MLB The Show 25 Review – Good Old Beautiful Baseball

MLB The Show 25 Review

Every year, I eagerly await the arrival of the latest installment of MLB The Show, hoping for it to – above all else – capture the magic of being out on the diamond. Truth be told, I’ve thought the on-field action in MLB The Show has been pretty damn good for awhile now. This franchise has long been a benchmark in sports gaming. But the pressure to evolve and deliver a compelling experience only intensifies with each iteration. MLB The Show 25 aims to answer that call with a slate of new features, subtle refinements, and a few bold swings designed to invigorate the series. Not everything feels new and shiny, but this year’s offering is much closer to a home run than a ground out to second.

MLB The Show 25 attempts to more realistically simulate the complexities of fielding, factoring in player attributes, ball trajectory, and situational awareness in a more nuanced way. The result is a noticeable improvement in the authenticity of player responsiveness and a heightened sense of control. Diving catches feel more rewarding. Routine ground balls are handled with smoother animations. And the impact of a defender’s skill on the outcome is palpable. Low overall outfielders, for example, will have a much harder time getting the proper jump on a ball hit to them.

However, the system isn’t without its hiccups. Occasionally, there are moments of inexplicable hesitation from fielders that will cost you runs. It’s not something that happens often, but make no mistake, MLB The Show 25 still suffers from indecisive AI that doesn’t always correctly react to routine plays.

Five-Tool Players

Players will also notice a few changes to the tools at their disposal. When batting, a new system for guessing pitch location has been introduced. With a flick of the right stick, you can guess which side of the plate the pitch will hit. It doesn’t feel as punishing as guessing while using zone hitting in previous games, but it also doesn’t feel overpowered. Base running rarely receives attention, though, MLB The Show 25 introduces a swim move that allows players to maneuver around tags. It’s a nice touch that could pave the way for a more refined base running system in the future.

Beyond the improved fielding, MLB The Show 25 introduces a deeper, more calculated approach to team management in Franchise mode. Most notably, signing players to contracts is no longer just about offering them a ton of cash and a ton of tenure. A player motivation system that directly affects where players choose to sign with considers things like market size, location, and likelihood of winning a championship. The best teams in the league now also set the pace throughout the year. As such, other teams now adjust more accurately to what’s happening throughout the season and will make trades that better reflect their needs.

Franchise Improvements

While not groundbreaking, these changes to Franchise mode add a new layer to an otherwise dull rigamarole that hasn’t significantly improved in a long time. It’s disappointing that this is essentially all that’s been done to Franchise, but it is a step in the right direction. I’m starting to give up on the dream of one year getting an all-in-one, massive overhaul to the mode, though. And that makes me sad.

If Diamond Dynasty is more your thing, you’ll likely be stoked to find that San Diego Studio has finally done away with the atrocious season system loathed by nearly everyone. Most importantly, your favorite cards are now accessible throughout the entire year. This alone has monumentally restored my motivation to return daily to earn more rewards. Microtransactions continue to infest the mode. They always will. But I can’t stand that I’m so often encouraged to play Diamond Dynasty above everything else and it’s clearly motivated by selling virtual currency. And this is coming from someone who quite enjoys Diamond Dynasty.

A Beautiful Day for Baseball

Ultimately, MLB The Show 25 delivers another solid simulation baseball experience, building upon the strong foundation established by its predecessors. Does it capture the magic of being on the diamond? I think so. The improved fielding/running/hitting systems make the core gameplay loop feel fantastic. Franchise mode has seen a couple of much-appreciated additions. And Diamond Dynasty is fun again with the season system behind it. The team at San Diego Studio continues to show dedication and passion for capturing the essence of baseball. This year’s offering, while not perfect, demonstrates their commitment to evolving and improving the franchise.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher***