MLB The Show 17

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MLB The Show 17 is a Major League Baseball (MLB) video game developed by Sony San Diego and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the twelfth entry of the MLB: The Show franchise, and was released on March 28, 2017, exclusively for the PlayStation 4. The American cover features Ken Griffey Jr..[1] Aaron Sanchez is the cover athlete for the Canadian version, and Wei-Yin Chen is on the Taiwanese cover.[2]

While Matt Vasgersian returns for The Show 17, commentary from Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac replaced Eric Karros and Steve Lyons. MLB The Show 17 features three presentation themes: MLB Network, which features similar presentation to actual MLB Network broadcasts, Theme 1, which is used for other MLB games, and Theme 2, which is used primarily for Minor League Baseball games.[3]

Gameplay

MLB The Show 17 is a baseball simulation video game based on Major League Baseball. Like past games in the series, The Show 17 simulates the experience of MLB.[4] The Show now has a "Retro Mode", which is gameplay inspired by 1990s classic retro-sims baseball games. This mode features custom audio, Ken Griffey Jr. commentary, and an 8-bit throwback pause menu.[5] New features include MLB 17’s Road to the Show story called Pave Your Path in which you’ll have the ability to control the progression of your career. The mode will include cutscenes that present the player with decisions that affect the storyline.[6]

Release

On December 3, 2016 MLB The Show 17 was announced with a trailer for the game that showed the games release date along with new features.[7] MLB The Show 17 was released worldwide on March, 28, 2017 for the PlayStation 4. This was the first time since MLB 06: The Show that the game was not released for the Playstation 3. There were four different versions of the game to purchase. Standard Edition, MVP Edition, Hall of Fame Edition, and Digital Deluxe Edition. If players purchase the Hall of Fame Edition of the game, they receive the Steel Book case cover, several physical items, such as a limited edition New Era Hat, and many in-game bonuses.[8]

Reception

"MLB The Show 17" was well received by critics upon release. Metacritic gave the PS4 version an 86/100 aggregate score.

Caley Roark gave the game a positive review for IGN. He scored it a 9.5/10, praised the overall presentation and gameplay, and stated: "Overall, MLB The Show 17 builds on last year’s version, which many cited as the best in the series, by adding some key features and improvements. Most notable are increased hit variety, MLB Network integration, and the RTTS documentary. All of these additions make the game feel more like real baseball. This authenticity makes games more fun to play, as it’s easier than ever to become invested in every pitch."[10]

Polygon's Owen S. Good awarded the game a 8 out of 10, concluding: 'MLB The Show 17 continues one of the longest-running successes in sports video gaming, and it’s not a regression. But its advances sound a lot bigger on paper than they are in practice.". Good praised the gameplay calling it "wonderfully varied" with pitching mechanics that "just feels stronger". One negative aspect of his review involves repetition in its presentation, saying its "MLB The Show’s biggest weakness".[11]

Andrew Reiner of Game Informer gave the game an overall score of 9 out 10 saying "MLB The Show 17 is an ambitious game that tries to dazzle players with new avenues of play and a story, but is at its best on the field, where the action has never looked or played better."[12]

Richard Wakeling from Gamespot gave the game a positive review. He scored the game a 8 out of 10 and praised the gameplay stating "the action on the field has never been better, with smarter fielding AI, and enhanced ball physics that bring the hitting to life." Richard did have some issues, pointing out that the commentary was "still a little too stilted for my liking" and the game had a few "blemishes lurking throughout" but those problems didn't take much away from the overall experience saying the product overall "is America's National Pastime at its best". [13]