MLB '09: The Show Midseason Report

[countryboy]

Great writeup Chris.

I've said it a few times before, but given the topic of this thread I'll repeat it. This is by far the best baseball game that I've ever played. Hands down, no comparisons, and not even last year's installment. The leap this game made from last year to this year is astounding. This is also, in my humble opinion, the best sports game that I've ever played, hands down.

After 4 months, 3 seasons, and countless hours, I'm still eager to get home from work each night and play this game. I find myself thinking about the matchups coming up for any given night, as I daydream at work. Its amazing how much I've been "sucked into" this game. The game hasn't gotten stale. I haven't gotten bored with the game, nor have I grown tired of it. In fact, my appreciation for the game, the series, and the devs behind it, grows each and every night I play.

"The most realistic baseball game ever"? Baseball is my all time favorite sport and when it comes to the video games, I've played them all, some not to the extent of others, but I have played them all in some way. The Show '09 is the most realistic baseball game to ever come across a gaming console. What this game does on the field is nothing short of amazing. What it does off the field is quickly catching up to the greatness that it portrays on the field.

Yes, the game has bumps in the road, shortcomings, areas that need improvement. But at the end of the day, the good of this game, far outshine the bad. And the thing that excites me the most, is that this game is this good, no this great, with areas that still need improvement. We will never see a perfect baseball video game, but if there was one that could achieve that unattainable goal, it would be the Show. The passion for baseball the devs possess and express in their game, and the game itself that I've played, is what gives me the confidence to make that statement. And lets be honest, when you have gamers plunking down $400+ for a gaming console just to play your game, then you have to be doing something right.

To end this rambling session, let me say this...from one gamer and baseball fanatic to the Show development team......job well done.

[rondoman]

Excellent post Country boy. I agree 100%.

I was one of those that bought a PS3 for The Show in 08 after playing it at my bros house. I was jealous of him.

So I bought a 80gb ps3 but I played on a 32" SDTV. Well, a month later I had to by a HDTV cuz once again, I couldnt stand going to my brothers playing The Show 08 on his HDTV, and then coming home and playing it on my SDTV.

So, in reality, the Show has made me buy a 50" 1080p HDTV as well as a PS3 system, and I have no regrets whatsoever. In fact, I am at work now and have a game agaisnt Josh Johnson and the Marlins tonite and I am thinking about that!!!

God, this game has its issues, but the positives are so much more than the few nitpicky negatives that are mostly cosmetic, not gameplay related.

Damn, cant wait to get home in a couple hours and play another couple games in my franchise now!!!!

[Crash Davis]

after this long with 09, im actually sticking to the thought that 08 actually played better, not by much. but overall just felt a bit tighter, but 09 has more of the presentations down and keep me playing it as opposed to 08.

things that stick out for me from 09 presentation are

Music
Recap at the end of the game
slight improvements in playoff atmosphere


Also Road to the show is ALOT better in 09. but for straight up gameplay I'd give 08 the nod, theres alot of bad unrelastic errors in 09 as well stealing and pickoffs are really unrealistic.

but just my opinion still blows all other baseball game franchises out of the water. Thats right MVP freaks...

[RoyalKing716]

Yea it's one hell of a game overall... 2  up Sony... I'm praying that 2ksports get it right in the Future..

[Bodizzy]

I couldn't agree more with the overall sentiment that this game is just flat-out awesome. The pitcher-batter duel is great; if played on a somewhat difficult setting it takes a while to get the hang of it. I've just now become OK at anticipating pitch types and locations on All-Star. This makes the game.

Alas, the game's not perfect. Everyone knows the player models need addressing. Fielding needs... something. Other than random user errors and fielding animations, I don't know what could be done. Camera angles, maybe?

I would love more cut scenes like ones you get when you rake a fast ball 400+ feet. Fielding cut scenes would be nice. Maybe even quick ones when you hit the snot out of the ball for a double? Etc.

Also, and I know I'm dreaming on this, but classic stadiums like the Polo Grounds. Perhaps more customization with teams and players. The ability to choose an alternate roster of totally fictitious players and start in the 1800s? Have players and stadiums evolve along with the times, so say if you start your franchise in the '70s you'd see guys with 'fros and long hair. I'm not saying recreate OOTP in the Show, but I'm just saying. Give us tons of stuff to play with.

It's a great game. Very little needs to be fixed. So SCEA, fix those few little things and then throw in the kitchen sink.

[bkrich83]

For my money, best sports game I have ever played.

[jim416]

Quote:

Also, and I know I'm dreaming on this, but classic stadiums like the Polo Grounds.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooh, yeah. And the ability to play your franchise in an old stadium.

[Knight165]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bodizzy

I couldn't agree more with the overall sentiment that this game is just flat-out awesome. The pitcher-batter duel is great; if played on a somewhat difficult setting it takes a while to get the hang of it. I've just now become OK at anticipating pitch types and locations on All-Star. This makes the game. Alas, the game's not perfect. Everyone knows the player models need addressing. Fielding needs... something. Other than random user errors and fielding animations, I don't know what could be done. Camera angles, maybe? I would love more cut scenes like ones you get when you rake a fast ball 400+ feet. Fielding cut scenes would be nice. Maybe even quick ones when you hit the snot out of the ball for a double? Etc. Also, and I know I'm dreaming on this, but classic stadiums like the Polo Grounds. Perhaps more customization with teams and players. The ability to choose an alternate roster of totally fictitious players and start in the 1800s? Have players and stadiums evolve along with the times, so say if you start your franchise in the '70s you'd see guys with 'fros and long hair. I'm not saying recreate OOTP in the Show, but I'm just saying. Give us tons of stuff to play with. It's a great game. Very little needs to be fixed. So SCEA, fix those few little things and then throw in the kitchen sink.

Bo....

I'm so with you on the customization and adding the classics...
I'd love to be able to set up a custom size league...with the ability to add teams to the division(s) where we like....assign stadiums and such so that we could recreate baseball's great history.

It sounds like you would enjoy them...so take a look in the Roster Section and grab my Classic Team set. They are in the Vault also under the name ClassicMLB. Great teams from the past for every franchise.
A blast to play with.

M.K.
Knight165