MLB 09 The Show Sneak peek

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:10 am

Picked it up last night.

Played 3 games with the Mets of a 14 game season.

I scored a total of 3 runs, 1 each game. Lost all 3 of course. 7-1 vs the Rockies, 5-1 vs Dodgers and 5-1 vs the Padres.

Hit a HR with Luis Castillo of all people. Hitting it's pretty tough which I don't mind at all. Timing is crucial at the plate.

They really need to update the rosters. Rockies had Helton batting lead-off vs Santana, ridiculous.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:46 am

dougb wrote:I have to say that I really have no doubt - despite not being the biggest fan of pro baseball this is the best video sports game bar none.

I wholeheartedly agree about this being the best video sports game bar none, and by far. The amount of little details in the game is simply amazing. I was playing the Cubs at Wrigley in my Cards season last night and noticed too many great things to mention...but I thought it was particularly awesome when the announcers came back in the bottom of the 7th and Vasgersian (sp?) said something like, "Okay, for the people at home, you just missed our own Rex Hudler deliver 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame'..." Then they show a replay of a bunch of different Cardinals out on the field looking up at the press box while Hudler sings the whole song (including the part about "let's root, root, root for the Cubbies...."). If that was in last year's game, I don't remember it.

I think it's also remarkable how much commentary they have in the game...there was one point where the Cubs pitcher got Ankiel to pop up the first pitch to start an inning, then got 2 quick strikes on the next guy and Campbell said something like, "That's a great way to start an inning getting an out and an 0 and 2 count on just 3 pitches." It blows my mind how they seem to have the right commentary for just about EVERYTHING.

The game itself was great, even though I lost a heartbreaker. The Cards had a lead throughout the game before the Cubs came back and tied it in the 9th. Aramis Ramiriz drove in the tying run with a triple with nobody out, so I intentionally walked the next 2 guys to load up the bases before bringing in my closer, Chris Perez, who promptly gave up a walk-off grandslam to Derek Lee to end the game. I've never enjoyed losing a sports videogame more than that one.

I then started up RTTS and spent a hour and a half playing that...it's just so addicting that I kept saying "just one more game." Next thing I knew it was 1:30 a.m. In my opinion, RTTS itself is better than most sports games that I've played. Can't wait to get home to play some more tonight.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:53 am

I wish I had more time to play. Baseball practice (I am a high school coach) started this week so have been getting home around 6:30. Until I get cleaned up and eat some dinner it is 7:30. I have played 2 full games and they were both great. I got walks on both sides (classic pitching), saw great hit variety, saw good defensive AI by the CPU, etc. I played on ALL STAR so there is room to step up. Last night I lost to the Pirates at PNC with the Phils. Manufactured a run in the first - Rollins single, Victorino sac bunt, Utley walk, Howard double. The Buccos then held me down until I got a run in the 7th but I couldn't muster any more runs. I threatened in the 9th but Ibanez flew out to the track. Ross and McLouth went deep for the Pirates. Lost 3-2. 8 hits for PIT, 7 for PHI. I can't say enough about the end of game highlights...they are just awesome. They recap the whole game with great camera angles, etc. I hope to get in some decent time with the game this weekend.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:41 pm

My first game of my season will please Philly fans. I took Lowe into the 7th nursing a 4-2 lead. Got into my bullpen and tiptoed around a few singles and a couple walks and made it to the bottom of the 9th still up by two. I strike out the first batter (Victorino) but then Coste walks, Werth singles, I get a pop up for out #2 from pinch hitter Pedro Feliz and then I groove one to Jimmy Rollins and he parks it. Phillies win 5-4 and I throw my first controller of the season. F*ck.

Even though I lost, it was probably one of the most rewarding and satisfying games I've ever played. Walking guys unintentionally...having to play ABC baseball with the power-deprived Braves lineup...and really struggling to pitch after my #1 starter goes out of the game. Just awesome.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:55 pm

webdanzer wrote: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.

I'm struggling so much on Veteran hitting that I'm thinking I'm doing something wrong, which is unbelievable as I've been playing the series for years. The way I'm swinging is exactly like I've been doing since High Heat days, which is moving the stick and swinging the button at the same time. That's what "zone hitting" is in my mind. But now when I check the swing analysis my indicator is always in the middle. WTF? Since my indicator isn't moving, unless the ball is down the middle I'll get sky high popups or weak grounders. I've tried a slower pitch speed but then it's almost impossible for me to time anything but a fastball and the indicator is still in the middle anyway. I'm not implying that it's not user error (and I do turn 41 next week), but I'm struggling big time and could use some tips. Do you guys start aiming the left stick before the pitch?

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:14 pm

Leebo33 wrote:...now when I check the swing analysis my indicator is always in the middle. WTF? Since my indicator isn't moving, unless the ball is down the middle I'll get sky high popups or weak grounders...Do you guys start aiming the left stick before the pitch?

Yeah, I'm seeing the same thing. I was no-hit through 6 yesterday on HOF before I fisted a weak single. (really like the look of those jam swings and hits, BTW). They definitely changed things, which in a way is good because I thought it was too easy to slap singles in past games, but I haven't yet adapted to the new timing. You don't have to start moving before the pitcher throws the ball, but it seems that you do have to almost as soon as the ball leaves his hand.

It seems like more reinforcement to the idea that you should play using the guess pitch options, both zone and pitch.

btmmayor · Post by **btmmayor** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:15 pm

Yeah, its tough Leebo, and I noticed it right away in my first game. It seems as soon as you push the button to swing it locks in your spot. There is no movement or adjustment allowed once the swing has started. Its been a while since I've played 08 but is this something new or has it always been this way?

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:23 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:My first game of my season will please Philly fans. I took Lowe into the 7th nursing a 4-2 lead. Got into my bullpen and tiptoed around a few singles and a couple walks and made it to the bottom of the 9th still up by two. I strike out the first batter (Victorino) but then Coste walks, Werth singles, I get a pop up for out #2 from pinch hitter Pedro Feliz and then I groove one to Jimmy Rollins and he parks it. Phillies win 5-4 and I throw my first controller of the season. F*ck.

Even though I lost, it was probably one of the most rewarding and satisfying games I've ever played. Walking guys unintentionally...having to play ABC baseball with the power-deprived Braves lineup...and really struggling to pitch after my #1 starter goes out of the game. Just awesome.

You ain't alone. I lost to the damn Mets the other game but it was awesome.

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:49 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Do you guys start aiming the left stick before the pitch?

I could be wrong, but the way I understand it is that the zone you are aiming at with the left stick at the moment you press the swing button is the zone you will be "covering" with your swing. So no, you don't have to start aiming before the pitch, but you have to choose a zone before hitting the swing button.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:01 pm

Leadfoot5 wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:Do you guys start aiming the left stick before the pitch?
I could be wrong, but the way I understand it is that the zone you are aiming at with the left stick at the moment you press the swing button is the zone you will be "covering" with your swing. So no, you don't have to start aiming before the pitch, but you have to choose a zone before hitting the swing button.

If you're ahead in the count and looking "only" for a fastball up and away for example, it certainly wouldn't hurt to move the cursor there before the pitch, hold it and only swing if it enters your zone. That would eliminate the need to quickly react and let you just watch the flight of the ball.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:28 pm

btmmayor wrote:Yeah, its tough Leebo, and I noticed it right away in my first game. It seems as soon as you push the button to swing it locks in your spot. There is no movement or adjustment allowed once the swing has started. Its been a while since I've played 08 but is this something new or has it always been this way?

I never played with the coverage indicator visible before, and IIRC, in previous years the swing feedback was in the form of words without showing the coverage indicator, so for all I know I was never moving the stick early enough to match the zone with the pitch. I sure did make better contact then, though!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:12 pm

Boy I am having trouble hitting also! I have hit 1 HR in four games and have not scored over 4 runs in a game. This is on Veteran!

But it doesn't feel cheap. I am swinging at bad pitches and the CPU continues to work outside of the zone. I need some patience. When you do hit it well it feels great.

I have also noticed that the wind has been blowing in and the last game at a 20 mph clip. There was a flair down the left field line that I knew I couldn't get to but I thought it was foul so I stopped running towards it. Well, the ball just kept drifting and it lands on the line. I was mad but extremely happy at the same time.

FifaInspected · Post by **FifaInspected** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:32 pm

Is this game as good as it looks and sounds? is it worth getting a PS3 for? I've got two 360's and i'm not even a big baseball guy. I'd be half tempted to sell a 360 for this... But this is the only game I see myself playing.

.... the sickness that is gaming

~ Fifa

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:36 pm

FifaInspected wrote:Is this game as good as it looks and sounds? is it worth getting a PS3 for? I've got two 360's and i'm not even a big baseball guy. I'd be half tempted to sell a 360 for this... But this is the only game I see myself playing.

.... the sickness that is gaming

~ Fifa

It's a really great game. Do you have a ps2, though? If you can stand the graphics, you can get pretty much the same great gameplay for like 1/10 of the price.

I pretty much just got a ps3 for The Show and Little Big Planet. I'm loving both games, (and others) but I'm still reluctant to say it was 'worth it' quite yet, knowing I could have gotten most of the Show's goodness on the ps2...

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:54 pm

I can't wait to go home and play more. I've won two games on Legend and lost four... sh*t is tough but ultimately fair, I think. With regards to hitting, usually try and work deep counts to make them come over the plate so I don't have to do too much left thumbstick aiming. I feel like I have a weird tick where I instinctually want to jam the thumbstick down when swinging, however. I keep trying to practice aiming high in the zone when necessary, but it doesn't come naturally at all.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:00 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:They really need to update the rosters. Rockies had Helton batting lead-off vs Santana, ridiculous.

I think it is more of a roster update issue, I thought I read that the AI is screwing with the line ups really badly and it doesn't matter if the roster has everything set right it's going to screw it up on you.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:10 pm

FifaInspected wrote:Is this game as good as it looks and sounds? is it worth getting a PS3 for? I've got two 360's and i'm not even a big baseball guy. I'd be half tempted to sell a 360 for this... But this is the only game I see myself playing.

.... the sickness that is gaming

~ Fifa

The way I looked at it, is that I was getting a damn fine BluRay player as well. saves me another 300-400 bucks. So in theory it was only for the show, but in reality, it really did solve a few of my problems. LOL. The game is probably the best sports game ever made...it just matters how IN to baseball you are. It's my favorite sport to play and watch, so it's a no brainer for me.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:22 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
FifaInspected wrote:Is this game as good as it looks and sounds? is it worth getting a PS3 for? I've got two 360's and i'm not even a big baseball guy. I'd be half tempted to sell a 360 for this... But this is the only game I see myself playing.

.... the sickness that is gaming

~ Fifa
The way I looked at it, is that I was getting a damn fine BluRay player as well. saves me another 300-400 bucks. So in theory it was only for the show, but in reality, it really did solve a few of my problems. LOL. The game is probably the best sports game ever made...it just matters how IN to baseball you are. It's my favorite sport to play and watch, so it's a no brainer for me.

When I first bought my PS3 I bought it solely for bluray . The Show was just an added bonus.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:40 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
FifaInspected wrote:Is this game as good as it looks and sounds? is it worth getting a PS3 for? I've got two 360's and i'm not even a big baseball guy. I'd be half tempted to sell a 360 for this... But this is the only game I see myself playing.

.... the sickness that is gaming

~ Fifa
The way I looked at it, is that I was getting a damn fine BluRay player as well. saves me another 300-400 bucks. So in theory it was only for the show, but in reality, it really did solve a few of my problems. LOL. The game is probably the best sports game ever made...it just matters how IN to baseball you are. It's my favorite sport to play and watch, so it's a no brainer for me.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:53 pm

FifaInspected wrote:Is this game as good as it looks and sounds? is it worth getting a PS3 for? I've got two 360's and i'm not even a big baseball guy. I'd be half tempted to sell a 360 for this... But this is the only game I see myself playing.

.... the sickness that is gaming

~ Fifa

Yes!

Best wishes,

Doug

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:03 pm

Diablo25 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:
FifaInspected wrote:Is this game as good as it looks and sounds? is it worth getting a PS3 for? I've got two 360's and i'm not even a big baseball guy. I'd be half tempted to sell a 360 for this... But this is the only game I see myself playing.

.... the sickness that is gaming

~ Fifa
The way I looked at it, is that I was getting a damn fine BluRay player as well. saves me another 300-400 bucks. So in theory it was only for the show, but in reality, it really did solve a few of my problems. LOL. The game is probably the best sports game ever made...it just matters how IN to baseball you are. It's my favorite sport to play and watch, so it's a no brainer for me.
Couldn't have said it better myself.

Blu Ray! ....Is good stuffs.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:43 pm

Bluray + 120hz HDTV > SEX (well almost)

It is that good!

PS3 is good for MLB 09, and some of their DLC games are excellent (Everyday Shooter, Flower, Wipeout HD). Resistance and Killzone 2 (and Metal Gear 4) are great too for non-sports games.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:22 am

Can someone explain to me when playing an exhibition game, how do you choose your team's and the computer's starting pitchers? It seems like it's one way or another. For example, I'll set mine as the third starter, but I can't seem to figure out how to choose their starting third starter. It always will start their first starter. Or if I start their starter other than the first starter (say their second starter), I can't start anyone other than my first starter.

I know it's an odd question and the answer is probably simple, but it's really bothering me I can't seem to figure it out.

Thanks.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:30 am

I'm not in front of the TV right now, but I just pick their starter and then use the joystick to go back to my side and pick mine. I don't think you have to hit X, just highlight a starter on the CPU side and then use the left stick to go left or right back to your side.

I did a lot better hitting tonight using a combination of patience, all the guess pitch options, and pitch speed down a few clicks.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:40 am

Leebo33 wrote:I'm not in front of the TV right now, but I just pick their starter and then use the joystick to go back to my side and pick mine. I don't think you have to hit X, just highlight a starter on the CPU side and then use the left stick to go left or right back to your side.

I did a lot better hitting tonight using a combination of patience, all the guess pitch options, and pitch speed down a few clicks.

I don't think you need to guess the pitch, but I do turn pitch speed down. I played my first full game tonight, HOF default except pitch speed turned down. I don't use guess pitch, but I turned the option on just so I could get swing feedback to check what you were seeing earlier. I beat the Pirates with the Cubs 6-5. I had two triples and a hr, while the Pirates had three doubles and 2 hr. I checked swing feedback every time, and that little circle definitely moved every time I moved the left stick to swing. I do however have my best results working the count (I drew 6 walks!), then swinging without aiming when the cpu stops nibbling and throws it over the plate.