REVIEW: ‘MLB The Show 24’ Is A Worthy Annual Update (PS5)

Major League Baseball has long been considered America’s pastime. It is a historic sport loved by generation after generation. MLB The Show 24 is the latest update in a yearly franchise that aims to bring the sport even closer to fans. Developers at San Diego Studio have done an excellent job of ensuring each new version is worth playing. MLB Advanced Media and Sony Interactive Entertainment published the game. PlayStation Canada provided a code for the game for this review.

MLB The Show 24 is, at its core, a baseball simulator. The aim is to put players in the shoes of their favorite teams and players on the quest to win a World Series. Gameplay tweaks are made every year to keep the game feeling as close to reality as possible. The main focus in MLB The Show 24 was on upgrading things on the defensive side of the ball.

Defending in MLB The Show 24 introduces a new “Impact Plays” feature. This feature is incredibly specific to each position on the field. These Impact Plays give players more opportunities to directly impact the game. This is primarily done through Quick Time Events (QTEs).

These QTEs demand excellent timing and precision to make plays. Whether it is the timing of fielding a ground ball or tagging a player out at home plate, they give players more control over when these plays are made. Of course, mess up the timing and you’ll feel the pain of making an error. QTEs can feel quite gamey, but the balance in MLB The Show 24 is just about right. There are a few moments when the frequency and repetition can get tiresome. Still, they serve their purpose well and are a welcome addition to the game.

The main Road to the Show game mode is the bread and butter of MLB The Show 24. Players start in the minor leagues and make their way to the pinnacle of the sport. The new “Impact Plays” are mostly highlighted in this mode, but there are other updates. The MLB Draft has received a touch-up, making it a more involved process.

Players now get to play through the Draft Combine. The Combine tests players’ skills before scouts figure out who to draft. Do well enough, and you can convince impressed scouts to give you a shot at the big leagues. This update doesn’t dramatically change the course of the game, but it is a welcome addition. Adding more ways to immerse players in the process of becoming a pro is never a bad thing.

Another way MLB The Show 24 enhances Road to the Show is the addition of female players. Bringing women into Road to the Show is an intriguing move with its new story. A female player working for the Major Leagues would be earth-shattering news. The story surrounding the mode in MLB The Show 24 helps bring that feeling to players as they achieve the monumental. Yes, the story is corny, but so is every other sports game single-player story like this. The important part, and the part that is done well, is bringing new players to the field, both in the game and out of it.

Women in professional baseball isn’t new, though. MLB The Show 24 brings attention to the first-ever woman to play professional baseball, Toni Stone. Stone was a player in the Negro Leagues back in the 1950s. Her story is told alongside several others in the excellent Negro Leagues Storyline mode.

The Negro Leagues Storylines are presented by Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Kendrick has a palpable passion for baseball and its history. The history of the Negro Leagues is often forgotten about, something Kendrick aims to change. These Storylines are an amazing way to do that.

Each featured player has multiple playable episodes that take place throughout their career. Players get to play as players like Henry “Hank” Aaron during his days with the Indianapolis Clowns. Aaron is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but it is Kendrick’s storytelling in the videos between gameplay moments that shines. He brings a personal touch to Aaron and the other player’s stories, making it even more enjoyable.

What the Storylines mode does best is share the love of baseball. Teaching fans, both young and old, about legendary players in the Negro Leagues is important from a historical perspective too. But it is even more important to share why those stories matter. Kendrick does more than just present their contributions on the field. He tells their entire story, shining a light on the parts even the most ardent fans might not have known. I was so glad to see the Negro Leagues Storyline mode back for another year, and I hope they continue in the future.

Diamond Dynasty and Franchise Mode also return in MLB The Show 24. While these modes do not see the same drastic changes, that is mostly because their formulas already work so well. Franchise Mode has added a new Custom Game Entry feature that lets players choose when to enter a game and when to simulate, which is a nice quality-of-life adjustment. Otherwise, these two modes remain largely untouched but are just as fun to play as ever.

MLB The Show 24 also received a much-needed graphical update. A fresh coat of paint makes the games feel more alive than they ever have. New player animations help keep the game feeling fluid and authentic. This is the most realistic baseball game ever felt. There is still room for improvement, but the upgrades behind the scenes to the animation make a massive difference.

MLB The Show 24 is another excellent update in one of the best sports game franchises. The Storylines mode continues to shine a light on forgotten Negro League legends, and the addition of women to Road to the Show is a welcomed one. Combine that with a refreshed look and you have the complete baseball package.

MLB The Show 24 is out now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5.