MLB The Show 21

 Xbox Series X
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 139
  3. Negative: 36 out of 139

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  1. Gusbus02
    Apr 20, 2021
    0
    They ruined Road To The Show. Forced integration with Diamond Dynasty. Can only make one character model so you would have to change it every time you want to switch careers. The progression for "programs" is broken and doesn't register forcing you to play DD to upgrade your RTTS players. The perk system is terrible. What is so bad about just getting your attributes up by playing the game?They ruined Road To The Show. Forced integration with Diamond Dynasty. Can only make one character model so you would have to change it every time you want to switch careers. The progression for "programs" is broken and doesn't register forcing you to play DD to upgrade your RTTS players. The perk system is terrible. What is so bad about just getting your attributes up by playing the game? Can only max the attributes out at 50 without spending money currently. The equipment glitches and switches every time you check your " loadout " to see the progress you aren't making on it making you have to re edit your player every time. Forced to be a Two- Way player at the start. Why can't I just pick my position from the start? No " Show Case" it just randomly starts with the MLB Draft and puts you on a random team. ( You do have the choice to pick a team but whats the point in that why not have a combine/showcase ) The podcasts are fine but ehhh don't really add much. The skin tone editor is terrible for the player creation. Absolutely awful they ruined it. Also can't play the mode offline because it requires you to be online to earn progress for the "programs" so when the servers shut off you won't be able to play the mode. No year to year saves anymore so even if you had fun playing with your player this year you won't be able to take him to next years game because of the DD integration they would be worried that the player would be too good for DD at the start of next years game which is why they should have never combined the 2. Terrible decisions all around skip this game if you play this mode. 0 out of 10… Expand
  2. tomjihnson
    Apr 28, 2021
    0
    Quite possibly the worst baseball video game I have ever played. Constant server connectivity issues all the while having no issues connecting my system, or any other system for that matter, to my internet and having not Xbox live issues. They ruined Road to the Show because you literally have to play every single game for marginal gains over the course of a season. You gain XP each game,Quite possibly the worst baseball video game I have ever played. Constant server connectivity issues all the while having no issues connecting my system, or any other system for that matter, to my internet and having not Xbox live issues. They ruined Road to the Show because you literally have to play every single game for marginal gains over the course of a season. You gain XP each game, but that seemingly does absolutely nothing because you have no control over what attributes it is assigned to as well as it being some bs arbitrary number at the end of each game. When your player does something right you gain 1 or 2 plus (+) marks for certain attributes (unless completing a "dynamic challenge") but god forbid your player (that's right your player, not you, because you press the buttons and use the same motions for every tedious, menial task involved in this game) do something wrong because then you will get at least 3 minus (-) marks and lose most of your progress it has taken you the better part of the game month it has taken you to build up that attribute.

    I literally booted up MLB 2K6 and had a better time than a single second I ever have playing this game. When they were developing that game in the early 2000's they had more sense to make when making decisions on what to include in a baseball game than whoever decided what to include in this game. The only reason this game is even worth possibly offering up your valuable time to play this game is that it is available to you through the Xbox Game Pass. Otherwise, do not waste your time or your money. Instead buy an old ps4 or ps3 or ps2 and buy literally any other version of MLB the Show or even an older Xbox or PC and get one of the old MLB 2K games. However much money you would spend on that is worth more than playing this game for fee.    … Expand
  3. Britt_ECU
    Apr 19, 2021
    0
    If you are buying this game for Road To The Show, don’t. Maybe by the time they fix that game mode if they ever do and acknowledge the fact that there is an issue, you can buy the game at a discount. Or download it on Game Pass. If you are buying the game for Diamond Dynasty by all means have at it and enjoy the servers.
  4. Maxxspeed
    Apr 19, 2021
    0
    I can't upgrade my version to the next gen version. I feel like I was ripped off. I can only play the current version. Game is exactly the same as last years but with less content it seems. I would avoid purchasing this game for awhile.
  5. Gravesoultaker
    Apr 19, 2021
    0
    So many bugs in every mode makes a lot of things unplayable. Lost of all my cards and stubs on day one and still hasn't been fixed I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone how it is now
  6. Spoon6ix
    Apr 20, 2021
    0
    The game does not fit in the xbox ecosystem i can't upgrade the version with that buzz word im stuck with the last gen version on a next gen system smart delivery deez n....
  7. tig3rba8m
    Apr 20, 2021
    2
    First off if you are listening to the good reviews it seems like they have NEVER played the show before this game because it wasn't on Xbox. The good is the gameplay on the field like pitching and batting is great. The graphics look amazing. I'm glad it's on Xbox and amazed is on game pass well done. Create a ballpark is great if you have a next-gen console. I'm glad I wasted $85 to seeFirst off if you are listening to the good reviews it seems like they have NEVER played the show before this game because it wasn't on Xbox. The good is the gameplay on the field like pitching and batting is great. The graphics look amazing. I'm glad it's on Xbox and amazed is on game pass well done. Create a ballpark is great if you have a next-gen console. I'm glad I wasted $85 to see they destroyed the RTTS mode. It's terrible, wish I could get a refund. You can see all they care about is the card packs and microtransaction. It was my favorite sports game gone now. Only one player for the WHOLE game you can make. You can't have multi DIFFERENT players now. The profiles are well trash. If you change say your fielding glove it changes in every profile. Profiles are only for different perks. You can only create one player, you can't place points in your stats like batting or fielding, You have to get packs from gameplay(rarely) or pay money for buying in-game money for the auction house or buy card packs to get perks and equipment. So the announcers start to repeat their stuff maybe 10 games into the RTTS if that.… Expand
  8. JonahFalcon
    May 2, 2021
    3
    This is not a review bomb. The fact of the matter is that MLB the Show has gone the NBA 2K route. Microtransactions rule the day, and single player modes have suffered, especially Road to the Show. Not only can you only have 1 player, only 3 pitches, but it's buggy as hell. I've had my starter pulled after 5 innings after 70 pitches, despite have 1 hit, 0 BB, 10 K. What manager does that?!This is not a review bomb. The fact of the matter is that MLB the Show has gone the NBA 2K route. Microtransactions rule the day, and single player modes have suffered, especially Road to the Show. Not only can you only have 1 player, only 3 pitches, but it's buggy as hell. I've had my starter pulled after 5 innings after 70 pitches, despite have 1 hit, 0 BB, 10 K. What manager does that?!

    Also, even if I'm doing single player, when the servers go out it's s--- out of luck for me, because nothing can progress.

    I wish they'd port MLB the Show 19 instead of this.    … Expand
  9. KHEH32
    Jun 7, 2021
    0
    This is the most terrible sports simulation I have played to date.

    Road to the Show, the ONLY mode I like to play, is horrendous. You cannot progress your player well enough to have any fun if you're not paying extra in microtransactions. The lag is unbearable when pitching. You might as well pull your pitcher and put the ball on a tee. I was excited to see this game for free on Xbox    This is the most terrible sports simulation I have played to date.

    Road to the Show, the ONLY mode I like to play, is horrendous. You cannot progress your player well enough to have any fun if you're not paying extra in microtransactions.

    The lag is unbearable when pitching. You might as well pull your pitcher and put the ball on a tee.

    I was excited to see this game for free on Xbox Game Pass. I would rather pay for a good game. I have plenty more reasons to give you about why I loathe this game. But it, like my time and money for this franchise, isn't worth it.    … Expand
  10. diegonumb
    Apr 21, 2021
    1
    I have mlb the show 20 on playstation 4 and it is an excellent game. But the 21 on the Xbox Series has serious bug issues in the gameplay in the field that spoiled my experience, disappointed. They ruined the best sports game we had on the market.
  11. proneisntsupine
    Dec 3, 2021
    1
    I played this series on playstation a few years ago and don't remember it being nearly this bad. The controls feel clunky and attributes in RTTS are capped at 50, meaning the one major attraction of the game is basically ruined completely. Franchise is mediocre and DD is a shameless cash grab. Will not be playing any future iterations of this series.
  12. OPepPep
    Jun 16, 2021
    3
    Jeez, the disappointment is palpable. I have been playing The Show since 2007, and it is incredible how offline modes like Franchise and RTTS became unplayable. If Diamond Dynasty is your thing, well you'll be satisfied as there is content galore. Gameplay is surely better than 20 but boy oh boy there are so many issues, wish I could attach photos to show the heinous hitting feedback thatJeez, the disappointment is palpable. I have been playing The Show since 2007, and it is incredible how offline modes like Franchise and RTTS became unplayable. If Diamond Dynasty is your thing, well you'll be satisfied as there is content galore. Gameplay is surely better than 20 but boy oh boy there are so many issues, wish I could attach photos to show the heinous hitting feedback that gives the cpu hits for no reason whatsoever. User input legitimately does not matter offline, it is a roll of the dice every pitch and at bat, and you just have to hope you are on the right side of it.

    Franchise is sadly untouched, without a care in the world for it. Simulating is a bleep show, with no logic whatsoever. Scouting is well, laughable. There is no joy whatsoever in what used to be the go to game mode for so many people including myself.

    Stadium creator is terrific, and can only imagine it will get even better years later. For that and I suppose graphics here's a 3 rating.    … Expand
  13. TonyFuse
    Jan 27, 2022
    0
    Whoever is giving this game a 10, must work for Sony Interactive...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    Whoever is giving this game a 10, must work for Sony Interactive...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!

    2022--01-27 UPDATE:

    I'm keeping the score the same, but my update is, I started my character all over and I was moved from double A to triple A in a month, and then triple A to the majors in 2 months. My update needs to include the fact that twice now, I've had a no-hitter after 8 innings and the game pulled me going into the 9th. Apparently, who ever the game designers of this game are, have never played sports. Still don't waste your money, and I'm not buying the '22 version. If they can't figure out to NOT pull a pitcher after 8 no-hit innings after making this game for 14 years, I'm guessing they'll never figure it out. It's really too bad 2K sports doesn't make an MLB game still. Because this game is mediocre at best.    … Expand
  14. RaptorNemesis
    Apr 24, 2021
    1
    Good job Sony San Diego, but The Serie X isn't the Best version. Dropping, not a dualsense....
  15. Capootles
    Apr 21, 2021
    1
    Road to the show is broken. Players cannot progress or level up. I would avoid this game until it is fixed.
  16. Manisuck
    May 23, 2021
    2
    I've been playing these games since 2006. This game..... I just can't. I literally don't know why every single perfect hit is a line out. Can some one help me not suck? Lol. Its pretty much unplayable for me. I can't get any hits until the score is usually 3-0 then I hit. But even then I can't get far unless I change the sliders or difficulty. I guess it's back to mlb 19 for me as thisI've been playing these games since 2006. This game..... I just can't. I literally don't know why every single perfect hit is a line out. Can some one help me not suck? Lol. Its pretty much unplayable for me. I can't get any hits until the score is usually 3-0 then I hit. But even then I can't get far unless I change the sliders or difficulty. I guess it's back to mlb 19 for me as this sits on shelve and collects dust. Thanks san diego studios! Best one yet.… Expand
  17. BerndTraube
    Oct 21, 2021
    0
    Hitting and pitching are broken. Higher difficulties are unplayabel/luckbased. The game is complete garbage.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
22
#22 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Generación Xbox
    Jul 5, 2021
    88
    MLB The Show 21 offers us a video game that will delight baseball lovers, thanks to the game systems that are customisable to our liking.
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  2. MondoXbox
    May 21, 2021
    85
    MLB The Show 21 is the baseball simulation par excellence, finally available on Xbox. Although the game doesn't deviate too much from past episodes, it is still a real masterpiece, suitable for baseball fans and newcomers alike.
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  3. SomosXbox
    Apr 30, 2021
    80
    MLB The Show 21 is a refined and satisfying baseball experience, plus it's fully accessible to fans and those looking to get into the sport alike. Things like Stadium Creator and that the game runs at 4K and 60 FPS are something we can all appreciate. Visually there can be no significant leap from its predecessor. Also, while it includes some major gameplay updates, it took more effort in this regard.
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