MLB The Show 21

 PlayStation 5
User Score
4.2

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 163 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 163
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 163
  3. Negative: 95 out of 163

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  1. TonyFuse
    Dec 29, 2021
    0
    I need to start out by saying, I was so excited to finally have a good baseball game on my XBox.
    I got the XBOX series X edition and couldn't wait to play. But I have to say, don't buy this game unless you like playing in the minors your entire career. They should call the game, Miner League Baseball, Never Going To The Show 21. I have played 3 full seasons in the minors. First, I    I need to start out by saying, I was so excited to finally have a good baseball game on my XBox.
    I got the XBOX series X edition and couldn't wait to play. But I have to say, don't buy this game unless you like playing in the minors your entire career. They should call the game, Miner League Baseball, Never Going To The Show 21. I have played 3 full seasons in the minors. First, I started out in Double A. After about a month, I was moved to Triple A. I finished my first year in the minors with a .453 batting average and an ERA of .14 with 4 No hitters and 3 perfect games. Got asked to join the Braves during spring training. I finished spring training with a .420 batting average and an ERA of 0. Got sent back to the minors. Second year in Triple A, I finished the season with a batting average of .433, 61 HR's, an ERA of 0.10 3 No hitters and 412 strike outs, plus the team won the minor league championship, where I batted .420, had 11 HR's, and an ERA of 0, plus I pitched a no hitter on the final game of the championship series. Asked to join the Braves again for spring training. Once I again I performed amazingly, Batting average of .455, 7HR's and an ERA of 0. Got sent back to the minors. I'm in my third year now, but I think I'm just going to quit playing the game, nobody wants to play a game called "The Show", and then never make it to the show...All the while, my player is an overall 98 overall rating. This game sucks!!!!! Don't waste your money!    … Expand
  2. cherrylarry
    Dec 11, 2021
    0
    Im playing online rated and the game has an algorithm to make the matches competitive, I'm squaring up every ball and I cant get anymore base hits I'm playing on all-star difficulty so it should be much easier getting base hits... This is one of the worst most aggravating experiences you can play... The game doesn't reward good players instead only punishes them... If you want to have funIm playing online rated and the game has an algorithm to make the matches competitive, I'm squaring up every ball and I cant get anymore base hits I'm playing on all-star difficulty so it should be much easier getting base hits... This is one of the worst most aggravating experiences you can play... The game doesn't reward good players instead only punishes them... If you want to have fun playing a game then look much further way.… Expand
  3. TheDudest
    Oct 9, 2021
    4
    The only thing keeping this from being a 0/10 is franchise mode still being barrable. The RTTS "My Ballplayer" nonsense is the most braindead thing I've ever seen in a video game. You went from being able to tell your own stories in RTTS and having fun with how you had your player play, into a forced Shohei Ohtani jackoff story with a **** "podcast" in-between with not being able toThe only thing keeping this from being a 0/10 is franchise mode still being barrable. The RTTS "My Ballplayer" nonsense is the most braindead thing I've ever seen in a video game. You went from being able to tell your own stories in RTTS and having fun with how you had your player play, into a forced Shohei Ohtani jackoff story with a **** "podcast" in-between with not being able to progress for REAL without using Diamond Dynasty **** Which I still don't understand why people play that mode… Expand
  4. Domer517
    Sep 2, 2021
    1
    where the content shines, the gameplay lacks

    The Good: Playing the game allows you opportunities to earn rewards towards xp, stubs, and cards to use for your fantasy lineup. You do not have to spend one Penny of your own money on this game after the initial purchase in order to play and compete with some of the best players. Sony’s San Diego Studios also did a great job of putting out new    where the content shines, the gameplay lacks

    The Good: Playing the game allows you opportunities to earn rewards towards xp, stubs, and cards to use for your fantasy lineup. You do not have to spend one Penny of your own money on this game after the initial purchase in order to play and compete with some of the best players. Sony’s San Diego Studios also did a great job of putting out new content weekly for the grind, which allows for use of some of the coolest player cards in the game. The bad: The hitting system is completely broken and leaves each user frustrated with trying to understand “how is that possible?” User input seems to be minimized as pci placement seems to not matter the way it should in a competitive online setting. Bunting has no logic behind it as I’ve noticed situations, counts, player rating and pitch locations do not matter when executing a drag bunt. Pinpoint pitching is extremely overpowered and become repetitive as you constantly come across the same pitcher cards over and over because locating pitches is too easy. Also, when the ball is put in play, gamers have little control over whether or not players catch a fly or ground ball. It would be nice to be able to “user catch” a fly ball. In an online competitive setting, games are too much at the mercy of rng. Even with high rated players, you find yourself at the randomness of the game rather than the effectiveness of user input. Beyond the content, the game is underwhelming to say the least. I feel like the hitting engine is in serious need of an overhaul as the input and outcomes make little to no sense. Defense leaves you at the mercy of animations as users have little too no control of the outcome. And pitching seems too easy to locate pitches. Honestly, the game is waste of time because gameplay is just too frustrating as input/outcomes does not make sense. It’s safe to say I will not be purchasing the mlb 22 game next year due to gameplay issues. It just does not seem worth it and I fear that the game isn’t going down the path of EA and the Madden franchise. Unless San Diego studios makes a commitment to gameplay, I don’t see any hope for the future of this franchise.    … Expand
  5. Pauleej
    Aug 31, 2021
    0
    Fix YOUR **** GAME YOU MONEY HUNGRY ****
    MARCH 2 OCTOBER A **** DISGRACE.
    CANNOT EVEN RESTART THE CAMPAIGN.
    GET A GRIP ****
  6. Flawlessvictory
    Jul 8, 2021
    0
    TODAY IS JULY 8TH 2021 AND I HAVE AN UPDATED REVIEW ON ONLINE PLAY IN FACT MY TWITTER ACCOUNT WAS SUSPENDED DUE TO MY HONEST CRITIQUE. THE GAME IS TERRIBLE HITTING IS EXTREMELY INCONSISTENT. FOR EXAMPLE DEGROM THROWS 102 MPH HOWEVER 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 EVEN IF YOU SQUARE IT UP AND YOUR CONTACT IS GOOD YOU'RE POPPING OUT TO THE WARNING TRACK AT BEST. PERFECT CONTACT RESULTS IN LINERS TOTODAY IS JULY 8TH 2021 AND I HAVE AN UPDATED REVIEW ON ONLINE PLAY IN FACT MY TWITTER ACCOUNT WAS SUSPENDED DUE TO MY HONEST CRITIQUE. THE GAME IS TERRIBLE HITTING IS EXTREMELY INCONSISTENT. FOR EXAMPLE DEGROM THROWS 102 MPH HOWEVER 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 EVEN IF YOU SQUARE IT UP AND YOUR CONTACT IS GOOD YOU'RE POPPING OUT TO THE WARNING TRACK AT BEST. PERFECT CONTACT RESULTS IN LINERS TO SECOND OR SHORTSTOP REGARDLESS OF WHO THE HITTER IS. MOST PLAYERS WOULD SAY BUT THAT'S BASEBALL IT'S NOT BASEBALL IF YOUR OPPONENT HITS A DOUBLE WITH A PITCH HIT OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE IN ON THE HANDS RESULTING IN A DOUBLE DOWN THE LINE. THAT'S JUST 1 EXAMPLE OF MANY. THIS HAS GOTTEN SO BAD I HAVE GAME PLAY IMAGES TO PROVE MY CLAIM. I HAVE CONTACTED SAN DIEGO STUDIOS NUMEROUS TIMES AND ALTHOUGH THEY'VE RESPONDED THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I CAN SIT DOWN AND TYPE ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH THIS GAME BUT IT WOULD BE TOO LONG. BOTTOM LINE OUTSIDE OF THE GRAPHICS ONLINE GAME PLAY IS TERRIBLE AND UNREALISTIC THIS YEAR'S VERSION IS A COMPLETE SWING AND A MISS. I RATE THIS YEAR'S VERSION A ZERO. I'VE BEEN PLAYING MLB THE SHOW SINCE IT FIRST DEBUTED YEARS AGO. YOU'D THINK THEY'D GET IT RIGHT BY NOW. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS FLAWLESSVICTORY1975@GMAIL.COM IF ANYONE WANTS TO SEE THE GAME PLAY IMAGES AS I HAVE THEM IN A FOLDER.… Expand
  7. dg80cruz
    Jul 5, 2021
    2
    Same exact game as the last few years except that the small changes this year manage to make the game significantly worse than ever before. The trading logic in franchise mode is so broken I traded for Trout and Ohtani without giving up a single good prospect. The new RTTS ballplayer nonsense is such garbage as you artificially increase player stats with pack draws instead of the archetypeSame exact game as the last few years except that the small changes this year manage to make the game significantly worse than ever before. The trading logic in franchise mode is so broken I traded for Trout and Ohtani without giving up a single good prospect. The new RTTS ballplayer nonsense is such garbage as you artificially increase player stats with pack draws instead of the archetype system which i actually thought was decent, and after a while it seems your progress stops getting tracked for the missions you need to get better stats so you just waste away hours of gameplay before realizing none of it mattered. Not to mention I’m the best hitter in baseball and consistently hit seventh in the lineup? Gameplay itself has the same glitches as always, like incorrect “fun facts” about players and fielders making illogical plays, but we get a whole new bevy of glitches to enjoy as well including checked swings being even worse than before, being called a swing almost every single time and having absolutely no correlation between your actual swing and the call they make. Fielders run far too fast and get to every ball almost immediately, making for incredibly boring outfield play in every game mode. The difficulties are still too easy for top notch players and I have to constantly play around with sliders to try to get somewhat realistic stats in every category. Diamond Dynasty is ok but I got bored after 11 of the first 13 people I played quit before the fourth inning making online missions take extra long, and making the relief pitching missions almost impossible. Road to October is still an absolute joke, which I stopped playing almost immediately as I realized my best relief pitcher was stuck in AAA with no way to call him up. AI lineups are ridiculous and make no sense, and AI managers have absolutely zero sense of when to use the bullpen and who to put in games in particular spots. I realize this review is all over the place but I just have so many issues with this game I have no clue where to begin. I spent $100 on the preorder, stupidly, because I was promised better trade logic in franchise which would be a huge difference maker as trading is so important and has always been so bad. They somehow managed to make it EVEN WORSE, and still had the balls to lie straight to all our faces and say it was fixed, and charge $100 for this recycled broken embarrassment of a game. Stadium creator would be cool if it was somehow integrated into a relocation system in franchise mode, complete with prices and budgets and interesting things like that, but of course they couldn’t even be bothered to attempt such hard work on this game. Bottom line is this: Don’t spend a penny on this garbage. Wait til next year, when they lie to us again. EA or San Diego Studios? I cant even tell anymore. I guess this is what happens to every game franchise once they have no competition left (RIP MLB 2K)… Expand
  8. Zoxrk
    Jun 29, 2021
    0
    Ya'll literally just don't play diamond dynasty, the online game mode, and so you dislike how much they improved on the online gameplay. The biggest improvement for me has been the new pitching interface, pinpoint. It forces you to actually be good at the game in order to get 'perfects' every time; thus making it harder to pitch this year than any other year before it (if you're usingYa'll literally just don't play diamond dynasty, the online game mode, and so you dislike how much they improved on the online gameplay. The biggest improvement for me has been the new pitching interface, pinpoint. It forces you to actually be good at the game in order to get 'perfects' every time; thus making it harder to pitch this year than any other year before it (if you're using pinpoint). As far as the complaints I've seen about RTTS and Franchise, the game modes seem similar to other years, which that seems to be the problem for many. However, giving a game a score of **** zero because your favorite game mode didn't get the changes you wanted is insane, and shows some of the craze of a fanbase that thinks they're entitled to every thing they want.

    We can all acknowledge that the games can be pay for play. Meaning, that if you spend more on stubs, you can get a better team. This is absolutely true. Question to anyone who's actually upset about the this... have you not played any other online game? Sadly, due to capitalism, pay to play is going to be inherent in any companies goals. It makes a ton of money, with little risk for the company. This has been happening on so many games for so long, that if you honestly expected different at this point, there's something more wrong with you than the company (as you've proven to be the most naive person there can be). Companies don't care about you, and that goes for major game companies as well. They are going to do everything in their power to present to you the cheapest game, for the maximum profit. That is literally just the logic of capitalism, and if anyone wants to debate me about that feel free to respond, I'm not all knowing, but I do know that much.

    The game has problems, but A LOT of the criticisms I see are not exclusive to this game in the slightest, and have been around for at least 5 years, and most likely more. This game isn't great, and there are for sure things wrong with it, but it's **** insane and a testament to how humans tend to go for extremes. there seems to be a bunch of zeros, and a lot of 9s and 10s. This game is sadly neither. I love baseball, and have been playing MLB the show since 2006 when david ortiz and david wright were on the cover.

    The bottom line is this game is fun this year to me, and the diamond dynasty is actually great so far. With the rewards and the parallels. Of course I have somewhat of a bias because that to me is the most fun game mode; however, I've logged 100s of hours on franchise mode in MLB the shows over the years (same with RTTS) and it doesn't seem to me that much has changed. Again, maybe that is the problem, and it actually seems to be with a lot of people. But, to rate something a zero literally just because it's as good as the year before it, is weird behavior.

    This game is probably a 7/10 for me. I have fun with it, and what many don't acknowledge when writing their reviews, it's the best baseball game on the market by far. So to even give it lower than a 4, is odd in my opinion. Of course opinions are just that, subjective feelings of a person, but I feel as though disappointment and anger are overshadowing and clouding many of the reviews left here. This game is not worse than the MLB the show's that came before it, especially not 20 or 19. So to rate it as such, is weird to me.    … Expand
  9. OnlyOneHere
    Jun 10, 2021
    0
    This game is by far the worst MLB game I have ever played. It is extremely broken. And the greedy developers had the audacity to charge $70 for this trash. The online is full of glitches. I keep seeing my opponents clearly miss the ball when they swing and they magically swing the ball and get home runs. I shouldn't have to lose a game over lazy game design.

    The developers heavily    This game is by far the worst MLB game I have ever played. It is extremely broken. And the greedy developers had the audacity to charge $70 for this trash. The online is full of glitches. I keep seeing my opponents clearly miss the ball when they swing and they magically swing the ball and get home runs. I shouldn't have to lose a game over lazy game design.

    The developers heavily advertised the stadium creator which is nothing more than a gimmick that gets old fast. How about they spend time actually improving the gameplay instead of coming up with gimmicks. I don't recommend this broken piece of garbage at all.    … Expand
  10. dakotamyette202
    Jun 8, 2021
    0
    Hitting is like trying to hit the lottery which you have zero chance of doing perfect hit turns to ground out good placement turn to fly outs and pitching is atrocious computers can hit anything and road to the show if you don't put bad people on your team you have zero chance of playing your favorite position in the major leagues or your favorite team baseball is American sport and SonyHitting is like trying to hit the lottery which you have zero chance of doing perfect hit turns to ground out good placement turn to fly outs and pitching is atrocious computers can hit anything and road to the show if you don't put bad people on your team you have zero chance of playing your favorite position in the major leagues or your favorite team baseball is American sport and Sony is ruining baseball there owned by Japan basically… Expand
  11. Reviewer987
    Jun 7, 2021
    3
    You know what I love? Baseball. Know what I hate? This game.

    Every sports game for the most part has implemented gameplay to reflect how the sport is played. This game does none of that. Instead it just throws some of the worst mechanics I've seen for any sports game ever and calls it baseball. Throwing a simple ball from 2nd to 1st base requires hitting a meter within a designated    You know what I love? Baseball. Know what I hate? This game.

    Every sports game for the most part has implemented gameplay to reflect how the sport is played. This game does none of that. Instead it just throws some of the worst mechanics I've seen for any sports game ever and calls it baseball. Throwing a simple ball from 2nd to 1st base requires hitting a meter within a designated green area to determine the accuracy of the throw. The problem is the meter moves way to fast and the green area is only 10% of the meter. So if you are off by a literal hair your throw goes bonkers and the runner is safe every time. This doesn't even include the times your fielder will randomly and uncontrollably mess up fielding a ball and the runner will be safe. This in no way is fun or resembles baseball.

    This game take on pitching is not much better than fielding. So we are stuck with another meter we need to hit literally perfect to throw and accurate pitch only thing is the green area for fielding is now replaced with a yellow bar that is the size of two hairs put together. If you are not on that hair strand of yellow your pitch will be insanely inaccurate. Not only that but if you mess up too many pitches the meter will go faster throwing you off and making you readjust on the fly which is next to impossible unless you get lucky. Can things get any worse than hitting a hair strand of yellow with an inconsistent moving meter? Yes. Yes they can. If you mess up even more your yellow strand of hair you need to hit is TAKEN AWAY AND YOU WILL HAVE NO LITERAL WAY TO TELL HOW TO THROW AN ACCURATE PITCH. Yes the game essentially blinds you. So that is 2 out of the 3 parts of baseball this game has completely fouled up. More than half of this game is decided by who can be the best meter hitter. Oh what fun. I'd rather stand in a batting cage and let balls hit me Happy Gilmore style than play this turd of a game.

    Give this game a 3 because the only part done right is the hitting. Even though I got this on GamePass I want a refund.    … Expand
  12. jmbrew
    Jun 3, 2021
    3
    Fun, but way too many bugs. Some, like displaying correct stat leaders should be easy fix, but like in years past it probably wont
  13. opertinicy
    May 28, 2021
    0
    The 'Road to the Show' (solo career) is the worst I've ever played. Literally spent 70 hrs playing every game, get to the post-season and have .750 AVG and come the league championship game, get a notice "You've been removed from the playoff roster". No injuries, just a ridiculous glitch. These games focus more and more on selling you in-game 'loot'..already paid $60 for the game and wantThe 'Road to the Show' (solo career) is the worst I've ever played. Literally spent 70 hrs playing every game, get to the post-season and have .750 AVG and come the league championship game, get a notice "You've been removed from the playoff roster". No injuries, just a ridiculous glitch. These games focus more and more on selling you in-game 'loot'..already paid $60 for the game and want to keep charging more to enjoy the game. Done with this series. Sports games are going to hell with greed in selling loot. IDK what they do with the money, but they certainly don't use it to improve the game.… Expand
  14. Flashrick
    May 28, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Loyal to this game to a fault. While I like the two way player Idea I don't like that its forced and ruins the story if you don't do it. Should have an option there.

    No Bowman prospect is terrible, I thought it would be expanded with maybe a 20 Game college or HS season. Nope just eliminated and tossed into the minors with no skin in the game. Before you would want to do well so you could get drafted higher, nope now you just get pushed into the story, I hate basketball but man is 2Ks career mode excellent.

    I will be shelving this game, and it sucks because I bought it for PS not knowing it would be free on my xbox.

    Gameplay, well its the same, expect more glitches.. Maybe covid issues, but not worth the price.. Free it is worth it    … Expand
  15. Thebrah
    May 27, 2021
    0
    Love what they did with diamond dynasty and cross play. But you get a 0 SDS for some of the worst servers I have ever saw, I don't care how good your game is if I get disconnected all the time.
  16. Psylow
    May 12, 2021
    0
    Year after year they release the same game, with less offline content, while flooding the Diamond Dynasty, or online content. They do not address issues, they are super quick to fix a bug that helps players earn more xp but take their sweet time fixing game breaking glitches. Horrible experience, last year purchasing the show.
  17. StubbornStanley
    May 9, 2021
    0
    This game has caused me more headaches than enjoyment. For that it earns its zero.

    Here are the MAJOR problems (I don't have the time nor the will to cover the multitude of minor issues): 1. Worst servers of any game, ever, and that's not an exaggeration. 2. Legacy issue of way, way too many pop flies and line drives that are hit directly at defense. This has been the crux of my    This game has caused me more headaches than enjoyment. For that it earns its zero.

    Here are the MAJOR problems (I don't have the time nor the will to cover the multitude of minor issues):

    1. Worst servers of any game, ever, and that's not an exaggeration.

    2. Legacy issue of way, way too many pop flies and line drives that are hit directly at defense. This has been the crux of my problems with The Show for years. It's still so far away from being a sim.

    3. A second sim-killer is the pitching. Every pitcher has Prime Pedro Martinez stuff. The break in pitches is ridiculous. Even the worst pitchers drop balls in and out of the strike zone with ease, painting corners, and the CPU constantly getting every call. I'm lucky to draw one walk per game, since the CPU tends to throw a strike on the first pitch of every at bat. So I either put that ball in play or fall behind 0-1. It leads back into issue number 2, where they have to script so many hard hit balls going directly to defenders in order not to have super-high-scoring games all the time.

    4. Of course, WAY too much focus on the cha-ching Diamond Dynasty mode. All sports games are going into the crapper because of these card modes. For those of us who just want sim sports, there's not much left out there, sadly.

    5. Personally, the last straw for me was lost progress. Despite me not spending a ton of time in Diamond Dynasty mode, I thought it would be fun to get the rewards from March to October after winning a World Series. The first time through, with the Brewers, the servers crashed at the moment I won, and I got none of the massive amount of rewards I would have received for winning the Series in that mode. A week or so later, I decided to play another March to October, and after re-trying the first game of the World Series a few times, I was met with the message that I had not been a good sport and had lost all rewards from the mode! I would have been totally fine with that IF I HAD ANY HEADS UP THAT THIS WAS A THING! There was zero warning after quitting out the first two times. And I hadn't quit over rage or trying to beat the system. I was just treating it like the moments in Diamond Dynasty where you keep trying. I simply uninstalled at this point.

    I always have high hopes for this game, and I've been disappointed for several years now. I hate being a sports fan these days, just wishing for the good ol' days of NCAA 14, College Hoops by 2K, NFL2K series, etc. MLB the Show just adds to the frustration. When you have more anger towards a game than enjoyment, that's a 0 in my book.    … Expand
  18. Feudalis
    May 9, 2021
    0
    By far the worst MLB the Show game yet. Way too many broken features, bugs, and they don't bother to fix anything correctly.
  19. TheShowSucksNow
    May 7, 2021
    0
    This is, without a doubt, the WORST version of the show I have ever played. The developers have dropped all pretenses about being cash grabbing scumbags but not only refusing to make BASIC updates to RTTS, but ACTIVELY CHOOSING to make it WORSE. They only want you to play Diamond Dynasty so that they can get more money out of you. If you are a developer at SDS, please know that I trulyThis is, without a doubt, the WORST version of the show I have ever played. The developers have dropped all pretenses about being cash grabbing scumbags but not only refusing to make BASIC updates to RTTS, but ACTIVELY CHOOSING to make it WORSE. They only want you to play Diamond Dynasty so that they can get more money out of you. If you are a developer at SDS, please know that I truly mean it when I say that you have RUINED this once fantastic franchise. You are pathetic losers who should be ashamed and embarrassed by the crap that you have put out year after year and this newest version takes the cake.… Expand
  20. nattycoh
    May 5, 2021
    0
    Like most of the reviews have indicated, they have completely ruined RTTS mode through the forced integration. Some of the innovations it introduces are actually improvements, but as the game currently is, it is too buggy and and the servers are too unstable to allow much meaningful play. The gameplay is solid which just makes the technical and logistical problems all the moreLike most of the reviews have indicated, they have completely ruined RTTS mode through the forced integration. Some of the innovations it introduces are actually improvements, but as the game currently is, it is too buggy and and the servers are too unstable to allow much meaningful play. The gameplay is solid which just makes the technical and logistical problems all the more disappointing, because this could be a really good game eventually if the developers actually take the time to improve what is necessary. It is just a shame that this is what consumers have come to expect with a lot of games: games are incredibly buggy and unstable at launch, and they have to wait for months for the developers to actually get the game to where it should’ve been when it was released. If the developers make the necessary improvements, this game could be a solid 7-8, but based on the current state of the game, I would not recommend it to anyone.… Expand
  21. TheRyanFlaherty
    May 4, 2021
    0
    Worst gaming experience I’ve ever had.
    Nearly a month into the game and servers being down and being unable to play the game is still a routinely nightly occurrence. Or worse, you can get on just long enough to play, waste 25 minutes to an hour on a game just to realize the servers went down during the game and you completely wasted your time.
    Nearly as bad, but maybe more offensive, SDS    Worst gaming experience I’ve ever had.
    Nearly a month into the game and servers being down and being unable to play the game is still a routinely nightly occurrence. Or worse, you can get on just long enough to play, waste 25 minutes to an hour on a game just to realize the servers went down during the game and you completely wasted your time.
    Nearly as bad, but maybe more offensive, SDS has barely acknowledged the frustrations and hours being lost, Literally every morning there is service maintenance, but they provide the players with no updates. It’s just a complete mess.
    A 0 was given because I see no reason to discuss actual gameplay when the game flat out doesn’t work a majority of the time you go to use it. And even if they stabilize servers, after this amount of time, it would be hard to offset the frustrations and annoyances of this title to ever feel positive about it.    … Expand
  22. Cody23
    May 2, 2021
    0
    This game sucks, but previous titles and skip this year. It’s a rehash of last year except without any servers to let you play online.
  23. EleaticStranger
    May 1, 2021
    0
    UPDATE 050121: Sony San Diego is in the habit of claiming on Twitter that they have fixed issues that, in fact, have not been fixed. They claim that progress is now being saved in RTTS mode. It is NOT. Understand what you're getting into before you buy this game. It DOES NOT WORK, but Sony will claim it does, contrary to hundreds of reports from players on Twitter and Reddit and elsewhere,UPDATE 050121: Sony San Diego is in the habit of claiming on Twitter that they have fixed issues that, in fact, have not been fixed. They claim that progress is now being saved in RTTS mode. It is NOT. Understand what you're getting into before you buy this game. It DOES NOT WORK, but Sony will claim it does, contrary to hundreds of reports from players on Twitter and Reddit and elsewhere, then never follow up. You will have to live with game-breaking glitches indefinitely with no knowledge if or when these glitches will be fixed. Unless this situation changes, you should NOT buy the game.

    Right now the game is unplayably bad. It's not just because the servers are down for several hours every day. People need to understand there are game-breaking glitches in the game. For example, progress cannot be saved in RTTS mode. There are alleged fixes for this you can find online, and I have tried them all. One very elaborate fix did work temporarily, but it takes about 10 minutes to complete, and it stops working eventually.

    Definitely wait on buying this game to see if they can get their act together. I deeply regret buying it. I am rooting for them though because it could be a great game, but I'm very skeptical this can be salvaged.    … Expand
  24. Devin67570
    May 1, 2021
    0
    Rtts is complete trash getting called up Is based on your overall. Even if you are a pitcher and throw a perfect game every game and even in spring training you will never be called up untill your overall is higher then the player above you how good you play has nothing to do with getting called up.They went lazy on the way you get called up oh a progression doesnt work half the time soRtts is complete trash getting called up Is based on your overall. Even if you are a pitcher and throw a perfect game every game and even in spring training you will never be called up untill your overall is higher then the player above you how good you play has nothing to do with getting called up.They went lazy on the way you get called up oh a progression doesnt work half the time so majority of players will quit this game before even making it to the big leagues… Expand
  25. Edbro87
    Apr 19, 2021
    0
    Micro transactions run the whole game.. it’s the usual same old stuff from all sports games anymore. Big you want to be good, you have to spend more money for the unlocks or spend a lot of time being terrible to build up stubs to buy packs. Why can’t we just play a game anymore without needing to buy ourselves the content..
  26. GameHawk36
    Apr 27, 2021
    0
    Do not buy this game. This game is trash. Company is trash too. Copy paste. Another year. The same game. Someone needs to fine these companies for copy paste rinse repeat.
  27. Loganm223
    Apr 27, 2021
    1
    Servers are always down, gameplay is slightly concerning. As of now should be a pass.
  28. Jake1022
    Apr 27, 2021
    0
    Absolutely pathetic. This, ahem, “fully fledged game” is clearly just an updated skin slapped over the previous version’s game. Issues that ran rampant in previous versions still abound. For example, in RTTS, if there is a ground ball to 1b, it is simply not possible to beat the runner to first if he’s even like a 50 speed, due to an animation that was also an issue last year. Speaking ofAbsolutely pathetic. This, ahem, “fully fledged game” is clearly just an updated skin slapped over the previous version’s game. Issues that ran rampant in previous versions still abound. For example, in RTTS, if there is a ground ball to 1b, it is simply not possible to beat the runner to first if he’s even like a 50 speed, due to an animation that was also an issue last year. Speaking of RTTS, yeah you can be a 2 way player, but besides that there is absolutely no story, or even a way to imagine one yourself. There is no interaction. There is nothing to do but play baseball, something early 2000’s football games bested this series in. To top it off, this year they’ve upped the ante on unabashed greed. EVERYTHING is run through the online (which never works because they sold x copies of the game but didn’t bother to provide enough server bandwidth for x players,) but in RTTS you can only progress attributes to 50, and the rest comes from perks, which you get in packs, which is painfully slow unless, you guessed it, you give them more money!!! Yay!!! I can pay double the price for a game that’s a quarter of the way finished!!! This franchise has become a joke. Do yourself a favor and go play the show 2010.… Expand
  29. Thumqer
    Apr 24, 2021
    0
    Can’t connect to the game to play. The moments are infuriating. Perfect swings results in out too often
  30. Edgy89
    Apr 23, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Hate this **** game, taking out online franchise, ruining Franchise to promote its ****tt diamond dynasty always promoting to buy packs !!!! I’m tired of it and tired of the **** RTTS!!!!! I wish I could get my ps5 refund but I can’t!!! **** this pos game!!!!! Servers are always down, can’t even play cross play (the only reason I bought it) I wish I could get a refund!!!!!!! **** stole my money can’t have a good sports game for **** now a days!!!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
31
#31 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Worth Playing
    May 20, 2021
    88
    The Show has been one of the more consistently excellent and complete sports series for years, and MLB The Show 21 maintains that excellence as it steps into the next-gen batter's box. The cover athlete choice of the aforementioned Fernando Tatis, Jr., is no coincidence, as the young star is being seen as one of baseball's next big things, ushering in a possible new era of personality and Q-rating power that the game could sorely use. He can also do everything, and everything is what this series has offered to fans for years at a high level. Time will tell if there is yet another level to reach.
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  2. ComicBook
    May 11, 2021
    70
    It really all comes down to your love of baseball. Even as a fan who watches the game regularly, I've had a hard time finding my footing in The Show 21. It's a hard game and that's OK. Challenges should always be welcomed. But there needs to be a way to bridge the gap, especially with The Show 21 now being made available to a much wider audience. If it can happen with other sports games, it's time it happens for baseball's biggest title.
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  3. Meristation
    May 10, 2021
    78
    Sony San Diego develops a conservative delivery, with hardly any improvements in gameplay and content. Being intergenerational, in addition, the technical leap is invaluable, but nevertheless, it is still a very solid baseball game.
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