Baseball season is almost here, which means one thing. MLB The Show 26 has arrived to whet your appetite until opening day arrives. Sony’s annual baseball franchise is back, and once again, Aaron Judge adorns the cover. Is MLB The Show 26 worth picking up though or are you fine staying with last year’s game? That depends on what you want.
When you first boot up the game, it immediately asks about the game style experience that you want. There are three options: “casual,” an easier, more “pick-up and play” experience; “simulation,” which gives you a bit more of an authentic MLB experience that plays true to player and team ratings; and “competitive,” the online head-to-head default. After that you select your favorite team, choose the level of difficulty you want, utilize any of the accessibility settings that are necessary, and then you are on your way to the diamond.
As in other iterations, MLB The Show 26 offers a variety of modes for baseball fans to enjoy. There is “Road to the Show,” “Diamond Dynasty,” “Franchise,” Storylines,” and more for those who just want to play single player and have a good time.
In “Road to the Show,” you chart your own course as you start at the bottom and try to work your way up to the majors. It begins with you in high school. A number of different college programs are vying for your talent with a new recruiting system that offers a bit more realism. When you start out you are presented with a new choice. You can choose a male ballplayer and enjoy a revamped narrative experience. If you want something new though, you can choose a female ballplayer and experience a new and unique narrative experience.
Once you choose what you want to do, a number of options are laid out for you. I chose to be a two-way player so I could both pitch and hit. The first thing I had to do was set up the type of pitches I wanted. Then I was given some tokens to level up my player as I see fit. For me, speed was upgraded first, as well as contact. Next, I put some into throwing to try and make sure I have a well-rounded player. If you want, you can even make your player look like you. This gets accomplished by downloading the MLB The Show companion app, linking your account, taking a picture, and then uploading that picture using a QR code that the game gives you. This is also where you help to create other aspects of your player such as editing the name, number, and more. After all of that you begin your own personal road to the show, starting in high school and trying to have a career that is worthy of the Hall of Fame.
Road to the Show can be as deep as you want it to be. There is a character building career quest that you can be heavily involved with, if you want. Throughout your career a number of different things can be tracked, such as potential, draft stock, ratings, and potential consideration for some awards. Conversely, if you just want to experience the ride and not worry about a lot of that, you can do that as well. You might not get the full experience of what Road to the Show is trying to offer you, but it can be done.
If that isn’t your cup of tea, there is also Diamond Dynasty. This is for those who like to create, customize, and compete online. For this year there are a number of upgrades and changes. There are collection screens tailored to the player, a PXP system overhaul, an all new “Red Diamond” rarity, and more. Additionally, the World Baseball Classic has been included this year. You are now able to play as your favorite WBC teams and everything that comes with it. That includes WBC players, stadiums, and more.
For those who might not be familiar with what Diamond Dynasty is, it is a card collecting game, akin to something like Madden Ultimate Team. You try and collect cards to build your dream team. In the beginning you will get some packs of cards to open to see what you have been given. This could include players, bonuses, perks, or perhaps something else if you bought something like the Digital Deluxe Edition. Within Diamond Dynasty there are different programs you can try out, such as the Cornerstone Program. There is also the World Baseball Classic content that works across multiple different modes, so this is a great area to focus on. It is up to you on when to keep a card vs. when to sell a card, and how to utilize your stubs. Do this wisely and you might be able to create a powerful team. Don’t spend everything at once though because you might need some flexibility down the road with future releases or with market shifts. Diamond Dynasy is a fun mode for those who like numbers, who like to trade and collect, and for those who like to try and build their dream team.
MLB The Show 26 also features Franchise mode, where you become the general manager and run the team. When you first start up, you can “Take Full Control” or “Go Streamlined”. The option you choose depends on the experience you want. If you are someone who wants to manage multiple teams, play full games, andhave full control over Manager and Front Office tasks, go for the “Take Full Control” option. IF you want something a bit more lighthearted, the streamlined approach has you focus on only one team. You can play games during important moments in the later innings as well. Your tasks are also limited, including stuff like scouting, free agency, trades, and more.
Franchise mode also has a new Trade hub that makes everything a bit easier. One thing that big baseball fans will appreciate is I noticed that they updated the pitching rotations and batting orders. What this means is that the lineup(s) in the game will more accurately reflect what is going on in the real world. Overall, these changes seem to make everything a bit more realistic and closer to the real MLB games that you can watch on television throughout the season.
Finally, there is also the Storylines mode. This is where you can look at baseball’s legendary stars and experience their stories. This year is the fourth season and features four new Negro League Legends. The legends featured here include Roy Campanella, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, John Henry “Pop” Lloyd, and George “Mule” Suttles. As I went through the season, I was able to unlock various things such as new stadiums, bat skins, uniforms, and more. There are also additional storylines featuring players like Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, “Smokey” Joe Williams, and more.
MLB The Show 26 also has different modes that everyone expects and enjoys such as exhibition mode, Online Co-Op, Homerun Derby, Challenge of the Week and more. There is a lot to do here for baseball fans. Going through the different modes is a fun experience and what your favorite ends up being depends on what you want out of this game. Regardless, there should be something here for every baseball fan to enjoy. It is a fun package, especially if you are a newcomer. If you are someone who plays these every year, you know exactly what to expect.
Score: 8/10
Originally posted on Shadow’s Gaming
Please Note: Sony Interactive Entertainment provided us with a code for MLB The Show 26 for review.
