MLB 09 The Show Sneak peek

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:00 pm

Right... which is one that I like.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:03 pm

I might have to get this for PS 2!!!

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:16 pm

I just read that my biggest complaint with the RTTS mode has been addressed. While I enjoyed the hitting part of it last year, the baserunning (or more specifically, the stand on the base and watch the CPU batter foul off pitch after pitch) left me bored to tears. I guess this year though, you can skip baserunning entirely, or change it so that the CPU at bats are much shorter. You can even skip the fielding part of RTTS, making it entirely like Power Pros 2008 "MLB Life" mode, which I enjoyed much more than RTTS.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:01 pm

Has anyone tried the PSP version yet? I'd like to get it, but only if they finally included a fantasy draft. If not, I may plod through updating '08s rosters.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:01 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:So....I know most of us are older with good jobs, great families, and priorities that far outweigh our casual gaming hobby, but once in a while a time comes along where we have to act like the Chaz Reinhold that's really deep down inside each of us.

Anyway, my point. For those that don't know, midnight launch for this one tomorrow night at Gamestop.

Wow, I'm surprised the Gamestops in my area are doing this as well. I sort of had a 'never again' moment the last time I went out for one of these, but I'm tempted. Hell, I've already spent a few hundred dollars because of this game, it may as well pull me out in the middle of the night, too...

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:04 pm

HipE wrote:I just read that my biggest complaint with the RTTS mode has been addressed. While I enjoyed the hitting part of it last year, the baserunning (or more specifically, the stand on the base and watch the CPU batter foul off pitch after pitch) left me bored to tears. I guess this year though, you can skip baserunning entirely, or change it so that the CPU at bats are much shorter. You can even skip the fielding part of RTTS, making it entirely like Power Pros 2008 "MLB Life" mode, which I enjoyed much more than RTTS.

Nice!!! This was also my biggest gripe. Combined with all the mini loading times, the baserunning and fielding aspect really put a damper on RTTS for me. Hmmm...I think I feel a cold coming on, might have to stay home this week to rest.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:12 pm

webdanzer wrote:
RallyMonkey wrote:So....I know most of us are older with good jobs, great families, and priorities that far outweigh our casual gaming hobby, but once in a while a time comes along where we have to act like the Chaz Reinhold that's really deep down inside each of us.

Anyway, my point. For those that don't know, midnight launch for this one tomorrow night at Gamestop.
Wow, I'm surprised the Gamestops in my area are doing this as well. I sort of had a 'never again' moment the last time I went out for one of these, but I'm tempted. Hell, I've already spent a few hundred dollars because of this game, it may as well pull me out in the middle of the night, too...

Is Gamestop doing a midnight launch throughout the US?

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:18 pm

Rodster wrote:
Is Gamestop doing a midnight launch throughout the US?

I just called, the one near me isn't.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:24 pm

lexbur wrote:
Rodster wrote:
Is Gamestop doing a midnight launch throughout the US?
I just called, the one near me isn't.

The midnight launches appear to not actually be for the baseball games, but for Halo Wars. I guess some Gamestops figure they might as well sell the baseball games too!

Here is a list of participating stores, but I'd give your local one a call anyway to make sure, see if they require pre-orders, etc.

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/tournaments/ ... pening.pdf

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:41 pm

webdanzer wrote:
The midnight launches appear to not actually be for the baseball games, but for Halo Wars. I guess some Gamestops figure they might as well sell the baseball games too!

Here is a list of participating stores, but I'd give your local one a call anyway to make sure, see if they require pre-orders, etc.

http://www.gamestop.com/gs/tournaments/ ... pening.pdf

Thanks for that list!

Yeah, I was just curious why they would be opening at midnight. I know all of us are drooling over The Show, but it's not like it'll be that huge of a seller, I wouldn't think it would justify a midnight release.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:53 pm

Just went in and paid off my copy so i can shoot past those wicked losers out at midnight for Halo Wars

and found out you can also pick up Sponge Bob's Beach Party Cookoff or something as well at midnight! I'm stoked!!

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:29 pm

I've only played a game so far but thought I'd post some very initial impressions. By the way, it was a 7-4 win with my Jays over the Rays at Rogers Centre. Halladay vs. Kazmir. Home runs by Aaron Hill, Travis Snyder and BJ Upton.

*Favourite new addition - DETAILED highlights after the game. Basically, every run scoring play is recapped, with a full description of what happened at the bottom of the screen. (i.e. Hill doubled to left, score 4-2) This really lets you see a great summary of the game in only a couple of minutes. Great camera angles are used as well.

*Attention to detail is definitely a priority for these guys. Every player on both teams had extremely accurate batting stances and animations. For example, I wouldn't think that someone like Gabe Gross would get such detailed treatment, but his swing is dead-on, as are ones for Snyder, etc...

*Loved how the pitcher's pitch count, strike/ball total and last pitch are displayed in the background Jumbotron while I'm hitting.

*Fielding animations are far more varied. Also, much smoother double play animations, infield reaches, etc...

*Pitchers definitely hit their spots less. As a batter in 08 I was terrible at taking pitches (due to my decreasing reflexes). In this opening I game I was drawing walks, working counts, etc...Also as a pitcher the meter required a lot more skill.

So far so good....Definitely a case of these developers taking an already great thing and refining as much as they could based on useful feedback from fans.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:38 pm

Yes, love the post-game highlights.

The fielding is definitely more varied... I see more "almost" plays with balls just slipping under gloves when the fielder can't quite get to it, CPU outfielders taking risks that don't pay off (i.e. diving for a ball that then goes to the wall), more throwing animations for the infield depending on the situation, all sorts of stuff.

It's good!

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:30 pm

Played a quick three innings before work. Used the Cardinals of course against the Brewers during a day game. The shadowing is just awesome by the way. It literally looks like a game being played during the afternoon in St. Louis. It's gorgeous.

Immediately what jumps out is the presentation and atmosphere. It's second to none. They really mix in the new commentary very well with the old commentary. Also, the new overlays are just so professional looking. They had a statistic when Pujols came to the plate his average during day games. At the end of the inning, they show the score with the outfield wall in the backround showcasing the all time Cardinal greats. Also, seeing Fred Bird work the crowd up was just too cool to see. You really feel like you're a part of the game.

What's realized after the presentation is that the game is just an absolutely 100 percent solid title. Everything from the pitching to the hitting, to the seamless animations. I can't just get ahead of the batter anymore. Pitches are no longer pin point accurate. Additionally, now I can work the counts better than I could in '08. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think it has to do with being able to read the pitches better, and also the opposing pitchers aren't as accurate.

Being able to field the ball and get the force out at second without worry of the lollipop throw is now a thing of the past. I used to throw to first because I was worried that the runner would be safe due to a lazy throw. This is one of the biggest improvements in the game thus far IMO.

I cannot wait to dig in to this game more this evening. I think my son is going to enjoy the batting practice in the cage. From what I understand, you can choose your hitter and pitcher, along with the type of pitches they throw. He and I are going to have a blast with this addition.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:38 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Played a quick three innings before work. Used the Cardinals of course against the Brewers during a day game. The shadowing is just awesome by the way. It literally looks like a game being played during the afternoon in St. Louis. It's gorgeous.

Immediately what jumps out is the presentation and atmosphere. It's second to none. They really mix in the new commentary very well with the old commentary. Also, the new overlays are just so professional looking. They had a statistic when Pujols came to the plate his average during day games. At the end of the inning, they show the score with the outfield wall in the backround showcasing the all time Cardinal greats. Also, seeing Fred Bird work the crowd up was just too cool to see. You really feel like you're a part of the game.

What's realized after the presentation is that the game is just an absolutely 100 percent solid title. Everything from the pitching to the hitting, to the seamless animations. I can't just get ahead of the batter anymore. Pitches are no longer pin point accurate. Additionally, now I can work the counts better than I could in '08. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think it has to do with being able to read the pitches better, and also the opposing pitchers aren't as accurate.

Being able to field the ball and get the force out at second without worry of the lollipop throw is now a thing of the past. I used to throw to first because I was worried that the runner would be safe due to a lazy throw. This is one of the biggest improvements in the game thus far IMO.

I cannot wait to dig in to this game more this evening. I think my son is going to enjoy the batting practice in the cage. From what I understand, you can choose your hitter and pitcher, along with the type of pitches they throw. He and I are going to have a blast with this addition.

I am also loving the ability to take screenshots and save replays to post.

Game is truly outstanding.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:53 pm

Is the only way to get replays onto the internet via thumbdrive?

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:03 pm

Slumberland wrote:Is the only way to get replays onto the internet via thumbdrive?

Unless you can upload them directly through the web browser on the PS3. It's the only way I know of.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:19 pm

bkrich83 wrote:
Slumberland wrote:Is the only way to get replays onto the internet via thumbdrive?
Unless you can upload them directly through the web browser on the PS3. It's the only way I know of.

That would be my guess IF it is possible.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:40 pm

I actually fell asleep on my couch with the ps3 on last night after fighting sleep to get one game in, like a kid with a new toy who doesn't want to go to sleep.

Really dig the game. I'm surprised at how much they improved the pitching. I had 7 walks (combined) in my first game. Lost as the Yanks in their first spring training game to Toronto, 3-1, on default HOF.

I continued to struggle a little bit with the hitting, as I did in the demo as well, though I was facing Halliday. I think the changes in speed are more noticeable coming in, and it seems like you really have to start moving your plate coverage cursor early to match the pitch location. (I don't have the cursor visible, but I see where it is with swing feedback). Either that or my reflexes have really started to slow down.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:51 pm

webdanzer wrote:I actually fell asleep on my couch with the ps3 on last night after fighting sleep to get one game in, like a kid with a new toy who doesn't want to go to sleep.

Really dig the game. I'm surprised at how much they improved the pitching. I had 7 walks (combined) in my first game. Lost as the Yanks in their first spring training game to Toronto, 3-1, on default HOF.

I continued to struggle a little bit with the hitting, as I did in the demo as well, though I was facing Halliday. I think the changes in speed are more noticeable coming in, and it seems like you really have to start moving your plate coverage cursor early to match the pitch location. (I don't have the cursor visible, but I see where it is with swing feedback). Either that or my reflexes have really started to slow down.

Yeah I got to the point last night where I was so exhausted I was basically swinging at everything...trying to end an extra inning affair.

About your hitting. Just think of this way - if you didn't struggle against Halladay, who would you struggle against? His job is to make batters murmur to themselves as they head back to the dugout.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:10 pm

Does this game really NOT support 1080p? It says it does on the bottom of the box, but doesn't display in 1080p...what a ripoff!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:39 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Does this game really NOT support 1080p? It says it does on the bottom of the box, but doesn't display in 1080p...what a ripoff!

The demo did. Gotta set your PS3 to 1080p only.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:55 pm

BTW, this F'n game is sick - sick - sick. It is so polished. Major tip of the cap the the developers.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:05 pm

Diablo25 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:Does this game really NOT support 1080p? It says it does on the bottom of the box, but doesn't display in 1080p...what a ripoff!
The demo did. Gotta set your PS3 to 1080p only.

But if you set it to 1080p ONLY...what happens when you play games that are 720p?

And yes...even with 720p the game is sick as hell. By far the most polished sports game...possibly ever.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:12 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Diablo25 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:Does this game really NOT support 1080p? It says it does on the bottom of the box, but doesn't display in 1080p...what a ripoff!
The demo did. Gotta set your PS3 to 1080p only.
But if you set it to 1080p ONLY...what happens when you play games that are 720p?

And yes...even with 720p the game is sick as hell. By far the most polished sports game...possibly ever.

You then have to go back in to your display settings and change it back to 720P. That's the only way.