(To quote a familiar
broadcast-baseball call) "It might be, it could be, it is!!!"
SCEA has swung for the fences with
the latest iteration of MLB The Show and planted the pitch solidly in the
bleachers.
When the
foundations are solid, there is not much else to do but build upwards. That was
probably the mantra the SCEA San Diego dev team was reciting when creating MLB
10: The Show. After all, the game is the 10th iteration of the
franchise, with a short development time. But that doesn’t mean there are not
changes. Actually, No. 10 has some nice features added into the mix, and it has
been graphically enhanced to create a more vibrant and compelling baseball game.
(It needs to
be noted that this review was based on a debug, or test kit, review code of the
game, which was unaffected by the problems currently plaguing PS3 retail units.
Multiplayer connectivity to retail servers was not available.)
The game
doesn’t actually hit retails until March 2, at which point the servers will be
up for the multiplayer element, which features the ability for a 30-player
season mode, also available in the franchise mode.
So, if you
are a fan of the series (which happens to be the pre-eminent baseball franchise
in release and is exclusive to the PS3), you want to cut to the chase and know
what’s new. After all, baseball is baseball, and the game doesn’t have to be
explained.
So let’s run
down the list of some of the major new elements …
In the RTTS
(Road to the Show) mode, players can take on the role of a catcher and call
every pitch. This is akin to micro-management in real-time strategy games. It is
immersive, but can be a bit overwhelming. Typically, players play one position
and the game fast forwards to the next instance when that player is involved.
Playing the catcher, though, means being involved constantly defensively. Sure,
you skip offensive innings if not at bat, but you call each pitch and manage the
infield with pitch out, intentional walks and pick-off throws. It sounds
laborious, but actually this is a lot of fun – more so than playing a field
position.
The setup is
much like that for the pitcher, except you don’t have a velocity meter to play
with. You call the pitch and the location. Training points are a bit tougher to
come up with initially, and the games take longer to play through. Add to that
the pitchers will tire and not hit the spots you are calling and it becomes a
case of selective management. ("Hey, I know your arm is about to fall off so
just pipe it! Let’s try to get this guy out so we can go home!") Need that
ground ball for a double play? Try something low, and if the batter is tattooing
the heat, call for a slurve, a circle change, or another off-speed pitch. It’s
tactical, and entertaining.
The game has
new collision detection, and some new AI tweaks that make for a much richer and
realistic experience. As someone who has spent a great deal of time as an
infielder in RTTS, playing a pro-active catcher position put some new life into
the game.
The AI has
been stepped up and that extends to the crowds as well. With 11 new ballparks
thrown into the mix, this version has raised the bar from MLB 9.
The UI has
thrown in a movie maker option to give players the ability to take 10 replays
and create a movie, even with the ability to change camera angles. Training
modes allow players to elevate skills – which is important in RTTS when trying
to move up to the Show.
Just want to
get to some hammering time? Take a couple of friends and enter the Home Run
Derby. While mostly about timing, these guys make abusing a baseball or
targeting fans in the outfield stands look easy.
There is
also a new pickoff move system to make moves to snag a leaning runner more
deceptive. The game is rife with tweaks and changes that really bring home a
dynamic experience. When it comes to the announcing, it’s solid as usual, though
Rex Hudler seems to have stepped up the criticism more. The musical tracks are
pretty good and there are some solid surprises from bands many may not have
heard of. The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Band of Skulls, and Night Horse are all
featured artists, delivering tunes that are pretty good the first few times
heard, but then it gets repetitious and easy down that function works just as
well.
Of course,
players can adjust the difficulty settings with a host of sliders that target
about every element of the game, and custom player creation is pretty deep as
well.
Online will
feature the Season Leagues, Roster Updates, that aforementioned Player Season
Mode and the SCOUT matching system for online games.
Sure, MLB 10
is not perfect, but this is a darn fine baseball game, and it has taken an
otherwise solid base and built upwards to create an experience baseball
video-game fans should enjoy.
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Gameplay: 9.0
The new elements
really bring a solid dimension to the overall game. A new camera system also
picks up the visual elements and the game controls are well done.
Graphics: 9.5
The new collision
detection, the way the environment plays into the game and the lighting effects
really bring this game to the forefront of baseball-based games.
Sound: 8.5
Some good tunes
and solid play-by-play. Dave Campbell does solid color commentary, but Rex
Hudler is more of a naysayer throughout.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 9.0
The game
foundations have been improved and the new elements really create a solid gaming
experience.
Multiplayer: NA
The code received
prohibited this element from being played.
Overall: 9.0
While the game is
not perfect it is a far sight better than previous iterations. Years ago there
was a MVP baseball game on the PC that was top-drawer (IMO) and MLB 10 rivals,
if not exceeds, that. Top to bottom, this is an entertaining game to look at and
play.
