MLB The Show 25: A Game-Changer for Baseball Fans!

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As a devoted MLB The Show 25 fan, I can’t help but be thrilled about the game’s latest updates that cater to several modes that needed some serious attention! This is definitely a baseball enthusiast’s dream come true.

It’s become an unfortunate reality for sports simulation titles, but offline modes often get neglected because players spend so much money on microtransactions for online offerings.

In MLB The Show 25, the mode known as Diamond Dynasty includes microtransactions and it’s a significant aspect of the game. Despite this, San Diego Studio has now tackled long-standing problems in other modes like Road to the Show and Franchise.

MLB The Show 25 key details

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  • Price: $69.99 USD | £64.99 GBP | $89.95 AUD
  • Developer: San Diego Studio
  • Release date: March 18
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
  • Reviewed on PS5

Gameplay steals the show again

MLB The Show’s gameplay never ceases to amaze me with its engaging and addictive nature, and this year’s version introduces some subtle yet significant changes. The throw meter has been re-calibrated to offer a higher level of risk and reward.

Fielding attributes play a more crucial role in making plays, and a new meter makes it more achievable to rob home runs. On the other hand, ambush hitting didn’t wow me as much as I thought it would, as the new Guess Pitch mechanic is more distracting than anything.

In addition, the developers need to investigate exit velocity issues because there are far too many perfect timing and placement groundouts or weak fly balls.

I find it challenging enough already on Hall of Fame and Legend modes, so I’m not keen on giving the new G.O.A.T difficulty a try. However, despite these small complaints, I appreciate most of the gameplay improvements.

Road to the Show sends you to school

For the first time in series history, you start your Road to The Show journey in high school and college. This is always my favorite game mode, so I had high expectations, though the experience wasn’t as in-depth as I would have liked.

Your created player starts as a high school senior, and you only play around four matches in the state tournament. If you decide to play in college after that, the tournament is only four games if you don’t get knocked out earlier.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled about the fresh progression system. Instead of gradually improving on its own, I now have the freedom to decide which stats I want to boost by spending tokens I earn from tackling challenges and playing skillfully.

Additionally, you have the option to acquire bonuses and enhance them using tokens. It’s great that this aspect could potentially expand on the high school and college experiences in subsequent games. Regardless, I find myself spending a significant amount of my gameplay time within this mode.

Diamond Dynasty goes back to basics

Hand up. I thought Sets and Seasons was a fantastic addition to MLB The Show 23, but I was sorely mistaken. Giving players 99 overall cards at launch looked great on paper, so players didn’t have to wait until the end of a game’s life cycle to get the best cards.

However, I didn’t account for how tedious it would be to have your progress reset each season and lose every card you spent months working toward. In addition, teams lacked variety because all 99 cards looked and felt the same. Sets and Seasons is gone in MLB The Show 25, and I never knew how much I missed a traditional power creep.

Diamond Quest is a fresh offline game, and its mode is outstanding. Although I won’t reveal too many details, I strongly suggest everyone give it a try. Additionally, San Diego Studio has added a competitive game mode called Weekend Classic.

And what I love most about Diamond Dynasty, compared to other sports games, is that you can build meta teams without spending any money.

Verdict

All of the changes in Road to the Show are just what the mode needed, and although I still don’t love Franchise, effort is being made to improve the experience. Removing Sets and Seasons from Diamond Dynasty was long overdue, and the mode is in a great place moving forward.

If you are a baseball fan, I highly recommend picking up MLB The Show 25, and if you are a sports fan who is growing tired of other games falling short, it’s worth making the switch.

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2025-03-18 18:01