After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

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  • countryboy
    Growing pains
    • Sep 2003
    • 52727

    #1

    After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

    I did one of these threads after 100 games played. I debated a bit about doing a 2nd thread, but felt that I owe it to SDS to show my appreciation for another stellar title and in my humble opinion, the best baseball game, and sports game, that I have ever played.

    After 250 games (actually 271 games but 250 sounds better ), MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day. I play this game daily, well almost daily sometimes life interrupts, and after over 250 games played and 5 months since launch, I have yet to become bored with the MLBTS '18. The game simply captures baseball. This is the most authentic baseball game that I've ever played and it is the best sports game overall that I've ever played. In fairness to other sports titles, MLB is the only one on next gen that I play.

    Are there shortcomings and bumps in the road? Sure...every game has them. But for me, the good far outweighs the bad in MLB '18. There are things that I hope are fixed/tweaked/added for '19 and beyond, but what '18 offers, to me is an amazing simulation of my favorite sport.

    Every single game that I've played, and I truly mean this, has felt different and to be its own game. Nothing feels "repeated" nor scripted. Every single game, every single inning, every single AB, every single pitch feels organic.

    I've seen my share of nail biters, blowouts, unbelievable comebacks, and unthinkable collapses. I've seen some "oh my did he just make that play!!!? and "oh my how in the hell did he botch that play?! I've seen pitchers who could tell a hitter what was coming and the hitter would still miss, and I've seen pitchers who would have better success sitting the ball on a tee for the hitter. I've seen bombs that not only did I wonder if they would stay within the park, but also would they stay within the area code. I've seen cans of corn, pop ups, seeing eyed singles, bloopers, frozen ropes down the line, and line drives that nobody in their right mind would try to catch for fear of injury.

    I've seen baseball. I've seen in the MLB '18 what I see on TV. I've played in MLB '18 what I've played in my days of playing the game.

    SDS gets a lot of flack for the bugs, glitches, and shortcomings in the game. They got a lot of flack for the removal of online franchise and season mode. And all deservedly so. We should point out the negatives and issues, as that is how we get an even better game in '19. And no one should lose a favorite mode, especially without it being mentioned up front, from the beginning.

    But they should also receive praise for just how good MLB '18 is, for how well it captures the sport both on the field and off.

    250 games played....and I can't wait to play 250 more.

    Kudos SDS.... to a job well done.
    I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

    I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


    Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals
  • Impetuous65
    MVP
    • Feb 2015
    • 1451

    #2
    Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

    I concur, I have played more games this year than I have any other year. In franchise I have always been play at least one game in the series, sim a game, manage a game and quick count a game. But this year I have been playing a lot of series One because of all the things you mentioned and two the commentary, OSD's and Themes the whole presentation package is so cohesive in context and very very good.
    Last edited by Impetuous65; 08-29-2018, 01:58 PM.

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    • dowie
      MVP
      • Feb 2005
      • 1986

      #3
      Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

      I couldn't agree more. ArmorAndSword's sliders paired with the hybrid rosters = video game baseball simulation heaven.

      Dowie
      Cardinals Nation - For The Lou
      Always a Tiger - Bless You Boys
      How can you not be romantic about baseball?

      Comment

      • FluffyTonka
        MVP
        • Feb 2006
        • 1681

        #4
        Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

        yeah the game is something else ... my last two games were a 11-8 loss with a combined 22 hits in the game, and the very next game was a 2-0 shutout win to me. both against the yankees.

        It's pretty hard in sports gaming to get a wide range of results where every game feels different. But SDS has done exactly that.


        if all they worked on was commentary for next year, i'd be happy.

        Comment

        • dowie
          MVP
          • Feb 2005
          • 1986

          #5
          Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

          Originally posted by FluffyTonka
          yeah the game is something else ... my last two games were a 11-8 loss with a combined 22 hits in the game, and the very next game was a 2-0 shutout win to me. both against the yankees.

          It's pretty hard in sports gaming to get a wide range of results where every game feels different. But SDS has done exactly that.


          if all they worked on was commentary for next year, i'd be happy.
          Y
          eah, as long as it isn't the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball crew

          Dowie
          Cardinals Nation - For The Lou
          Always a Tiger - Bless You Boys
          How can you not be romantic about baseball?

          Comment

          • countryboy
            Growing pains
            • Sep 2003
            • 52727

            #6
            Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

            If Jessica Mendoza is in the game I’ll mute the commentary


            Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
            I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

            I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


            Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

            Comment

            • Armor and Sword
              The Lama
              • Sep 2010
              • 21789

              #7
              Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

              Originally posted by countryboy
              If Jessica Mendoza is in the game I’ll mute the commentary


              Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
              Yeah she is dreadful.
              Now Playing on PS5:
              CFB 26 Hurricanes/Fresno State Year 2
              MLB The Show 25 - 2025 Yankees Year 1
              MLB The Show 25 1985 Yankees Year 1
              Oblivion Remaster



              Follow me on Twitch
              https://www.twitch.tv/armorandsword

              Comment

              • Gagnon39
                Windy City Sports Fan
                • Mar 2003
                • 8544

                #8
                Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                It’s undoubtedly the best sports game I’ve ever played. No question.


                Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
                All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise

                Streaming on Twitch
                https://www.twitch.tv/gagnon39

                Comment

                • Gagnon39
                  Windy City Sports Fan
                  • Mar 2003
                  • 8544

                  #9
                  Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                  Originally posted by countryboy
                  If Jessica Mendoza is in the game I’ll mute the commentary


                  Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports


                  Hopefully there will still be the option to turn down individual broadcasters. And I agree, it’s painful to listen to.


                  Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports
                  All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise

                  Streaming on Twitch
                  https://www.twitch.tv/gagnon39

                  Comment

                  • countryboy
                    Growing pains
                    • Sep 2003
                    • 52727

                    #10
                    Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                    Originally posted by ARoid1313
                    do you play default legend across the board?
                    Yes except for pitch speed sliders for both fastball and offspeed being maxed out.
                    I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

                    I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


                    Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

                    Comment

                    • RogerDodger
                      MVP
                      • Sep 2016
                      • 1082

                      #11
                      Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                      I'm with you, I've played more of this years game than any other. All the way through spring and now I'm about to reach the All Star Game, I've thrown every ball and faced every pitch. Absolutely love the different experience facing each team in a totally different ballpark. Like every game if you wanted to you'd be able to criticise but it's as close a simulation of a sport as we have in gaming and for that, I'm grateful.

                      Comment

                      • mkharsh33
                        Hall Of Fame
                        • Nov 2006
                        • 12771

                        #12
                        Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                        I have played many, many sports video games over the years - on numerous gaming systems.

                        MLB The Show 18 & NBA 2K11 are the two greatest sports titles I've ever played.

                        This game keeps providing things that are fun, informative, visually stunning, audibly surprising, and the "little things" that still come up in the gameplay are amazing. Perfect game? No, hardly close. Some "broken" items I hope get fixed in 19. But I absolute love this game and I appreciate coming here for all the rosters, settings/sliders and discussion on what we're getting out of it. (I recognize there is another thread here where some are saying the exact opposite, and I get that. We're all entitled to our opinions and views. But this game gives you a broad spectrum of outcomes. In a real baseball series you could see scores of 2-1, 10-8 and 6-5. I've had games where I'll get 12 hits, and then the next game I struggle to get 3. THAT'S what I love being captured in this game - variety.)
                        STEELERS INDIANS CELTICS

                        Comment

                        • DJ
                          Hall Of Fame
                          • Apr 2003
                          • 17756

                          #13
                          Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                          I'm annoyed that CB has played more games than I have.

                          Seriously, though, I am completely hooked on MLB The Show 18. I remember picking up my PS4 Pro and pre-ordering this game. Outside of a couple of vacations and a few crazy days at work, I've played this game every day since launch.

                          Quick Counts are a blessing for me, as I can issue/draw more walks and helps me get through games just a little faster. The different presentation options are nice, and I use them all during Franchise mode.

                          Speaking of Franchise, I made it through all 162 games in my Mets franchise. Won over 100 games and wound up losing in 4 games to the Cardinals in the NLDS. My first-ever postseason experience in The Show wasn't a memorable one, lol. I'm 10 games into the 2019 season and as I sit here at work on my lunch break, I'm counting down the time till I get home and can dive back into my fantasy baseball world.

                          I should also mention that I love not feeling like I have to touch the sliders. I have been running on default across the board since early April (had only adjusted pitch speed prior) and don't see that changing soon.

                          You also owe it to yourself to experience this game on a 4K TV setup with a PS4 Pro.
                          Currently Playing:
                          MLB The Show 25 (PS5)

                          Comment

                          • countryboy
                            Growing pains
                            • Sep 2003
                            • 52727

                            #14
                            Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                            Originally posted by DJ
                            I'm annoyed that CB has played more games than I have.
                            I have no life...

                            Originally posted by Caulfield
                            Yeah but CB plays as St. Louie, so how much fun can he really be having
                            HEY!!!
                            I can't shave with my eyes closed, meaning each day I have to look at myself in the mirror and respect who I see.

                            I miss the old days of Operation Sports :(


                            Louisville Cardinals/St.Louis Cardinals

                            Comment

                            • TripleCrown
                              MVP
                              • Jan 2013
                              • 1238

                              #15
                              Re: After 250 games, MLB The Show '18 feels as new as it did on launch day

                              I do agree with you Countryboy, this iteration is a lot of fun. Franchise mode needs a lot of love in the future and I can’t imagine how great this game can be.

                              I’m just a bit disappointed as of september 1st (almost) we still see some stats presentation not fixed yet ( pitchers stats sometimes, the 4th inning minors leagues stats and some other few presentation glitches). Other than that gameplay is fabulous.

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