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The batter can then press forward with the right stick for a straight-up contact swing, meaning there's only one step to figure out in terms of timing. Instead of a two-step timing process using the right stick, you can pull back on the right stick to get ready to swing at any time. Where last year the slightest mistake would send your pitch completely off-target, it doesn't take many times playing MLB 2K9 before you're painting the corners like Greg Maddux in the early '90s.īatting is also simplified. The result is a similar motion (move the right stick back until the yellow circle fills up completely and forward to throw a fastball, for example) but with a much larger margin for error than before. 2K Sports wanted to take away the probability that a beginner would give up several "meatballs" in their first time playing the game while still keeping the right analog stick functionality. While anyone with eyes will agree MLB 2K9 looks better than its predecessor, there probably won't be quite the same consensus when it comes to gameplay, especially in the batting and pitching mechanisms. Instead of a strange silhouette around the perimeter of the screen, baserunners are shown on the diamond in the bottom-right in a more vivid yet less obtrusive way. One of our favorite visual improvements was how 2K Sports handled baserunning this time around.
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The in-game pitching menu looks better, although the different colors flashing at the end of each pitch to signify what was just thrown (green for a fastball, red for a curve, etc.) smack a little too much of that old TV hockey experiment where the puck glowed and sent off bright colored comet-trails during slapshots. The menus will be familiar to those who've played NBA 2K9 - while they're still a little cluttered, it won't feel like you need Lasik surgery to read them anymore. Other visual improvements are noticeable in MLB 2K9, especially when compared to the ghastly menu interfaces and game indicators seen in MLB 2K8. Also, during breaks in the action players' moves can get a bit choppy and they'll slide across the ground like "South Park" characters, but compared to the spastic graphics and less detailed environments of MLB 2K8 these are minor quibbles.
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That said, we could do without the dust clouds that fly through the air every time anyone or anything makes contact with the dirt. Gone are the wildly flapping uniforms that made each ballpark look like a wind tunnel, and facial renderings are better than ever, even for reserve outfielders and middle relievers.
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Visual Concepts has definitely given the game a visual makeover. We were a little worried about framerate issues after checking out a demo of 2K9 a little over a month ago, but the finished product features smooth graphics and a much more detailed playing field that is much more pleasing on the eyes than the harsh, oddly dark world of MLB 2K8. For starters, the game looks much better than last year's version. The Jonas Brothers aside, accessibility isn't always a bad thing. While many of the players who mastered the difficult aspects of MLB 2K8 might find this game a little too easy to master, we believe MLB 2K9's less frustrating gameplay will bring the game an increased audience.
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2K Sports looks to be in the same boat, if Major League Baseball 2K9is any indication.
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However, to keep stadiums full enough to pay guys like Barry Zito $18.5 million this season, Major League Baseball franchises need to get as many fringe fans as possible. Most teams know the hardcores will show up rain or shine, whether their favorite team is playing a nationally televised game against the Yankees or Red Sox or a Tuesday night tilt versus the Royals.
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In these days of economic strife, as every professional sports league braces for decreased attendance and vacant luxury suites, attracting the casual fan is as important as ever.