MLB 09: The Show

[kingoffighters]

I hate baseball videogames, because it is usually so boring. But I love the show, last year was good, but not great. This year, they improved the graphics and it plays just as well (if not better). I just downloaded the demo and completely enthralled. If you have a PS3 and like baseball, this is THE game to get.

[Gooch]

I'm tempted to pick this up but I usually stay away from baseball video games because it's like paying $60 to do work. The last baseball game I liked enough to buy, however, was High Heat 2003. The graphics looked like shit but the gameplay was baseball.

I'll have to hear more impressions, but this will probably be an Opening Day rental.

[Yoshi]

Sony cost themselves a sale by putting Ryan Howard on the cover.

[Rumpy]

I've heard very good things.

[bandit]

I loved the PSP version of 07. Was debating on getting PS3 version. I'm not a big baseball game player.

[kingoffighters]

I'm tempted to pick this up but I usually stay away from baseball video games because it's like paying $60 to do work. The last baseball game I liked enough to buy, however, was High Heat 2003. The graphics looked like shit but the gameplay was baseball.

I'll have to hear more impressions, but this will probably be an Opening Day rental.

Download the demo and play for abit. I bet you will love it. I am going to trade in a bunch of games to get this soon.

[EvilMog]

I would like to see this. MLB 2k8 is complete trash. Fuck you Sony for having something I want to see on PS3.

[kingoffighters]

I attached the wrong picture of MLB, here is the 08 one with Yoshi's favorite player of all time.



Impressions:

I only have the game for a few days, played a few exhibition games on default (Veteran) difficulty. You have a choice of 2 different pitching interface. One is classic where you pick one of the 4 or 5 pitches (2SFB, 4SFB, CurveBall, Slider, etc) and put the cursor on where the ball *should* go and just let it rip. Or you can do a meter kinda like a golf game so to hit the location of the pitch, you have to hit it in the sweet spot. I like the golf meter since each pitch is kinda like a mini-game but for some, the classic is more natural and realistic.

In Batting, you can guess the pitch and location (9 zones). If you guess either one right, either the strike zone and/or location will flash. That doesn't mean an automatic hit though, it just means that you can anticipate the ball better. It is hard to draw walks, but definitely doable if you are a discipline batter and the pitcher is not that great.

You can turn off the guessing game (or just ignore it altogether), so it is not a big deal. You can also try to swing harder but I was able to hit a few HRs with just the regular hit button.

The animation in this game is absolutely stunning. You will be seeing new animations almost every game (at least for a long long time). When I was creating my player in RTTS mode (see below), you can pick your batting stance, there are literally hundreds of stance you can choose (from generic ones to player specific ones). The commentary is also amazing. If you are getting a no-hitter, the annoucers start to build it up and you will see K signs being posted in the crowd. Someone noticed that even the 3rd base coach is called out at times!

I didn't play last year's version, but the Road to the Show (RTTS) mode is ADDICTIVE. Basically, it is like a baseball RPG. You create a player and assign him to any team and you try to make it to the big leagues and ultimately help win a WS. You only play certain situations (the game will simulate/skip to the next situation; you can easily play 10 games in a very short time). For example, I created some generic 6' short stop/switch hitter and trying to make the Red Sox. Each game has your player attempt a few goals, so it is important to attempt/succeed in these goals to get points (so you can upgrade your player, etc). Goals/situation such as getting a good At Bat/don't strike out, try to get a double play, move a runner, etc. It is really really really addictive. I haven't made it out of spring training yet, and my batting average is pretty bad. BUT, I am doing a good job in accomplishing those goals so maybe I will get called up. If not, I might just get traded to another team or something.

I plan to start a franchise after opening day rosters are available for DL. Until then, I will continue to play RTTS. If you have a PS3 and remotely interested in MLB (like me), then this game is a MUST. As I have said before, I have a cursory interest in the sport and I dislike videogame baseballs in general (takes too long to play). This game lets you save in midgame (for franchise games) but the atmosphere/gameplay is just so good that I don't even care. It really is THAT good.

[K3V]

God damn it Praxis, I don't have a PS3.

[kingoffighters]

God damn it Praxis, I don't have a PS3.

The PS2 version plays a mean game too. Basically same gameplay without the shiny graphics (maybe toned down commentary). So if you don't want to buy a PS3, just get that (or have Sinista buy it and play it at his place).