MLB 15: The Show Reviews
It's weird when you feel so unenthusiastic about a game that you know is "good." This used to be a series that I would never miss. These days, I'd probably take a long break from The Show if I could.
MLB 15 The Show is the best-looking sports game ever made, and it plays great too. Its game modes have grown stale, however, which begs the question: Is stupendous on-field action and stunning visuals enough?
Sony's MLB franchise remains the undisputed king of virtual baseball games. MLB 15: The Show is a visual stunner and for yet another year the franchise has made a leap into becoming a more authentic Major League Baseball experience. Despite this, the franchise is becoming somewhat stagnant and in need of some real innovation.
Minor refinements have noticeable impact on MLB 15: The Show, another rousing simulation of the national pastime.
MLB 15: The Show is the most accurate representation of the sport yet again, but feels more like a roster update than anything else, outside of a few improvements here and there.
MLB 15: The Show smoothes out some issues that MLB 14 had last year. The graphical portion of the game is the biggest improvement with MLB 15 and something you'll see right from the start. In addition to visuals, the game's upgrades and additions in its modes, as well as some unexpected elements, make it a much better experience than last year's title.
MLB 15: The Show doesn't bring a lot of really impressive upgrades to the table, but that doesn't change the fact that it's still a really good baseball sim. I'm consistently impressed by its strong physics engine, the attention to detail afforded the stadiums, and the tight design of Road to the Show. If you have even a passing interest in baseball, you owe it to yourself to play MLB: The Show at least once.
MLB 15: The Show's level of perfectionism is obsessive, making it a necessary pairing for baseball traditionalists.
I've never been one to buy into the concept that sports video games do not change enough from year to year. I have always felt that if you are dedicated to a series, you will notice the changes. Unfortunately for my positive mind, MLB 15: The Show broke that idea as the game I called the "king of sports franchises" last year, has put out a mostly underwhelming product. There are one or two minor additions that are enjoyable, but the Diamond Dynasty continues to bore despite its overhaul. The King's crown has fallen off with MLB 15: The Show, and only time will tell if Sony San Diego can pick it up come MLB 16: The Show's release.
MLB 15: The Show doesn't really launch us into a new stratosphere of simulation gaming. The upgrades and improvements are there but a lot the game still feels underwhelming, simply due to its age. Even so, it's impossible not to recommend this game to baseball lovers, as the purity and authenticity of the mechanics and physics, engrossing Road to the Show Mode, and unrestrained depth can keep you entertained for many months.
MLB 15: The Show has enough subtle additions to gameplay and graphics to keep returning fans satisfied. Online issues have been addressed, there's more customization and control than ever before, and the addition of legends will please baseball purists. Even if you're a newcomer this season, look no further than this year's solid entry in the storied franchise.
Now, if you're new to PlayStation with the PlayStation 4 and you love baseball? Get MLB 15: The Show. There isn't much to complain about for new players at all.
You might not feel blown away by The Show 15 with anything new, but you'll be blown away once more by everything that this series has done right for so long.
MLB 15 The Show takes the field with equipment, experience, and an improved network. All in all, gamers are bequeathed with a finished product that's, universal, immersive, and also accompanied by a one-of-a-kind Diamond Dynasty mode that will certainly inspire game modes from now on.
MLB 15: The Show has improved in just about every conceivable area from its previous incarnation. So why does it feel so stale?
MLB 15 The Show is yet another title in a series that provides Playstation users with a wonderful and enjoyable series of baseball games.
While still a fun and accurate depiction of America's pastime, MLB 15: The Show does little to move the franchise forward, and is hampered by the same recurring online issues.
Sony San Diego's hardball sim only sees incremental changes this year, but several of them—particularly directional hitting—are welcome. The core game remains solid and even spectacular in places, but online continues to be a total joke.
This year's "Show" continues the series' tradition of being a gorgeous taste of what its like to play professional sports. It's so gorgeous that it's not only the best looking sports game out there, it's in the running for best looking game period. Some scenes make it difficult to differentiate from the real thing. This is the baseball sim gold standard, but compared to what? It's the best baseball game because it's the only baseball game. Marginal improvements will continue to be the trend for this series until another team comes along to give it some competition.
It's become one of the most reliable franchises in games for a reason. MLB 15: The Show continues to deliver a user-friendly baseball experience, while faithfully piecing together the subtle nuances of America's pastime.