Major League Baseball 2K7

"An enjoyable game, with a few kinks"

I'd like to start off by saying that this is definitely a good game. I thoroughly enjoy playing it regardless of any flaws. Also that this review has nothing to do with the on-line aspect of the game. I have not inspected that nearly enough to claim to know much about it. With that said lets get into the meat of this review.

Graphics:
Beautiful. This is really what is to be expected from a next-gen sports game. Multiple times I have had people walk into the room assuming that I'm watching a game on TV, rather than actually playing one. In contrast to many games in the past, the fans in the stands are not only 3-D, but also move individually, as well as reacting to what is happening in the game. The players as well look surprisingly recognizable. Also it is nice that 2k Sports took the time to add player specific pitching and batting motions. It's a nice touch. Lastly, I'd like to remark that the stadiums are impressively accurate and well done. It's fair to say I have nothing against the stunning graphics of this game.

Settings:
MLB 2k7 uses customizable difficulty settings based on different aspects of the game. Very useful, customizing around your strengths and weaknesses can ensure a more enjoyable game. Also Included in some of the game modes is "Inside Edge." This allows you to buy information about a player such as their pitching tendencies, or sweet spots for batters. This adds a strategic side to these modes, as you obviously will only have enough money for so many players. Although I don't understand why my catcher insists on serving up a fat curve-ball over the plate to Miguel Tejada. It says that the catchers "make decisions" based on the information you have bought, however sometimes it seems like they aren't making the smartest calls. What is nice, though, is that your infield and outfield alignments will often be switched automatically to fit the tendencies of the batter.

Sound:
Great soundtrack, lots of good songs there. Also the commentating sounds surprisingly good; tracks have been melded together so that the voices don't radically change tone when calling out the names of players or the score of the game. It sounds much more natural that many past games.

Game-play:
Here is where I break it down. There have been a few issues I've had with game play. First the players, they seem to not move at consistent speeds. There movement is a bit choppy at times, so it is hard to get a good angle to cut off a fast ground ball rolling past. The players are so choppy, that at times it's possible, after fielding a ground ball, to completely miss the base you are trying to tag. Another issue is that the players seem to have some sort of attachment to the walls. When going to pick up a ball next to the wall in foul territory (It wasn't a foul ball though obviously), the character went through a "pressing up against the wall motion" twice before picking up the ball, just because that player was in the vicinity of the wall. Quite annoying. There are also a few minor bugs that I've noticed. One really isn't a bug, but there are times during a game when you get a little blip of a loading box in game, not that troublesome, but it seems like it should be able to be avoided. In addition, I witnessed one very strange bug, that I am assuming, and hoping, is very rare. At the start of one inning that I was pitching, there was a player in my teams uniform standing directly on the plate along with everything else that would normally be there. I threw one pitch for a strike and the player disappeared as the catcher threw it back. Very strange, and not a big deal. I just though it ought to be noted. Finally the last game play issue that I've noticed, while I'm impressed with the new swing style, and find it effective that they've added the stride as part of your swing, I find it very annoying that to bunt, you just click the stick down. Many a swing has been sabotaged by an accidental bunt. This however could just be a problem that I'm experiencing, though if you buy the game I would surely watch out for it.

Overall I find this to be a very enjoyable game, and I recommend buying if you have any interest in baseball what-so-ever. The pure fun of playing the game greatly out-weighs the uncommon glitch. However, I still give this game a 7/10, because it seems like a game that would still be in development. I'm surprised none of the things mentioned was not picked up earlier and fixed, and this is the only reason that I would give this game below an 8 or 9.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/07/07