Its baseball season again, but is this Sony-exclusive sports title for you?
MLB 09: The Show is Sony's entry into this year's group of baseball games. I wouldn't call it a home run, or a strikeout, but maybe just a sacrifice bunt.
Not Too New
There haven't been many improvements over last year's game, as is normal for sports games. One of the biggest changes is that outfielders now take a more realistic route to the ball (seriously). That doesn't matter if you didn't play last year, but it's not encouraging. However, the graphics look amazing this time around, from the folds in the players' shirts to the tar on their helmets to the ivy on Wrigley Field.Road To The Show 3.0
One of the best modes, is the Road to the Show, which lets you play as a single created player through his entire career, starting in the minor leagues and working his way up. I created Raymond LeChuck, the closer for the Springfield (not St. Louis!) Cardinals. I don't play in every game, and I may only throw three pitches when I do play, but that's fun. If you play well, your skills improve, and hopefully you can work your way up to the majors, then All-Star Game, then Hall of Fame. That'll take a while, though.
But Is It Fun?
In the end, the game's a bit too complicated. Where Backyard Baseball, MLB Power Pros, and even Wii Sports give us fun baseball gameplay, MLB 09 gives us a simulation that will mostly only serious baseball fans will really like. Both pitching and batting are frustrating in some very realistic ways, but at least there are thousands of options to choose from when you go into the game, allowing unbelievable control over how you want to play a baseball game. If you're serious about baseball, this is the game, but if you just want a fun game, there are other choices.
Game Rating:
Price: $59.99
ESRB Rating: E
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