MLB The Show 25 Review – Batter Up

Each sport has its passionate fanbase that stands by it through thick and thin. This fervor carries over to their video games, such as the ongoing popularity of EA Sports FC, the blockbuster NBA 2K series, and even PGA Tour 2K25, which rejuvenated the series this year. Baseball may seem like a different animal altogether, but it has captivated its devotees for decades, transcending borders across Japan, Mexico, and the USA.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t deny that MLB The Show 25, the crown jewel from Sony San Diego Studio, truly gets it. When it comes to capturing the thrill, the tension, the legacy, and the essence of baseball like no other game, very few titles even come close. This year brings some significant enhancements and fresh features, not to mention those stunning animations, but let’s be clear – it’s more of an evolution than a revolution. And that’s perfectly fine because its gameplay and presentation are as refined and polished as they come, despite a few minor quirks.

In its third season, the narrative shifts to highlight additional renowned African-American sports figures such as James “Cool Papa” Bell, Wilber “Bullet Joe” Rogan, and Norman “Turkey” Stearnes.

Transitioning from MLB The Show 24, many aspects may seem familiar. Once again, Road to the Show is here, where players can embark on their journey from high school, aiming to excel in the playoffs to potentially catch the eye of prestigious colleges. Dynamic Challenges add excitement by presenting new objectives to accomplish for increased rewards, including Tokens that can be utilized to enhance various Tools representing your player’s unique abilities. You also have the option to fine-tune each Tool’s respective attributes if you wish to optimize in a particular area. This addition is significant, even though it doesn’t introduce groundbreaking changes or overhaul existing features. Nonetheless, Road to the Show serves as a satisfying career mode.

From March to October, you can lead any team – from underdogs and hidden talents to fan favorites and up-and-coming stars – through an entire season filled with tension and excitement. The new Diamond Dynasty mode, Diamond Quest, offers more single-player action for those interested. In this mode, you gather your team of players on a board with randomly placed tiles, take as many steps as you like, and complete the necessary challenges, such as boss fights. If you fail, you’ll face penalties that affect your performance, but success will earn you Peanuts to buy bonuses. Though it may not appeal to everyone, I find this mode intriguing, but after investing countless hours in Simulated Universe, I think the progress should be faster.

In Season 3 of Storylines, we delve deeper into the lives and careers of additional renowned African-American baseball players such as James “Cool Papa” Bell, Wilber “Bullet Joe” Rogan, and Norman “Turkey” Stearnes. Navigating through the episodes is seamless, but it’s undeniably one of the standout features in MLB The Show 25. Engaging with challenges for each legend at various points in their careers, complete with real-life quotes, live-action footage, and animated depictions, creates an enchanting experience. This journey offers a fresh perspective on the incredible skillset and enthusiasm that thrived beyond the major leagues during this era.

Right from the start, personalizing my control settings for every facet of the sports, such as fielding, batting, pitching, and running, was a breeze. Initially, I found the Plate Coverage Indicator quite useful for aiming hits accurately. However, after numerous unsuccessful attempts with it and timed button presses, I eventually switched to using the right analog stick for swings. The feedback remains swift and comprehensive, providing detailed data on both late and early hits, as well as preferred pitching locations from opponents.

It’s a bit disappointing to see that the graphics haven’t advanced significantly. If you were to compare it with MLB The Show 24, the players appear quite similar, with only minor differences like a lack of facial hair.

Timing things correctly can be tricky, even with a basic strategy like bunting. However, it seemed that the number of outfielders who managed to catch my powerful shots was unusually high, even on lower difficulty settings. This didn’t entirely take away from the suspense, but the AI was more accurate than I preferred. They may not be as skilled in batting, but perhaps my success with the meter-based approach made me overconfident. The game remained interesting because well-timed pitches could still be successfully hit, and the key was keeping my opponents guessing – sometimes deliberately pitching ahead or behind. This required some engaging strategy sessions.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the spot-on atmosphere that MLB The Show 25 manages to create, despite minor repetitions in commentary (“Swing and a ground ball base hit, right field” – a phrase I’ve grown quite fond of). Yet, it’s during Storylines where the commentary truly shines, providing engaging facts about each player that keep me immersed.

The thrill of the audience combined with a performance reminiscent of broadcasts, the humming electric organ, selected catchy tunes, and the anticipation between every pitch contribute to an electrifying ambiance that’s hard to resist. There’s no disputing the palpable tension when it’s late in the game (almost the end), the bases are loaded (almost full), and a decisive hit is required to please the spectators. On the flip side, missing crucial opportunities and conceding runs feels as disheartening as it would in reality.

Although it’s somewhat disappointing that the graphics haven’t advanced significantly, especially when you consider them alongside MLB The Show 24, the players appear quite similar with minor differences in facial hair. While the overall animation quality is still excellent, particularly impressive in other areas, it might be wise to overlook the facial animations in Road to the Show. Despite a few inconsistencies, the stadiums are remarkably detailed. However, if you’ve been anticipating a substantial leap in visual realism, this may not be the game for you. For what it’s worth, the game still looks great overall, but we’re yet to reach the level of visual fidelity previously associated with this series.

2022 may reveal whether San Diego Studio significantly alters their approach or continues with the familiar format, delivering high-quality content that carries its unique flaws.

Despite ongoing criticisms, MLB The Show remains the top-tier baseball game series, though this year’s version may not reign supreme without a doubt. Its unmissable ambiance, in conjunction with its outstanding sound design, distinctive player movements, and meticulous attention to detail for each athlete, as well as its intuitive controls, make it a worthwhile gaming experience, flaws included. While it might not appeal as much to those who are tired of last year’s version or anticipate significant updates, it still feels like an essential journey for any baseball enthusiast.

In essence, Storylines, delving into sports legends, along with Road to the Show and March to October, the fresh Diamond Quest, and numerous other features combine to create a strong baseball simulation game. This game maintains its well-loved gameplay that fans are either fond of or perhaps tired of. Whether San Diego Studio significantly revamps the formula next year or continues to deliver quality content with its own flaws remains to be seen. However, for now, MLB The Show 25 is doing a commendable job in maintaining the status quo.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

2025-03-19 21:12

Read More