Pro Yakyu Spirits 5

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:02 pm

Just wondering if anybody is considering pre-ordering this one from play-asia.

I didn't get to play last year's version, but from everything I've seen and read, it seems to play a very solid game of baseball. I used to watch a lot of Japanese baseball while working there, so perhaps I'm a bit nostalgic - still though, the cursor batting and excellent presentation should provide a nice compliment to MLB08 The Show.

Some nice screens have been released:

http://www.konami.jp/prospi/5/

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:22 pm

Now if only they'd include English menus. I refuse to deal with translators.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:21 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:Now if only they'd include English menus. I refuse to deal with translators.

Yeah...we'll see how long my patience lasts with those.

Post by **Jared** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:54 am

Virtually no chance of English members. I've played the PS2 version the last couple of years....it's a very good baseball game.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:17 pm

Just in case anyone is interested, I've had a chance to put in some time with Pro Yakyu Baseball Spirits 5 on the PS3.

I was drawn to the game not only because baseball is my first and greatest love but secondly because I used to work/visit Japan a lot and had a chance to watch a tonne of games while over there. They are passionate about the game and it was really cool to see their interpretation of it.

Back to the game - The thing that makes or breaks a baseball game has always been the pitcher/hitter dynamic. PYS5 excels in this area, giving you a number of possibilities in terms of hitting cursors, zones, etc...What's really great is that the difficulty level of the cursor system can tweaked to make it virtually impossible for anyone to have success. Definitely no worries about the game ever becoming too easy, that's for sure.

Because of the cursor system, you really feel like you earn your hits. As well, the hit variety is excellent.

Pitching is also a pleasure, as I usually throw a pretty accurate 125 pitches a game against the CPU. A small cursor is used and then another circles closes quickly around it (like 2k from what I remember). They will really work the counts and make you pay for mistakes.

The overal presentation is also strong, with very accurate player models (faces are very realistic). You will also hear a lot of chanting during the game, which really helps with the atmosphere.

Now obviously the language is a big barrier. However, there are some decent guides online and it shouldn't be a huge problem in the long run. Of course, you will not be able to understand everything like you would in MLB08, but the solid gameplay should be enough to keep you interested. I really find the whole experience to be on par with The Show, and recommend to anyone who has played Pro Evolution Soccer avidly and likes the organic feel to Konami's sports titles.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:21 pm

Is this the same as MLB Power Pros which was released for the PS2 and Wii?

Post by **Jared** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:38 pm

No...the game mechanics are similar, they're both made by Konami and there are a lot of similarities in the ball physics and AI. But PYS5 has real looking players (not the cartoon style). I haven't played PYS5, but the earlier versions on the PS2 were very, very good.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:45 pm

Jared wrote:No...the game mechanics are similar, they're both made by Konami and there are a lot of similarities in the ball physics and AI. But PYS5 has real looking players (not the cartoon style). I haven't played PYS5, but the earlier versions on the PS2 were very, very good.

Yeah, from what I've read, the gameplay is basically the same as past versions with a small tweak here, a cleaned up visual there, etc...

Rodster - the game is fully licensed based on the league there and tries to replicate everything fromt the little cars that take pitchers from the bullpen to the mound to the balloons that Japanese fans release into the air during the 7th inning stretch.

It's a fun league to follow. Obviously impossible to do from here in North America though. Funny story about a game that I went to in Osaka a while ago....I was about 25 rows up in the bleachers and Tony Tarasco (the ex-Oriole who Jeff Maeyer, the 12 year old New Yorker stole the home run ball in the playoffs from) was playing right field in front of me. After his warm up tosses I yelled "Hey Tony!" from way back from where I was sitting - there were a lot of people standing around me, but I somehow think he heard me and delivered a perfect strike right into my hands over 100 feet away. It was hilarious...the Japanese fans around me were treating me like a rock star the rest of the game.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:58 pm

http://www.konami.jp/prospi/5/ps3/gallery/

2nd video is pretty cool..looks like a good variety of ground balls

brendanrfoley · Post by **brendanrfoley** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:52 pm

Those videos are very, very nice. I would kill for PYS to get localized over here in the states. MLB teams, stadiums, etc.

Hey, it could happen. Visual Concepts has just been handed the MLB 2K franchise and given eight months to pump out a product.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu May 29, 2008 8:23 am

I would love to try this game. English menus would be the ticket but maybe I'll try and get it if the reviews are good.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu May 29, 2008 8:26 am

On a slightly similar note...did anyone see the ESPN documentary on Bobby Valentine and his life as an American managing in Japan? Very cool. If you get a chance, watch it. I was never a big fan of Valentine when he managed the Mets but after watching the doc I have a new opinion.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu May 29, 2008 8:55 am

what is the name of the documentary so I can look it up on the TIVO?

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:00 am

fsquid wrote:what is the name of the documentary so I can look it up on the TIVO?

"The Zen of Bobby"
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/vid ... Id=3391984