MLB The Show 22 explained
MLB The Show 22 is a baseball video game by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, based on Major League Baseball (MLB). It was released for the PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, as well as Nintendo Switch, a first for the franchise. The seventeenth entry of the franchise, it was released on April 5, 2022.[1] Los Angeles Angels two-way (pitcher and batter) player and 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani is featured as the cover star.[1] A special manga style art by Takashi Okazaki of Shohei Ohtani is featured on the cover art for the MVP and Digital Deluxe editions of MLB The Show 22.[2]
For the second consecutive year, the Xbox versions of the game are available for Xbox Game Pass subscribers at no additional cost.[3] People who purchased the MVP or Digital Deluxe editions received early access to the game starting April 1.[4]
It marked one of the first MLB The Show games without any competitors in the United States, either simulation or arcade, as the R.B.I. Baseball series ended due to the Switch getting a port, although in Japan, the sole competitor is the latest entry to the Power Pros series from Konami, eBaseball Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2022.
Updates
- The Stadium Creator received updates to be dynamic, though it is not on the 8th generation systems (PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)
- MLB on ESPN Radio announcers Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton are the new play-by-play commentators, with Alex Miniak remaining the public address announcer.[5]
- The March to October game mode was expanded to last multiple seasons instead of one-and-done.
Reception
MLB The Show 22 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to Metacritic.
GameSpot gave the game 7/10, praising the gameplay and expansion to various game modes but criticized the lack of innovation elsewhere and repetitive commentary. In its 4/5 review, GamesRadar+ similarly complimented the addition to the March to October mode but lamented the limited additions otherwise, saying: "Gripes aside, MLB The Show 22 remains a fun, authentic and comprehensive simulation, among the industry's best. Ignoring the surrounding marketplace pressure to reiterate and innovate, Sony's series sits alongside NBA 2K as the premier pro sports offering." In its 7/10 review, IGN wrote, "MLB The Show 22 is mostly a retread of an already great game, but more bugs than usual and the not quite ready for primetime co-op mode are signs this series may be losing some velocity." Game Informer noted that while MLB The Show 22's core gameplay was solid, it was becoming stale. The site also criticized the game's technical issues, writing, "A week after launch, MLB The Show 22's online performance is shaky...Online stability continues to be a huge hole...While the new Switch iteration offers all the content of the PlayStation and Xbox versions, it suffers from framerate stuttering and significant graphical flickering." Push Square and Shacknews praised the gameplay, seasons, co-op, and streamlined format while panning the unimproved visuals, aging game modes, and repetitive commentary. Several review outlets noted that while the Switch version suffered from major technical issues such as framerate stutters and scaled back visuals, it was still playable and fun.
During the 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated MLB The Show 22 for "Sports Game of the Year".[6]
Notes and References
- Web site: Sho-Time! MLB The Show 22 coming April 5. January 31, 2022. MLB.com. January 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131222837/https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-mlb-the-show-22-cover. live.
- Web site: Russell. Ramone. February 2, 2022. Famous Illustrator Takashi Okazaki Creates MLB The Show 22's Collector's Edition Cover Art Featuring Shohei Ohtani. August 21, 2022. Xbox Wire. September 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220925071527/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/02/02/takashi-okazaki-creates-mlb-the-show-22-collectors-edition-cover-art/. live.
- Web site: Russell. Ramone. Shohei Ohtani: Unanimous AL MVP is Your MLB The Show 22 Cover Athlete. January 31, 2022. Xbox Wire. August 21, 2022. September 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220916051429/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/01/31/mlb-the-show-22-cover-athlete-and-xbox-game-pass-announce/. live.
- Web site: Gurwin. Gabe. MLB The Show 22: Release Time And How To Play Early. GameSpot. April 4, 2022. August 21, 2022. September 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220925071524/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mlb-the-show-22-release-time-and-how-to-play-early/1100-6502042/. live.
- Web site: Wells. Cory. MLB The Show 22 Updates Audio Experience Including New Commentary. March 9, 2022. August 21, 2022. Hardcore Gamer. October 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221023133846/https://hardcoregamer.com/news/mlb-the-show-22-updates-audio-experience-including-new-commentary/420070/. live.
- Web site: 2023 Awards Category Details Sports Game of the Year . . interactive.org . December 4, 2023.
