A home run performance
By Paul Hunter
Baseball is a sport of precision, patience, and strategy. Every swing, pitch, and defensive play matters, making it as much a mental game as a physical one. MLB The Show 25 continues the franchise’s long-standing tradition of capturing that complexity, delivering a refined and rewarding experience for those who step up to the plate. Developed by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this year’s entry builds on its predecessors while introducing new mechanics, gameplay options, and visual enhancements.
A major highlight this year is the evolution of Road to the Show, where you begin as a high school recruit and work toward Major League stardom. Expanded choices allow you to play for one of eight licensed college teams or take a direct path to the pros. Diamond Dynasty also sees meaningful updates, removing seasonal restrictions to give you more freedom in assembling your dream roster. Meanwhile, Franchise Mode refines its free agency system, making contract negotiations more unpredictable and engaging.
For those who thrive on competition, MLB The Show 25 raises the stakes with the new GOAT difficulty. This mode replicates the unpredictability of real baseball, demanding split-second decision-making at the plate. Ambush Hitting introduces a high-risk, high-reward system where correctly predicting a pitch location grants an offensive advantage—but guessing wrong can set you back. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, customizable gameplay settings allow you to tailor difficulty, controls, and automation to suit your comfort level.
Visually, the game makes strides with ShowTech animation, improving the fluidity of movement and making every at-bat feel more authentic. Player models are more lifelike than ever, replicating the signature stances and throwing motions of real-world athletes. Returning for another season, the Negro Leagues Storylines mode continues to celebrate the game’s history, highlighting the legendary figures who paved the way for future generations.
With so many refinements and expanded options, MLB The Show 25 offers something for both newcomers and seasoned veterans. Are these changes enough to keep the franchise at the top of the leaderboard, or does it still have room to grow?
Stepping up to the plate in MLB The Show 25 means adjusting to several new gameplay refinements that deepen the experience without straying from the series’ core strengths. Whether you’re chasing a championship, managing a franchise, or building a dynasty, this year’s edition offers more ways to play, fine-tuning existing mechanics while introducing new ones that challenge both newcomers and seasoned fans.
One of the biggest gameplay additions is GOAT difficulty, a mode designed for those seeking a true-to-life baseball experience. Pitch speeds are faster, batting windows are tighter, and every decision carries weight. Even experienced gamers will find themselves struggling to make solid contact against high-calibre pitching. To balance the difficulty, Ambush Hitting introduces a calculated risk-reward mechanic. By predicting pitch location correctly, you gain a boost to your swing—but guess wrong, and your chances of making solid contact plummet.
Customization plays a bigger role in how you approach each game. MLB The Show 25 continues to offer multiple control schemes for batting, pitching, and fielding, letting you choose between arcade-style button inputs or more realistic analogue controls. A streamlined auto-fielding option helps ease the challenge for those struggling with split-second defensive plays, while refined baserunning controls make advancing runners more intuitive. Whether you prefer a simulation-heavy approach or a more accessible experience, the flexibility ensures you can tailor the gameplay to your style.
Each improvement brings new ways to experience the sport, whether you're managing a dynasty, chasing a championship, or fine-tuning your skills at the plate. With expanded options and refined mechanics, MLB The Show 25 ensures every game feels fresh.
Your journey to Major League Baseball begins in Road to the Show, the beloved single-player career mode that returns with key improvements in MLB The Show 25. From a high school prospect to the grand stage of the big leagues, every decision shapes your path.
A major addition this year is the option to start your career at one of eight officially licensed college programs, including Louisiana State University (LSU), University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee and UCLA, before entering the draft. Choosing the college route gives you extra time to develop skills, face tougher competition, and boost your draft stock. Alternatively, you can take the faster route by signing with an MLB team right away, setting the stage for an early rise through the minor leagues.
Performance on the field still dictates your progression, and the improved ShowTech animation system makes every moment feel more lifelike. Unique batting stances, pitching motions, and defensive reactions reflect real-world tendencies, making each game in your career more dynamic. Whether you’re a power hitter launching home runs or a slick-fielding shortstop making highlight-reel plays, animations now mirror your role with greater accuracy.
Visually, Road to the Show gets a boost from enhanced presentation elements. Cutscenes, in-game commentary, and player interactions now feel more authentic, adding to the immersion. Climbing the ranks in MLB The Show 25 isn’t just about stats—it’s about the journey.
Diamond Dynasty continues to evolve in MLB The Show 25, giving you more control over your ultimate roster while reducing some of the frustrations of past years. The biggest change this year is the removal of sets and seasons, meaning you no longer have to worry about certain cards becoming unusable. Now, you can build your squad at your own pace without feeling pressured to keep up with limited-time content.
Another major addition is Diamond Quest, a roguelike-inspired mode that adds a risk-versus-reward element to team-building. As you complete challenges, you earn rewards, but pushing too far can cause you to lose progress. This fresh approach adds a strategic layer to Diamond Dynasty, encouraging careful decision-making while keeping things exciting.
For those who enjoy traditional team-building, the core Diamond Dynasty experience remains intact. You can collect and use legendary players from baseball history alongside today’s stars, crafting a lineup that fits your playstyle. The mode still offers a mix of single-player and online content, catering to both casual gamers and those who enjoy competitive play.
Microtransactions are still present, but removing time-limited sets makes the system feel more balanced. You can now focus on earning rewards through gameplay rather than feeling forced to spend money to stay competitive. This shift makes the experience more enjoyable, letting you work toward your favourite players without feeling pressured.
With these refinements, Diamond Dynasty feels more rewarding than ever. Whether you’re chasing legendary players, testing your skills online, or strategizing in Diamond Quest, there’s always something to work toward.
MLB The Show 25 offers a range of multiplayer and online modes that cater to both casual and competitive gamers. Diamond Dynasty continues to be a primary draw for online play, allowing you to compete against other gamers’ dream teams. Whether you’re testing your skills in ranked matches or casually facing off, the mode offers a sense of accomplishment and bragging rights as you rise through the ranks. The removal of time-limited sets this year means you can focus more on your team-building strategies and less on keeping up with seasonal content, making the experience feel less stressful.
For those looking for more structured competition, Online Leagues lets you join or create custom leagues with friends or strangers, offering both casual and ranked tournaments. This provides a deeper, more persistent competitive element as you try to outplay others over the course of a season. The addition of new difficulty settings, like GOAT, gives gamers the chance to challenge themselves against the best of the best, creating intense, rewarding matches.
The Road to the Show mode also adds a layer of online interaction with the ability to share your created players and compete in global leaderboards. This gives you the chance to see how your athlete stacks up against others while taking your career from high school to the big leagues.
Presentation-wise, MLB The Show 25 is impressively polished, putting you right on the diamond. The visuals show off the series’ continued commitment to authenticity. Player animations are more realistic than ever, thanks to the upgraded ShowTech animation system. Each swing, pitch, and dive feels lifelike, with notable attention paid to high-profile athletes like Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes, who are accurately depicted both in appearance and movement. The added detail makes each match feel as close to a live broadcast as possible.
Stadiums are beautifully recreated, with the crowds, lighting, and camera angles enhancing the overall experience. Whether it’s the intricate details of the grass or the reflections off the stadium's glass, every visual element has been thoughtfully designed to make the gameplay more authentic. The presentation of Road to the Show also benefits from these visual upgrades, with cutscenes and in-game moments further immersing you in the journey from a high school recruit to a Major League star.
Load times are generally quick, and frame rates stay stable, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted gaming experience. While there are a handful of minor technical shortcomings, MLB The Show 25 is a visually impressive game that looks great both during intense moments on the field and in the quieter pauses between plays.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: San Diego Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Baseball is a sport of precision, patience, and strategy. Every swing, pitch, and defensive play matters, making it as much a mental game as a physical one. MLB The Show 25 continues the franchise’s long-standing tradition of capturing that complexity, delivering a refined and rewarding experience for those who step up to the plate. Developed by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this year’s entry builds on its predecessors while introducing new mechanics, gameplay options, and visual enhancements.
A major highlight this year is the evolution of Road to the Show, where you begin as a high school recruit and work toward Major League stardom. Expanded choices allow you to play for one of eight licensed college teams or take a direct path to the pros. Diamond Dynasty also sees meaningful updates, removing seasonal restrictions to give you more freedom in assembling your dream roster. Meanwhile, Franchise Mode refines its free agency system, making contract negotiations more unpredictable and engaging.
For those who thrive on competition, MLB The Show 25 raises the stakes with the new GOAT difficulty. This mode replicates the unpredictability of real baseball, demanding split-second decision-making at the plate. Ambush Hitting introduces a high-risk, high-reward system where correctly predicting a pitch location grants an offensive advantage—but guessing wrong can set you back. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, customizable gameplay settings allow you to tailor difficulty, controls, and automation to suit your comfort level.
Visually, the game makes strides with ShowTech animation, improving the fluidity of movement and making every at-bat feel more authentic. Player models are more lifelike than ever, replicating the signature stances and throwing motions of real-world athletes. Returning for another season, the Negro Leagues Storylines mode continues to celebrate the game’s history, highlighting the legendary figures who paved the way for future generations.
With so many refinements and expanded options, MLB The Show 25 offers something for both newcomers and seasoned veterans. Are these changes enough to keep the franchise at the top of the leaderboard, or does it still have room to grow?
Stepping up to the plate in MLB The Show 25 means adjusting to several new gameplay refinements that deepen the experience without straying from the series’ core strengths. Whether you’re chasing a championship, managing a franchise, or building a dynasty, this year’s edition offers more ways to play, fine-tuning existing mechanics while introducing new ones that challenge both newcomers and seasoned fans.
One of the biggest gameplay additions is GOAT difficulty, a mode designed for those seeking a true-to-life baseball experience. Pitch speeds are faster, batting windows are tighter, and every decision carries weight. Even experienced gamers will find themselves struggling to make solid contact against high-calibre pitching. To balance the difficulty, Ambush Hitting introduces a calculated risk-reward mechanic. By predicting pitch location correctly, you gain a boost to your swing—but guess wrong, and your chances of making solid contact plummet.
Customization plays a bigger role in how you approach each game. MLB The Show 25 continues to offer multiple control schemes for batting, pitching, and fielding, letting you choose between arcade-style button inputs or more realistic analogue controls. A streamlined auto-fielding option helps ease the challenge for those struggling with split-second defensive plays, while refined baserunning controls make advancing runners more intuitive. Whether you prefer a simulation-heavy approach or a more accessible experience, the flexibility ensures you can tailor the gameplay to your style.
Each improvement brings new ways to experience the sport, whether you're managing a dynasty, chasing a championship, or fine-tuning your skills at the plate. With expanded options and refined mechanics, MLB The Show 25 ensures every game feels fresh.
Your journey to Major League Baseball begins in Road to the Show, the beloved single-player career mode that returns with key improvements in MLB The Show 25. From a high school prospect to the grand stage of the big leagues, every decision shapes your path.
A major addition this year is the option to start your career at one of eight officially licensed college programs, including Louisiana State University (LSU), University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee and UCLA, before entering the draft. Choosing the college route gives you extra time to develop skills, face tougher competition, and boost your draft stock. Alternatively, you can take the faster route by signing with an MLB team right away, setting the stage for an early rise through the minor leagues.
Performance on the field still dictates your progression, and the improved ShowTech animation system makes every moment feel more lifelike. Unique batting stances, pitching motions, and defensive reactions reflect real-world tendencies, making each game in your career more dynamic. Whether you’re a power hitter launching home runs or a slick-fielding shortstop making highlight-reel plays, animations now mirror your role with greater accuracy.
Visually, Road to the Show gets a boost from enhanced presentation elements. Cutscenes, in-game commentary, and player interactions now feel more authentic, adding to the immersion. Climbing the ranks in MLB The Show 25 isn’t just about stats—it’s about the journey.
Diamond Dynasty continues to evolve in MLB The Show 25, giving you more control over your ultimate roster while reducing some of the frustrations of past years. The biggest change this year is the removal of sets and seasons, meaning you no longer have to worry about certain cards becoming unusable. Now, you can build your squad at your own pace without feeling pressured to keep up with limited-time content.
Another major addition is Diamond Quest, a roguelike-inspired mode that adds a risk-versus-reward element to team-building. As you complete challenges, you earn rewards, but pushing too far can cause you to lose progress. This fresh approach adds a strategic layer to Diamond Dynasty, encouraging careful decision-making while keeping things exciting.
For those who enjoy traditional team-building, the core Diamond Dynasty experience remains intact. You can collect and use legendary players from baseball history alongside today’s stars, crafting a lineup that fits your playstyle. The mode still offers a mix of single-player and online content, catering to both casual gamers and those who enjoy competitive play.
Microtransactions are still present, but removing time-limited sets makes the system feel more balanced. You can now focus on earning rewards through gameplay rather than feeling forced to spend money to stay competitive. This shift makes the experience more enjoyable, letting you work toward your favourite players without feeling pressured.
With these refinements, Diamond Dynasty feels more rewarding than ever. Whether you’re chasing legendary players, testing your skills online, or strategizing in Diamond Quest, there’s always something to work toward.
MLB The Show 25 offers a range of multiplayer and online modes that cater to both casual and competitive gamers. Diamond Dynasty continues to be a primary draw for online play, allowing you to compete against other gamers’ dream teams. Whether you’re testing your skills in ranked matches or casually facing off, the mode offers a sense of accomplishment and bragging rights as you rise through the ranks. The removal of time-limited sets this year means you can focus more on your team-building strategies and less on keeping up with seasonal content, making the experience feel less stressful.
For those looking for more structured competition, Online Leagues lets you join or create custom leagues with friends or strangers, offering both casual and ranked tournaments. This provides a deeper, more persistent competitive element as you try to outplay others over the course of a season. The addition of new difficulty settings, like GOAT, gives gamers the chance to challenge themselves against the best of the best, creating intense, rewarding matches.
The Road to the Show mode also adds a layer of online interaction with the ability to share your created players and compete in global leaderboards. This gives you the chance to see how your athlete stacks up against others while taking your career from high school to the big leagues.
Presentation-wise, MLB The Show 25 is impressively polished, putting you right on the diamond. The visuals show off the series’ continued commitment to authenticity. Player animations are more realistic than ever, thanks to the upgraded ShowTech animation system. Each swing, pitch, and dive feels lifelike, with notable attention paid to high-profile athletes like Shohei Ohtani and Paul Skenes, who are accurately depicted both in appearance and movement. The added detail makes each match feel as close to a live broadcast as possible.
Stadiums are beautifully recreated, with the crowds, lighting, and camera angles enhancing the overall experience. Whether it’s the intricate details of the grass or the reflections off the stadium's glass, every visual element has been thoughtfully designed to make the gameplay more authentic. The presentation of Road to the Show also benefits from these visual upgrades, with cutscenes and in-game moments further immersing you in the journey from a high school recruit to a Major League star.
Load times are generally quick, and frame rates stay stable, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted gaming experience. While there are a handful of minor technical shortcomings, MLB The Show 25 is a visually impressive game that looks great both during intense moments on the field and in the quieter pauses between plays.
The Verdict
MLB The Show 25 builds on its strong foundation with improvements like ShowTech animation, Ambush Hitting, and the challenging GOAT difficulty. Road to the Show continues to shine, offering a detailed journey from high school recruit to major league prospect. While Diamond Dynasty and Negro League Storylines add exciting variety, Franchise Mode remains relatively unchanged. Minor visual glitches and a moderate learning curve may deter newcomers, but for baseball fans or sports simulation enthusiasts, it delivers a fulfilling, immersive experience.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
MLB The Show 25 details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: San Diego Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Sports
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.