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

# 41 Battman @ 04/06/14 03:14 AM

I have been buying this game for 7 years and will definitely buy it again for PS4. But that's only because I have so much fun with the offline modes. Online has always been a joke. I live in Europe (Vienna, Austria) an online games have been simply unplayable since the beginning of the series. The first years you could have argued that this game is only produced for the American market and hence there are no servers for this game in Europe. But since MLB 12 this game has been available in European PSN stores. So I could expect a working online experience in Europe, too. But until today. Honestly, after 7 years of crappy online experiences its time for some review hate. Otherwise SCEA will never put more effort on this part of the game. So in my opinion the metacritic scores and the OS score is far too high! In 2014 we can expect a good online experience! And if a good part of the game modes just do not work properly a rating 8 out of 10 is just far too much love!

# 42 feztonio @ 04/06/14 09:44 AM

they need to reexamine the contracts, free agency and the trade deadline. players contract lengths and dollar amounts should mirror real-life. at this point the information is out there. computer teams at the deadline should be able to recognize they have a need at a particular position and be willing to trade A level prospects in a package for an mlb player. the computer teams should value the A level prospects higher.. i can offer a trade of 3 D / F prospects for three of their A prospects and the computer will happily accept with some "this looks like it will benefit both our teams" message in the box. really?? it's 2014 and we're next gen console now. let's get the computer AI next gen.

# 43 SVCbearcat10 @ 04/06/14 09:45 AM

It's funny to see that this game is getting almost the exact same scores as Madden, but they couldn't be two different experiences. If you put them side by side, you'd have a tough time saying Madden does a better at simulating football than the Show does baseball. However, review scores lead you to believe they are about an equal experience.

# 44 Blzer @ 04/06/14 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVCbearcat10


	It's funny to see that this game is getting almost the exact same scores as Madden, but they couldn't be two different experiences. If you put them side by side, you'd have a tough time saying Madden does a better at simulating football than the Show does baseball. However, review scores lead you to believe they are about an equal experience.

There is a fun factor involved in the scoring as well, not only the aspects that make it the simulation that it is. Not to say The Show isn't fun, but I think people tend to see Madden as a very fun "party" or "online" game. I mean heck, I do believe that game has been plenty stable online for others, so that just might be a part of it all.

Let's wait until the PS4 review score, anyway. That's where they probably allocated most resources the past eighteen months.

# 45 Pdubya64 @ 04/06/14 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blzer


	There is a fun factor involved in the scoring as well, not only the aspects that make it the simulation that it is. Not to say The Show isn't fun, but I think people tend to see Madden as a very fun "party" or "online" game. I mean heck, I do believe that game has been plenty stable online for others, so that just might be a part of it all. Let's wait until the PS4 review score, anyway. That's where they probably allocated most resources the past eighteen months.

Agreed. Despite not owning a PS4 yet, I am really looking forward to the community response to the game. It will probably help decide whether or not I buy one this year or wait until 15 comes out.

I will say this though... Baseball is a tough game to get "right". Even MLB and OOTP have their rough edges and modes or pieces that just never seem to work quite right. And let's be honest here, we can all be pretty picky when it comes to what we want in a sports game, which is as it should be if you are laying out $40 to $60 every spring.

# 46 bluengold34_OS @ 04/06/14 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVCbearcat10


	It's funny to see that this game is getting almost the exact same scores as Madden, but they couldn't be two different experiences. If you put them side by side, you'd have a tough time saying Madden does a better at simulating football than the Show does baseball. However, review scores lead you to believe they are about an equal experience.

Keep in mind that when these games are reviewed, it's not just how well the game simulates the sport, but all of the components that the game offers - like online .

# 47 ty5oke @ 04/06/14 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knight165


	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

I use the real-time simulation, so yes I do see top performers as I go and scoring updates.

# 48 RandallB21 @ 04/06/14 02:35 PM

Missing the Rays Powder Blue uniforms again??? You're killing me!
Other than that once again a great baseball game.

# 49 THESHAMISASHAME @ 04/06/14 05:10 PM

Other than online this game is a 10 !!! and so many different ways to play and SCEA did alot of work under the hood and to name a few , AI Logic , Dynamic views , player motion , ball physics , graphics , sound , player lock , new menus , weather options and the greatest implement ever Quick Counts mode .

game only no online this game is a 11 out of 10 !

# 50 THESHAMISASHAME @ 04/06/14 05:24 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.

See I dont know what people want as theres only so much you can do like MLB 2k did with real time stuff , I mean the show still has more dialog than any two sports games combined and tons more sititutional this year .

Now my only issue with the audio was the announcers didnt sound like they were at the game but just like they improved stadium sound effects and music this year you can actually make the announcers sound like there at the game too by adjusting your tv sound options and tweaking the levels in game to make it sound incredibly realistic if you take the time .

Oh and IMO sound wise the EA NHL series has the best sounding team like their at the Arena and Clement and Thorne sound great together like a old NHL on ESPN feel and Doc would be annoying as heck after a few games .

# 51 RaychelSnr @ 04/07/14 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVCbearcat10


	It's funny to see that this game is getting almost the exact same scores as Madden, but they couldn't be two different experiences. If you put them side by side, you'd have a tough time saying Madden does a better at simulating football than the Show does baseball. However, review scores lead you to believe they are about an equal experience.

We could score games based upon just how realistic they are, but then you'd have a whole new scoring system and a completely flawed end result when huge portions of games (like online) don't work properly.

# 52 dutch4404 @ 04/07/14 02:52 PM

Careful with all the commentary bashing. They could just take it out and leave you with nothing *cough* 2013 rtts *cough*

# 53 Battman @ 04/07/14 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutch4404


	Careful with all the commentary bashing. They could just take it out and leave you with nothing cough 2013 rtts cough

I still do not believe that RTTS non-commentary in 2013 was intentional. If so, it was avers poor decision. The atmosphere was horrible.

# 54 Daruff79 @ 04/07/14 05:27 PM

Coming from years of MLB2k I have no complaints and can't wait to get my hands on this game

# 55 Armor and Sword @ 04/08/14 07:31 AM

I am going to revise my score…….yes I am.

I feel it needs to be pointed out about a few of design decisions that IMO were awful…..just really awful.

14 is no doubt the very best game in the series and a truly incredible game. I am loving it big time. However a few of the design decisions after playing a ton of games have me really irked…..I am getting over it….in fact I am over it…but again mind boggling to me these choices were made.

1. The option to turn off the HR Cam - The majestic pull back camera of 13 on a no doubter was one of he greatest views I have ever seen in a baseball video game. Pure drama and excitement every time I hit one on 13 that was a no doubter. It is no more during real time play of The Show 14 because we can't turn off the HR cam this year. I am baffled, really baffled by tho design decision. An option taken away? Not like these guys. I have a very bad feeling it can't be patched back in….maybe I am wrong. So hopefully it's back for 15.

2. The blue circle under the fielder with auto fielding and manual throwing. A Developer commented on it and he was voted down on keeping that (blue circle under the fielder) out so I appreciated the candid response. I just don't get how it was voted in when it is pretty clear as day who has the ball when you have auto fielding on. And if a player is that unskilled and is canceling throws because of their supposed confusion…..please don't dumb down this beloved simulation for us who have been playing this game for years upon years….and if the blue circle is so needed for some…..give us a toggle to shut it off. I really feel like those of us who play with a clean screen got screwed with that big time. It really takes away from the slogan "So real it's unreal" with that huge……HUGE mistake in design. Please give us back the clean screen this year…..if not please notate this flaw for 15.

3. When you press select to see hot zones, spray charts for hitters etc…….current stats are gone. Why? Why? I don't understand that decision as well. It was always nice to see a players current in game and season stats in that menu. Another baffling design decision.

I don't play online. So no deductions from me there.

- .75 points

9/10

# 56 canadian merlin @ 04/17/14 03:12 PM

I wasted $60.00 on this game...in my humble opinion. To me the game play (PS3) isn't that different from the '13 version and some of the aspects of the game, such as the ability to argue calls, are not in the game. I bought '14 but enjoy playing '13 alot more. I'll save my money next year.

# 57 Sco291 @ 04/17/14 03:28 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.

This. and more of this.

Honestly....I think getting rid of the newspaper article was a big mistake as it took franchise imagination immersion out of the game completely. I actually looked forward to reading it after every game whether it was from my game or another fro around the league.

But like ty5oke said, I think Franchise down the road desperately needs some kind of news wire or something. With the incredibly immense power of the PS4, I'd like to see some highlight cut-outs to other games while playing a game in my franchise. I think a cut scene to showing Matt, Steve, and Eric in the booth side by side is important. This is what I believe he means by dynamic. I want to be INVOLVED in my franchise and see things like this and I believe the game desperately needs ideas like this for future The Show games on next gen.

I don't mean to get off topic, MLB 14 on PS3 is hands down THEE best sports game I've played ever.

# 58 Armor and Sword @ 04/17/14 06:18 PM

Totally agree about stepping up the immersion an presentation off the field.

I have a good feeling for the PS4 we will see some cool things in the future.

# 59 GreenGlen @ 05/31/14 02:54 PM

I don't think that it's too early to call for a retrospective review of the scoring given to MLB 14 The Show (PS3). Especially if this version receives no more title updates.

OS Overall Rating (8)

From Rating Explained:
8.0 - 8.5 (Great) -- These games are really quite good. There are a few notable flaws with the game holding it back from being a classic, but these games are worth the money, and for even casual fans of the sport they are definite purchases

# 60 CaseIH @ 06/01/14 04:03 AM

When the game 1st came out I was amazed that it looked even better and gameplay wise it was the best to date. Then found out that franchise mode is broken with the budget issue with team signing top prospects for 5 and 6 yr deal for around 1 mil per yr and after the 1st season there is no more small market teams. Teams dont subbed out position players during spring training games so your everday players play every inning in spring games. There are also some freezing issues, but nothing that dont unlock itself within about 30 seconds, still shouldnt happen.

Graphics rating - 10, dont know how it could look any better on a old system than it does, its amazing

Gameplay- 9.7, freezes drop it from a 10, but all around game play is the best to date and I love QC's

Replay value - 0 Unless franchise issues get fixed the game is broken an useless if your a franchise mode offline gamer. No logical work around either, so unless patched the game has absolutely 0 replay value for offline franchise mode gamers, which I am, and I know the majority of MLBTS gamers are offline franchise mode players.

Over the years SCEA has built up a lot of respect from me as well as I think all most everyone who has bought the game, but this year with a unplayable franchise mode they have been extremely quiet, which is causing my self as well as probably a lot of others to lose respect for them. They have said nothing about these issues for the PS3, but yet fixed the PS4 version, which in my eyes and probably others makes them look as shady as the other 2 popular sports gaming companies that make basketball and football.

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