longer you hold the button, the more bars come out and the harder (and less accurate) you throw. I think they change color, from green to red but not 100% on that.

# 28 sgthalka @ 02/27/09 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	There is a ton of hype surrounding this game, and the purpose of my original post was to get people to honestly and objectively answer the question I posed.

You're dealing with people who are baseball fanatics and love this series. I'm not sure what you expect them to say. To us, these are major updates, major enough where we wouldn't want to go back to last year's game. To my mom, no, I don't think she would care if she were playing MLB 09 vs. MLB 08.

I'm not the biggest FPS fan in the world. If I'm playing CoD 4 vs. Counter-Strike, honestly, it's the same gameplay mechanics and the same game, on a very basic ground level. But I certainly understand why people love to gobble every incremental upgrade in the genres they love most. I don't think that's a bad thing.

# 29 Bumble14 @ 02/27/09 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgthalka


	You're dealing with people who are baseball fanatics and love this series. I'm not sure what you expect them to say. To us, these are major updates, major enough where we wouldn't want to go back to last year's game. To my mom, no, I don't think she would care if she were playing MLB 09 vs. MLB 08. I'm not the biggest FPS fan in the world. If I'm playing CoD 4 vs. Counter-Strike, honestly, it's the same gameplay mechanics and the same game, on a very basic ground level. But I certainly understand why people love to gobble every incremental upgrade in the genres they love most. I don't think that's a bad thing.

Sgt-

I understand where you are coming from, but I am one of those baseball fanatics who loves the Show series. I just have begun to expect more out of my sports titles on a yearly basis. Maybe I'm just becoming an old man who is getting cheaper every year..haha.

Anyhow, as far as the meter throwing goes, I too would prefer an MVP type meter. I like the Shows meter, but I honestly don't think I've ever had a wild throw in the game- even when my meter reads red. I sometimes feel like there isn't as much risk in powering the meter up like there was in MVP 05.

# 30 PsychoBulk @ 02/27/09 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	My point is that the core gameplay mechanics are identical to 08

Bumble you say this but i have to disagree (and thats coming from someone in the same position as you, having not played the full game).

The biggest core gameplay mechanic in ANY Baseball game, the pitcher/hitter interface and battle has been totally re-written from the ground up, confirmed by Brian Ma himself, whos sole job it is all year to do this.

So, as i say, identical it is not.

# 31 Bumble14 @ 02/27/09 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoBulk


	Bumble you say this but i have to disagree (and thats coming from someone in the same position as you, having not played the full game). The biggest core gameplay mechanic in ANY Baseball game, the pitcher/hitter interface and battle has been totally re-written from the ground up, confirmed by Brian Ma himself, whos sole job it is all year to do this. So, as i say, identical it is not.

Based on the demo I didn't notice a difference as to how the cpu pitched to me. The only change was that cpu batters seemed to be more patient at the plate. To me this isn't really a huge deal.

Let me clarify- by "core gameplay mechanics" I was meaning more as to how the game controls. Hitting, fielding, and pitching all felt great- just like in 08. Cut scenes looked the same, game intro looked the same, commentary was the same, HR celebrations looked the same, replay angles looked the same, music is the same, etc.

I love the little things that I am reading about being added to 09, I'm just saying that it's hard to justify buying a new game without seeing changes to how I play the game or presentation upgrades.

I'd really like to see the implementation of a better throwing meter, see the pitching interface switched up a bit so that there is more a difference between weak pitchers and strong ones, see better sliding controls, eliminate the power swing button, see a better hitting interface where you influence your hit type on the left stick and not the right, and see a better bunting interface that doesn't revolve around right stick manipulation as to where you want to lay the bunt down.

Those are all core mechanic changes that would differentiate a new version of the game for me from the last.

# 32 Ruffy @ 02/27/09 03:21 PM

I hate the is this game worth 60 bucks? Arguments.

If you don't have 60 bucks to spend then wait for a used to copy or trade in some games to get it cheaper.

If 60 bucks is a concern to you financially, then i'm pretty sure you shouldn't be spending any money on gaming at all. The games cost what they cost.

I make conscious decisions all the time about other games that I know will drop in price later on and will be the same game it always was.....i.e. adventure games.

Sports games are time sensitive to the next years release. The longer I wait to buy the less value I get. To me MLB the Show is a proven product. Grabbing it on release day is minimal risk.

Your entitled to be frugral with you gaming dollars. But we don't need the is it worth $60 bucks argument. It's worth what the market will bear.

# 33 Bumble14 @ 02/27/09 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruffy


	I hate the is this game worth 60 bucks? Arguments. If you don't have 60 bucks to spend then wait for a used to copy or trade in some games to get it cheaper. If 60 bucks is a concern to you financially, then i'm pretty sure you shouldn't be spending any money on gaming at all. The games cost what they cost. I make conscious decisions all the time about other games that I know will drop in price later on and will be the same game it always was.....i.e. adventure games. Sports games are time sensitive to the next years release. The longer I wait to buy the less value I get. To me MLB the Show is a proven product. Grabbing it on release day is minimal risk. Your entitled to be frugral with you gaming dollars. But we don't need the is it worth $60 bucks argument. It's worth what the market will bear.

Spending $60 wasn't the argument. The concept of how much different this game is from MLB 08 was the actual question being asked. Again, I just shot the question out there to get some objective thoughts as to just how much the 09 version has changed from the already exceptional 08 version.

I'm not criticizing the Show 09 at all- please everyone understand that. If someone sticks with the Show 08, will they really be missing that much this baseball season?

# 34 GoBucs09 @ 02/27/09 03:41 PM

I would pay $120.00 for this game.

# 35 djp34 @ 02/27/09 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	Spending $60 wasn't the argument. The concept of how much different this game is from MLB 08 was the actual question being asked. Again, I just shot the question out there to get some objective thoughts as to just how much the 09 version has changed from the already exceptional 08 version. I'm not criticizing the Show 09 at all- please everyone understand that. If someone sticks with the Show 08, will they really be missing that much this baseball season?

Have u read the community day impressions where they answer everyones questions if not u should. because everthing they answer in there is well worth the upgrade.

# 36 sbmnky @ 02/27/09 04:23 PM

It's much more polished and a completely different experience. I understand the point your making. The demo doesn't do the actual game justice - it's a supreme "upgrade" over last year.

If your stuck playing '08 and you never played '09, you'd be extremely happy. But if you tasted '09 (not the demo) and then had to play '08 again, you'd be sad!

Hope that helps.

# 37 sirwoodz @ 02/27/09 05:18 PM

man...those "NOTS" are weak!!! lol.

They need to update the one button thing, but hell, sometimes I play 2k9 with the one button hitting on if i'm being lazy...

no single a teams? oh man, where's my kleenex? please...but like somebody already said, the only way this game will not get a high as a score that it got last year is if reviewers do argue that is essentially the same game as last years.

# 38 SoxFan01605 @ 02/27/09 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	Spending $60 wasn't the argument. The concept of how much different this game is from MLB 08 was the actual question being asked. Again, I just shot the question out there to get some objective thoughts as to just how much the 09 version has changed from the already exceptional 08 version. I'm not criticizing the Show 09 at all- please everyone understand that. If someone sticks with the Show 08, will they really be missing that much this baseball season?

Probably so...if they're a big baseball fan. The franchise updates alone, add enough life to the game for it to be worth it, IMO.

There are numerous tweaks and improvements to the batter/pitcher confrontation, hit variety, fielding, etc. Pitchers now miss spots more, and the running game has been given some love as well. I just named numerous things improved without touching the lighting and other visual effects, presentation (including custom chants) etc.

This is more than just a retread. I think the issue for you here (Which you made apparent by an earlier response) is that the control scheme is the same, meaning how you play is essentially the same.

You're looking for a "new" gameplay experience rather than refining the current one. That's not going to happen often with a game that's not bad...and when it does, it usually leads to disaster. You might be better off with 2K9 if you're looking for constant change

So, for what you claim to be looking for (essentially controls, right?) YOU might be better off moving on and perhaps waiting until next year, as there are rumors floating that they may be adding some new control schemes into the mix. It may not be worth the money to you right now.

I personally think you're mistaken in the sense that a game doesn't need to change it's "feel" from year to year in order to be worth a pick-up, but that's me. I just don't understand belaboring the point.

There was another thread about this. "Is it worth it" questions are subjective. You seem to be convinced it's not for you, yet you continue on trying to get people to convince you it seems.

# 39 Danny305miA @ 02/27/09 06:42 PM

I'll take the goodwith the bad but the only thing with the whole MLB 2K9 and MLB The Show is that MLB 2K9 improved way more in its own game then the Show did, ofcourse they had way more things to improve but they made a pretty big dent in the gap between the two games kause last year no one could argue that 2k9 was better but this year you can actually make an arguement with the two. Cant wait to see what the show does to answer the improvements that 2k did this year. Go FISH!!

# 40 DubTrey1 @ 02/27/09 06:50 PM

Not broken don't fix it - only improve on what is there is good for me. SCEA has done a great job of building on to an already great foundation. Additions listed in the post here can be explored in years to come as long as features and additional options are not removed or broken in the process.

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