A new feature to this game is: Scenario Mode, which is where you play a certain part of a game like Mariano Rivera on the mound in the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded and no outs and your objective is to retire the inning without the opposing team scoring any runs. Like all of the previous All-Star games, you have CREATE-A-PLAYER. This updated feature is so much better than any other one in the previous games. You have over 300 faces to choose from, a lot more batting stances and also when you work on your player's ability points, there is no limit. Remember in 2003 where you only could use 20 points? Well, in this game, there is no limit so you can make your character the best in the game. Tip: Don't give your player all A+'s becase the game will freeze near the end.

The best new feature to this game, which I love is the In-Game Save capability. So if you're playing a game during your season, you can save where you left off during the game, so when you re-load your season, it'll bring you right back to where you were. GREAT! In Season mode, a lot of different things have been added. In the General Manager's offive, there is a numerous amount of things you can do from: trading players, high minors and low minors rosters, disabled list, trading block (you recieve trade offers from other teams for the player you select), and Player Editor. What is Player Editor? Instead of just editing your created player, you can edit anyone in the major leagues as far as ability points, looks, batting stances, etc. For pitchers you change their pitches selection to your favorites. But, don't make it too easy and have all of your team A+. It makes it too easy.

There is a couple things that have gone down or haven't been improved too much. One is the pitching. Yes, it is a lot easier to hit the ball because it has slowed down since 2003. But, it is a lot more diffucult to get strikeouts when pitching. It makes your pitching stats more realistic to real pitchers today. But the cathces still has some flaws in it. Not as often, but you see it happen sometimes where there is a pop-up and the ball is ten feet to the side of your fielder and he still catches it. Things like that.

This game is very challenging, definitely. It is not like other baseball games which are unrealistically easy to play. This is not the type of game in which you will be hitting home runs with 170 pound shortstops.

In the long run, however, it is a much more realistic game. The pitches are especially neat. While some games only allow pitchers to have the basic "fastball," "change," "curve," "slider," etc., this game has more specific pitches. Examples are circle change, 2 seam fastball, 4 seam fastball, knuckle curve, slurve, etc.

This game is more realistic from a hitting perspective as well. At first, you will find hitting very difficult. Do not be frustrated; you will eventually improve. I suggest looking only at the strike zone, not at the ball when it is pitched. There is an option allowing the placement of the pitch to be shown, and that helps a lot. That being said, this feature by no means makes hitting easy. Unlike other games, where you just have to get the timing of the pitch down in order to hit, this game requires you to get the timing and the placement down (all in a matter of 2 or so seconds). Ultimately this a more realistic way of approaching hitting. To some it may not be as much fun as the home run filled games you can have in other games, but to baseball fans, this game will be rewarding.

I have to say that baseball purists, actual fans of the game, might appreciate this game more than a kid who justs wants to play a little baseball. Getting used to the game takes a little (not too much, but a little) practice. The game is definitely geared towards the knowledgable fan. It keeps track of stats that most people don't pay attention to, like OPS and OBP. This attention to detail is very much appreciated.

This game also has plenty of side features you can entertain yourself with. Like many sports games nowadays, this game has scenarios. They are enjoyable, giving you specific tasks in game situations to accomplish. Another neat aspect is the fact that you can unlock other teams, most of whom are made up of legend players. Therefore, it is possible to play with Babe Ruth, Satchel Paige, Ted Williams, et al.