MLB The Show 17

MLB The Show 17 is a Major League Baseball (MLB) video game developed by Sony San Diego and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the twelfth entry of the MLB: The Show franchise, and was released on March 28, 2017, exclusively for the PlayStation 4. The American cover features Ken Griffey Jr..^[1] Aaron Sanchez is the cover athlete for the Canadian version, and Wei-Yin Chen is on the Taiwanese cover.^[2]

MLB The Show 17, like the previous games in the series, is based on the sport of Baseball; more specifically, it simulates the experience of Major League Baseball (MLB). Several game modes are included, such as Road to The Show, where the player creates a customizable player and plays through their career to the major leagues, Franchise, where the player controls an entire organization, and Diamond Dynasty, where the player creates a team of random players to compete against other players' teams. The game also has a licensed soundtrack with 12 songs.

While Matt Vasgersian returns for The Show 17, commentary from Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac replaced Eric Karros and Steve Lyons. Mike Carlucci returns as public address commentator. MLB The Show 17 features three presentation themes: MLB Network, which features similar presentation to actual MLB Network broadcasts, Theme 1, which is used for other MLB games, and Theme 2, which is used primarily for Minor League Baseball games.^[3]

MLB The Show 17 was released to critical acclaim. Most critics praised the presentation and visuals, as well as the gameplay and amount of different game modes, all of which have hours of content. However, some critics still experienced online technical issues and game bugs.

Gameplay

MLB The Show 17 is a baseball simulation video game based on Major League Baseball. Like past games in the series, The Show 17 simulates the experience of MLB.^[4] The Show now has a "Retro Mode", which is gameplay inspired by 1990s classic retro-sims baseball games. This mode features custom audio, Ken Griffey Jr. commentary, and an 8-bit throwback pause menu.^[5]

New features include MLB 17’s Road to the Show story, "Pave Your Path" in which a player controls the progression of the player's career. The mode intercuts scenes that present the player with decisions that affect the storyline.^[6]

The Show 17 also added a lot of features to other preexisting game modes like Franchise and Diamond Dynasty. In Franchise you make your moves and plan your perfect strategy as you take control of an entire MLB franchise. Choose what tactics to employ and where. Take over Coaching, Player Development, and GM duties. Whats new to this mode are ways to still keep the same level of control of your team as previous years but do it in less time if the player wants. Additions like critical situations in which you only play important at bats in late innings of games and quick manage where you are in complete control of all managerial decisions during a game are new game components that are letting the player do more in a shorter amount of time.

Like previously, Diamond Dynasty involves building the ultimate baseball team and maintaining a virtual trading card collection. Players create a customized team, selecting the players (current and past), a team name, logo, and uniforms. Games are played in tournament-style competitions against other players' teams. Additional legendary baseball players have been added to collect, new missions to complete, and live updated 2017 topps now cards.^[5]

Release

On December 3, 2016 MLB The Show 17 was announced with a trailer for the game that showed the games release date along with new features.^[7] MLB The Show 17 was released worldwide on March, 28, 2017 for the PlayStation 4. This was the first time since MLB 06: The Show that the game was not released for the Playstation 3. There were four different versions of the game to purchase. Standard Edition, MVP Edition, Hall of Fame Edition, and Digital Deluxe Edition. If players purchase the Hall of Fame Edition of the game, they receive the Steel Book case cover, several physical items, such as a limited edition New Era Hat, and many in-game bonuses.^[8]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic (PS4) 85/100[9] Review scores Publication Score EGM 9/10[10] Game Informer 9/10[11] GameSpot 8/10[12] GamesRadar [13] IGN 9.5/10[14] Polygon 8/10[15]

MLB The Show 17 was well received by critics upon release. Metacritic gave the PS4 version an 85/100 aggregate score.

Ray Carsillo from Electronic Gaming Monthly enjoyed the game giving a score of 9/10. Ray said The Show 17 added depth onto Franchise and Road to The Show modes "sets a new pinnacle for the franchise". He also praised how the game looked, with smoother animations, new character face models, and three brand-new presentation packages. His only negatives revolve around some online issues and glitches that still continue to plague the series at launch.^[10]

Andrew Reiner of Game Informer gave the game an overall score of 9 out 10 saying "MLB The Show 17 is an ambitious game that tries to dazzle players with new avenues of play and a story, but is at its best on the field, where the action has never looked or played better."^[11]

Richard Wakeling from GameSpot gave the game a positive review. He scored the game a 8 out of 10 and praised the gameplay stating "the action on the field has never been better, with smarter fielding AI, and enhanced ball physics that bring the hitting to life." Richard did have some issues, pointing out that the commentary was "still a little too stilted for my liking" and the game had a few "blemishes lurking throughout" but those problems didn't take much away from the overall experience saying the product overall "is America's National Pastime at its best". ^[12]

GamesRadar's Ben Wilsion gave the game a final score of 4 out of 5. Ben enjoyed the games polish and controls stating "Plays, looks and feels just like real baseball" and that the "Retooled ball physics and myriad new animations are the main differentiator from MLB 16, with outfielders taking more varied angles to cut off line drive doubles, and more realistic spin effects." Some of Ben's criticisms involve that any of the games modes "Requires significant time commitment, even with speedier options" and that "Last year's online woes remain its achilles heel". ^[13]

Caley Roark gave the game a positive review for IGN. He scored it a 9.5/10, praised the overall presentation and gameplay, and stated: "Overall, MLB The Show 17 builds on last year’s version, which many cited as the best in the series, by adding some key features and improvements. Most notable are increased hit variety, MLB Network integration, and the RTTS documentary. All of these additions make the game feel more like real baseball. This authenticity makes games more fun to play, as it’s easier than ever to become invested in every pitch."^[14]

Polygon's Owen S. Good awarded the game a 8 out of 10, concluding: "MLB The Show 17 continues one of the longest-running successes in sports video gaming, and it's not a regression. But its advances sound a lot bigger on paper than they are in practice." Good praised the gameplay calling it "wonderfully varied" with pitching mechanics that "just feels stronger". One negative aspect of his review involves repetition in its presentation, saying its "MLB The Show's biggest weakness".^[15]

References

External links

• Official website