Home Video Games MLB The Show 23 review on PlayStation 5

MLB The Show 23 review on PlayStation 5

May 31, 2023

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Baseball fans rejoice! Major League Baseball returns to your living room with the latest installment of the popular baseball video game, MLB The Show 23. This franchise has consistently provided an impressive and sometimes groundbreaking baseball experience in recent years. If you’re new to the game, you’ll find MLB The Show 2023 to be an excellent offering.

Though, the team at San Diego Studio have to make sure that MLB The Show doesn’t disappoint its annual fans. Thankfully, the dev team have expanded on several of the franchise’s popular game modes for 2023, which should be enough to satisfy all baseball enthusiasts, regardless of how frequently they purchase games from this long-standing franchise.

MLB The Show 23 Details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Developer(s): San Diego Studio
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment, MLB Advanced Media
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Capturing realistic moments from baseball history

The team at San Diego Studio did a really good job with MLB The Show 23 by capturing realistic moments from baseball history in its storylines mode. It appears as if the development team got their inspiration for this mode from NBA 2K23 by offering the option to experience historical moments with authentic visuals and sounds with modern aesthetics. In particular, the storylines mode focuses on the achievements of black players who have played a crucial role in advancing the game of baseball for everyone.

There is even representation of Canadian baseball with playable noteworthy moments featuring The Chatham Coloured All-Stars. What I really like about this mode is the inclusion of choice, which adds a significant level of personalization and enhances the overall quality and experience of MLB The Show 23.

Several popular game modes expand with new features based on fan feedback

Not only have the team at San Diego Studio expanded the storylines mode in MLB The Show 23 but they have also expanded Diamond Dynasty, which is the game’s fantasy team builder mode. I really appreciate how the developers have updated this mode using the feedback from fans and media. As a result, in MLB The Show 23, this mode now offers additional card packs and rewards for simply playing the game. Additionally, they have added numerous customization options such as player-specific plays and animations. These features also extend to the storylines mode, which is a great addition to the game’s overall offerings.

The Road To The Show mode, where you can create your own player, is a significant reason why I enjoyed playing MLB The Show 23. However, over the past several years, many sports simulation games are shifting their focus towards online game modes, leaving these player creation modes unchanged year after year. Developers have realized that modes with digital storefronts and card packs generate more revenue in the long run. Unfortunately, I believe that this is the direction for the future of the MLB The Show franchise, as the single-player mode seems to be getting overlooked.

MLB The Show 23 features a hub in the dressing room where you can view your stats and standings, change equipment and buffs, see upcoming games, and even train on days off. Occasionally, staged scenes will occur based on your performance, often providing a temporary boost. However, this setup feels somewhat outdated compared to other sports games, which have career modes with a large interactive hub that feature microtransactions but also offer a range of single-player and co-op game content. I feel that the MLB The Show franchise could benefit from exploring a similar approach in future iterations.

The authentic and definitive ballpark look and feel

MLB The Show 23 on the PlayStation 5 looks gorgeous! The game meticulously recreates ballparks from across Major League Baseball, capturing astonishing detail. When playing home games, it truly feels like being at the actual stadium! The game’s presentation gives off a live TV atmosphere.

You’ll witness pitchers walking to the mound, relevant stats being displayed, and commentary providing relevant information. The sounds in the game are also impressive, capturing the crack of the bat and the energetic cheers of the crowd. The calls made by the umpire and base judges are clear and realistic, thanks to the PS5’s 3D Audio settings. In comparison to other sports games, MLB The Show 23 stands in a league of its own when it comes to audio and visuals.

MLB The Show 23 offers lots of content with several tweaks and additions

If you’re in the market for a sports simulator this year, MLB The Show 23 is an excellent choice. San Diego Studio has done an impressive job with the game’s presentation, as they typically do. However, I’ve noticed a trend where career and franchise modes in sports simulators are being neglected in favor of cooperative games as service modes. Unfortunately, I think MLB The Show 2023 faces similar challenges in that regard this year. Nevertheless, if you’re seeking a baseball experience and the opportunity to delve into baseball history, MLB The Show 23 has it all.

+ Gorgeous visuals
+ Realistic moments from baseball history
+ Lots of content to keep you busy

– Road To The Show and a few other modes haven’t changed much
– Less focus on single player experience