The visual style of the Show series gives gamers that great TV-style feel with plenty of cut scenes, screen wipes, and overlays that provide you with all the knowledge you would need going into each at bat. The player models aren’t the most detailed on the market, but what you get in return is tons of accurate face maps, authentic batting and pitching motions, and animations that are fluid and breath taking. All the ballparks are accurately represented from the smoke stacks at Cincinnati to the rising apple at Shea. While not all of the HR celebration monikers are presented, there are enough that show that extra bit of loving care from the developers and give each ballpark a unique sense of home field advantage. There are still a few things missing such as weather effects but this is virtual baseball so these kinds of omissions are forgivable.

In the audio department, you are treated to a great 3-man booth that vary in commentary and comments and even provide progressive updates throughout the season. All the ambient sounds are accurately represented so if you close your eyes you can almost smell the $4 hotdogs and the beer on the breath of the person next to you. The crowd is lively and even reacts to critical moments of the game such as a 3rd strike count in late innings, rally scoring situations, and even negatives such as bean balls and bad calls.

Gameplay is essential to any good baseball game. Even the slightest hiccup can make or break a game as the detail and intricacies of the game are that critical. MLB 07: The Show soars in this field, providing top-notch game play in all aspects from the fielding, batting, and even pitching. It’s nice to play a game that requires such precision that when a blunder play happens you have no one to blame but yourself. The batting and pitching interface is unchanged from last season with the exception of the ability to shake off your catcher’s pitch call. This isn’t a bad thing as at the plate you have 9 zone levels on all-star mode that will create plenty of varied hits; From hot shots to the pitcher, to dribblers just making past the catchers reach, to of course everyone’s casual pleasure the long ball. Pitching also makes a grand return and will provide gamers with plenty of unpredictability that will allow passed balls, wild pitches, and walking batters at any particular time. Thanks to multiple cameras, fielding is also a dream, as you will clearly be able to make the jump on any ball whether it’s down the line, up the middle, or that can of corn in the outfield.

There are many objectives off the field to enjoy such as being that GM who knows how to rake in the cash or struggle to find funds thanks to a multitude of merchandising, ticket pricing, and training equipment options. Need some extra cash to pull in that free agent in the off-season? How about reducing your transportation options to force your players to fly coach or ride a team bus. Keep in mind, your players and fans morale will be affected by these decisions, so don’t be a Comiskey and give your players the bare essentials or you will pay for it in the win and loss column, which also effect attendance and sales.

A new Road to the Show mode allows gamers to control the fate of one player and attempt to not only make it to the bigs, but also make their mark in the baseball world and shoot for Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. In this mode, you play only the at bats and position plays that surround your players, so if you are a pitcher, all you have to do is toss the old rock and take your unnecessary hacks in NL games. As you progress in the game by making vital plays, you will earn points to improve your player and make them as good as you can be. It is a difficult haul, but one that with the right amount of patients and skill, you’ll find yourself making great strides to reaching your goals.

There are of course the modes you know and love such as Exhibition Play, HR Derbies, and even online play to enjoy while you take a break from Franchise or Career modes. With the online aspect, you get to play in tournaments, single games, or even trade your personalized sliders if you feel the game is weak in any certain area. Sony even provides a sports ticker while online so you know all the happenings in the real world of sports.

There isn’t much that Sony has left out when it comes to bringing you as close to the real game as possible. MLB 07: The Show is just another step towards greatness and with a PS3 version coming next month, gamers can only salivate wondering what improvements to this already great game are looming in the not to distant future. Is this the Roy Hobbs of baseball games? You bet your sweet fanny it is.