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MLB '12: The Show Review (PS3)

04:43 PM - March 15, 2012 by RaychelSnr

The best sports games, at least on the simulation side of things, are those that best reproduce the sport they represent. We can hopefully project that one day a perfect sports game will be produced; one that completely mirrors its real-life counterpart in every way.

Here’s the problem: because the game it so closely imitates doesn’t change from year to year, this perfect reproduction -- the same down to the smallest detail -- doesn’t change either. And because we expect big innovations in our virtual sports, but not the real ones, it’s called “stale,” “repetitive,” and “boring” by both users and critics.

To be clear, MLB 12: The Show is not that perfect game, and has a long way to go until it is. However, I believe MLB 12: The Show to be the closest and truest representation of a sport on consoles today. You, like me, may find parts to be lacking, and I think that “stale” does accurately describe certain aspects of the game. But taken for what it is -- another step in the quest for the “perfect game” -- MLB 12: The Show is one of the best.

Read More - MLB '12: The Show Review (PS3)

Game: MLB 12 The ShowReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS Vita / PS3Votes for game: 55 - View All

MLB 12 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 21 Armor and Sword @ 03/16/12 01:37 PM

A fair and balanced review.

For Baseball junkies MLB 12 is the best console baseball game ever made. The ball physics are groundbreaking. The sound effects off the bat and into the glove are just amazing. This year hitting feels so much more "real" than ever before. Also the new collsion detection was a huge addition. It is something that has been asked for for years. And it makes a huge difference especially on your 6-4-3 and 5-4-3 DP's. I am now able to break them up sometimes and it looks.....AWESOME.

Out of the box the game plays great. But veterans of the series have a way they want games to unfold over 162 games. The slider adjustments are slight....but if a player takes some time they can get this game to play pretty much a perfect game of baseball IMO. Every year we get the obligitory "I can't hit" thread. And every year it is the same solution. Be honest with yourself and hit at your skill level and use the interface that suits you the best. The Show gives all the options needed to have a great playing experience. So what if you hit on rookie or veteran. Adjust the sliders to compensate for the cpu pitcher throwing too many strikes to get your walks up and dial down your human sliders to get a more realisitc hit/power number total.

The beauty of the show is a casual player can enjoy this game and hardcore stat junkie can too.

MLB The 2012 is the best sports game I have ever played. And I said the same thing about 2011.

9.5/10

I don't play online hence the .50 point higher review.

Perfect. No. No game will ever be perfect. Humans make the games. We are not perfect.

# 22 Knight165 @ 03/16/12 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armor & Sword


	I fair and balanced review. For Baseball junkies MLB 12 is the best console baseball game ever made. The ball physics are groundbreaking. The sound effects off the bat and into the glove are just amazing. This year hitting feels so much more "real" than ever before. Also the new collsion detection was a huge addition. It is something that has been asked for for years. And it makes a huge difference especially on your 6-4-3 and 5-4-3 DP's. I am now able to break them up sometimes and it looks.....AWESOME. Out of the box the game plays great. But veterans of the series have a way they want games to unfold over 162 games. The slider adjustments are slight....but if a player take some time they can get this game to play pretty much a perfect game of baseball IMO. Every year we get the obligitory "I can't hit" thread. And every year it is the same solution. Be honest with yourself and hit at your skill level and use the interface that suits you the best. The Show gives all the options needed to have a great playing experience. So what if you hit on rookie or veteran. Adjust the sliders to compensate for the cpu pitcher throwing too many strikes to get your walks up and dial down your human sliders to get a more realisitc hit/power number total. The beauty of the show is a casual player can enjoy this game and harcore stat junkie can too. MLB The 2012 is the best sports game I have ever played. And I said the same thing about 2011. 9.5/10 I don't play online hence the .50 point higher review. Perfect. No. No game will ever be perfect. Humans make the games. We are not perfect.

Yep.
To make the perfect game...
You need the perfect human.
Not happening.
This game is light years ahead of any other baseball game though...IMO.

M.K.
Knight165

# 23 CPRoark @ 03/16/12 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckeyedawgtribe


	I wish I had to the option to have this game. It seems like this game just gets better every year by building on its foundation. Unlike Madden which seems to adopt the this is new but we are taking this away approach..I will probably switch over to the PS4 as long as it comes out around the same time as xbox's next system as long as the online will still continue to be free that is..

This is the one game, that for me, was a literal system seller. About 4 years ago, I found a great deal on a PS3 and bought it solely to play The Show and Blu Rays. If you can find a good price, and you are a baseball junkie, it's totally worth it.

Regarding the replays, I think most of you are rich that they are delayed. But there was the occasional play I expected a replay for, and it didn't happen, regardless of wait time. Really, though that is a small issue for me, though I thought it worth mentioning.

# 24 Pared @ 03/16/12 01:54 PM

This really is a great review Caley.

I feel like it is a review from a baseball fan and gamer, not someone who plays video games and was stuck with a new baseball game.

It makes all the difference.

# 25 CPRoark @ 03/16/12 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	This really is a great review Caley. I feel like it is a review from a baseball fan and gamer, not someone who plays video games and was stuck with a new baseball game. It makes all the difference.

Thanks Pared.

I think the same sentiment can be applied to The Show; it's made by baseball fans who happen to be developers. There seems to be a genuine love for the sports; the opening video was great!

# 26 PAPERNUT @ 03/16/12 04:54 PM

Great review for a great game.

# 27 Bobhead @ 03/16/12 10:07 PM

Don't know if I agree with all the specifics (I've played NBA 2k12, it doesn't have commentary, it has "Random Story Time Featuring NBA Dudes"), but I agree with the main point of your review: The Show 12 is hands down the best baseball video game ever made.

# 28 mpt54 @ 03/17/12 02:54 PM

Awesome review

# 29 PlusTheHarm @ 03/17/12 06:11 PM

Seems like a fair review. Played a game at a buddies house (have yet to get the game, remains to be seen if I will, sadly) and once again it just feels like another solid Show offering. Nothing wrong with that, and still the best bet it seems.

# 30 JonahLomu @ 03/17/12 10:10 PM

this certainly seems like the perfect game to buy EVERY other year, mainly because it's that good and detaied that small tweaks don't make a difference to me, I cant play online much because a damaged left hand makes it too hard to field, let alone pitch, but I dont guess there is a no-field, CPU pitching online mode.

Also, it would be great to immediately download your boxscore to a blog or an OS dynasty thread.

# 31 CujoMatty @ 03/18/12 03:36 AM

It seems to me the solution to games feeling stale or boring doesn't actually lie in the gameplay side at all. Everything the show does, gameplay wise is really good. Reinventing the wheel, as people say isn't nescessary, because like the review says the game of baseball stays the same and the show represents the game of baseball really well. I think it's obvious at this point that what needs to change from year to year is presentation and commentary. Give us new commentary, better presentation elements and the game would feel fresh. Why did I stop playing last years the show? Not cause it wasn't awesome but because I saw the same thing for 200 games. And outta those 200 games I saw alot from the year before. That's the rub and I personally feel the show, nba2k, and the NHL series have all suffered because of it this year.

# 32 Mister Magnus @ 03/19/12 01:17 PM

Can anyone tell me if they made improvements to Rivalry mode since Show '10? My buddy and I had a great time setting up and playing multi-game Cubs/Sox series but it lacked a few things, such as a functioning calendar to gauge fatigue, roster moves, the ability to choose ballparks other than the two home stadiums, etc.

Is Rivalry mode still in the game?

# 33 Pared @ 03/19/12 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cujomatty


	That's the rub and I personally feel the show, nba2k, and the NHL series have all suffered because of it this year.

This is an interesting take. Some would say these games have the best presentation out there for any sports game.

I'm not sure they can do much else with the time they have. You can't revamp an entire presentation every single year - this is proven as much by the major networks not doing it themselves.

Why should we hold video game developers to such a high standard in this aspect if the national media do not follow the same path? Should a maker completely start from scratch each year only to hold the attention span of gamers for 3-5 months?

# 34 Knight165 @ 03/19/12 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pared


	This is an interesting take. Some would say these games have the best presentation out there for any sports game. I'm not sure they can do much else with the time they have. You can't revamp an entire presentation every single year - this is proven as much by the major networks not doing it themselves. Why should we hold video game developers to such a high standard in this aspect if the national media do not follow the same path? Should a maker completely start from scratch each year only to hold the attention span of gamers for 3-5 months?

DEFINITELY NOT.

M.K.
Knight165

# 35 DickDalewood @ 03/19/12 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cujomatty


	It seems to me the solution to games feeling stale or boring doesn't actually lie in the gameplay side at all. Everything the show does, gameplay wise is really good. Reinventing the wheel, as people say isn't nescessary, because like the review says the game of baseball stays the same and the show represents the game of baseball really well. I think it's obvious at this point that what needs to change from year to year is presentation and commentary. Give us new commentary, better presentation elements and the game would feel fresh. Why did I stop playing last years the show? Not cause it wasn't awesome but because I saw the same thing for 200 games. And outta those 200 games I saw alot from the year before. That's the rub and I personally feel the show, nba2k, and the NHL series have all suffered because of it this year.

It would in no way be realistic or feasible for companies to completely revamp presentation and commentary every single year.

# 36 PsychoBulk @ 03/22/12 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevaliantx


	While I do not agree that MLB 12: The Show is realistic at its core

I would think you are in a very tiny minority with that opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevaliantx


	I should be able to pitch balls that are on the edges of the strikezone, and see a variable number of batters take or swing at the pitches, depending on their ratings.

I see that all the time, with lots of variance.

Maybe, just maybe, some of these "issues" people experience are caused by the way the user plays the game, not the game itself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevaliantx


	(2) one pitch mode was implemented. I don't want to sit through 2 hours of gameplay. I have other things to do in my life. OOTP (Out Of The Park) for PC implements this perfectly. The reason you have so many fans in the stands in real life on their cell phones or talking about anyting other than the game is because it takes WAY TOO LONG to get through a game. MLB: The Show is no different, it's like watching paint dry. It would be less noticeable if there were more strategy involved, as in batters taking more pitches or pitchers's accuracy truly depending on their ratings.

Fast forward some innings if you want to speed it up.

The Show captures the lovely slow pace that baseball is meant to be played at, its why 99% of us love it.

If you want wham bam thankyou mam baseball then this isnt the game for you, maybe try The Bigs.

# 37 BobbyColtrane @ 04/01/12 10:29 AM

Very good game, but things i would like to see fixed are:

1. All the dropped 3rd strikes
2. The overabundant dives in the outfield
3. Hits up the middle bouncing off the pitcher

# 38 JasonZimmerman @ 04/22/12 01:32 AM

I love the game....If MLB 2K12 would let The Show use it's commentary, and if they would add the wishbone "C" or "Reds" behind homplate in Cincy...It would be the best sports game ever.

# 39 papasmurf @ 05/21/12 01:25 AM

i absolutely am addicted to this game. i got a ps 3 for christmas just to play the show. i finally picked it up a few days ago. started a franchise with the royals. before i got this mvp 2005 was my favorite game. i guess i dont notice it being stale because this is the first version i owned. overall i would give it 9.25/10

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