MLB 14 The Show News Post

MLB 14 The Show Review (PS3)

12:23 PM - April 4, 2014 by RaychelSnr

As the immortal Babe Ruth once said “Baseball is the greatest game in the world, and it deserves the best you can give it.” Over the years, the development group at SCEA San Diego has found a way to do just that. The MLB The Show franchise from SCEA San Diego has widely been recognized as one of the best sports series going, and rightfully so. This year the development team finds themselves for the second time, in a transition period. The team was faced with the task of trying to keep the ball rolling on the PS3 and Vita, and start it on the PS4. The question now is, should you bother grabbing the PS3 version, if you have a PS4 system that is eagerly awaiting the date of May 6th?

Read More - MLB 14 The Show Review (PS3)

Game: MLB 14 The ShowReader Score: 8.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS Vita / PS3 / PS4Votes for game: 12 - View All

MLB 14 The Show Videos

Member Comments

# 21 dragan24 @ 04/04/14 05:09 PM

I really enjoy Sony's MLB series, but this year I decided to rent it, and while the game is very good, I've decided to stick with last year's iteration. It still plays a great game of baseball, but I did not like QC as much as I thought I would (too many 3-2 counts when batting), I did not care for the dynamic camera (where is the low camera angle--was it removed?), could not find the option for turning on the catch region indicator (when playing outfield). This is my favorite franchise and I was looking forward to buying it. Who knows...may be the PS4 version will change my mind. Play Ball!

# 22 bluengold34_OS @ 04/04/14 05:39 PM

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.

# 23 BaylorBearBryant @ 04/04/14 06:35 PM

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

# 24 bluengold34_OS @ 04/04/14 06:49 PM

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.

# 25 sroz39 @ 04/04/14 07:04 PM

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.

# 26 ty5oke @ 04/04/14 08:39 PM

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

# 27 Armor and Sword @ 04/04/14 09:24 PM

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.

# 28 jeffy777 @ 04/04/14 10:04 PM

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".

# 29 underdog13 @ 04/05/14 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armor & Sword


	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.

One thing that I think is lacking in the show franchise is a way to read about just general mlb news. Don't know if you have played ootp but they have a tons of news about injuries, accomplishments going around in the league. Or something like madden where they have a Twitter feed to bring the news.

# 30 Armor and Sword @ 04/05/14 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underdog13


	One thing that I think is lacking in the show franchise is a way to read about just general mlb news. Don't know if you have played ootp but they have a tons of news about injuries, accomplishments going around in the league. Or something like madden where they have a Twitter feed to bring the news.

Oh yeah I have OOTTP for my I-Pad.

I have a feeling on the PS4 in a few years……we will be getting a tour de force of presentation…..dynamic presentation about our franchise. More room, more powerful processor etc.

I hear ya. And i don't disagree. It can definitely use some life in that way. A weekly wrap up show would be insane.

I remember the news papers and they had some attempt at a more living and breathing….but I think the games resources went far more to gameplay.

I think news and things of that nature are great. I am no game developer in the least bit….I know zero about that stuff….I just play them. But I have to imagine all of the resources went to core gameplay…..because my god…..the game plays like a freaking baseball lovers dream.

So I am sure more in depth dynamic features will be coming our way over the next few years. Because the gameplay is spot on for the most part.

# 31 Dazraz @ 04/05/14 03:46 AM

Considering how easy it could of been for Sony to go the 2K route & release a near identical version of the previous years version whilst focusing on Next Gen, I think it's great that the developers have invested so much in this years game.
I'm an Offline gamer so the Online issues are of no concern to me. It's a shame not more has been done in regards to the commentary. This has been a constant complaint with the game but one that doesn't seem to be getting adressed.
I would of given it a 9 myself.

# 32 tanchl @ 04/05/14 10:00 AM

A review should be taken for what it is. If you're buying a new car or wanting to eat at a new restaurant, for example, and you just don't have any personal baseline information, you seek out a review and go from there. Anybody that has ever played an inning of the Show shouldn't even have to look at a review; you should just know that regardless of the year, you're in for a quality experience. Yes, I read this review, but not for anything but something to read out of curiosity.

I pshaw any talk about stale commentary for it is rather easy to turn off the commentary in varying ways. I personally keep Matt and silence the other two. Sometimes I silence Matt and provide my own commentary.

Not too many products you can count on year after year anymore; The Show is one of them. It's a 10 every year for me.

# 33 Blzer @ 04/05/14 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanchl


	I pshaw any talk about stale commentary for it is rather easy to turn off the commentary in varying ways. I personally keep Matt and silence the other two.

This is exactly part of the problem, though. Silencing the other two does not:

- Fill the voids of when those two are talking (instead it's just nothingness in the commentary in those sections).

- Remove any times that Matt is talking to/responding to Steve and Eric.

Now you might respond in saying that the first point still sounds fine with those gaps, and that the second point doesn't happen very often... and that is inherent to the entire issue here.

Let's say that we didn't like John Kruk and Steve Phillips when we're playing MLB 2K, and there was an option for us to lower their volume so we did. Now we're listening to Gary Thorne, and it would sound so weird for the same two reasons, only this time it would be solidified. That game's commentary track has them talking to each other all the time, and their flow together is pretty nonstop.

Now I don't think I should praise that game's commentary beyond what is good about it, because honestly they repeat lines all the time as well... but there is this certain flow in the lines and the way that it is stitched together that you simply could not "silence the others" and the commentary would still flow at an acceptable pace like you can in The Show. The fact that The Show allows commentators to be muted and we take accept that advantage means something still might have to be done about the commentary, whether it actually ever will or not.

Although, that is only a small point in the review, and this review extends beyond commentary talk. I just had to get my two cents in on that, because normally I'm rather hush-hush about the commentary in general. I personally don't mind it in that I listen to it all and never mute them, but the immersion factor there could certainly go up, if for no other reason than we've heard the same people for quite some time now. I'm glad that Campbell and Hudler are out of the booth, though.

# 34 Pdubya64 @ 04/05/14 10:29 AM

Yeah... commentary - the (video) age old dilemma.

I don't know that there is any definitive answer other than bringing in a new "crew" every so many years. I actually kind of miss Soup Campbell at times, though his last year was less than stellar- but the man knew Baseball.
It's pretty expensive to record the hours and hours of lines needed for the game times three guys. But, even if they could just add a new small set of situational responses in the instances where currently only one exists it would be a big improvement. Sure there is a limit to file size at some point though.
It doesn't ruin the game for me, but a change would be appreciated.

# 35 ty5oke @ 04/05/14 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armor & Sword


	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.

Basically comparing to OOTP. Since playing that and FM over the past 4 years or so, sports console gaming just hasn't cut it much for me.

I need immersion, weekly shows, highlight cut-out to other games, running storylines, etc... I shouldn't have to go searching through multiple screens to make up my own storylines.

# 36 Knight165 @ 04/05/14 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ty5oke


	Basically comparing to OOTP. Since playing that and FM over the past 4 years or so, sports console gaming just hasn't cut it much for me. I need immersion, weekly shows, highlight cut-out to other games, running storylines, etc... I shouldn't have to go searching through multiple screens to make up my own storylines.

Have they added a weekly show or highlights from other games in OOTP for '15?

Heck...it doesn't even have a ticker of other league games running when you are playing...you have to click on another screen to get out of town. You have to pause it and go to the BNN Network screen.

I love OOTP as much as the next guy, but I don't see how other than the news items....it has that much more immersion than The Show for the way you are describing.

In other ways...it blows the Show away(full minor leagues....COMPLETE ability to edit anything in franchise.....expansion...etc)...so there is that.

M.K.
Knight165

# 37 Knight165 @ 04/05/14 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpectralThundr


	They are very capable of adding in situational commentary to overall improve the GM experience. Other sports titles do this. I love The Show, it, and NHL for me are the two best sports games out there hands down. However, that doesn't mean they should get a pass by having the same exact commentary they've had for the past 3 or 4 years. No excuse for that. Presentation needs some love and attention at this point because as much as the game play is amazing, the presentation is flat out stale, much like NHL is in the same boat.

Have you played yet?
If you have...I think you'd hear there is much more situational commentary in franchise mode this year.

M.K.
Knight165

# 38 tril @ 04/05/14 03:09 PM

solid game play
-dated commentary
-not really a fan of the quick counts. I dont find it immersive enough.

# 39 ey215 @ 04/05/14 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS


	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.

I can unabashedly say that I hope they never get rid of Matty V. That's just because I truly enjoy his work.

With that being said, it's a fair point. Announcing teams are to some extent a matter of taste. However, I agree with what I seem to recall Russell saying in that changing the team, especially Matt, would set them way back just due to the sheer volume of audio they have of him over the years. I'm not sure bringing in someone new just for the sake of change would be a good idea.

At this point, I really don't think it's the announcing team that's holding the commentary from the next big step forward it's just the technical "how do you do it" part of really getting it to sound like an every day broadcast.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this and while I can come up with a pretty grand vision of where I'd like sports game commentary to go I have no clue how you'd do it technically. It would be a monumental task.

# 40 jim48888888 @ 04/06/14 01:20 AM

this review could use an editor for misspellings and grammatical mistakes. im just sayin'... it takes away from the attempted professionalism of the piece.

« Previous 123 4 Next »

More Links

MLB 14 The Show Review (PS3)