MLB 12: The Show

If you want substantially new play options and features, then MLB 12 may come as a disappointment, particularly if you aren't interested in playing the game online. Yet if you place a higher value on the quality of the on-field action, then MLB 12's attention to detail will enthrall and entertain.

Once again, Sony raises the bar on what should be expected from a baseball game. Whoever picks up the pieces next year after 2K leaves the scene; they better bring their 'A' game as I can't foresee anyone touching MLB The Show when it comes to visuals, playability, modes, and the pure realism that is captured by this game of baseball better than any other franchise captures another sport.

Really, though, The Show is all about the modes. Road to the Show in particular is much less of a grind now. [May 2012, p.84]

MLB 12: The Show is an excellent experience that honors and respects one of America's oldest institutions.

At its most basic levels, The Show is fun, playable, and lifelike in a family-friendly way, but it has the depth, intensity, and detail for franchise or career growth that can suck in stat fans and drag them all through this season and beyond.

MLB the Show 12 is an excellent game, incrementally better than its predecessor and still miles ahead of its competitor.

While the game stands leagues ahead of its competition, there are some needed changes that I hope make their way into next year's version. Updated presentation, a new commentary team and some rudimentary facelifts to RTTS would go a long way towards refreshing the franchise and ensuring its continued success for years to come.

MLB The Show 12 continues the tradition of excellence in this installment of the yearly title. Beautifully realistic parks, Vita integration, and a myriad of control options expand on what was already the leading MLB experience.

A gold standard for baseball games and sports games alike.

One of the best baseball games to date, MLB 12 The Show gets an overhaul just where it needed it. With cross-platform play, hardcore fans can take their long season wherever they want.

If you love baseball, it's a no brainer. MLB 12: The Show offers the most realistic, authentic, and diverse baseball simulation experience to date.

While showcasing significant enhancements on the field, The Show finds itself down in the count thanks to some archaic game modes and unreliable online. The Show remains the best baseball series to date, but if it wants to be heralded as one of the best sports games, the Franchise and Road to the Show modes need to catch up with the current trendsetters in the genre.

MLB 12: The Show offers a massive amount of gameplay wrapped up in a simple brown cardboard box. This is like the slightly less-attractive sister who is really smart, so while her hot sibling (MLB 2K12) is getting all the superficial action, those seeking a more permanent and richer baseball relationship should probably overlook these surface flaws and stick with the REAL DEAL – MLB 12: The Show. From a purely gameplay standpoint - it doesn't get any better or more complete than this.

While much remains the same, what is new in MLB 12: The Show truly shines. Pulse pitching and SimulView implementations are terrific additions to an already strong franchise.

MLB 12: The Show is yet again the victor. More than anything, it just feels like baseball.

MLB 12: The Show continues the legacy of being the best baseball game on the market. The best looking, the best playing, the most realistic, and the most robust. It'd be nice if San Diego Studios could get their presentation up to par with MLB 2K.

MLB 12: The Show is once again the king of the hill of baseball games, but I'm starting to wonder if the developers might be taking the series for granted slightly. They aren't taking risks or dramatically improving the mechanics to any significant degree. This is all well and good seeing as how they are miles ahead of the competition.

Last year I said that MLB 11 wasn't a monumental step forward. I would say that MLB 12 is only a half-step forward for the series. Sure the competition within the genre is weak but that is still no excuse to leave much unchanged from last year's version. MLB 12: The Show is a fantastic game of baseball there just isn't enough new to make it an outright purchase recommendation.

Overall, MLB 12: The Show is another solid installment of the baseball franchise that any fan of the sport will love. Sony took some risks in the gameplay department, which I particularly didn't care for. However, after switching to the ones I prefer it was just like last year's version.

The Show, through and through, is a fun baseball game to play with buddies but won't keep the average fan playing. It's a coin toss to which MLB title to get.

MLB 12 is a sign of a franchise growing stale, a formerly pristine playing field in need of re-sodding. As enjoyable as it still is to play, important elements of the experience aren't up to par.