Major League Baseball 2K7

Developer: 2K Sports
Platform: Xbox 360, Playstation 3
Reviewer: Marty Webb
 Single Player: 4.0
Learning Curve: 3.5
Presentation: 4.0
Online: 4.2
Extra Features: 3.0
     Barry Bonds breaks the all-time home run record, the wild card race is as tight as it can be, and you sit at home wishing you could get in on it. Baseball fans, fear not, Major League Baseball 2k7 is available and willing. For those of you on current-gen platforms(I'm looking at you PS2 and Xbox), you might want to make an upgrade. Those of you that own a next-gen console, will not be dissapointed. The 2k series took what was a good game, revamped it completely, and made it an incredible game.

     The major difference you'll notice in this years game, is the look and feel. JeterAll defensive adjustments are at disposal, and calling your own pitches is completely possible as well. The emphasis the 2k staff put into making each player look as closely, if not identical to themselves in amazing. Derek Jeter looks the exact same, and even does the goofy arm extension whenever the watches a ball go by. Dontrelle Willis still has one of the ugliest windups in baseball, and Jason Giambi...well, he sweats.

     Starting the game and console, puts you about 1 minute and a half away from starting from square one. In this time, you'll hit start, pick your favorite team, and the MLB 2k7 world is in your hands. Whether you're ready to start a game immediately, proving that Boston is better than New York; or you want to try and dig your favorite whipping stick out of the bottom of the Bigs. The first thing I must stress, and this game does a great job in doing, is going to figure out the controls and limits of the game. Adjust sliders to improve or degrade the opponents or your skills, change the way you want to swing the bat, all aspects of the game are at your fingertips.

    Once you've adjusted by trial and error the way you want to play, there's a major intersection, and you stand in the middle of it.

    Heading into Season/Dynasty/GM Mode will put you at opening day with your favorite team. The main differences between these three choices are simple. Season Pitcherwill lead you through the 2007 season, and once the last pitch in the World Series is thrown, this feature will start all over again. If you wan't to deal away players, and make your own team, then Dynasty allows you to do so. Not only being able to go through many seasons with your favorite players(on your team or not), but getting involved in the Amateur Draft and Free Agency to make your team all the scarier. The true test of someones baseball knowledge, patience and persistance is brought to you by GM Mode. Just win games, simple right? Not as easy as you'd like to think. You start off naming your General Manager. Whether you're going to be Brian Cashman, or John Doe, this stage isn't all too important. You look to the teams that are willing to hire you, and once you've selected it, you're at point zero. Every season, you'll get an agenda from the team's owner. Whether it be win a certain amount of games, sweep a three game series over a division foe or trade for a player who has great batting power against left handed pitchers. Whatever the chore may be, your ability to follow through with these tasks or not will be reflected in your prestige. Maybe cutting an overpayed pitcher, and signing a young gun free agent who has blistering speed will put you over the top. Each owner is different, and their niche can be all about winning games, or keeping competive and finding young talent for the future. Every move you make, can be the deal breaker if you don't follow up to Mr. Owner's expectations. This mode is a must for someone who loves the politics and game of baseball.Ichiro

    For all of you that love pounding your friends in the infield with Albert Pujols, you have many ways of doing so. You can boost up your basic exhibition game, or go to the Home Run Derby. Adjusting the HRD to different game types, whether it be a tournament, or a head-to-head match-up, this game feature is great for newcomers. Not only learning how to drive one out of the field, but just being able to time your step and swing perfectly.
    
    Once you're actually on the field and ready to play, you'll be met by Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. Their play-by-play is top notch, and sound on with every player that steps up the plate. Whether they relay the players 2006 statistics, or pointing out that he usually swings at the first pitch; their commentating is fantastic. It becomes repetive as any commentary would be after months of play, but it really helps sometimes when you're trying to figure out what you need to change in your gameplan.

    Now reader, I'd like you to meet Inside Edge. What is Inside Edge? It is a feature to purchase gameplans on opponents to figure out their weak spots. Inside Edge takes 10 years worth of statistics and analyzation, and throws it into an easy graph whether you're on the mound or at the plate. Giving you a hitter's weak spot, or showing where the pitcher usually goes on a 2 ball - 2 strike count. It's definetely useful, if you're new to the game, and are facing an Ace along the lines of Johan Santana. Slide

     If you're getting bored by swinging the bat against a smart and adjusting AI, then take your skills abroad. MLB 2k7 allows you to connect to players all over the world through. You can jump into a simple ranked match-up to try and pad your win/loss record, or browse for an online league to join, and play for the playoffs. Online, sliders are able to become adjusted so that every other pitch isn't a home-run, and you can play the old-school, grind it out, manufacture runs kind of game. The lobbies online are usually chock full of willing players, and most of them will be willing to give you some advice. Of course, the 12 year old who thinks he's the best is easily muted by just unplugging your microphone.

     In all, this game provides many features, that can appeal to the baseball enthusiast, or just a little leaguer with a dream. It's a must grab for sports fans who are sick of taking the same team to the National Championship, or winning the World Cup.


Discuss this Review
Single Player - 4
- The realistic aspect of this game is incredible, but if you're the average gamer, you're playing with friends. Sometimes being the only one looking at the screen becomes tiring, but the fueds and hate that will generate when you play the AI keeps it relatively interesting.
Learning Curve - 3.5
- Now, it's not hard to figure this game out. Easy actually. But if you get impatient, you'll hate yourself at the plate. Not working the count, will result in simple put-outs that will keep you screaming for more.
Presentation - 4.0
- The commentary is great, the visuals are incredible, and the menus are easy to work through. That's all right? Well, the in-season/dynasty menus are a little difficult, and sometimes you have to read and adjust to just see the standings or figure out who got traded where.
Online - 4.2
- Yes, it's available. It's fantastic, and the ability to start or join an online league of competitive players like yourself makes it all the better. Being able to download updated rosters adds as a great feature as well.
Extra Features - 3.0
- There's not much added. Other than the Home Run derby, there's nothing spectacular to do that has something to do with baseball, that's not baseball.
Overall - 3.74/5.0
A must have for any baseball fan, but for the average video gamer, who isn't all too excited about the game of baseball, will be left wanting.