The familiar crack of the bat echoed through my living room, but this year, it carried a different resonance. MLB® The Show™ 25 has arrived, and after countless hours diving into every mode, I can confidently say that I have built an opinion.
Last year’s iteration, MLB® The Show™ 24, was a solid foundation. The core game play loop of pitching, hitting and fielding remained as engaging as ever. “Road to the Show” offered a compelling personal journey, and “Diamond Dynasty” continued its reign as the ultimate card-collecting and team-building experience. However, there were areas ripe for improvement, and thankfully, San Diego Studios has been listening.
One of the most immediately noticeable improvements in MLB® The Show™ 25 is the better graphics and motions. While The Show has always been a visually impressive series, this year takes it up a notch. Player models are more detailed, capturing subtle details in their stances and movements. Stadium lighting feels more dynamic, casting realistic shadows that shift as the game progresses. I remember in MLB® The Show™ 24, sometimes the lighting in older stadiums felt a bit flat, but in 25, even these classic ballparks feel revitalized with a better visual depth. The difference is particularly striking during replays, where you can truly appreciate the intricate details on jerseys and equipment.
Gameplay-wise, the changes are more subtle but impactful. Pitching feels more detailed and more lifelike, with a greater emphasis on pinpoint accuracy and understanding pitcher’s tendencies. The new “Precision Pitching” interface, while initially taking some getting used to, offers a rewarding level of control for those willing to master it. In MLB® The Show™ 24, sometimes it felt like even well-executed pitches could get hammered, but in 25, there’s a greater sense of cause and effect. Also, hitting has also seen some fine-tuning. The PCI (Plate Coverage Indicator) feels more responsive, and there’s a better feedback system that helps users understand why certain swings resulted in specific outcomes. However, this year more hits that become perfect-perfect, tend to be more line outs or deep flyouts.
“Road to the Show”, the beloved single-player career mode, receives some welcome additions. Including high school games and college games and eventually giving users the option to get drafted out of high school or go to college.
There have been a lot of mixed reviews from people.
Eighth grader Erik Lynn said, “I think if they added that you could play more games in high school and college, it would be a lot better. But since it’s the first year, I think it made a pretty big impact.”
While the core structure of developing your player and navigating their career remains, there are new narrative elements and interactions that add to the experience. The conversations with your agent and coaches feel less generic than in MLB® The Show™ 24, offering more meaningful choices that impact your player’s trajectory. I also appreciated the expanded training options, allowing for more focused development in specific skill areas. Like when users choose to go to the bullpen, they can choose to upgrade certain pitches by categories. For example, “Upgrade your Curveball’s break,” or “Upgrade your 4-Seam Fastball’s velocity.”
“Diamond Dynasty,” the mode that keeps many players engaged year-round, sees its usual addition of fresh content and features. While the core concept of collecting cards and building a dream team remains the same, there are new card series, events and ways to earn rewards. One notable addition is the “Team Affinity Rewind,” which allows players to revisit and complete older Team Affinity programs they might have missed, a feature sorely needed in MLB® The Show™24. The introduction of more dynamic challenges and evolving player programs keeps the mode feeling fresh and engaging.
However, MLB® The Show™ 25 isn’t without its minor problems. While the commentary team has seen some minor updates, it still occasionally feels repetitive, a criticism that has lingered for a few iterations. For example, early on in the game’s release, there was a glitch that no matter how a ball was hit, the commentator would always say, “Ground ball base hit Right Field.”
Additionally, while the overall presentation is slick, some of the menu navigation could still be more intuitive.
Despite these minor drawbacks, MLB® The Show™ 25 stands as a worthy follow-up. It builds upon the strong foundation of 24 with meaningful improvements to graphics, game play, and key modes like Road to the Show and Diamond Dynasty. It’s a testament to San Diego Studio’s commitment to refining the baseball simulation experience. If users were a fan of MLB® The Show™ 24, then MLB® The Show™ 25 is a definite upgrade that will keep them glued to the controller for countless innings. And if gamers are new to the series, this is an excellent entry point into the most comprehensive baseball video game on the market. The evolution is real, and the future on the virtual diamond looks bright.
