MLB 15 The Show: Four Things You'll Want to Try

Feature Article

Submitted on: 03/30/2015 by Ben Vollmer

With only a few hours to go, planning out your first moves with MLB: The Show 15 should be a priority. Everyone will have a personal preference, whether it's playing with your favorite team or immediately kicking off "Road to the Show," but there are four things that will be an absolute must to play around with come Tuesday.

1. Get Used to the Directional Hitting: Hitting in The Show is already difficult enough, but with the all new real-time directional hitting mechanic, the learning curve should be a lot steeper. Whether in practice mode or an exhibition game, messing around with the directional hitting before moving into a franchise or Road to the Show might be a wise idea.

2. Play an Evening Game: MLB: The Show has always been beautiful, but 14 ran into some issues with lighting, particularly at night. So the addition of real-time shadows and lighting is a welcome addition. Watching the shadows come and go should be a glorious thing to see.

3. Check out the Trade Logic: Every year, promises of better trade logic come and go, often failing to produce results. Will this year be any different? Almost certainly. With "refreshed" franchise mode logic, it seems like both trades and contract offers have been a major focus for SCEA. Hopefully the days of the CPU trading guys like Strasburg for Kershaw are long gone.

4. Listen to a Radio Show: One of the most underrated additions moving into MLB: The Show 15 is a radio show that plays during both Road to the Show and franchise mode. One of The Show's legacy issues has been that it fails to totally immerse players in the gamemodes. This is a huge step in the right direction, and if it is as cool as promised, it should allow players to really sink their teeth into whatever gamemode they choose to spend their time with.

What are you planning on doing first when you get MLB 15 The Show?

MLB 15 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 1 ozcore @ 03/30/15 01:23 PM

play an exhibition game with my d-backs, then rtts

# 2 Blzer @ 03/30/15 01:34 PM

Since WSB 2K3, for whatever reason my first game has always been Reds @ Giants in a night game, then Home Run Derby @ Safeco Field. Not about to break tradition now.

I might give Diamond Dynasty a look this year.

# 3 jaydaddy03 @ 03/30/15 01:39 PM

One thing I haven't seen yet is the instant replay system.

# 4 aukevin @ 03/30/15 01:47 PM

Surprised by this in the article:

Quote:


	Hitting in The Show is already difficult enough, but with the all new real-time directional hitting mechanic, the learning curve should be a lot steeper.

Haven't played yet, but I thought the Directional Hitting would be easier to use than Zone.

# 5 jmik58 @ 03/30/15 01:56 PM

Directional hitting sounds exactly like the controls used in MVP Baseball. If so, that was the best setup for hitting I've ever experienced. With that in mind, it would be way easier than zone hitting which I usually use. Unfortunately I'm not getting The Show this year -- directional hitting was the one thing that was missing IMO from gameplay. The Show now has the best features (2K's hit-and-follow cam when batting) and now the old MVP "Directional hitting" option. Well played SCEA.

# 6 bigdooky15 @ 03/30/15 02:05 PM

# 7 WINdians @ 03/30/15 02:08 PM

My first move at midnight will be playing an exhibition game with the Tribe and Kluber against Price and the Tigers. Then RTTS

# 8 Cowboy008 @ 03/30/15 02:22 PM

I'm going to start up a Twins franchise and play a few ST games in the new minor league ball parks.

# 9 Dolenz @ 03/30/15 02:26 PM

I will be trying the directional hitting but, as I understand it, if you don't choose a direction then it is basically just Timing hitting mode. So I am not sure that it will be that much harder.

# 10 Lilgoosy @ 03/30/15 02:36 PM

i think i'll do some friendly matches, to try directional hitting and stuff and then i'll jump right into season mode with my sox on.
first thing i'll do will be trade Victorino to get Hamels

cannot wait

# 11 trey2k198003 @ 03/30/15 02:47 PM

i always make myself the ss for the mariners and jump right into franchise mode i want to see the new trade logice but more importnantly i cant wait to port my old RTTS from 14 and see the graphical improvements and playing as well this should be a fun year and hope the radio show will keep me more into playing this game.

# 12 HustlinOwl @ 03/30/15 02:56 PM

Servers are up and running now just time to open some packs cmon 12AM EST

# 13 moochdaddy @ 03/30/15 03:14 PM

I am so pumped to start a franchise with my Chicago Cubs! My big question is if any stability changes have been made to the online. The show is terrible to play online, i hope this issue is addressed.

# 14 SVCbearcat10 @ 03/30/15 03:51 PM

I don't think the directional hitting will be harder if you played baseball throughout high school/college. It should really be helpful to identify pitch locations when trying to hit behind runners to advance them.

# 15 HiNeighbor @ 03/30/15 04:20 PM

Will there be quick counts in RTTS this year?

# 16 MetsFan16 @ 03/30/15 04:24 PM

no. Wouldn't make sense since the games are already much shorter. The developers mentioned this during one of the streams. They feel they would be cheating you a little since a RTTS game is already so quick

# 17 ElroyJetson @ 03/30/15 04:25 PM

I always do a Yankees - Sox game, in the Bronx with night time settings...Been doing it for years. Cant wait until tomorrow.

# 18 MetsFan16 @ 03/30/15 04:26 PM

My Midnight plan is to countdown the final minute, load right away (hopefully no further download will be needed) Then I will scroll through the menus, look at rosters, player faces/stances/homerun swings. Then go through the DD cards and look at the equipment and ritual items. Then play my annual Subway Series as the Mets at Citi Field.

# 19 bronxbombers21325 @ 03/30/15 05:24 PM

Directional is the same thing as timing if you don't choose a direction. Not sure it'll be any harder.

# 20 Ruffy @ 03/30/15 05:29 PM

After i clean up the mess....

Fantasy Draft is always a good check on how good the AI is at evaluating talent.

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