MLB 07: The Show

"Baseball is here"

Intro: I play a lot of sports games and I expect them to have numerous improvements each year. I expect a reasonable roster update. I am a huge sports fan. Baseball is my favorite sport, so its gonna take a lot of realism for me to enjoy a Baseball game. This is a review from someone who knows how a sport game should be played.

Gameplay: This game has decent game play but with a little slider tweaking it will be jaw dropping. With the right settings you will get realistic box scores, season standings Home Run leaders and much more. There our tons of fielding,hitting and pitching animations. It will take a while to get repetitive animations. There are new, smoother base running controls. Also, there is the ability to have your catcher suggest a pitch type and location. The managers are all different meaning you will have to adjust to their strike zones. My only complaints are repetitive commentary(which is in every sport game), and a bit of a questionable AI when trading players with the CPU.

Graphics: Not the best the PS2 has seen, but the detail is where this game shines.You will see dirty jerseys, players look and act like their real life counter parts,and really smooth animations. Also, the players actually look emotional throughout the game. Who needs a PS3 when PS2 graphics are good enough?

Franchise: Pick a team and try to win the World Series. Only, you will have to set prices,scout players,sign TV contracts and so much more.You will have to complete goals such as making the playoffs if you want to keep your job as the manager.There are tons of different statistics to look at to help you determine how you should play your team. It really will keep you playing.

Road to the Show: This is career mode. Pick a position,a team and work yor way up to the show. There are a lot manager interactions. The manager will give your player goals to complete throughout the game such as inducing a ground ball. The more you succeed his goals, the more training points you will get.If you piss him off and don't listen,its back to the minors. The better you play, the better you get.

Other Modes: Home Run Derby and King of the Diamond are only fun if you have a lot of people, but even then they get boring fast. All you do in both is hit Home Runs. Rivalry mode is extremely fun. It is a simple best of series between two teams.It could be a best of three or a best of 27. Is never gets boring and it can be saved to the memory card.Basic Exhibition mode is here too.

Sound/Music: Everything is spot on and life like sounding. The music is mostly rock. You will hear My Chemical Romance,Fall Out Boy, and Jet, too name a few. I think its good.

Rent/Buy: If you like Baseball then go for it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/06/07