MLB 14 The Show Review (PS3)

[bluengold34_OS]

Quote: Originally Posted by ey215

I think it's a fair review, but I do think the hit on the commentary was a bit harsh. I actually think the commentary took a pretty big step forward this year. It is much more conversational in nature, flows much better, and is more relevant to what has happened on the field than it has been in the past. Specifically some of the new end of half inning transitions are particularly good. People are basically saying that they're using the same lines, but missing that they are using them in a much better manner. Not to mention the new commentary that has been added. I think we hold commentary to some mythical standard that hasn't really existed. If you play any game a lot you are going to hear repetition and in some games that have been heralded in the past you didn't even have to play a lot. NBA 2K comes to mind. Is the commentary good? Yes, it is but by the second game of a franchise you've heard the same stories about your team that you did in the first game. This is the danger or tying commentary to specific players. I would like The Show's commentary to be more responsive to what is happening in your franchise world. I don't think any developer in any sport has really nailed this quite yet. I do like the steps forward that The Show made this year.

The commentary is good, I would even go so far to say it's great at times - but as with anything, its time has past(IMO) and it is time to get a new fresh team in there. A lot of it isn't whats being said, it's who is saying it. We are so used to hearing Matt as the lead announcer that no matter what he says - it all just comes out as Mattisms - Honestly Matt could describe a three-run blast to win the game, or a cat pissing on a bush and it would sound the same to me.

I like Matt in real life, and think he is a quality play by play guy, but just ready for a new voice.

[BaylorBearBryant]

I would love it if they could have two commentating teams similar to NCAA Basketball 10.

[bluengold34_OS]

Quote: Originally Posted by BaylorBearBryant

I would love it if they could have two commentating teams similar to NCAA Basketball 10.

Still one of the best ideas ever implemented into a game. I wish more developers would recognize this - I realize there is a cost factor, but still love the idea.

[sroz39]

Its funny, a friend of mine finally was able to get his hands on a PS3 and this year's Show...and he's stunned by how great the commentary is. So its a matter of perspective.

[TheFlamingWeazel]

I don't get all this talk about commentary. Not one sports game on the markets has good commentary, sorrry 2k never either. When you play 162 games in a season it will always get repetitive, yes the shows could be better but it will still instead of 10 games get repetitive in 20? It will always get repetitve.

[ty5oke]

Until the franchise becomes more dynamic, I don't think I'll ever enjoy the game as much as I should.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by ty5oke

Until the franchise becomes more dynamic, I don't think I'll ever enjoy the game as much as I should.

I would be very curious for you to expand on what you mean by "more dynamic" because this games franchise mode is so deep, immersive and can be extremely dynamic as baseball is a long season and lot's of story lines emerge over the course of one year let alone a multi year franchise.

I get such a vast variety of games…….it's incredible….where as a game like Madden has so much sameness week to week in it's core gameplay (I do love M25 though so props to EA for a solid effort on M25) compared to a game like The Show or NBA 2K for that matter.

Curious though on your feedback on that.

[jeffy777]

Not sure why they spend so much time adding more online features if the online gameplay itself is so poor. Seems like they should focus more on actually making it run smoother online. 2K was able to this, so surely these guys can too.

Thankfully the single player experience is practically perfect. Just wish the online was at least better than "dismal".