Community Revs: MLB 07 The Show

I played this game for about two hours the first time I got my hands on it. It was ridiculously realistic. The default difficulty is more than enough to keep you busy for days. Absolutely. Any fan of realistic baseballs sims.

I'm talking to you, baseball game fans. Aren't you tired of playing the same game over and over again with each of those new baseball games having slightly different features? Well, if that is not the case, get this one too. It is another bland baseball game with shiny graphics that did not change anything since the baseball games on Playstation 1. Of course not. Rednecks.

I don’t like baseball. There, I came clean and it’s out in the open now. I’m just not a foam-finger wielding, fantasy league playing, sports betting, NY Post reading fanatic like some of my coworkers (TonyD). However, for some unexplained reason I enjoyed MLB07TS. Actually, it’s not much of a mystery if you look at the numerous features offered in the game.
To start, MLB07TS isn’t one game; it’s more like a dozen (Manager Mode, Rivalry Mode, Franchise Mode, Online Mode, 1v1 Mode, etc.). My favorite feature was The Road to the Show. In this mode you create, customize, manage, and control a single player.
Your career unfolds from basic position selection, to team tryouts, to overall season performance. The nice part is, depending on your position, you’re only active when you’re involved in a play or at bat. This really creates a personal link to your player and greatly extends the game-play.
The graphics in MLB07TS are good, but hardly worthy of praise. MLB07TS is obviously suffering from a bad case of Multi Port Syndrome (MPS). Lately, games that are released for multiple platforms are “de-tuned” so the older consoles (PS2) can offer a version of the game. This is a small flaw, but once again the PS3’s graphical power remains untapped.
As I reflect upon my last 16 hours of MLB07TS I realize how much I enjoyed the game. I started as a skeptic, but I’ve become a foam-finger believer. Yes, but I still don’t like baseball My first assumption was that only mindless sports drones should buy MLB07TS, but now I think anyone could consider it for a rental.

If you’re looking for a baseball game and you own a PS3, then you’re in luck. MLB 07: The Show is currently the best baseball game around and will remain the leader until the 08s arrive. There are many ways to highlight the features of MLB, but I always find myself asking the same three questions.
1) Do I feel like I’m actually in the game? I sure do! The stadiums are brilliantly rendered and there’s a great attention to detail. The crowds also look fantastic, but more importantly they react perfectly to the situation on the field. The announcers do a fine job calling the action and the sound effects are also enjoyable.
2) Do I feel like I control the action? Absolutely! The game shines the most with its engaging and innovative game-play. The hitting is fluid, challenging, and rewarding. Yet, the pitching is even better through the Pitch Command System (what to throw) and Variable Strike Zone (where to throw). Fielding isn’t perfect, but it’s hardly a drawback.
3) Do I feel like I can fully customize my team/players? Yes, you have the ability to play as a single player or manage an entire franchise. This is the true essence of the game and there are endless options, stats, etc.
The only flaw I can really find is the graphics. The PS3 is a “next-gen” console and my expectations are fairly high for a $600 system. MLB 07 is a great game, but it loses points by using yesterday’s graphics. In the end it doesn’t matter, MLB 07 is this year’s champion and if SCEA improves the graphics for 08, this could be a dynasty. Yes, without hesitation. Obviously, baseball fans are the perfect audience.

It’s bad enough that Toyota is the number one car maker in the world (GM you idiots!), but now Sony (SCEA) has replaced EA Sports as the developer of MLB video-games. EA has a lot of faults, but at least it’s a fucking US company. Sure, Sony employs Americans (just like the Toyota truck plant in Texas), but it annoys the shit out of me. I suppose everything is for sale and it’s only a matter of time before we see Madden-san 09. Oh yeah, the review…
As I’d expect from Sony, they focused on the physics of the sport and produced the most realistic baseball game of all time. The ball moves in a logical trajectory (bat or throw) and accurately replicates the mechanics of baseball.
The graphics were a bit “meh” and the players lacked detail. In addition, the incredible stadium views were cheapened by a few odd styling issues. Like most guys, I appreciate a well-trimmed bush, but the playing field is perfectly flat and looks like a green hockey rink.
For a true fan the game has substantial value and it’ll easily last until the “08” version arrives. Between the franchise and road-to-the-show modes, you can literally play for weeks. In addition, the online mode (when it’s not a lag-fest) only extends the options with league creation and participation. With all the features, even casual players will become fan-bois.
In summary, as much as I hate to admit it, SCEA delivered the best MLB game… ever. Like a friend hooking up with my sister… I’ll endorse it, but it doesn’t mean I want to hear about it. If you like baseball and drive a full-size Japanese pickup truck, this game is for you…