Mlb 2k7
Shizelbs
Posts: 7,433
Let me start this review by saying I hated, HATED MLB 2k6 and 2k5. It was just a terrible baseball game. Its remarkable at how bad it was since baseball has been a video game for several years. You would think that all the kinks had been worked out. Its astonishing at how many steps back they took with 2k6.
I am happy to say that this year is much much better. Right off the top, the two things about 2k6/2k5 that I would lose sleep over are void from this year's version. The batter no longer yanks his head 180 degrees (think the exorcist, almost) after a swing and the ball does not visually go through the catchers mit. So right there the game is tolerable.
The graphics are great. Last year was not a next gen title in heart. I'm not even sure if the graphics were on par with the PS2 offerings. This year it looks like it belongs on the 360. The player models are much better. The body shapes are believable. The speeds at which plays occur are realistic looking. The stadiums look very much like they do in real life. There is much better detail on the uniforms, dirt, grass, everything when viewed close up. The swing motions are superb, and I am really impressed with how many customs motions they have for players. I've played the Mariners, and usually, just the super stars have their swings modelled after them. From what I can tell, Ichiro, Felix Hernandez, Beltre, Ibanez and Lopez all have custom motions.
The sound is very good. I mean, its a baseball game, it can't get too impressive. Nice ambient noise from the crowds. I don't have surround sound enabled right now, so I can't comment on that. Anyways, good effects.
The commentary by Joe Morgan and Jon Miller is pretty good. Its the only sports video game commentary that I can stand and I don't turn off. Much like in real life, Joe Morgan's comments are good and he does not make himself look like an idiot.
New features? There is a payoff pitch mode. In pressure situations, there is an opprotunity to make a specific pitch in a specific spot. If you do it successfully, your stats for that type of pitch go up. Down if you fail. Its alright. You can turn it off it you want.
Also, the catcher calls the pitches. You can still throw whatever you want, but the catcher will call them for you. They tend to be good calls and result in better than what I would typically throw. You still have to execute the throw, but the game takes care of that strategy.
And perhaps the best feature of this years version: it works. It works right after release. Last year's didn't work for hardly anyone. It froze everytime shortly into the game. I'm not sure how long it took them patch it, but it was SEVERAL months. Just amazing that such a buggy product would ever be released.
Conclusions: I give it a solid A for improvement, and a strong 8 out of 10 overall.
I am happy to say that this year is much much better. Right off the top, the two things about 2k6/2k5 that I would lose sleep over are void from this year's version. The batter no longer yanks his head 180 degrees (think the exorcist, almost) after a swing and the ball does not visually go through the catchers mit. So right there the game is tolerable.
The graphics are great. Last year was not a next gen title in heart. I'm not even sure if the graphics were on par with the PS2 offerings. This year it looks like it belongs on the 360. The player models are much better. The body shapes are believable. The speeds at which plays occur are realistic looking. The stadiums look very much like they do in real life. There is much better detail on the uniforms, dirt, grass, everything when viewed close up. The swing motions are superb, and I am really impressed with how many customs motions they have for players. I've played the Mariners, and usually, just the super stars have their swings modelled after them. From what I can tell, Ichiro, Felix Hernandez, Beltre, Ibanez and Lopez all have custom motions.
The sound is very good. I mean, its a baseball game, it can't get too impressive. Nice ambient noise from the crowds. I don't have surround sound enabled right now, so I can't comment on that. Anyways, good effects.
The commentary by Joe Morgan and Jon Miller is pretty good. Its the only sports video game commentary that I can stand and I don't turn off. Much like in real life, Joe Morgan's comments are good and he does not make himself look like an idiot.
New features? There is a payoff pitch mode. In pressure situations, there is an opprotunity to make a specific pitch in a specific spot. If you do it successfully, your stats for that type of pitch go up. Down if you fail. Its alright. You can turn it off it you want.
Also, the catcher calls the pitches. You can still throw whatever you want, but the catcher will call them for you. They tend to be good calls and result in better than what I would typically throw. You still have to execute the throw, but the game takes care of that strategy.
And perhaps the best feature of this years version: it works. It works right after release. Last year's didn't work for hardly anyone. It froze everytime shortly into the game. I'm not sure how long it took them patch it, but it was SEVERAL months. Just amazing that such a buggy product would ever be released.
Conclusions: I give it a solid A for improvement, and a strong 8 out of 10 overall.
Post edited by Shizelbs on
Comments
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Another note on the realism of the game/the little details in the game. During the 7th inning strecth, they showed a view of the concourse where the mens and womens bathrooms are next to a concession stand. There was no line going into the mens room and there were about 13 women in line for the restroom. LOL. Just like in real life.
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****...I saw my buddy playing it the other day, and quite honestly I thought it was jaw dropping gorgeous. I was just amazed at how well Wrigley Field looked. The game play also looked real good. My friend was getting his **** handed too him, but he just popped it in.
Made me want to get it...thats how good it looked, and I have not played a baseball game since World Series Baseball for the Sega. -
OKay I have been playing this the last couple of days, and I have to say it is one of the more difficult games to play in recent memory. I have it on rookie setting, and I get my butt handed to me, and I am not a good batter.
BUT, I have to say this is a nice change of pace from Madden, too bad Take-two does not have any NFL franchise, because I think the graphics would blow Madden out of the water.
Great overall game guys, if you do not have it, and even remotely like baseball, than this is a must get game. Bravo to Sega, and Take-two for making a great game!!
ALSO and FYI from ****'s post. When the game is in surround sound mode, if you are in a away stadium, and say you wiff on a ball for a strike, you will hear some heckler in the rear speakers (or basically behind you because your the batter) tell you to give it up, or you suck. Hell I was playing the Diamondbacks (I play with the Rockies) and Randy Johnson was batting, and some heckler said "HEY RANDY! JUST RETIRE ALREADY!" Man I nearly dropped my controller from laughing so hard. Great stuff....would love to play Yankees vs. BoSox to see what would be said.
