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> Results: Major League Baseball 2k7
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Baseball has a long and glorious history in video games. So long as you have the ball physics down, it's just a matter of rendering real world players and stadiums and improving the controls and graphics each year. "Major League Baseball ﾑ07" is a terrific example of this. The new version is better in every way from last year's version, and on the Xbox 360, it's better than gorgeous, it's realistic. Seriously, star players look like, and even walk to the plate like, their real world counterparts!
The PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions play the same; the only real difference is the graphics. The game offers single play, online multiplayer, and a full franchise mode that puts you in control of baseball as a business. On offense, you'll find the pitching system fairly intuitive. The catcher makes his suggestion and using the right stick on your controller, you aim at his glove. To simulate stress, in crucial situations things get shaky and it gets harder to aim ﾖ this seems realistic enough ﾖ and, of course, if you're playing with a star pitcher you're going to have an easier time than with a lesser player. Defense is a bit more problematic. It's thrilling to complete a defensive play, but inexplicably, the player will miss the ball. I'm not talking about an Error, I'm talking about a graphical glitch or something where the fielder runs toward a grounder but fails to even reach for it. It doesn't happen too often, but when it does, you're liable to shut the game off in frustration. Another problem, depending on your perspective, are the stats. Real baseball involves a lot more strikes than hits. Video game baseball has traditionally made batting easier to keep the game moving smoothly, and make it more fun for less baseball stats obsessed gamers. "Major League Baseball ﾑ07" puts maybe too much emphasis on hitting and this results in a lot of double-digit scores. I'll leave it to you or your children to decide if this is a problem.  
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.
Other Platforms: Fundamentally the same across all platforms. [Ed. Note: the handheld versions of this game, while the same in content, are reportedly terrible in terms of quality.] This review edited by Michael Anderson 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: Major League Baseball 2k7 |
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