MLB The Show 21
- April 20, 2021
- SIE San Diego Studio
Faster, a bit prettier, but much of the same, MLB The Show 21 on the PS5 won't raise the bar further...but still clears it nicely.
Own your rivals. Own the show. Welcome to MLB The Show 21.
Reviews
- Exciting to finally have MLB The Show available on Xbox, fulfilling a long-awaited desire for Xbox owners.
- Outstanding graphics and realistic gameplay enhance the overall experience, making it the best baseball game for many players.
- New features like Pinpoint Pitching and a robust Diamond Dynasty mode add depth and variety to the gameplay.
- Severe server issues and glitches make the game borderline unplayable, leading to frequent crashes and lost progress.
- Baserunning and fielding controls are clunky, and hitting mechanics feel predictable and frustrating.
- Missing features and slow progression in modes like Road to the Show disappoint many players, along with the push towards microtransactions.
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their outstanding realism and quality, with many users expressing admiration for the game's visual presentation. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the immersive experience.
“Outstanding graphics; so realistic and terrific!”
“The graphics are amazing; I love it.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the latest release has been widely criticized, with users reporting significantly worse performance compared to previous versions, leading to a consensus that it is a major disappointment.
“I play regularly, and I thought I encountered the worst performance in MLB 17, but this release is a complete disaster.”
“The optimization in this game is abysmal; I experience constant frame drops and stuttering.”
“It's frustrating to see such poor optimization when the potential for this game is so high.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highlighted by improved fielding mechanics, contributing to the series' reputation for consistently excellent gameplay.
“The improved fielding adds to the series' consistently excellent gameplay.”
“The controls are intuitive and responsive, making every action feel satisfying.”
“The variety of gameplay modes keeps the experience fresh and engaging.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's monetization strategy leans heavily on microtransactions, particularly through the introduction of perks that encourage players to spend more money.
“The addition of perks encourages players to consider microtransactions without feeling forced.”
“I appreciate that the monetization system offers fair options for players who want to enhance their experience.”
“The game strikes a good balance with its monetization, allowing players to enjoy content without excessive spending.”
“The addition of perks pushes players towards microtransactions.”
“The monetization system feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating how much the game encourages spending real money to enjoy basic features.”
Critic Reviews
MLB The Show 21 Review – Walking to First
MLB The Show 21 does exactly what a sports sequel needs to do; it refines and expands on the best features of its predecessor, without taking away from what works.
80%MLB The Show 21: PS5 Review
Faster, a bit prettier, but much of the same, MLB The Show 21 on the PS5 won't raise the bar further...but still clears it nicely.
82%MLB The Show 21 review: "strong in so many areas, yet also an opportunity missed"
A solid home-run hitter, but not the baseball revolution we were hoping for on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
80%