Critic Reviews
Overall, MLB The Show 17 builds on last year's version, which many cited as the best in the series, by adding some key features and improvements. Most notable are increased hit variety, MLB Network integration, and the RTTS documentary. All of these additions make the game feel more like real baseball. This authenticity makes games more fun to play, as it's easier than ever to become invested in every pitch.
Masterfully balances the needs of old and new players alike – but online teething problems are a curveball Sony has to overcome for the game to truly prosper.
Road to the Show’s story isn’t captivating, but that’s a small blemish in a monster of a game that knocks most of its content out of the park
Sony's long-running baseball sim returns, with better action on the field, and more options off it.
Time will tell if the changes to MLB the Show 17 establish a new foundation for what is enjoyed five years from now. In the present, though, it is still a richly illustrated, seductively appealing depiction of the National Pastime.
At first blush, MLB The Show 17 is more of the same; but when taken together, it's actually a great update. It brings with it a lot of small but much-needed tweaks to the play on the field, and the graphics have never looked so good. Even better, Franchise mode actually feels approachable now. It leaves some opportunities on the table, but MLB The Show is still a great baseball sim that feels that much better with this year's update.
Annoyances aside, MLB The Show 17 continues to iterate without the technical baggage a few games back. Beyond the attempts to monetize players through microtransactions (which mainly work as boosts), I didn't really have any major issues with any given aspect of the game. We're only a few more days out until the 2017 season, and I'm counting on using The Show as my companion for it.
The Show is still striving for perfection, but if you love baseball and video games, you need this in your life.
It’s always easy to recommend The Show, and even easier on its best years. While there are still a few rough spots, it’s hard to look at this year’s edition and not come away impressed by the sheer amount of content and modes, as well as the polished gameplay and player experience improvements. This is a gigantic care package of baseball, with countless ways to play the game for both hardcore and fair weather fans alike. I’ll be spending lots of time with this game all year, even when my Tigers inevitably hit a brick wall in August (prove me wrong, boys – prove me wrong). MLB: The Show ’17 is a love letter to baseball and its fans, and one of the secret best reasons to own a PS4.
MLB The Show 17 has changed and it has became an even better game. Well done!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sony has rarely struck out with their annual MLB The Show series and this year's entry manages to keep that trend going. With the worthwhile improvements to Road to the Show, Franchise Mode, and the incredibly fun Retro Mode, San Diego Studio has knocked it out of the park with MLB The Show 17.
MLB The Show 17 is another solid entry into an increasingly solid franchise. It slips a bit with the new additions like a tweaked Road to the Show and Critical Situations, but it succeeds in a silly, wholly enjoyable retro mode. But even with the negatives, the MLB The Show series is enjoyable enough to mask those bumps and bruises. MLB The Show 17 is another bullet-point in a historically successful sports franchise.
A must-have for every baseball fan out there, MLB The Show 17 improves everything over the previous chapter, delivering a game that's beautiful to see, but even more beautiful to play, especially the new storyline mode.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Changes in physics and AI make the game more realistic and enjoyable, but there are still some issues with AI player decision making that can detract from the final product. Road to the Show mode is still fun with a new documentary twist, but it's ultimately the same mode as last year. The Show 17 is a good title for baseball fans new and old, but don't expect anything mind blowing this time around.
To say I'm pleased with my return to the series after a brief hiatus is an understatement. This feels exactly like the Show I remember with some fantastic additions.
In a class by itself, San Diego Studios continues to wow audiences with an authentic baseball sim with its newly released MLB The Show 17. It’s visually astounding, and all games modes have that extra something to keep you playing long into the night with only a few significant things keeping it from statistical perfection.
…compared to years passed, player animations, ball spin physics, and defensive AI are noticeably improved.
There might not be a lot of competition for the best baseball sim title, but MLB The Show 17 knocks this one out of the park. It's a massive, multi-mode effort with fantastic graphics and a flexible approach that lets you enjoy it in your own way, and with Retro mode and Diamond Dynasty it has both casual gamers and the hardcore baseball fan sewn up.
MLB The Show 2017 has now became the best baseball game, in terms of game modes, gameplay innovations and graphics. It should be considered as one of the best sports simulations available.
Review in French | Read full review