MVP 07 NCAA Baseball
It may have come out a while ago but EA Sports released the latest title in their MVP lineup. 07 NCAA Baseball is arguably a large step forward for the series in many ways. Like all good sports franchises some slight alterations have been made to improve the overall experience. Still, without the big league roster, some sloppy glitches, and underwhelming presentation this one may have to work a little harder to get drafted.
Gameplay
One thing that has revolutionized the sports genre from the days where you simply have to press a button is the inclusion of analog support. I have played a few titles with said control mechanic and I have to say that it feels much more engaging. Fans of this particular series will recall that in last year's outing the right analog stick swung the bat. It helped the game feel more engaging (let's face it, baseball can be boring) and made it a real treat to step up to the plate.
In 2007's variety the same style of control has been introduced to pitching. Dubbed "Rock and Fire", MVP 07 NCAA Baseball heightens the experience and makes standing on the mound almost as fun as swinging the bat.
When you're ready to pitch you simply have to select the type that you want to through. From there you'll use the left analog to position where you want the ball to go be it over the plate or into the batters midsection. Once you've got that out of the way the real fun begins when you pull back on the right analog stick. A small meter appears on screen to show where you want to pull the meter down to. When you hit that mark you want to push up on the analog stick to launch your rocket. This system is so easy and feels so natural that you'll want to have it in every baseball game. At least until the next best system comes out.
The analog control effects other areas of the game as well. Throwing to a base, for instance, takes a simple press of the stick towards your intended target. Holding it longer increases the power of the throw and there is a definite potential to miss your target if your aim is off slightly. Like other systems in the game; base running for instance, it takes some getting used to but with some time it will begin to feel natural.
Throughout it all the gameplay here is relatively solid and the CPU offers up a decently strong AI. It seems to learn as the game progresses and if you aren't careful with your throws you'll find yourself on the losing side of a pitching battle. Fortunately there's always multiplayer if you have a buddy around or you are utilizing the Network Adapter for some online play. The only downfall with this aspect of the game is that the new pitching system makes it easy to see where the ball is going. Games between human players tend to break out into long innings and many runs presuming both players are skilled enough at bat.
Like most sports games MVP 07 NCAA Baseball lives and dies by its game modes. The meatiest inclusion here is the Dynasty Mode which allows you to manage a schedule and run a year-round game calendar. Some batting and pitching mini-games are tossed in for good measure and other modes like Exhibition, Tournament, Scenario Editor, and Coach fill in the rest of the blanks. There's even a section where you can create a team, player, or ballpark. All of this will keep you busy for a while but ultimately it's not a lasting experience.
In the end MVP 07 NCAA Baseball is a decent entry into the baseball category. The analog control works well in nearly every aspect of gameplay and the modes will keep most gamers playing for a bit. There are a few glitches that pop up from time to time, the AI can be frustrating on occasion, and the pitching system makes multiplayer rather lengthy. Still, this is one of the better playing baseball releases from this season and if you're open to an experience that doesn't include names like Ortiz, Bonds, and Rodriguez you'll find a worthwhile title to hit the mound with.
Graphics
Ok, let me get this out of the way right now; I'm not a graphics whore. I do not need top of the line high definition presentation and realistic textures, ragdoll physics or top of the line animation to enjoy a game. With that being said MVP 07 NCAA Baseball is kind of a let down. Character models are gangly looking and though animation is often fluid it can be very choppy and laden with glitches at times. After playing The Show on the PlayStation 3 it was hard to look at this title seriously but those without next-generation consoles will be pleased enough. The stadiums are probably the most well designed aspect of the game.
Sound
Audio in sports games is usually dull unless it has lively commentary and a rocking soundtrack. While MVP 07 NCAA Baseball does feature an appropriate selection of songs the commentary provided by Mike Patrick and Kyle Peterson isn't as entertaining. Their banter feels very dry and the game repeats everything they say at least twice a game. Fortunately the sound effects are decent enough to create an authentic experience.
Conclusion
If you're sick of the big league baseball games then college ball is most likely you're best alternative. MVP 07 NCAA Baseball brings an intuitive control set to the table and enough modes to keep the fun going for a while. There are little flaws within the gameplay throughout but neither is enough to totally kill the experience. The graphics and audio for the game is arguably not top of the line but maybe the next generation has begun to spoil me in terms of presentation. In the end whether or not you'll find this game suitable for your needs depends on what you want to play. This isn't a title for everyone save those who are looking for new control mechanics and something different.