After a less than normal 2020 season, baseball is back in full force with a full-length season and the return of fans to stadiums. For baseball fans that also find themselves to be gamers, this time of year is often doubly exciting due to the release of the next installment in theMLB The Showseries.MLB The Show 21did not release prior to the start of the MLB season like most games in the series, but it’s for good reason.Developer San Diego Studiohas been working hard to make this year’s installment one of the most memorable, and the wait should prove to be worth it.
As far as sports simulation games are concerned,MLB The Showhas consistently delivered a thorough baseball experience. The level of detail that goes into the game is second to none, as the best players in the league are given life-like in-game models, and stadiums are recreated with a painstaking level of detail. Gameplay has also been consistently solid, giving gamers the option of using more arcade-y controls or controls that challenge them to think like a big league player.MLB The Show 21looks to be continuing this level of quality by giving fans more of what they love, while also making some welcome additions.
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New Features
Compared to previous games in the series,MLB The Show 21appears to be making the most improvements to the franchise as a whole. San Diego Studio has spent the month leading up to the game’s release showing off all kinds of new features and adjustments to the game. Gameplay mechanics like fielding and hitting have received some improvements, andMLB The Show’s pitchingwill be getting a more precise control scheme called pinpoint pitching. The game’s offline modes, Franchise and Road to the Show, will also be getting some minor improvements to make them more immersive.
Perhaps the most significant addition toMLB The Show21is the long-requested stadium creator mode. This next-gen exclusive mode will allow players to create the baseball stadium of their dreams. Everything from the height and distance of outfield walls to the various cosmetics of the park is up to the discretion of players. These custom stadiums will also be usable in both offline and online modes, which should make every game unique and exciting. Stadium creator was at the top of a lot of players' wishlists forThe Show 21, so it should prove to be a standout feature.
Playstation Exclusive No More
MLB The Showhas been a Playstation exclusive for as long as the franchise has existed, but that’s all changing withMLB The Show 21. For the first time ever, the game is coming to Xbox consoles at launch, and on top of thatThe Show 21will be added to Xbox Game Passthe very same day it releases. To sweeten things even more,The Show 21will have cross-play and cross-progression so that fans can play with whoever they want, however they want. This move should do a lot to bring Playstation and Xbox players together, and it could allow San Diego Studio to enhance future games even more thanks to the larger market.
MLB The Show 21looks like it will be one of the most exciting versions of the game yet, and that’s saying something for a yearly sports game. Where series likeMaddenandFIFAtend to make only minimal changes year over year,The Showhas routinely stood out among the rest as a consistently solid sports sim. Now thatMLB: The Show is coming to next-genand Xbox consoles for the first time, it will likely have a lot of expectations behind it. Fans will just have to wait a little longer than usual to see ifMLB The Show 21is a home run.
MLB The Show 21releases April 20 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
