MLB The Show 24 Review: Hitting for the Cycle.

Initial release date: March 15, 2024

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox Cloud Gaming

Mode: Multiplayer video game

Genres: Sports video game, Simulation video game, Simulation Game

Developer: San Diego Studio

Publishers: MLB Advanced Media, Sony Interactive Entertainment, MLB

Series: MLB: The Show

MLB The Show 24 is the latest in San Diego Studio’s annual release of their famed baseball sim series, which has helped the studio maintain its reputation as one of the most consistent sports series in the business. Last year, I had the opportunity to review MLB The Show 23, and San Diego Studio did an excellent job of providing fresh content to gamers with Storylines: The Negro Leagues. In 2024, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the American League East Toronto Blue Jays, who is also the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, had the privilege of appearing on the cover. With that said, and the current MLB season well underway, it appears to be the ideal time to step into the batter’s box and see what sweeping curves and change-ups the developers will hurl our way.

What immediately piqued my interest was not the variety of ways in which players can experience and play the game, nor how the developers continue to outdo themselves in terms of visual design. What drew me in from the moment I saw the main menu was the reintroduction of Storylines: The Negro Leagues. The triumphant addition to the series that debuted last year is back and better than ever with its Season 2 storyline paired with the “Captain’s Pass.” Season 2, as you might expect, continues with episodic simulations and situations that players can experience as legends such as Hank Aaron, Josh Gibson, and Toni Stone. The execution of the display is what really sells this mode, as Storylines is similar to an interactive museum of history for some of the sport’s most influential players.

Speaking of impact, it’s difficult to put into words the impact that generational talent Derek Jeter has had on the game. Everyone involved in the sport grew up and is familiar with the Yankee phenomenon known as “Captain.” In The Show 24, the Captain receives his well-deserved own chapter of the Storylines mode, complete with iconic moments and a voice over intro featuring the man himself. While it is an unexpected inclusion, it opens the door to a plethora of additional players and stories for both new and returning players to enjoy, learn, and appreciate.

Going around the horn, let’s talk about the most important aspect of The Show, which everyone looks forward to every year: the gaming. There are several new features, including over 400 new animations, new throwing movements, and improved control responsiveness and smoothness. The changes to how the game feels and performs are evident, as the game plays wonderfully and builds on the consistency they worked hard on and implemented in last year’s title. Throwing, fielding, and hitting have never felt better, and this applies to all of The Show 24’s modes.

One of my criticisms of The Show last year was the lack of new content provided to one of the Flagship modes. I’m referring, of course, to Road to the Show, which is the equivalent of a Career mode in which you progress through your chosen team’s farm system to grow and show yourself worthy of a position on the Opening Day roster. The team at San Diego Studio responded to comments and implemented a Scouting Combine. The Scouting Combine allows for meaningful moments early in your career and introduces a new dynamic by forcing you to consider where to focus stat improvements. You can also now create and play as a girl, which is a long-awaited and appreciated addition. The experience is still extremely addictive because you can develop your own superstar based on how you play, as well as customize every aspect regardless of whether you are a player or a spectator.

The Show’s “live service element” is Diamond Dynasty, which adds fresh additions, players, and packs throughout the year. The mode relies around playing games and completing challenges to add MLB players from today and yesterday to create the ideal lineup. While it’s the title’s most popular mode, I’ve played it the least because the pack opening and player chase aren’t my cup of tea. Having said that, the mode continues to succeed at providing gamers with a cause to lace on their spikes every day and jump in for a few games. The in-game currency known as “Stubbs” remains a highly fair system, with the possibility to earn Stubbs in many ways during gaming, as well as the option to trade old cards for Stubbs and then acquire new ones. This year, we’ve made a few tiny changes to improve the mode’s quality of life and the flow of the live experience. Each season is extended from eight to twelve weeks, and in-season cards provide a reason to attend each event, resulting in less gaps in content as the year progresses.

I always expect San Diego Studio to bring visual and audio advancements year after year. With no real competition in the genre, one would expect complacency to creep into the series, but The Show 24 delivers some amazing graphics and a diverse soundtrack. Facial expressions, stadium spectators, and player animations are all extremely smooth and fluid. It has come a long way from the same ten fan animations that play around the stadium.

Overall, 2024 is another fantastic release from the guys behind the industry standard video game sports simulation. They followed up with minor improvements to already enjoyable modes, resulting in an overall engaging demonstration of San Diego Studio’s creativity and dedication. The only thing I would have liked to see was a whole new mode. Going back-to-back with Storylines, which was an unexpected hit last year, would have lifted The Show 24 even more. Even without a new mode, there are still numerous ways for everyone to enjoy America’s Greatest Pastime.

Review Overview

Gameplay – 90%

Controls – 88%

Aesthetics – 92%

Content – 87%

Accessibility – 86%

Value – 88%

Overall Rating – 88%

EXCELLENT!

Summary:MLB The Show 24 is the pinnacle of the sports simulation industry. Building on last year’s excellent Storylines mode and making minor enhancements to current game modes, San Diego Studio has created a full experience that is difficult to fault.