With the Major League Baseball season starting this weekend, it’s also time to step into the digital batter’s box. Sony, which has an exclusivity deal locked down with MLB, once again has the only game in town, and developer SCE San Diego Studio has done plenty to get its game into midseason mode despite the lack of competition. Like all the PS4 entries that came before were at the time, MLB The Show 16 is the pinnacle of what a baseball game can be with current technology — even if some nagging legacy issues have still stuck around in the clubhouse.
Game: MLB The Show 16
Consoles: PS4 (reviewed), PS3
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCE San Diego Studio
Release Date: March 29
The emphasis this year is on finding ways to simulate what it feels like to wield the skill level of some of the best players in the game. That starts with the basic details, such as emulating the panther-like batting stance of Miguel Cabrera to the flame-throwing windup of Jake Arrieta. The biggest leap in realism, though, comes from something more fitting in a sci-fi flick: ShowTime mode, which brings the framerate down to a standstill as you aim your throw to gun down a runner from centerfield or tag a runner on the basepaths barehanded and sling the ball to first base to complete a double play. By slowing down the game, you feel like a pro in complete control of his skillset.
There are other power-ups to be had. Single-use, perks — disabled in online play — that temporarily boost your attributes and allow you to pull off clutch plays abound, and you can snag them in a training mode that lets you stock up on the game-changers. The RPG-style feel is echoed in the always-stellar Road to the Show mode, which lets you start a career as a struggling minor leaguer, then build up your talents as you climb your way through the ranks and make a name for yourself on the big club. Streamlined gameplay helps you skip through the dull parts of the journey, making the climb seem less tedious.
A trading card-based team-building mode continues to ape the success of EA Sports’ similar concepts, such as Madden Ultimate Team. Players who want to get a head start on the good stuff will probably want to opt for the MVP Edition, which includes several premium card packs, as well as in-game cash, called Stubs, that can be exchanged for other players and perks. Classic players, such as Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson and Joe Morgan, pop up in this mode. Letting them take the field against current stars is a thrill that doesn’t get old.
MLB The Show 16 may still struggle from past problems, such as stiff player animations and play-by-play that tends to lose track of what’s going down on the field, but the improvements offset any struggles and make the game an absolute must-by for any obsessive MLB fan. An ongoing stream of updates and adjustments, starting with a day one download patch that promises to smooth out some of the fielding struggles, are sure to keep the game lively as the long season rolls on. The grass is cut, hope springs eternal and it’s time to play ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNkkCApSOhI
ORDER: MLB The Show 16 here
ORDER: MLB The Show 16 MVP Edition here
MLB The Show 16 Reviews Around The Web:
“A smarter — not to mention, better-animated — baseball video game than previous titles in the series.” –Tech Times
“Based on the way your player performs in a series of drills, he’ll get an initial set of attributes. That’s a very welcome change to the create-a-player concept.” –Bleacher Report
“If you love to play baseball games this is your choice.” –Gotta Be Mobile
MLB The Show 16 Screenshots
The publisher provided a review copy.
