Score
Gameplay:	8
Graphics:	10
Sound:	8
FunFactor:	8
PlasmaFactor:	9
Overall:	8.6

Major League Baseball 2K7 Review
June 7, 2007 by Bryant Crawley

When Kush games released Major League Baseball (MLB) 2K6 back in 2006, many gamers were crying foul. Many complained that the 360 version was just a watered down, albeit more expensive, Xbox game. The game was panned not only by fans of the 2K series but also critics alike. Well Kush actually listened to their cries and corrected a number of the issues that plagued the 2006 release, making MLB 2K7 the first real next-gen sports game. But does fixing these issues make the game perfect?

If it’s in the game, it’s in the game.

 

One of the more interesting additions to this years version was of course Signature Swing. This feature adds to the realism of the game by actually tailoring how the players actually swing in real life. This feature also involves how each player steps up to the plate for example how Derek Jeter checks his gloves or how Ichero digs into the plate. This is one feature that baseball fans have to admire.

One of the features that needed a complete overhaul from last year was how the base running was done. Last years version was too confusing with how the icons were set up overhead of each player. Also having the sprint button correspond to each player running the base paths made stealing way too easy, even for the sub par base runners. This year they have completely redone that aspect. Now the base running is a lot more scaled down in difficulty compared to last year. To jump to the next base all you would have to do is pull the right trigger and to return back to the base is pull the left trigger. There is an option now to sprint when it comes to stealing but unless you have a certified grade A base thief, pushing the sprint button isn’t going to do much.

The main focus of the game has to be the franchise mode. The menu system is more streamlined, making it easy to see what you want and where you want to go. Think of it like Windows Desktop. Each aspect is broken down into categories and then sub categories. I personally have two grips with the franchise mode. One is that I couldn’t get to my MLB news section as fast as I would have liked. This is not a big deal but it bugs me all the same. The second one is that, in the franchise mode, they try and add a touch of realism by adding the option of controlling ticket prices but it isn’t done as well as it could have been. In this aspect they needed to take a page out of MVP Baseball and actually including an Ownership mode into 2K7’s game.

With this game you have to take the good with the bad and I have to say the worst things about this game have got to be the fielding and the CPU A.I. First with the fielding it’s really had to get in the proper positioning sometimes, especially for a pop fly. Line drive catches also have button sensitive presses with the right analog stick but are done within a split second of the actual hit. Usually what ends up happening is you flick the analog stick a second to late and you would either go right past it or you’ll end up being a little short of making the play. This is one aspect that has not yet been fixed from last year’s version. The A.I. on the other hand is a hit or misses. It really depends on the situation. Sometimes you can hit the ball to left field and the computer AI will just stand there and look at it, while you round out a triple. This only happens once every other game so it’s not so bad, but it needs to be addressed in the next incarnation.

Jaw Dropping!

 

The first thing you notice when you pick up the game is the visuals. This game is by far the best looking sports game on any of the next gen consoles and I’ll take it a step further and challenge this game with any game period. It looks that good. Players are highly detailed with distinctive characteristics, uniforms sway with the wind.

Jon Miller...

 

The sound of the game is really the essence of baseball. The commentary before, during, and after a game is phenomenal, which is understandable due to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan's talent. The sound quality makes one think they are actually at a ballgame. From the roar of the crowd to the crack of the bat, everything fits and sounds perfectly in MLB 2K7.

Online...

 

Fun Factor of this game has got to be the online play. You have ranked and unranked games, tournaments, leagues, etc. Everything one could want in a game. Fantasy sports nuts will love this just by the way that one could fully customize every aspect of the league and tournaments.

The "It" Factor!

 

The Plasma factor is the visuals. I can not say enough how good this game looks in motion. The game looks more so like you are watching an actual baseball game. From the way the players move to the way the players uniforms sway, this game is by far the best looking sports game out right now and like I said earlier this is one of the best 360 games…period. End of story. I could put this game against any 360 game to date and it would come out on top in the graphics department. Well, except for Gears of War.

 

Bottom Line

 

The game is by far the most fun I’ve had playing a sports game since ESPN NFL 2K5. I can not think of a better well rounded sports game then this. This year’s version of the game was reworked from the ground up and it shows. But, that’s not to say that this game doesn’t have room to improve. One feature that needs to seriously be added would be adding an ownership mode to this game. The fielding aspect needs work as well, as it hasn’t been addressed in a couple years and is in need of some serious tweaking. Overall, however, this game is a lot of fun to play. This is a type of game that does have longevity till next year’s effort. I recommend this as a definite buy for all the gamers out there.