MLB '07 The Show
In many ways this is the same game that you could have experienced on the PlayStation 2 a month earlier. It offers a majority of the same modes, the graphics are only a little better, and the addition of SIXAXIS control doesn't do a lot to broaden the game's horizons. Then again, this is a sports game. Every year we are beaned with one port or another and multiple platform coverage. If you're coming to MLB 07 with no prior play time with the PS2 version or even another in the series then you're going to be pleased for the most part.
Like most all baseball games there are a few things here that are a given. One thing that will please fans is the inclusion of a recent players list. That means if you're a Red Sox fan (like I am) you get to hit the pitcher's mound as Matsuzaka. There are many other examples of this to be found in the game though Yankee fans sadly won't have Clemens at their beck and call. Most all sports games live and die by how authentic an experience they offer and at least in this department MLB 07: The Show brings a lot to the table.
Another part of the lifeblood for the sports genre is the many modes that are available for gamers to play through. Sure you can hop right into the action with Quick Play or even take a team through some Exhibition but it's the extended experience that is the most rewarding.
The main draw here is found in the Career Mode. There you'll be able to take part in a Classic Career or play the new Road to the Show feature. In the latter mode the focus of the experience is based upon your custom created character. The gameplay will fast forward and simulate an experience to get you to the point where it is "you" up at bat or out in the field (or on the mound). The effect was a little disorienting at first and I have to admit that I didn't latch onto it immediately but after some time with the mode I found it to be quite interesting.
In Career Mode you are given a decent supply of tools to create a player with. If you ever wanted to be portrayed as a 6 foot, 250lb jock with a handlebar moustache and mutton chops, well, more power to you. In Road to the Show you and Mr. Muttonchops are the star. The game pits most all of its focus on you as you attempt to exceed certain goals and improve your play. Keep doing well and you'll survive long enough to retire in the league but if you start to suck it up you might find yourself thrown back to the minors. It's an interesting spin on the typical "career" type mode and it certainly gives MLB 07: The Show some flavor. The only problem is that this mode can feel a little disjointed at times and rather jarring. The camera angle also focuses just on your player and you will have a difficult time seeing what's going on or getting a good perspective on things. This doesn't completely kill the mode but it certainly takes some getting used to.
In Classic Career Mode you'll basically be doing the same thing with a created character. The difference here is that you're part of the team and when you play through spring training and beyond you'll be in control of everyone. Like Road to the Show this mode can last for up to ten seasons as long as Mr. Muttonchops is still performing and stays away from the roids.
Franchise Mode is another of the big attractions in MLB: The Show. This is effectively similar to the Career Mode but you'll handle more of the financial and managerial decisions. Sure you can still dig in and play a game if you want to but you'll also be able to scout talent, rotate the roster, and send sucky players to the minor league. Then again there is also the a-typical Season Mode that we've all come to expect where you can play through a whole year.
The available modes all work well enough and will keep you playing for some time. A big draw is of course multiplayer which also includes some relatively laggy online play. If you're anything like me you'll probably find the most enjoyment out of playing against other people because, frankly, the CPU has some fairly frustrating AI.
It's not uncommon to see players make stupid mistakes time and time again. The AI will catch a grounder and throw it to a player who is in no position to make an out. Other times you'll find yourself being thrown out at points in the game where it isn't possible. This happens both with your teammates and the opponent's so I suppose it balances things out. Runners will also make some downright stupid decisions when it comes to rounding bases (though one time the CPU stole home on a foul ball!). Granted there are options to turn the CPU assist on or off but I found having complete control over ever little aspect in the game to be even more frustrating. The base running controls in particular are convoluted and on defense the ability to select a better player is sometimes compromised.
Fortunately the biggest draw in the gameplay is still pitching and batting. In both cases there have been some minor improvements.
For pitching MLB 07: The Show introduces adaptive pitching assistance which helps you adjust the types of pitches you are throwing for particular batters. The power and accuracy meter also helps when you're on the mound but pitching can become erratic too easily. While you're up at bat (depending on the difficulty you choose) there are different styles of swings to employ. You can even guess at pitches which will make an icon appear where a pitch is going to land if you predicted correctly.
Overall MLB 07: The Show is a fun entry into the baseball category and it's one that warrants a look if you're in the mood to play some ball. Unfortunately the experience on the PlayStation 3 version doesn't feel as tight as it did with the PS2. Some AI issues, glitches, lag-filled online play, and unfriendly issues in the Career Modes make this version a step or two behind its counterpart.
Surprisingly MLB 07: The Show features less than stellar graphics. Considering this is a next generation version I was expecting better textures and crisper resolution all around but the end result isn't particularly engaging. Character animations are decent enough and lifelike though there are a few silly glitches throughout. Don't be surprised if you see characters jogging headfirst into walls, lagging back into position, showing up where they aren't supposed to be, or disappearing all together.
The different stadiums do represent their home territory well with a decent amount of detail but once again the limited textures rear their ugly head. The likeness of many players is also put into question with skin color in most cases being several shades off of what they really are. Granted that's kind of a nitpicky thing but in a game that wants to offer a genuine experience it's the attention to detail that makes the experience. In some cases you'll see that here but in others you'll just shake your head and giggle.
The commentary for MLB 07: The Show is very good with oft on topic discussion and accurate assessments. The comments do get a tad repetitive and sometimes they are glitchy as well. One time I hit a groundball to center field that hit just behind second base and the commentator said something to the effect of "This one's going all the way back to the wall!" I had to chuckle to myself because, fortunately, this audio doesn't glitch nearly as much as the graphics or gameplay do. Otherwise the music, sound effects, and voice acting from other sources in the game is quite decent.
MLB 07: The Show is a decent baseball game but it's not quite as good as it was on the PlayStation 2. What's worse is the amount of glitches that wind up here in just about every area of the game. They don't completely kill the experience but they do give the sensation that maybe this game wasn't developed quite as finely as it should have been. Still, there are a decent amount of modes and the 2007 season is well represented here. If you're in the mood for a baseball game this should be on your list but it's not something I would go too gaga over.