MLB The Show 25 Review (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, & PC)

When thinking of buying MLB The Show 25, especially when you have a copy of MLB The Show 24, the question at the forefront of your mind will be whether the new changes and improvements justify a new entry. It’s the same question I believe San Diego Studios will have attempted to ease, with renovations claimed to have been added to the new game. 

But are the renovations significant enough to take notice? Do they elevate the story and gameplay to provide a better playthrough? Or would you be better off sticking to MLB The Show 24, perhaps even MLB The Show 23? 

In our MLB The Show 25 review below, let’s examine all the features offered in the new game, the gaming experience, and how worthwhile it looks and feels to both casual and veteran players.

On the Whole

Put simply, the new features and improvements added to MLB The Show 25 aren’t big enough to stand out from the predecessor, MLB The Show 24. For the most part, the game modes and how they play remain the same. 

San Diego Studios is aware that the foundation that has been there for MLB The Show 24 and MLB The Show 23 works. So, it’s unsurprising that they have decided to still stick to the same recipe. 

The Look

Visually, comparing MLB The Show 24 and MLB The Show 25 side by side hardly reveals significant overhauls. However, when you play the new game, subtle improvements begin to show. The animations are smoother and more realistic. Whether the player or AI-controlled characters they play and react more naturally in more varied ways than you might easily predict. 

Yet the character models still look a bit choppy, especially up close. Spectators, too, can have low textures, with graphics becoming less detailed the farther up the stands. In any case, MLB The Show 23 and MLB The Show 24’s visuals were already smooth and fluid. So, San Diego Studios retaining a similar look and feel doesn’t really come as a surprise.

And Feel

Gameplay-wise, the foundation of MLB The Show 24 carries forward into MLB The Show 25. As a veteran, you should have a soft landing on the new game. Whether pitching, batting, or fielding, the controls and mechanics remain largely the same.

Yet just like the visuals, there are subtle changes that have been added to the controls. You’ll realize the controls are more fluid and responsive. This is definitely the highest caliber of baseball video gaming you could ever enjoy in a simulation game. 

What’s New?

The subtle improvements have been made all the more attractive by the new features added to the new game. Though not big leaps in innovation, you’ll find new features like the “Ambush Hitting” mechanic, a more advanced version of “Guess the Pitch” added to all the game modes that raise the risk-versus-reward of gameplay.

You’ll also find welcome changes to the Road to the Show mode that adds a high school and college run to the feat of taking your player through to the big leagues. Storylines, too, have a new set of legends to discover their passions and skills. Meanwhile, Diamond Dynasty has Diamond Quest, which plays like a rogue-lite with big rewards. 

Whether all the new changes combined justify buying the new game depends on whether you’re a casual or a veteran. Casual players who haven’t played MLB The Show in a while will find that MLB The Show 25 offers the best baseball realistic simulation video gaming experience.

However, veterans who’ve religiously played MLB The Show 23 and MLB The Show 24 will find the new features and improvements hardly any significant leaps in innovation to create a fresh experience. If anything, MLB The Show 25 is MLB The Show 24, just with tweaks here and there that, dare I say, are added so San Diego Studios puts out a new game. 

A Closer Look

When you are more critical of the new changes added to MLB The Show 25, is when you might begin to value the new entry. Take the visual enhancements, for example, largely focusing on the animations. You’ll find hundreds of new animations added to the new game that allows players to react more naturally, whether pitching, batting, or fielding.

With a dozen different ways players respond to fielding, MLB The Show 25 achieves unique animations that make it feel more real and true to a live baseball broadcast. You might have also seen the first-person new fielding camera feature. While it was expected to make fielding feel more immersive, third-person still remains the easier way to play.

Ambush Hit

The next most significant change is the new Ambush Hitting mechanic. It takes effect when batting alongside a toggled-on PCI, hit cursor, and requires that you choose whether the incoming pitch will go to the inside or outside. You’ll liken it to the previous “Guess the Pitch” mechanic, except it’s more accurate.

Make the right “guess,” and the hit cursor will enlarge to better your chances of making a perfect hit. Make the wrong choice, though, and there’ll be consequences, essentially lowering your chances of making a perfect hit. So, it’s ultimately a risk-versus-reward scenario of determining whether to cash in during critical moments when playing with a lower-ranking player and boost their chances of making a great hit, generally increasing the batting stat of a player or the downside that can at times be damaging to your progress.

In any case, for casual gamers, it can seem like a minor change. However, veterans will see a big opportunity to finesse their way through the various game modes. They will enjoy learning the opposing pitcher’s tendencies and how they throw the ball to attempt to make an accurate prediction of the location of an incoming pitch.

Back in High School

Besides Ambush Hitting, another significant change is in Road to the Show game mode. Players can now begin their baseball career in high school, move on to college, and get drafted into the big leagues. It’s definitely sweet to learn new skills and sharpen your expertise through several games in high school.

Gradually, you’ll make your way to college and compete against seven schools. Yet, it can feel a little less in-depth. The real meat of Road to the Show is in the big leagues. The amateur years, although welcome, are a little rushed, and you find yourself wishing your player had made it to the big leagues already. 

While on the subject, the progression system has seen tweaks here and there. You now have tokens that track Contact, Power, Fielding, Throwing, and Baserunning. While more streamlined, progression can feel like a grind. Even when you’re doing everything right, your player’s ranking could still be low, with your manager constantly urging you: “Step it up” and that you’re not “playing to your potential.”

Story Time

The storylines follow stars James “Cool Papa” Bell, Wilber “Bullet Joe” Rogan, and Norman “Turkey” Stearnes across seven episodes each and a total of 21 episodes. You’ll probably have on-the-surface knowledge of these athletes. But the storylines go in-depth into their careers. It’s an engaging way to discover their lives and their performance on the field. For Storylines, it’s always been great, and MLB The Show 25 continues the tradition. 

Play Your Cards Right

As for Diamond Dynasty, Sets and Seasons are no more. Now, long-time players can enjoy the freedom of team-building without worrying about cards becoming obsolete. However, gamers who didn’t mind the card system and were fine with the grinding for top-tier players won’t see much of a change to the base gameplay. 

Meanwhile, though, you’ll find new Diamond Quest and Weekend Classic sub-modes. The former is the most significant, as it plays like a rogue lite and can potentially net you handsome rewards. 

The GOAT

You can try your luck in the G.O.A.T. difficulty level. But be prepared to have your ass handed to you. Your accuracy needs to be on point, as does your timing. Make a slight mistake, and the consequences will be damning. But don’t be afraid to dial it back to Competitive, Simulation, or even Casual level. That way, you can enjoy a more satisfying, stress-free playthrough.

Online Play

While online Franchise mode remains a no-show, the local and multiplayer game modes have received their own noteworthy renovations. Whether Diamond Quest, Weekend Classic, or Ranked Play, you should have a great co-op or competitive time with friends, as the core gameplay remains largely the same. 

Verdict

MLB The Show 25 remains largely the same as its predecessor, which has been a recurrent statement in this review. When you take away the subtle changes and improvements across the various game modes, at its core, MLB The Show 25 is MLB The Show 24. So, what makes the new game worth your time and money?

Well, casual gamers who haven’t played MLB The Show in a while will find the recent entry the best baseball simulation gaming experience. Veterans, meanwhile, when especially keen on the finer details, may appreciate the smoother animations, tactical “Ambush Hitting” mechanic, hefty Diamond Quest rewards, and more.