Over recent years, Sony San Diego’s MLB The Show series has cemented its position as the gold standard in baseball gaming. While competitors have stumbled, The Show has consistently innovated, refining its gameplay and expanding its offerings. MLB The Show 24 maintains this tradition, delivering a polished on-field experience coupled with a diverse range of game modes to cater to every baseball fan.
This year’s iteration doesn’t introduce sweeping gameplay changes. Given the already excellent on-field action established in recent entries, this is hardly a drawback. Players familiar with MLB The Show 23 will likely experience a minor adjustment period as they reacquaint themselves with lower-rated players in Diamond Dynasty. However, these gameplay tweaks are largely minimal.
Expanding the Diamond: More Ways to Play
mlb-the-show-24-women-pave-the-way.jpgSony San Diego’s focus this year has been on providing players with even more ways to engage with the refined gameplay engine. One of the most noteworthy additions is the inclusion of women in MLB The Show 24, following in the footsteps of EA Sports FC 24. This integration is seamless, allowing players to create female Road to the Show characters and experience the historical journey of Toni Stone in Storylines mode. After completing Stone’s story, players can even add her to their Diamond Dynasty roster. While a comprehensive Road to the Show experience requires further playtime, the inclusion of women is commendably executed.
Storylines: A Home Run for Historical Immersion
Speaking of Storylines, this mode continues to be a standout feature in MLB The Show 24. Following last year’s inaugural season focusing on the Negro Leagues, season two expands on this compelling narrative. Four stories are available at launch, with six more slated for release over the coming months. This staggered release strategy effectively maintains player engagement while providing a steady stream of high-rated Negro Leagues players for Diamond Dynasty.
Jeter’s Journey: A Familiar Tale
A more contemporary storyline has also been introduced, centering on the early career of Derek Jeter. While offering an enjoyable experience with unique rewards, Jeter’s story lacks the same historical depth as the Negro Leagues narrative. Jeter’s inclusion likely boosts marketability, but his story is already well-known to most baseball enthusiasts. Exploring lesser-known players and their contributions to the sport might have been a more compelling choice. While not a negative addition, it represents a missed opportunity for deeper historical exploration.
Refining the Franchise: Small Changes, Big Impact
Similar to the gameplay adjustments, most game modes have received subtle enhancements that some players might overlook. Franchise mode, for instance, now tracks player awards directly on their cards, a welcome improvement over manual tracking. Enhanced game-jumping options streamline franchise seasons for players who prefer not to play every game, striking a balance between full franchise management and the more focused March to October mode.
Diamond Dynasty: Navigating the Long Season
mlb-the-show-24-vlad-bat-flip.jpgThe most significant change to Diamond Dynasty is the extended season length, resulting in Team Affinity drops being divided into three mini-seasons. The intention is to provide a more substantial content stream, but its long-term impact remains to be seen. Evaluating live service elements at launch is always challenging, as their true nature unfolds over time. While the potential for content fatigue exists, it’s unlikely to be as disruptive as the Auction House removal in NBA 2K24. Player frustration might arise if content grows stale, but it’s unlikely to fundamentally damage the mode.
However, Diamond Dynasty is not without its flaws. Online play still suffers from the unpredictable nature of player behavior. For example, players can currently exploit online pitching to quickly accumulate Team Affinity points. This can lead to encounters with opponents who are merely going through the motions, impacting the overall experience. While not currently game-breaking, this exploit could become problematic if left unaddressed by Sony San Diego.
A Solid Swing: Minor Flaws, Major Strengths
Despite some minor shortcomings, MLB The Show 24 remains a remarkable baseball simulation. Jeter’s prominent role in Storylines and the somewhat underdeveloped narrative in Road to the Show are ultimately minor blemishes. Creating compelling narratives for annual sports releases is inherently challenging. The core on-field gameplay is as refined as ever, and Sony San Diego continues to expand the content offerings in engaging ways. For baseball fans, this is an essential purchase. For anyone seeking a top-tier sports gaming experience, MLB The Show 24 remains the undisputed champion.
Rating: 4 out of 5
MLB The Show 24 is available now on PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox platforms. A review copy of the game was provided by the publisher for this review.
