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When a publisher starts touting slogans like "signature style" in its list of compelling features, it’s hard not to be a little antsy if you're a veteran sports gamer. Major League Baseball 2K7 promises unrivaled player detail and an attention to the little things that make the professional sport unique. Yet, what immediately comes to mind when hearing "signature style" is having to sit through Nomar Garciaparra's rituals at the plate: fidgeting, adjusting, tightening, and tugging until you start developing a nervous tic of your own. Is this what's really important in a baseball game? Not really, but it is nice to see authentic batting stances or pitching motions, from Dontrelle Willis' high leg kick to Ichiro's slow, one-handed wind-up with his bat before each pitch. We can just do without tobacco chewing, crotch grabbing, and spitting.

Extreme Close-Up

Not all of the in-game detail is welcome. The camera seems to enjoy zooming into a batter's face as he steps into the box, which isn't flattering unless you enjoy looking for earwax or nose hairs. The player models look great at a safe enough distance, but all of the pre-swing animations, from tapping cleats with the bat to scooping up dirt for a better grip (Nomar's obsessive glove readjusting is in here too) seems to have come at the expense of the frame rate, with slight chugs, stutters, and hiccups disrupting the flow of each game. It happens during the cut-scenes, the walk-up views, on the base paths, and even when the ball is first knocked into play.

Field of Screams

The problem doesn't end there, unfortunately, with a fielding view that is easily the worst of this year's baseball crop. Instead of featuring a dynamic camera that automatically adjusts its level of zoom or position, the game offers a static view above the diamond. Heck, even Bob Uecker could get better view of the action, as you'll need binoculars to spot where the tiny ball is bouncing around in the outfield. The confusion starts as soon as the ball is put into play, with a faint blue marker "helping" you judge where the ball is, but it's difficult to see on the green field. A huge yellow arrow is also available to point you in the right direction, but it actually obstructs your view of the ball. Yet another distraction is the transparent base running interface. Trying to make plays on the diamond is more luck than skill.  You will have a split-second to try to spot the tiny ball before it squirts through to the outfield.

The Un-Natural

Fielding isn't completely hopeless, but it never feels natural, especially when compared to games in EA's MVP series. The best way to deal with the problem is to go into the options screen and adjust the fielding reaction times. Cranking both the infielder and outfielder ratings to 100 will at least improve the odds that the fielder will be in the right spot to make a play, but you almost have to keep the "turbo" option active so you can recover from the time spent trying to figure out where the ball is heading or where it's landed.

Toss Across

The pitching interface isn't particularly groundbreaking, but it is at least functional. Players can choose from a view on the mound or from the batter's perspective as they select a pitch, aim it over the plate using the left analog stick, and then press the assigned face button to carry out the throw. A throw's power or effectiveness is set by holding down the button until a cursor appears over the plate. The longer the button is held, the more "oomph" is applied to the throw, which increases the cursor's size and the likelihood of a wild pitch. Releasing the button causes the cursor to shrink, with a throw's accuracy determined by tapping the button again as the cursor returns to its starting point. As in MLB 07, your catcher will suggest where to aim and what to throw by positioning his mitt over the plate and highlighting a pitch, but players are free to turn off this feature altogether.

Swing Sets

Batting offers a choice of three different swing mechanics: the classic timing method, where all you need to do is tap a button to swing; the swing stick method, which involves pulling back and releasing the right analog stick as the ball crosses the plate; and the Sixaxis controller method, which has PS3 owners simulating a bat's swing by pushing their controller away like a plate of Brussels sprouts. Yes, it's as gimmicky as it sounds. The motion (hold the controller level and then shove it forward) is simply too awkward to use on a consistent basis, leaving players with only two viable hitting interfaces. There are also only two camera views while at the plate, both from the batter's perspective, but one of them lets you adjust the level of zoom, making the batter's box larger if you're having trouble seeing the ball. Sadly, swings often feel more like you're holding a Wiffle Ball bat than a Louisville Slugger.

Why, 2K?

From franchises to online leagues and tournaments to a manager-only mode to outfitting your own personal skybox, Major League Baseball 2K7 didn’t skimp on play options. Owners of previous 2K Sports titles know exactly what to expect here. Where the game succeeds and fails is tied to its presentation. For every impressive animation on the field or cool detail such as dirt staying on uniforms after a slide, there seems to be a negative aspect, from the frame rate suddenly taking a hit as a runner sprints toward first to an unflattering camera view that detracts more than it adds. Major League Baseball 2K7 certainly has its moments, but its PS3 debut suffers from too many rookie mistakes from a veteran developer. It's hard not to be disappointed when you're expecting a fastball and are instead thrown a curve.

Article by: Scott Alan Marriott
Video produced by: Paul Bonanno