MLB 2K7 - I can't swing

Quick review of MLB 2k7.

For one, it's been forever since I played a baseball game. Like since RBI Baseball and Front Page Sports on the PC. Ah, the days of non-licensed games.

At any rate, MLB isn't perfect, but it's a pretty good game for the hardcore baseball fan. I'm not sure casual fans would like it, there doesn't seem to be any excitement in the game, unlike say, Madden or NBA Live's ridiculous dunks/score fests. But that's more the nature of baseball and I'm fine with that.

The player models are great - when my fiance can tell it's Giambi at the plate without his face showing up or his name on the screen, they did a pretty good job. Too bad I can't figure out how to swing - using the analog stick, I can't seem to get off a power stroke. I either stare at the ball, swing way too early or attempt to bunt. Frustrating. Using classic buttons for swings isn't much better - I'm sure it will just take a little time and training. I hit 4 homers in a home run derby, but the pitches are grooved and I was using he-men like Ryan Howard and Vlad the Impaler. When Chris Carpenter K's 14 of my Yankees, you know I stink at batting.

Fielding is okay - I think I miss the pause you'd get between a hit and the attempt to move your fielder in some of the older games, but in return this is more lifelike as you have to adjust almost immediately. Yes, the ball is a little tough to see at times, but the only mistakes I made in the field were my fault and I like the fact that it may not be possible to be error free for 162 games. They should bring back the RBI style errors though, squiggly lines around your players head are always fun.

In regards to the demo, yes, it looks works than the regular version. When I first played the demo (after only one game of the full version), I didn't see much of a difference. But after going back and forth, it looks like the colors are a little more bland, the models not quite as detailed and some of the textures and small things are missing. For example, in the full version, I could clearly see the jerseys on my batters and pitchers flapping in the wind and in the demo this wasn't apparent (may have to do with no wind in that game, however). Either way, the full version looks better.

I have yet to get into franchise mode or any time of season, so time will tell with those features. But so far, so good and I'm looking forward to...play ball!