Gamespot Hands-on @ CES

[pastapadre]

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/spor...=1&sid=6163901

CES 07: MLB 2K7 Hands-On
We go hands on with 2K Sports upcoming hardball game for Xbox 360 from the floor of CES 2007.
By Brian Ekberg, GameSpot
Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:21 pm PT

LAS VEGAS--A chilly morning in Las Vegas during the first day of the 2007 CES show makes one long for the warm days of spring. It won't be long before the grills get fired up and the baseball players report to spring training; and it won't be long before 2K Sports fires up their next hardball offering: Major League Baseball 2K7. Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter was recently announced as continuing his streak of cover appearances for the series but, other than that, we didn't know much about the game. That changed today, as we had a chance to check out the Xbox 360 version of MLB 2K7 at the Microsoft booth on the floor of CES and the game looks like it's coming along well.

The first thing we noticed about MLB 2K7 was its look. The game is looking pretty sharp, especially the player models, which are more authentic looking than last year's game by a pretty large margin. Jason Schmidt on the mound with the Dodgers has his trademark round face and chin fuzz; the Cubs' Derek Lee is long and lean just like the real powerhouse first baseman. They don't just look good either--they move well. The MLB series has always come chock-full with animation, and 2K7 is no different--at the same time, the game seems to move at a more deliberate pace than the other baseball games we've played this year. Whether this is due to a slower frame rate or just a more measured approach isn't yet clear. That said, the game has its quick moments--such as the pitchers being very skilled at keeping you honest when playing as the baserunner. Pitchers are quite prone to checking the runner, and adept at quickly throwing players out at first (as we discovered to our dismay).

Those who played MLB 2K6 should fall right in with the controls in 2K7. Successful mainstays such as release point pitching and the momentum-based batting take some getting used to, especially if it's been a while since you've played 2K6, but it isn't long before you get back and the groove and rediscover your appreciation for the 2K approach to baseball. Moreso than any baseball game, 2K7 puts a premium on the weight of the players, whether at bat or in the field. Player momentum will affect how quickly they can switch direction when chasing down a ball in the outfield or running the bases. When at bat, you'll want to remember to first push down to take your initial step at the plate in order set up your momentum for the follow-through.

On the mound, pitching works similar to last year's setup. The trademark release point pitching is in effect here--so where you aim the baseball icon before beginning your wind-up is actually where the ball will break. As a result, you'll need to have a knowledge of the movement on a slider or curve in order to ensure correct placement. The Inside Edge feature, which provides you with crucial scouting information on players (which you can select by spending points before the game begins) is here in 2K7 as well. As a pitcher, having a batter scouted will cause the catcher to call pitches which should be effective against the batter.

As much of MLB 2K7 that is returning, some things are new. Periodically an "intensity" rating will show up on the screen, and we weren't sure what to make of the feature, except that the numerical rating for the intensity would change constantly. Perhaps this is a feature looking to simulate the pressure of various baseball situations, and will offer some sort of bonuses to teams who perform in a clutch. Until we unravel the mystery with the folks at 2K Sports, however, it's all speculation. Hopefully we'll find out more about this intriguing feature, as well as more about MLB 2K7, in the near future. Stay tuned for more on the game in the weeks leading up to its release.

[default]

I am really excited about this game, after last year I have been just itching for a good baseball game to play.

[RudiOwns]

Good stuff...getting excited for this game already

[Bates2]

Hopefully this game won't lock up in the first inning. I'm looking forward to it.

[Keirik]

two things scare me

The MLB series has always come chock-full with animation, and 2K7 is no different--

alright, i personally thought one of the worst parts of 2k6 were the animations. From the throwing animation to the swing animation, they were just off. I get the impression that the writer liked last year's animations but who knows.

As much of MLB 2K7 that is returning, some things are new. Periodically an "intensity" rating will show up on the screen, and we weren't sure what to make of the feature, except that the numerical rating for the intensity would change constantly. Perhaps this is a feature looking to simulate the pressure of various baseball situations, and will offer some sort of bonuses to teams who perform in a clutch

still seems like the game is relying on gimmicks a bit too much......

we shall see i suppose