MLB The Show 18

MLB The Show 18
United States cover art featuringAaron Judge
Developer(s)	San Diego Studio
Publisher(s)	Sony Interactive Entertainment
Series	MLB: The Show
Platform(s)	PlayStation 4
Release	March 27, 2018
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player,multiplayer

MLB The Show 18is abaseballvideo game bySan Diego Studioand published bySony Interactive Entertainment,based onMajor League Baseball(MLB). It is the thirteenth entry of theMLB: The Showfranchise, and was released worldwide on March 27, 2018, forPlayStation 4.New York YankeesoutfielderAaron Judgeis featured as the cover star for the U.S. version,whileToronto Blue JayspitcherMarcus Stromanis on the cover of the Canadian version.A limited number of people were invited to a closed Alpha, which began on December 22, 2017, until December 26, 2017, to test the online servers. Those who pre-ordered the game received access to the game four days early, able to pick up their copy of the game on March 23, 2018.

Matt Vasgersian,Dan PlesacandMark DeRosaact as play-by-play commentators; DeRosa replacesHarold Reynolds,who was featured in theprevious year'sgame. Mike Carlucci returns as public address commentator.

Features

"MLB The Show 18" is host to a multitude of features; Play Now, Road to The Show, Franchise, Diamond Dynasty.

Road to The Show

The "Road to The Show" game mode allows the user to create a player and guide him through path to MLB. In this game mode the user plays the baseball games through their player, only able to control situations that involve their player (ex. "at-bats", "fielding opportunities" ).

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	82/100

Review scores

Publication	Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly	9/10
Game Informer	6.75/10
GameSpot	9/10
IGN	8.5/10

MLB The Show 18received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according toreview aggregatorMetacritic.

Eddie Makuch ofGameSpotgave the game 9/10, writing: "Sony's flagship baseball franchise has never been better. With its best-in-class controls and visuals, and impeccable attention to detail for the small stuff,MLB The Show 18is worth catching for any baseball fan. "Writing forIGN,Caley Roark gave it an 8.5/10 and said, "The strength of theMLB The Showseries has always been its authentic gameplay, which traditionally does a fantastic job capturing the essence of baseball. The 2018 version ofThe Showcontinues that trend, creating the most realistic baseball game to date. However, the nuanced gameplay and visual changes don't quite make up for the lack of innovation – or removal – ofMLB The Show's core modes. "

Michael Goroff ofElectronic Gaming Monthlygave the 8.5/10, writing, "MLB The Show 18offers a ton of options for new players to craft their own experiences while still giving veteran players the level of depth they'd expect from the latest entry in a series that's been totally refined over the years. "

Conversely, Andrew Reiner ofGame Informergave it just 6.75/10, specifically criticizing online gameplay and saying "... the online aspect of the game – where Sony is focusing the most for additions – remains unpredictable at best and completely broken at its worst. As the season goes along, the experience will hopefully get better, but for the hardcore baseball fans that purchased the game early, it can be a nightmare."

TheAcademy of Interactive Arts & SciencesnominatedMLB The Show 18for "Sports Game of the Year"at the22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.