MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

[DBMcGee3]

Having been an XBox owner in the past, this is my first real taste of The Show, but I must say I think it's pretty fantastic. I don't like any of the analog control schemes, but with the zone hitting and the pitching meter I love it. I also love the practice modes, they really give you a chance to get in the lab and hone your skills.

I honestly find the commentary to be quite good, but I've only played about 3 full games since getting my grubby little mits on it.

[bakan723]

Re: MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

Is fielding still automated with your controls overridden by the cpu ?

[BSchwartz07]

I never understand the phrase "take big risks to move forward. "

There isn't a whole lot that I would want to change to enjoy the game.

There is a saying that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Changing some of the game engines radically could destroy what we love about the game.

I'm hoping that they continue to add refinements and build the game modes to the next levels.

While I agree that a complete overhaul isn't necessary this game has gone from an annual purchase to one that I'll buy every 2-3 years. I'd like to see them do something to justify shelling out another $60 each year other than just minor adjustments.

[badmrfrosty7]

No, I'm saying more important things should take priority. I, personally, don't think commentary should take priority over something like player models or improvements to Franchise or RTTS.

I would love for The Show's commentary to improve, but a lot of people seem to make it a huge deal which I disagree with.

I think that's why they should ditch the idea of redoing the play-by-play commentary / new commentators / lines / etc. because of the work it requires, and instead create segments with replays or stat-overlays (or both!) during the game (similar to batter-pitcher duel breakdowns) and add-in new lines for those specific to each game to make them more unique and immersive.

Lines are always going to get repeated in sports games, so until there's tech out there that can create organic, contextual commentary for game situations, I've always felt the focus on this aspect of presentation should be used to showcase the game itself and the storylines occuring throughout the game.

[Mgbleu1986]

Nice review. I too am baffled why they got rid of the stride in pure analog. I thought at first I was doing something wrong or the setting was off. Definitely makes it less realistic in my opinion.

[Ronoko]

Re: MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

It's surprising to me this game currently stands at 75 at metacritic, but it's still early. I don't see how anyone can play this with all it has to offer and come away thinking it's not at least in the 80s.

[thaSLAB]

Re: MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

It's surprising to me this game currently stands at 75 at metacritic, but it's still early. I don't see how anyone can play this with all it has to offer and come away thinking it's not at least in the 80s.

That, and looking at the names of the reviewers so far has me like...

[kamackeris76]

Re: MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

Well I just bought a PS4 to play this game as all I have read was love for this and last year's games.....

Considering I am from the UK, not a fan of baseball (but love sports sims) I gotta say I am absolutely loving this game so much. I am starting to appreciate the sport now (much like I now love basketball from playing basketball sims). Won 1 lost 2 on my nationals franchise and I just want to play more.... Shame I have to go to bed now for work an 7 hours time... Pull a sickie??

About the commentary being a complaint.. From a totally new user I am loving it so far... I'm sure it will become stale soon.

I always like to play franchises... Should I give the rtts a go? Never tried a be a pro mode before.....

[hyacinth1]

I wish they did some more modes or something new. I've done all the current modes in previous versions of the game. This probably goes for most sports games which have the same modes for the last 3-4 years. Feels like I'm playing the same old game.

[jsquigg]

This game doesn't do many things great? Is the reviewer on crack? It's reviews like this that cause games to constantly revamp things and fix what isn't broken. The all new lighting is great. The all around game play is probably the best in next gen sports. They tweaked analog hitting and I get that that ticks people off. The presentation isn't mind blowingly perfect so I guess that could always be better. But to complain about petty stuff is ridiculous. The advantage of The Show is that they had a solid base and so far they haven't overhauled anything, but have consistently built off of that base as well as adding several options. I'll take that any day over games that constantly wipe the slate clean every few years only to change the fundamental way their games play, yet it seems reviewers reward games that go from crap to average more than games that maintain excellence. End rant.

[ty5oke]

Commentary needs to be more dynamic. They seem to only have one-liners for certain players and hardly use the players real names when it comes to describing the action on the field.

Still not very happy with progression/regression in franchise mode. Gameplay is as solid as ever though and keeps me playing the game every year. Hope they add some more immersion aspects to offline franchise, radio show was a nice start. More stat overlays\discussions during a franchise game about the current year or previous years would be nice.

[DukesofHazzard]

They also need to add waaaaay more mlb all time records and team all time records. Also having a top 100 in each of the all time categories like all time homerun leaders would be fantastic. Baseball is americas past time and all time records is a huge part of that.

[Bobhead]

Re: MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

I never understand the phrase "take big risks to move forward. "

There isn't a whole lot that I would want to change to enjoy the game.

There is a saying that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Changing some of the game engines radically could destroy what we love about the game.

I'm hoping that they continue to add refinements and build the game modes to the next levels.

But you can take big risks without changing the game engine, by, for example, reinventing game modes, or trying something completely different as far as presentation goes.

To be clear, I'm not of the opinion that The Show hasn't done this already (Diamond Dynasty anyone? Seems like they took a pretty big risk there)...

But there certainly is a lot of room for "new" without alienating the sport or the fans.

[BenGerman]

Re: MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

It's surprising to me this game currently stands at 75 at metacritic, but it's still early. I don't see how anyone can play this with all it has to offer and come away thinking it's not at least in the 80s.

It's because most gaming websites don't have writers who understand sports. They frequently rate Madden higher than The Show.

Edit: Also, thanks for the kind words, guys.

[tabarnes19_SDS]

Re: MLB 15 The Show Review (PS4)

But you can take big risks without changing the game engine, by, for example, reinventing game modes, or trying something completely different as far as presentation goes.

To be clear, I'm not of the opinion that The Show hasn't done this already (Diamond Dynasty anyone? Seems like they took a pretty big risk there)...

But there certainly is a lot of room for "new" without alienating the sport or the fans.

I'm not disagreeing with you on expanding game modes. I just do not want to see the game play changed to add gimmicky approaches that please the change for change sake crowd.

I'm hoping for the year where franchise mode gets the resources to make the next big jump. I believe it was 09 that the franchise mode took a huge leap with waiver trades, rule 5, etc. I want the next leap as well. Expand on what's there and add new things and take franchise mode to another level.