REVIEW – For two decades, PlayStation has had its own annual baseball series called MLB The Show, which has positioned itself as the leading brand in the sector and has seen other competitors fall by the wayside, demonstrating that it takes a lot of skill and dedication to consolidate a long-term product that continues to be well received by consumers.

Whenever a new sports season begins, there is always concern about the number of changes or new features that developers seek to include, as in many cases only the templates are updated. In the case of MLB The Show 25, there are noticeable changes that provide a more immersive experience and, above all, offer endless hours of fun.

Diamond Quest

One of the great additions to MLB The Show 25 is the Diamond Quest feature, which is available as a section within Diamond Dynasty mode. Diamond Quest appeals to rogue-like experiences, displaying a board where you roll the dice to advance turns and face enemies in the purest style of traditional role-playing games, but instead of turn-based battles, you must take control of specific situations in baseball games.

If you meet the objectives, you will gain experience, upgrades, and collectible cards, but you may also receive penalties or consequences if your performance was not as expected. This experiment has been a resounding success, as it is addictive and mixes the nostalgia of remembering iconic moments from the major leagues. One very interesting aspect is that you start from scratch with your card packs and face real players, so the difficulty level is high. As you progress, you will face more complex challenges—which are not without luck—that will sometimes affect not only your performance in Diamond Quest but also your entire Diamond Dynasty.

Reimagining the technical side

MLB The Show 25 has been polished up and, thanks to ShowTech technology, the movements are much more realistic, as not only have new animations been added, but players are now able to react to different situations, guessing what kind of pitch each pitcher will throw, which has a direct impact on batting. Familiarization in this area is very simple, and once these concepts are mastered, it is possible to implement multiple strategies according to the behavior of the opposing team. Although the title in question has no improvements for PS5 Pro, the graphics of both the athletes and the stadiums are spectacular, and it is a good thing that there is no PS4 version to weigh down the audiovisual aspect, because although there is still an adaptation for Nintendo Switch, it is noticeably inferior and more of a facelift compared to its predecessor.

This year’s updates in MLB The Show 25 begin with a strategic focus directly on the field of play. One of the most innovative additions is the Ambush Hitting system, which adds an element of realistic analysis to batting, allowing you to choose between focusing on pitches inside or outside the center of the plate. On the defensive side, improvements focus on giving greater prominence to defenders, who stand out for their quick and fluid movements to where they need to be positioned, while others, with more erratic movements, lose essential fractions of a second. A notable addition is the new swimming motion for base runners, which allows them to perform evasive maneuvers when trying to avoid an out. These dynamics not only add depth to the gameplay, but also enhance authenticity and realism, making each game feel more strategic and exciting.

MLB The Show 25’s first-person camera revolutionizes the way sports simulators are experienced both now and in the medium to long term. This feature allows the user to experience the game from their character’s perspective, offering immersion that improves the connection with the field and the actions of the game. Similarly, the ability to switch between perspectives at any time makes the system adaptable and balanced, facilitating both individual and strategic team approaches. This functionality had never been present in this franchise before, although other companies such as 2K Games had already tried it in the early 2000s, offering first-person views in sports such as American football, hockey, and, of course, baseball. However, San Diego Studio’s revival of this idea opens the door to future applications in virtual reality.

Like the 2024 edition, the menu interface is very intuitive and there is a lot of content available from the start so you can enjoy all the available modes, and the control settings are very user-friendly, meaning you can set up a very casual profile or a professional one. The PlayStation 5 version was used for this review, and the DualSense works perfectly, marking a slight difference from the Xbox Series adaptation, but it is not a determining factor. The sound is also remarkable, whether you’re using headphones or a home theater system, as you can hear the game commentary and ambient noise, the special effects of the stadium, and, of course, the contact of the bat with the ball. The soundtrack is very diverse, bringing together artists such as Bad Bunny, CARRTOONS & Nigel Hall, De La Soul, Gamalier, JD McPherson, Kal Banx Smino & Buddy, Kendrick Lamar, Kenny Beats, Liza, Lupe Fiasco, Naughty By Nature, Oh He Dead, SiR & Anderson, Paak, Trombone Shorty, Vince Staples, and Wilderwater, to name a few.

Multiple changes, from amateur to legend

In this section, I will delve into the most relevant aspects that have changed since last year’s edition and that make a significant difference. On the other hand, the traditional modes of quick start, road to October, online play, Home Run Derby, and stadium creation, among others, will not be discussed in detail as they reflect a very similar experience.

Road to the Show: The inclusion of the amateur league takes us to the beginning of a baseball career, starting in high school. Here, players not only have the opportunity to participate in competitive games, but also face the additional challenge of impressing college recruiters to obtain scholarships. Along the way, you will see how the pressure and stress level increases. Although the number of educational institutions is limited, it is expected that more will be added either through an update or in future installments of the series.

Road to Level 99: This mechanic represents a substantial change in the way you can develop your character. The traditional linear progression has now been discarded, giving players greater control over their attributes through the use of tokens earned while playing, allowing them to prioritize specific skills, such as throwing accurately or developing a fast batter with good control on the bases. This level of customization reinforces the idea of creating a baseball player who excels in their strengths and compensates for their weaknesses.

Franchise: This mode received one of the most significant updates with the introduction of The Front Office Experience. This change makes team management more strategic, while adding a layer of realism by including more accurate and detailed economic factors. Among the most notable new features is the redesign of the Free Agency system, which has become significantly more challenging but also much more rewarding. With the implementation of the Big Board, players have access to a global view of available free agents, allowing them to better plan and prioritize their objectives.

In addition, the system takes into account factors such as individual player motivations, market conditions, and alignment with team needs. This forces users to consider not only a player’s talent, but also how they fit into the team’s overall strategy, adding a level of depth that did not exist before. The complexity is also reflected in salaries, which now more accurately represent real market values and arbitration figures. Together, these adjustments make each decision more relevant and meaningful, reinforcing the feeling of tactical management in this mode.

Weekend Diamond Dynasty: The new Weekend Classic Mode is an addition designed for the most competitive Diamond Dynasty players. This mode consists of a high-level tournament that takes place at the end of each ranked regular season. The difficulty lies in the fact that only players with a high enough ranking can participate, and the better their ranking, the more challenging the opponents and the greater the rewards. While exciting for advanced gamers, the level of demand can be overwhelming for more casual audiences. However, this aspect adds an additional layer of competitiveness and rewards the effort and skill demonstrated during the season.

The legendary Negro Leagues season

The third season of Storylines: The Negro Leagues in MLB The Show 25 reaffirms its position as one of the most innovative and immersive experiences, combining gameplay challenges with history, narrated by the charismatic Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Museum. This year, the main stars are James “Cool Papa” Bell and Wilbur “Bullet Joe” Rogan, two icons who marked a turning point in the sport. Bell, famous for being the fastest player in professional baseball history, left an indelible legacy with his speed and skill on the bases. On the other hand, Rogan, considered a pioneer in his time, combined elite pitching with explosive hitting, becoming a player comparable to today’s Shohei Ohtani. In this adventure, much emphasis has been placed on historical elements, as well as on uniforms, equipment, and stadiums that have been accurately recreated. This level of authenticity not only enriches the player experience but also serves as a respectful tribute to the era and the athletes who shone in it. This season’s content is being released gradually, with some players available at launch and others to be added in future updates.

A must-play, even for casual fans

I won’t pretend I’m a pro at MLB The Show. I’m impatient at the plate, I get easily frustrated by pitchers, and I should be more strategic. But perhaps the biggest compliment I can give is that despite all that, I keep coming back.

MLB The Show 25 takes an already fantastic foundation and makes it even better. This is a franchise that never needed a complete overhaul, yet the developers have still found ways to elevate it.

There are simply no weak points in this game, and once again, MLB The Show reigns supreme in the sports gaming market.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developer: San Diego Studio

Genre: Sports, Baseball

Release Date: March 19, 2025