| Game Reviews From a Parental Perspective! | |
|
|
|
| Home | Forums | Review Archive | Columns | Feature Articles |
|
Home >
Review Archive >
Video Games
> Results: MLB 07: The Show
Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Scroll down for our Kid Factor. 
In terms of graphics and controls, Sony's MLB '07: The Show, isn't perfect. There are occasional glitches, players run through each other, and a fly ball arcing out of reach of the Center Fielder will sometimes magically move downward into his mitt. That's disappointing, and would be reflected more in the score were it not for MLB's excellent "Road to the Show" mode.
Lets get this out of the way first: MLB has all the basic features gamers should expect from a baseball simulation. Single player and multiplayer modes - you can create an online season with up to 30 different player controlled teams - are present and accounted for. The graphics range from decent on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, and gorgeous on the PlayStation 3. Strap on the cleats for a full season with the entire league, or just select rivals, and control every player on your chosen team, from pitching to shagging pop flies. Or put on the suit, tie, and attitude of George Steinbrenner and take full control of your favorite franchise. Draft players, watch them improve, and control the prices of the admission to your park. This is standard baseball and sports simulation stuff, and MLB does a fine job delivering the goods. "Road to the Show" mode is special. If you think about it, baseball is a team sport but focuses on individual play more than football or basketball. In "Road to the Show" players create a minor leaguer at any position they like. The goal is to play a lot of games, and based on performance watch your created player advance to the majors, and hopefully, eventually, the pennant. It's unique, completely new, and a refreshing way to play. Best of all, it doesn't take nearly as much time to get through a game or season than the regular modes of play. For example, I created "Bub" and put him at Center Field. This means the only time I play is when, on offense it's time for me to bat or on offense, when the ball is smacked my way. By playing only the moments YOUR player is actually involved, the games go faster and one gets the feeling of playing a personal highlight (or lowlight) reel. Naturally I'd have to play a lot more of each game if I chose to make Bub a pitcher, but I'd never have to play defense. It's a fun and realistic way to simulate how a player plays baseball, but it admittedly takes a lot of the outcome of the game out of the player's hands. Believe me, midway through the season I was very angry with certain computer controlled pitchers for losing key games. But it also grants true baseball fans the statistics they crave. Sure, the player can play an entire season and examine every player's performance and all the stats they want, but with "Road to the Show" that player can pore over his or her individual performance over a season. All told MLB '07: The Show isn't a perfect game, but with "Road to the Show" it offers something compelling that players can't get anywhere else. 
Video game sports are an excellent introduction or enhancement to watching the real game on TV, at the ballpark, or even for Little League. They're also a great way for siblings or parents and children to share their love of the sport, while engaging in a little healthy competition. Sports simulations, in general, are only as offensive or violent as the actual game itself. Actually in this case, maybe less offensive, virtual players aren't programmed to scratch and spit.
Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: MLB 07: The Show |
Read the GamerDad 2007 Holiday Guide!
|
Please Note: GamerDad is not intended to be read by anyone under 18. We stay clean, but be warned! Content Management System developed by Redbird Solutions. |
