MLB The Show 25 Review: Romantic About Baseball

Right from the start, it’s obvious that the developers at San Diego Studio have paid close attention to feedback from MLB The Show 24 when creating MLB The Show 25. Unlike previous entries over the past few years, MLB The Show 25 aims to depart significantly from the established conventions and expectations that have come to characterize this series. As a result, MLB 25 is one of the most promising and enjoyable games in the franchise for quite some time now, but it’s also clear that there are still some noticeable growing pains.

Regarding gameplay, MLB The Show 25 maintains its consistency from one year to the next, which isn’t necessarily a negative aspect. The fundamental baseball simulation formula at the core of MLB The Show has been refined almost to perfection and has only seen minor adjustments with each new release. The key innovation in MLB The Show 25 is the introduction of Ambush Hitting.

In essence, Ambush Hitting is a fresh approach that lets you predict where the pitch will be thrown even before it’s pitched. You can opt for either the right or left side of the home plate, and if correct, it enhances your chances to hit and reach base. If incorrect, it slightly complicates your possibility of getting a successful hit.

Previously, similar systems have been featured in MLB The Show, but I believe the current version with Ambush Hitting is the best iteration yet, created by San Diego Studio. It keeps you focused and strategizing during your turn at bat, as it encourages considering what the pitcher might toss next. This element of risk and reward is fundamental to baseball and enhances the authenticity of MLB The Show 25.

In comparison to previous versions, MLB The Show 25 has seen the most significant upgrades to its Diamond Dynasty mode. In response to criticisms about last year’s game, San Diego Studio decided to scrap the Sets and Seasons feature in this new version. This change means that the progress made in the game will persist throughout the entire season rather than being reset at specific intervals. Initially, I find this alteration quite appealing as it gives my participation in Diamond Dynasty a greater sense of worthiness compared to what it was previously.

Regardless of previous experiences, Diamond Dynasty’s success in MLB The Show 25 will largely depend on the continued support from SDS. Right from the start, there’s been a wealth of content to explore within Diamond Dynasty, and it’s great to see this improvement. So far, I’ve invested approximately 60 hours into the game mode, and there’s still plenty left to discover. If new Programs, cards, and additional content continue to be released at a steady pace, Diamond Dynasty could potentially outshine all its predecessors in MLB The Show.

In the game MLB The Show 25, it seems that the element of Storylines is less engaging compared to previous versions. This year’s game focuses on the stories of players from the Negro Leagues, but there are significantly fewer tales compared to MLB The Show 23 and MLB The Show 24. It’s unclear if San Diego Studio intends to add more Storylines content in the future, but what’s currently offered with MLB The Show 25 feels like it was given less attention than before.

In MLB The Show 25, the popular game mode “Road to the Show” has been significantly enhanced with some notable new features. Unlike previous versions where you’d directly enter the minor leagues at the start of your ballplayer’s MLB career, this time around, you begin as a high school player who can choose either to join the big leagues or go to college upon graduation. Although the college segment of Road to the Show isn’t expansive, it certainly enriches the mode more than ever before by adding depth and flavor.

Regrettably, the quality of RTTS presentation is one of the poorest in the sports genre, leaving room for substantial enhancements. The absence of voice acting in “cutscenes” makes non-game moments tedious and something I’ve always sought to breeze through as quickly as possible. While I don’t expect a sports game to prioritize its story modes significantly, MLB The Show still has a considerable distance to cover before it can compete with the minimal standards set by NBA 2K and Madden.

One point of dissatisfaction I have with MLB The Show 25 is that it appears the series hasn’t made a significant leap forward towards next-generation gaming. Previous games could be excused due to their PS4 and Xbox One releases. However, for MLB The Show 25, these older platforms have been replaced, leading me to expect some visual enhancements. Regrettably, the game looks largely similar to its previous versions, which suggests that MLB The Show is merely maintaining its status quo in terms of graphics. While it’s not unattractive, the visuals seem stagnant compared to what I had hoped for in a next-gen game.

All things considered, MLB The Show 25 seems like a significant advancement for the series. While there are minor issues spread across its various modes, San Diego Studio has effectively addressed the major problems present in the previous game, particularly concerning Diamond Dynasty. This suggests that I’ll be spending considerably more time playing MLB The Show 25 throughout 2025 compared to past years, which is a testament to its quality.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Right now, you can get your hands on MLB The Show 25 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. This review is based on a review copy of the game provided by the publisher specifically for use on PlayStation 5.

2025-03-28 01:42

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