MLB The Show 23 Reviews
MLB The Show 23 is a better all-round package than last year's outing, thanks in large part to the new Storylines mode that adds a well-presented and educational history lesson for players to get involved in. In terms of this Switch port, presentation is perfectly acceptable, with the expected graphical downgrades made, but the frame rate can still be troublesome in places, making for play that feels sluggish in comparison to other platforms. This issue aside, though, this is a solid port that brings all the modes found in other versions of the game, making for a decent overall option for MLB fans.
While not a lot has changed in terms of ways to play MLB The Show 23, the experience on the field is much improved.
MLB The Show 23 has the same problems as other sports simulation experiences in recent months. The series seems to stagnate and doesn't bring enough novelties to push fans to pay for it every year. While we were used to the SIE San Diego team innovating every year, this is no longer the case. The integration of the shared save, the presence from the release on the Xbox Game Pass service or the excellent storylines mode featuring The Negro Leagues are not enough. If the gameplay is still as good as ever, it is not possible for me to recommend the purchase to a player who already has last year's edition. Not to mention that the title still doesn't offer translation in languages other than English.
Review in French | Read full review
Fundamentally, though, MLB the Show 23 is a good game. MLB the Show 22 was a good game. Adding the Negro Leagues mode was noble from Sony (and no doubt the kind of goodwill-generating progressive addition that will keep the licensor happy with how Sony is treating the IP). However, the misstep with the World Baseball League and a complete unwillingness to build on any mode but the awful Diamond Dynasty also make this year’s The Show unacceptable. If you missed last year’s iteration, then you can add a couple of stars to this score, because for you, it won’t be one of the most cynical annual iterations that we’ve seen in sports games for quite some time. For the rest of us, though. No. Not good enough.
While still fundamentally the same, MLB The Show 23 succeeds in adding a new feature that really adds to the overall value of the game. The Negro Leagues is a triumphant addition, highlighting not only these icons of the sport but also showing their path to recognition. Even as a newcomer to the sport, it’s not hard to recognize the work put into this mode, which should be considered a staple moving forward.
MLB The Show 23 is a welcome sight for those looking to get acquainted with America’s previous favorite pastime.
MLB The Show 23 is the lead sports simulator when it comes to presentation and design. But with greater focus being given to fantasy and history game modes, The Show 23 appears to be moving further from the single-player mode it's named for.
MLB: The Show 23 is a game of continuity, with immense inherited from last year's edition, accompanied by refinements that will be appreciated only by the most dedicated and after long hours on the field. The story mode focused on the Negro Leagues deserves praise and the adjustments made to streamline the gameplay as well, make things better than in last year's edition, even if everything seems too equal.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Part of the reason it feels like MLB The Show 23 is treading water is that, for so many years, it was far and away the best sports game available. When you nail a sport so accurately, all that's left is the sort of tinkering around the edges that MLB The Show 23 does here. But unless you have a burning need to play as Satchel Paige -- and who could blame you if you do -- it makes it really difficult to see why you'd want to pick it up rather than just sticking with MLB The Show 22.
I am almost 50 years old now. I was once the daily newspaper reporter for Cooperstown itself. Buddy, I chewed tobacco when I played T-ball, and I am bonded to baseball through my father and friendships going back to kindergarten. Still, MLB The Show 23 found a way to teach me something about the sport, and give me new reason to love it.
In totality, MLB The Show 23 offers a deep baseball simulation with a variety of new features to gameplay, Diamond Dynasty and franchise mode, but almost nothing new in RTTS.
We'll have plenty more deep diving MLB The Show 23 and its various modes in the weeks to come.