Although marketing buzzwords and rebranded features may appear as the same, MLB The Show 25 does offer some captivating enhancements compared to its previous version. If you didn’t buy The Show 24, these 15 improvements we’ve showcased could entice you to give this year’s edition a try.
Biggest year-on-year improvement
Based on a Forbes report, people close to MLB The Show 25’s developer, San Diego Studio, have stated that they’ve taken the criticism of their 2024 project very seriously and aim to make this year’s version a special one for fans, describing it as a “fan-focused” update with significant advancements compared to previous years. The studio is also not planning to release MLB The Show 25 on Game Pass right away, possibly to boost sales. However, it’s possible that Sony might be hesitant to list MLB The Show 25 on Game Pass, but given the developer’s optimism, its absence could simply be a strategic decision.
Graphical overhaul
Instead of concentrating on annual graphical enhancements, MLB The Show 25 by SD Studio focuses on refining the on-field authenticity. They’ve worked on creating more lifelike lighting, sharpening textures, and improving player models. You can notice these visual updates in the way jersey fabric ripples dynamically and the detailed stitching on baseballs and gloves. The stadium environment has also been upgraded to bring the spectator atmosphere closer to reality.
Gameplay updates 1 – Advanced movement, fielding animations, and fielding changes
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled about the enhancements SD Studio has made to the gameplay in the latest version. They’ve meticulously revamped player movements, especially fielding animations, by improving player physics through refined motion capture and adding hundreds of new animations like robbing home runs, diving catches, quick base tags, and spectacular catches. These changes make player movement more fluid and natural compared to previous versions.
Moreover, the new animation updates have a direct impact on gameplay improvements, thanks to the addition of infielder reaction time animations. These animations come in three tiers: sluggish, average, and quick, based on the fielder’s reaction attributes. To help us anticipate the fielders’ movements better, colored arrows at their feet indicate their jump types and reaction times – yellow for decent, green for good, and blue for perfect. This added detail adds an exciting layer of strategy to the gameplay experience.
Gameplay updates 2 – Ambush Hitting
One of the significant enhancements in MLB The Show 25 is the introduction of Ambush Hitting, a new feature that SD Studio claims mimics the hitting style of a Major League player. From the batter’s box, you’ll predict which side of home plate the pitcher will aim for. If your guess is correct, the plate coverage indicator expands, increasing your chances to hit the PCI sweet spot by making the gameplay easier due to lower difficulty settings. However, if your prediction is incorrect, executing perfect swings becomes more challenging due to larger PCI penalties and reduced timing windows.
Gameplay updates 3 – First-person view
In MLB The Show 25’s Road to the Show mode, they’re incorporating a first-person view for fielding this year, allowing you to feel the thrill of executing a cut-off throw from the outfield, nailing a runner with an accurately timed, well-paced lob pass to your basemen. You can switch this perspective on and off at your convenience, and it works when you’re controlling a player. There are several instances where you’ll be in control of runners or catchers, with cut off control and quick time events enhancing the gameplay experience.
Gameplay updates 4 – Smarter AI
To make the gameplay more challenging and realistic in MLB The Show 25, the AI has been made more intelligent. This means that your team will adapt to your unique playing style, making strategic choices on base running and fielding that are more accurate, thereby enhancing the immersion factor while reducing potential frustration.
Road to the Show
In MLB The Show 25, the Road to the Show offers a more immersive and intimate gameplay experience. This new feature includes Path to 99 Progression, allowing you to manage the development of your custom player from their very first pitch all the way to their Hall of Fame induction. By playing games, you earn tokens that can be used to boost specific attributes. Reach crucial milestones and you’ll unlock permanent advantages, which can be further improved by combining them with equipment. Your choices during the game, training sessions, and interviews determine multiple career paths, affecting college teams and draft picks in the future. It’s up to you to guide your player on their path to success.
Franchise mode updates
During the development of this feature, SD Studio has yet to disclose all their plans for MLB The Show 25’s Franchise Mode. However, we can anticipate some enhancements in the front office experience, particularly during off-seasons, where players will have more control over managing dynamic sponsorship deals, stadium upgrades, and budgeting to meet real-world economic challenges. Additionally, new analytical data is being introduced to help with financial decision making, including player performance statistics and stadium attendance numbers.
Expanded Diamond Dynasty
The collection of historic Diamond Dynasty teams has been broadened to include squads and legends from the 1950s to 1970s, providing more options for crafting your ideal team setup. Future updates will simplify the game structure by eliminating sets and seasons, making it more similar to sports simulations such as Madden or NBA 2K. Additionally, two new game modes have been introduced: Diamond Quest, a challenging multiplayer mode designed for skilled players, and Weekend Classic, offering a fresh gameplay experience.
New difficulty setting: G.O.A.T.
Absolutely, the term GOAT might seem a bit outdated in 2025, but surprisingly, The Show 25 introduces an innovative difficulty level called GOAT. This setting promises to test your skills like never before with faster pitch speeds, narrower timing windows for swings, larger breaks on off-speed pitches, and the smallest PCI ever seen in The Show. It’s designed to distinguish the truly exceptional players from the great ones.
Negro Leagues season 3
In the third season of Negro Leagues, narrated by Hall of Fame legend Bob Kendrick, we delve deeper into the lives of some exceptional athletes who may not be widely known, but their stories are as captivating as ever. This year, we offer an engaging way to learn history through a blend of gameplay and narrative, providing a unique opportunity for education and entertainment.
Pre-order bundles
Once again, you’ll find several pre-order options for various editions. Here’s a breakdown:
* The standard edition of MLB The Show 25, priced at $69.99, includes the base game along with five packs for the Diamond Dynasty mode.
* A limited physical copy, also priced at $69.99, offers the same standard digital edition but adds a trading card featuring one of the game’s cover stars.
* The digital deluxe edition, costing $99.99, provides double daily rewards, 20 show packs, an anniversary pack, diamond choice packs, gold choice packs, an equipment pack, a cover athlete bat skin, 20k stubs, and early access four days ahead of the standard release.
* It’s worth noting that editions for Nintendo Switch are priced $10 cheaper than those mentioned above.
* Lastly, there’s a Collector’s Edition available for $129.99, featuring physical collectibles and premium digital bonuses.
In-game microtransactions
In MLB The Show 25, certain in-game items like stubs, packs, and additional features can be bought using microtransactions. While these purchases are not necessary and do not give an unfair advantage (pay-to-win), competitive players might find them beneficial as they could help improve their team faster than earning everything naturally. If you’re a fan of MLB history, unique themed packs could be worth investing in if they’re particularly valuable or scarce.
Trio of cover athletes
In this year’s edition, the star athlete on the cover is Gunnar Henderson, an exceptional infielder who has been selected as a popular choice for MLB The Show 25, thanks to his impressive track record as a consistent winner and promising future in sports. Sharing the spotlight with Henderson are rising talent Elly De La Cruz and promising pitcher Paul Skenes.
Release date and platforms
As a passionate gamer, I can’t contain my excitement! The much-anticipated MLB The Show 25 is about to drop on March 18th, but Now that’s a treat for us eager fans. This action-packed game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, as of now, there’s no PC version to join the party.
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2025-03-06 16:37