Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time once again to bust out the heavy lumber. The folks at Sony San Diego have stepped back on the diamond and released MLB The Show ’20 for the PlayStation 4. This installment has a bullpen of refinements and several features that virtual sluggers like myself have requested. Get yourself a pack of Big League Chew as we go over all the great stuff in the latest and greatest baseball game in town.
We got the noise
My favorite new features are the new additions to the franchise mode. You finally have the ability to choose your team’s name, design its logos, and even relocate it to the city of your choosing. And for the first time ever, the Minor League players are officially licensed instead of fictional. But if you’re one of those players that prefer to manage a team against your friends instead of by yourself, you’ll be thrilled to know that the folks at Sony San Diego have finally brought back 30-player online leagues, not unlike other sports series like Madden NFL and NBA 2K. These leagues only last for one season, though. Road to the Show gives you more encouragement to increase your chemistry with your teammates both on and off the field, as there are special perks on the line. March to October is like the single-season mode in last year’s game, except you can now perform trades and call-ups. Diamond Dynasty has a new game type called Showdown, which is a hybrid of Moments and Battle Royale.
Get it to go
The game controls as tightly as ever both at bat and on defense, and is even more accessible thanks to the option to have the AI perform jumps and dives for you. The Plate Coverage Indicator has been remade, granting you improved control and contact. All of the usual control setups are included, and the one I prefer to use is Pure Analog, which reminds me of EA’s MVP Baseball series.
Virtual field of dreams
Although MLB The Show ’20 hits a pop fly or two, it still rakes the home runs that matter and proves that there is no better baseball experience on today’s market. And when the PlayStation 5 steps up to the plate, this franchise is gonna get even better. Now, who’s got the Cracker Jack?
Silver Soul Gaming 