MLB 10 News Post

MLB '10: The Show Review

05:07 PM - March 10, 2010 by Steve_OS

The month of March is by far my favorite time of the entire year. Why? Because March signifies the return of baseball. I have been playing the game ever since I was old enough to walk; I still pick up a pack of baseball cards whenever I get the opportunity; I viewed my trip to Fenway Park as a religious experience; And I am one of those twisted individuals who will watch all 162 games of my beloved Detroit Tigers (and even game 163 last season, which I do not want to talk about). March is the month of baseball's rebirth.

March also happens to be the month baseball games are released, an added bonus that makes the month even sweeter in my eyes. I have been gaming for as long as I have been interested in baseball, so naturally the two would go hand in hand. I am proud to say that I have played quite possibly every baseball game ever created. From Hardball to High Heat to the Tiger Electronics monochrome baseball game, I have experienced them all, loving many, despising a few, and with many others falling into various levels in between.

Knowing this I am sure it will come as a surprise when I say that I was a bit underwhelmed by Sony's MLB 09: The Show last year. The game was most definitely a solid overall baseball title, but my biggest issue with the game was that after playing the '08 version to death, there was no aspect of the '09 game that really compelled me to invest a great deal of time into the title. I never felt that addictive pull as a baseball fanatic and hardcore sports gamer to keep playing.

But when I was told that I would be handling the review of MLB 10: The Show this year, I was definitely excited for the opportunity. With the promise of revamped real-time presentation, a new broadcast camera angle in the field, numerous RttS improvements (including the ability to call a game as a catcher) and upgrades to the series' awful throwing meter, MLB 10 seemed to have enough new content to differentiate itself from its 2009 iteration. So does MLB 10 deliver that elusive pull for this baseball junkie? Read on to find out.

Read More - MLB '10: The Show Review - Written by: Christian McLeod

MLB '10: The Show screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: MLB '10: The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3Votes for game: 66 - View All

MLB '10: The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 21 sgthalka @ 03/11/10 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowboyJayhawk


	I think any independent gamer would find it hard to believe this game earned a lesser rating than Madden '10.

The review is a little absurd. The reviewer is penalizing the game for features it didn't add, rather than reviewing the game for what it is.

The bottom line is -- MLB 09 was a 9.5, and MLB 10 is an even better game than that.

# 22 Eman5805 @ 03/11/10 12:52 AM

They really, really, REALLY need to do something about the commentary. It's the worst part of the game right now. Everything is disjointed and there's no chemistry between the 3 cuz they record all their lines seperately. That's just unacceptable now.

The game is amazing otherwise. But, we gotta match everything up now. Step it up, SCEA!

# 23 snugglyirishman @ 03/11/10 01:53 AM

# 19 HustlinOwl @ 03/11/10 02:54 AM
Quote:

Originally Posted by snugglyirishman

Great review...I love the game but have a problem with RTTS...i don't know if it's a glitch or what the deal is but my player's 4SFB velocity is at 99 and the player card says "brings the heat better than anyone" but when actually pitching (in AAA) he only throws 88-91....what's the deal with that?

Take a look

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...em-solved.html

Thanks so much man...although I'm not happy with the news on there but at least it shed some light on the issue...

# 24 GrayWolf323 @ 03/11/10 02:00 AM

pretty disappointing review

seems like a lot of it was saying why don't they have mechanics from 2k10 but better :-/

# 25 Raven Nation42 @ 03/11/10 04:19 AM

A great review!!! I do have to agreed with some of the other posters that I love the commentary and think it's spot on. I am going to take your suggestion to review the vault more to view the polish graphics of this game.

# 26 SoxFan01605 @ 03/11/10 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dislimb


	Madden 10 - rated a 9 MLB 10 The Show - rated an 8.5 Seriously?

I think it's all in context (not that I necessarily agree with it). While I certainly wouldn't give Madden a 9, it was likely scored in comparison to previous iterations, the level of improvement it made, etc. Online franchise probably helped it too, I'd guess.

Fair or not, SCEA has set a ridiculously high standard for themselves and are likely being judged as such. So it's score relative to Madden means very little IMO. Basically, their history provides much stiffer competition for themselves than EA's history does for Madden...lol.

Anyway, for me review scores are arbitrary and silly anyway. It just wraps things up in a neat package for those reading it. People NEVER agree with review scores as a whole, largely because everyone has different criteria for what they mean and in what vein they should be compared.

While I disagree with parts of the review, I don't think it was unfair. Nothing said was untrue and the opinions of the writer weren't really expressed as anything more than that. My only criticism would be that if you are going to critique the game for controls/features that aren't there, you should provide a bit more insight to those that are there. There were some of things glossed over or not covered. This happens with every review though, I guess.

That's just me though...and with that said, it was still a fairly detailed review. I don't ever get too worked up about these things. I think at the very least people can get an idea of what they can expect in the game from this review.

Oh, and I give The Show 10 a 9.37465.

# 27 Matt Bug @ 03/11/10 07:15 AM

Superb review, Christian. My thoughts are completely in tune with yours on this release. After warming up to it over the past week, I've thought about the following:

1. RttS Catcher: Save the absence of a pickoff sign, the "Calling The Game" feature is quite impressive. But why is the player not rewarded with Training Points for this? Calling the game is a lengthy process. Seems a waste of time if it's not useful for my RttS player's advancement.

2. I was severely disappointed in the re-vamped Player Cards. With the flashy silver background, the text is nearly illegible. I've always wondered why they didn't just model the classic stat layout used by Topps. More stats, more legibility, and the inclusion of historical stats would be so nice and easy. This is one facet of the game where the graphics team could keep it simple (black & white flipsides would suit me fine) and make us very happy. I've also wondered why Player Cards are not available during in-game play. Instead we're left with minimal information to make important in-game decisions.

3. I'm still puzzled as to why the caps of real-life players do not change in their profile pics after they change teams. Seems like a simple enough request for a game with such advanced graphics. It's most distracting when the player's head is on the jumbo-tron donning the wrong cap. I'm wondering if there is some sort of licensing issue holding back(?)

4. I have many other thoughts, but will close with one final point you touched on. And that is the pitching/batting controls. A simple instantaneous tap of a button to execute a fluid movement such as swinging a bat or throwing a baseball seems odd. It's now 2010 and the method is, indeed, antiquated. If development were ever able to create something akin to the Wii stick, it would dramatically improve the gaming experience. That would be T-Rex ginormous, in fact.

# 28 shaq273 @ 03/11/10 08:55 AM

The review was ok, I mean the only problem with the game is the bugs and glitches and that has now become common with sports games. The game improved on from last year so it goes from 9.5 to 8.5 ... hmmmm . They even added some new features and improved the already stellar graphics , the game is the closet thing to a real life sports sim we have on the market and its a 8.5 . WOW

# 29 HITTERSAURUS REX @ 03/11/10 11:57 AM

MLB 06 for PS2 receives a 10 from OS on March 14th 2006
MLB 07 for PS3 receives a 8.0 from OS on March 31st 2007
MLB 08 for PS3 receives a 9.0 from OS on March 12st 2008.
MLB 09 for PS3 receives a 9.5 from OS on March 6th 2009..
MLB 10 for PS3 receives a 8.5 from OS on March 10th 2010..

I guess the days of MLB The ShoW achieving a top grade of the #10 for our PS3's is not likely. Oh well I hope Sony/Russell & fello colleagues are reading and are planning to do a huge makeover from the traditional formula of booth announcers, and by adding real throwing MVP05 fielding meters and possibly add an opaque eye level pitching meter so the user won't feel a detachment when delivering his pitch to the plate.

# 30 nemesis04 @ 03/11/10 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backbreaker


	http://www.operationsports.com/forum...e-lets-do.html

Just put in your sig so you do not have to post it anymore!

# 31 rachristine2 @ 03/11/10 12:27 PM

Good review. I have a few gripes w/ the Show. First off, trade acceptance in franchise. When is this going to be revamped? I traded Lackey (Bos) for Verlander (Det). Then I traded Mike Lowell (Bos) for Jose Reyes (NYM). Are you joking me? These trades would never happen. They need to better incorporate age, salary, health/durability, potential, and need into the trade intelligence. As it stands I can basically trade for anyone in the league. If the Show really represented real life trade intelligence, I would stand up right now and call Theo Epstein a complete idiot, because he should have a hall of famer at every position. Why not? He's got Mike Lowell as trade bait! A 56 year old third baseman with a $9M contract and hip problems for a 26 year old shortstop? Where do I sign!

Further, The Show should allow money to change hands during trades as in real life. As an aside, there needs to be an option to edit already existing player salaries. The Show had Verlander on a 1-year deal, when in reality he was signed to a long term extension.

You are right to judge the throwing meter. In the field, the Show should incorporate a regular throwing "meter" as they use when pitching, rather than "rings". They just don't seem responsive and don't seem to make much of a difference. If I tap the button, the third baseman should literally lob the ball over ephus pitch style to first.

My biggest gripe with this game is playability. The show needs to focus next year on eliminating the time between pitches - why does it take so long for the pitcher to get set with his pitch? If the game were more like the old RBI baseball for NES in this respect - i.e. the ability to rapid fire pitch after pitch - games would be shorter and more fun. Waiting for an animation to load is unnecessary! I don't need to see the pitcher get the ball back.

Finally, you are right on point with the pitching. It's just become repetitive and boring. I want to see the pitcher while I'm playing, not some meter.

All in all, the Show is resting on its laurels too often. The graphics are nearly flawless, but it's more artwork than game. B- from me.

# 32 SeerMagicX @ 03/11/10 12:27 PM

I see people saying it's stale that's only been playing it since 08, try playing it since before it was the show. it's unbelievably stale.

# 33 Artman22 @ 03/11/10 12:29 PM

Very good review. MLB10 the show is a good game, but not perfect. With all the bugs 8.5 is a good score. Some people are complaining because madden received a 9, but realistically it should have been an 8. The only thing I disagree with the article is about the player models. I agree with the commentary being boring and in need of a new broadcasting team as well. 8.5 is still a great score. Overall I feel the review is fair and on point..

# 34 jyoung @ 03/11/10 12:59 PM

Gamespot gave this a similar review (8.0), so I think people are finally starting to get a little weary of The Show putting out virtually the same game for the last couple of years, especially with regards to the frequent bugs and online issues.

Yes it's still way better than 2K baseball, and yes, it's still a great game overall, but I think The Show is starting to slip out of the elite standard that the series set a few years ago.

# 35 SBartlett @ 03/11/10 03:45 PM

I thought the review was fair, honest, and critical - just as it should be. I agree that while the game is great in many aspects, the gameplay could use more fine tuning in terms of updating the interfaces for pitching, fielding, and maybe even hitting although the physics from a pitching and hitting standpoint are still on point. Keep the physics - redo the interface to be more engaging.

# 36 budsticky @ 03/11/10 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	Gamespot gave this a similar review (8.0), so I think people are finally starting to get a little weary of The Show putting out virtually the same game for the last couple of years, especially with regards to the frequent bugs and online issues. Yes it's still way better than 2K baseball, and yes, it's still a great game overall, but I think The Show is starting to slip out of the elite standard that the series set a few years ago.

I see what you're saying, and I even predicted that The Show would get mostly 8.0 to 8.5 type reviews before it was released. Why? Because their main new feature was the catcher being able to call the game in RTTS. This is something only baseball geeks will care about.

The mainstream video game press (and I'm not including OS in that category) feeds off of flashy new features. Many people spoke of Madden getting good scores this year and relating that game's quality to that of The Show. Well, Madden had Pro-Tak. On the surface it isn't a big feature, but it has a fancy name and it's something regular reviewers can grab on to. Think about the hit stick. Big deal, you can tackle using the R stick. But EA gave it a catchy name and marketed the crap out of it. Of course EA also has a ton of money to throw around to hype these things up.

Maybe SCEA should have called the catcher thing Catch-O-Matic 2010 or something like that. I'm being sarcastic, but I think you all get the point.

# 37 CarolinaBlue704 @ 03/11/10 05:24 PM

Madden 10 gets a 9.While MLB 10 gets an 8.5?

I'm sorry OS,but you guys missed the ball on this one.This is what I expect from mainstream gaming sites.Not a site like OS that is dedicated to sports gaming.

# 38 brinks @ 03/11/10 07:06 PM

What I find funny about sports game reviews is the games are always compared to last year's versions and that's it. Madden 10 is better than Madden 09. MLB 10 isn't much of a jump from MLB 09.

I haven't played a baseball game since MLB 2K7. I don't care about MLB 09 vs MLB 10. All I care about is MLB 10 as a PS3 game in 2010. How good is the game in the life of the PS3? We need reviewers that don't assume we've played last year's iteration. This game stands alone for me. Review it that way. Or at least present that point of view.

# 39 jyoung @ 03/11/10 10:47 PM

I don't think this site is ever going to live down giving Madden 10 a 9.0

It seems to come up in just about every review thread regardless of the game or genre.

# 40 Clarityman @ 03/11/10 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolinaBlue704


	Madden 10 gets a 9.While MLB 10 gets an 8.5? I'm sorry OS,but you guys missed the ball on this one.This is what I expect from mainstream gaming sites.Not a site like OS that is dedicated to sports gaming.

Can't argue with this at all.

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