MLB The Show 24
- March 19, 2024
- San Diego Studio
MLB The Show 24 is a wonderfully curated sports sim that has made some great improvements to the defensive game. The Storylines are great fun, and Road to the Show is another great way to experience the ball game.
"MLB The Show 24" is a sports game that lets you experience the thrill of baseball with 2-player, multi-player, co-op, and single-player modes. The game includes a good plot with Storylines: The Negro Leagues Season 2, which comes with a playable micro-documentary and new launch roster characters. With improved gameplay and added storylines throughout the season, players can continue learning from baseball greats and living out their baseball dreams.
Reviews
- MLB The Show 24 offers a variety of engaging game modes, including the well-received Storylines and Diamond Dynasty, which enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- The game features impressive graphics and authentic gameplay, making it a great choice for baseball fans and newcomers alike.
- The inclusion of female athletes in Road to the Show and the focus on baseball's history through Storylines adds depth and inclusivity to the game.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including crashes and bugs, particularly at launch, which can hinder the overall experience.
- Some players find the gameplay and interface complicated, especially when creating players and managing rosters, which may deter newcomers.
- While the gameplay is solid, many reviews note that there are minimal changes from the previous installment, making it feel repetitive for returning players.
- story21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is highly praised, particularly for its engaging "storylines" mode, which offers a documentary-like experience that honors baseball's history, including the Negro Leagues and notable figures like Derek Jeter. Players appreciate the depth and inclusivity of the narratives, especially with the introduction of female storylines in "Road to the Show." While some critiques mention the staleness of certain storylines and the need for improvements in other modes, the overall presentation and storytelling are seen as standout features that enhance the gaming experience.
“The outstanding gameplay is enhanced with an elevated presentation in all of the modes, and the storytelling in storylines is a big draw for those wanting to embrace the game's roots and pay homage to the legends from yesteryear.”
“Storylines showcases stories that may not otherwise be known, affiliated teams allow for a more comprehensive experience, and being able to play as a female baseballer is a big win for inclusivity.”
“Its success as a compelling package largely stems from its single player additions, with the documentary-like storylines mode starring Derek Jeter accompanying the second season of the outstanding Negro Leagues.”
“There are the expected visual downgrades, longer loading times compared to other platforms, and online can be dodgy, but a slew of modes, deep and satisfying gameplay, and that handsomely expanded storylines mode patches over most of the rough spots.”
“Minimal gameplay changes; storylines are short; Diamond Dynasty is still riddled with microtransactions.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay in MLB The Show 24 is widely praised for its solid foundation, enhanced by new defensive animations and a variety of engaging modes, including the educational Storylines mode that pays homage to baseball's history. While some users noted minor bugs and issues with certain modes like Diamond Dynasty, the overall experience remains fluid, responsive, and satisfying, appealing to both new and returning players. The game successfully combines deep gameplay mechanics with improved presentation, making it a compelling choice for baseball fans.
“MLB The Show 24 tweaks an already sturdy foundation, with new defensive animations bringing the biggest change to gameplay.”
“The outstanding gameplay is enhanced with an elevated presentation in all of the modes, and the storytelling in storylines is a big draw for those wanting to embrace the game's roots and pay homage to the legends from yesteryear.”
“MLB The Show 24 doesn’t fix what isn’t broken with its gameplay, and it complements its consistently stellar on-field gameplay with new content meant to honor baseball’s history and the people that make the game what it is today.”
“Diamond Dynasty is a little bland, bugs present at launch, offensive gameplay is a tad unrealistic.”
“Sometimes the baseballs can look out of place, the commentary is not always reflective of the gameplay.”
“Minimal gameplay changes; storylines are short; Diamond Dynasty is still riddled with microtransactions.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising their authenticity and quality, while others criticize them as outdated, particularly on the Switch, likening them to '90s visuals. Despite these criticisms, many agree that it remains one of the best-looking sports simulations available, especially in the baseball genre.
“All the graphics are very authentic.”
“The graphics are well done.”
“While I may have slight issues with the visuals not being on the same level as the gameplay or game modes, it is still one of the best looking sports sims on the market and the best looking baseball game hands down.”
“Terrible graphics”
“Such a disappointment when it comes to the graphics!!”
“Same graphics as 23, obviously nothing different really”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the emotional depth of the game's storylines, noting the impactful narratives and the significant inclusion of female characters, which enhances the overall emotional resonance of the experience.
“The emotional depth of the storylines is truly captivating, especially with the new and amazing inclusion of women in the narrative.”
“The game evokes a wide range of emotions, making players feel deeply connected to the characters and their journeys.”
“I was genuinely moved by the emotional arcs of the characters; their struggles and triumphs resonated with me on a personal level.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music choices in the game are considered average, and the overall audio design leaves room for improvement. While micro-transactions are present, they are noted to be less intrusive than in some other titles.
“The music choices are a bit mediocre, and the overall audio design could use improvement.”
“The audio design in general could be better, and the music selection feels lackluster.”
“While there are microtransactions, they aren't as intrusive, but the music aspect still leaves much to be desired.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 200 % negative mentions
Users report that the game's online servers occasionally freeze, hindering the enjoyment of modes like Diamond Dynasty, while the create-a-new stadium feature is also plagued by bugs, particularly with uploading custom stadiums.
“The online servers sometimes freeze during online play, making it difficult to enjoy modes like Diamond Dynasty.”
“The create-a-new stadium feature is quite buggy, as you can’t upload your custom stadiums at times.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for severe issues at launch, including long loading times, noticeable stuttering during action cutscenes, and difficulties in finding online matches, all compounded by a lack of communication from the developers. Overall, the visual quality is perceived as rough, contributing to a frustrating experience for players.
“Horrendous issues at launch with zero communication for a week or more.”
“Looks rough for the most part, with long loading times in places.”
“Stuttering during action cutscenes is very noticeable.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is criticized for having minimal impact on gameplay, with short storylines and a heavy reliance on microtransactions, particularly in the Diamond Dynasty mode.
“Minimal gameplay changes; storylines are short; Diamond Dynasty is still riddled with microtransactions.”
“The game feels more like a cash grab than a genuine experience, with constant prompts to spend money.”
“It's frustrating to see that progress is heavily gated behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
Critic Reviews
MLB The Show 24 Review
MLB The Show 24 may not offer up many changes when it comes to outfield action, but the modes continue to be improved. I loved seeing Road to the Show finally get some dev time, and Storylines continues to be one of the strongest modes introduced by the series. If you're looking to escape from the potential disappointment of your real-life ball team, you'll find plenty of ways to do so here.
84%MLB The Show 24 (PS5) Review
With just enough added to keep things fresh, MLB The Show 24 is a fine entry to the yearly sports franchise
80%Consistent hitter
MLB The Show 24 upholds the series standard of quality despite no major improvements or overhauls.
80%