Since the launch of MLB The Show in 2006, Sony has hammered down this major league series, offering some of the best graphics, gameplay mechanics, and the deepest immersion for fans of athletic games. With 2018’s season getting well underway, we’re excited to see what the game had to offer. Here’s our review for MLB The Show 18.
Pros:
+Some of the best graphics on the market for sports entertainment titles
+Offers a plethora of modes for fans to enjoy
+Gameplay mechanics are solid and offer some of the most realistic experiences to date
Cons:
-Retro mode can be a bit of a disappointing feature to those looking for modern graphics in their games
-In franchise mode, building your career seemingly takes quite a bit longer from franchise predecessors
“The 3rdBaseman lineups at the plate, he’s had a rocky start so far, hitting two popups earlier in the game, it all comes down to this. The game is tied at and it’s the Bottom of the 9th with runners on 1st and 2nd. All he has to do is focus and get a base hit and the game is back in their favor, and here’s the first pitch.”
It’s nothing like hitting that first home run of the season that also turns into the Walk-off Home Run to win the game. Having the crowd on their feet, going wild and hearing the announcer say “See You Later”. MLB The Show ‘8 offers that experience and many more.
With classic features such as Exhibition, Online Play, and Career mode the game will always be a fan favorite because it gives you just about any terrain you want to play on. But with each Show video game that comes out, they have to outshine the one from the previous year and I believe they have done it with mini mode’s Home Run Derby and Retro Mode.
Retro Mode, is exactly what it sounds like. Giving baseball fans around the world the experience to play retro if they so desired. Retro Mode playtime, in my opinion, is hard at first because I didn’t become a full-fledged fan putting my skills to the test on the console until 2016 so I was not as lucky to play back in the 90s.
It offers you an experience without the amazing 4K resolution, the realistic announcers when you steal a base or even the phenomenal job of capturing each baseball park and the significance each one holds and how they are all different, none being identical to one another.
But I must say, once you get the hang of it, Retro is a fun feature to play in. Home Run Derby is simply you are competing with up to 8 players. Each player is timed and during that time, you must hit as many home runs as you can so make sure you practice as much as you know because those computer players with live stats from the players are no joke!
The Road to the Show is a feature like no other, it allows you to start beneath the minor leagues, that’s right – your collegiate days as a baseball player – which I’m sure we all knew that try out on Scouts Day and hope you make it. Then once you get drafted hopefully it’s not to any team you don’t like because once you are there you have to create a name for yourself in order to get signed to another team.
And once you start in the Minor League, Double-A series, it’ll be just like an easy wait to get that call-up. Other improvements have been made as well. Such as improving your player, with each game you play, they are improved on their own, unlike The Show 17, where experience would be used after each game or homestand. Also, I did feel it took longer to get to the Major Leagues this go around because I had to develop my character better before I got the call.
But I understand the world can’t all be players, some of us have a different calling. And that’s where Franchise Mode comes in. Just when you thought to manage that savings account was hard, try working on an MLB teams budget for the season. Things get harder than you’ve thought. Scouting, Sponsorships Reviews and Budgeting. These are but a few things that in Franchise mode you must do.
Another feature that’s been added to the game is a new feature called “Challenge of the Week”. It’s pretty simple and sweet if you are able to compete to be one of the best of the best. Each week prizes are given out, both physical and in-game prizes are presented to the winners. For Example, Week 9 Challenge Top 3 Players Prizes are a signed Trea Turner baseball for the 1stPlace Winner and 70,000 STUBS coins for 2ndPlace Winner and lastly 60,000 stubs coins for 3rdPlace Winner. Top 25 Players win one of the physical prizes or in-game prizes. Each week you are presented with a new challenge and whoever is leading the board with the most points by the end of the week wins.
With the upgrade menu that rolled out in MLB The Show 18, they play a key role in helping each play when they are maneuvering throughout their important role if they are being the best player on the Road to the Show or creating the dream team on Franchise mode or if you are building collecting or playing along with Diamond Dynasty.
I know it was small, but I do miss the introduction from MLB The Show 17, it’s something about baseball announcers that seals the deal and make a sale from doing it too. However, they have improved on the game commentary during the game with live up to date states on players are they are about to step up for the 32 days hitting streak or simply just when they advise you on switching your pitches because it’s now the Bottom of the 8th Inning and gets throwing horrible pitches.
MLB The Show 18 – PlayStation 4
Developer: SIE Sony San Diego Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: Available Now
Cost: $59.99
Gameplay with MLB’s The Show 18 have been an absolutely breathtaking experience, I recommend playing whenever you can with your friends or just seeing what it takes to be in the Major Leagues, this is an all around fun game to experience.
With the extraordinary vibrant colors and detailing that took play in making MLB The Show 2018, the team over at SIE San Diego Studio have put together one heck of a masterpiece. From players looking more realistic to better camera angles even down to the ball travel and speeds, it just seems more natural than before.
Our review is based on a retail version purchased by the writer for this review. For information about our ethics policy please click here.
Final Score: 9 out of 10
About the Writer:
Tyvon J. Hunter is the latest member of the crew. He brings to the table a unique take on video games and sports. He brings an unparalleled sense of inspiration through his sheer excitement to the team as well as those around him. Also, he likes to build theme parks and a lot of them in his spare time.