MLB 07: The Show – PS2 – Review

MLB 07, the
first-party baseball franchise championed by Sony, is here for another year of
showing off. Hyped with the subtitle “The Show,” this is another sports
game developed for the aging (but not yet dead) PlayStation 2. If that makes
you want to turn around and run the other way, you’re not alone. Most hardcore
gamers are sick of last-gen sports games.

But there’s
an exception to every rule. If the rule here is that most new PS2 sports games
are (A) rehashes, (B) crappy, or (C) both, then MLB 07 would be hidden answer
D: it does not suck and it is not a complete rehash.

A handful of
new features were rolled out for MLB 07, including online league play,
Adaptive Pitching Intelligence (API), and an enhanced Pitch Command System
(PCS). Players can also tweak their sliders, save ‘em to a memory card, and
upload them online for others to retrieve and use as their own.

The effects
of the API and PCS are not instantly apparent, but you should note their
existence. With API, specific pitches are recommended to the player before he
takes action. The recommendation will not be your best bet every time. But it
had the highest success rates. That’s because, according to Sony, the game
analyzes the tendencies of each batter (which are based off of thousands of
real MLB stats).

I’m no
baseball expert, so I can’t confirm the game’s claim that PCS delivers the
most authentic and strategic pitch selection. What I can tell you is that,
like MLB 06, the pitching system works great. It’s fast, responsive, and makes
baseball an exciting game to play.

Showtime!

Unlike most
sports, baseball is only a game of teamwork when you fail and/or face an
opponent whose skills exceed your own. As the pitcher, if you strike out the
batter, your teammates can stay on their bases. As the batter, hitting a
homerun guarantees a point – no teammates necessary.

In video
games, players are used to having control over every aspect. Should the
pitcher fail, they can switch positions and still come out on top.

MLB 07’s new
Road to The Show mode marks the first time when total control is no longer
available. Players take command of one athlete through an accelerated version
of the Career mode. Actions that don’t pertain to your player are skipped.
Games can last for several minutes or end in about 30 seconds. It all depends
on how many challenges are required, and how long it takes you to complete (or
fail) them.

Road to The
Show begins with the player creation process. Your star-in-the-making can be
tweaked physically and aesthetically. The physical aspect goes beyond weight
and height. Though you can increase body fat or tone your athlete’s muscles
with the click of a button (if only real life were that easy), the main
enhancements are applied to his internal stats. Pitching and batting functions
may be enhanced in any way you please – the only limitation is the number of
points available. That number is pretty low, preventing players from creating
the perfect athlete right off the bat. You’ll have to run through the paces
and increase your gaming skills to turn your player into a pro.

After
selecting a player face, skin tone, facial hair and other features, it’s time
to move onto the game. The calendar of events is a familiar scene. Games may
be simulated, but you’d be a fool to miss out on this unique opportunity.

The starting
tasks aren’t too difficult, but do follow a similar path. You’re the pitcher,
and your team is expecting you to strike out the opponent. Next, you may need
to throw a strong pitch that makes contact and leads to a fly ball – allowing
your teammates to catch it and oust the batter, and anyone foolish enough to
run, immediately. In another instance your goal may be as simple as stopping
one or two players from advancing to the second or third base. (That, of
course, is a task that’s “simple” only in words, not in execution.)

The constant
pitching made me wonder if there was anything else in this mode. Then the game
threw a curveball: after completing a few other goals, it was time to trade in
my ball for a bat. My objectives had reversed. Now it was my turn to hit
homeruns and ensure my teammates moved through the bases safely.

There is a
little flexibility involved in how you complete each goal. For example, the
game may advise you to bunt to cause a distraction. While you’re being tagged,
your teammate can advance to the next base. However, it’s possible to ignore
this request and reach the same outcome. You may not be able to hit a homerun
every time, but there is more than one way to succeed.

Major
League Presentations

The
semi-cinematic, broadcast-style replays are excellent. As a Road to The Show
player, you’ll witness an assortment of new camera tricks as the view changes
with the action. Remember: you only have control over one player, and he is
the main focus. This means that, like Madden’s NFL Superstar mode, the camera
will – while staying centered on your player – spin around to follow the ball
as it flies through the air. It’ll continue spinning as needed to follow your
teammates as they fight to stop a batter you failed to strike out.

These views
are unusual at first, but it doesn’t take long for them to feel like a natural
and important part of the game. With the series finally coming to PlayStation
3, this aspect should only get more dynamic.

Review Scoring Details for MLB 07: The Show

Gameplay: 8.0
The Show hits
another homerun. MLB 07’s controls are as good as they’ve ever been. This
series has the best pitching and batting system of any baseball game available
for PlayStation 2. The game isn’t perfect. MLB 07 isn’t as daring as it
could’ve been (best does not mean most innovative). But it’s
still a great fast and exciting sports title that makes baseball as exciting
as it can get.

Graphics: 8.2
Despite being a
last-gen release, MLB 07 shines with stellar player animations,
broadcast-style replays, and an excellent camera system.

Sound: 9.0
Outstanding
commentary, realistic sound effects, and a great soundtrack featuring bands
like Switchfoot, My Chemical Romance, Halifax, and Maxeen.

Difficulty: Medium
A smooth blend of
challenges, including the sweet taste and aroma of the new Road to The Show
mode. It’s by far the most interesting of any challenge this game has to
offer. Playing as one specific, homemade athlete, you’ll have to complete
goals while playing each position. The result is both satisfying and
nerve-racking. If you throw the perfect pitch, the praise is entirely on you –
but if you screw up, you have to rely on the computer AI to make up for the
mistake.

Concept: 7.0
A double-take for
last year’s game, MLB 07 is a continuation of all that the developers have
been building up over the past few years. The new content isn’t
groundbreaking, but it should earn your attention.

Multiplayer: 8.3
Same as the last
edition: go head-to-head in Exhibition or King of the Diamond games.

Overall: 8.1
An arcade game
and a true-to-life simulator rolled into one. MLB 07 is a grand showpiece
for PlayStation 2. It crams as much into the game as possible, drawing every
bit of power it can from the console’s core. Those who have a PlayStation 3
should wait to see what the developers are cooking up for the next generation.
The rest of you, however, should wait no longer. PS2’s best baseball series is
back.