Video Game Review for MLB 10: The Show

In doing my worst Harry Carey impression, "it might be...it could be...it is!" Here is my review of MLB 10: The Show for the Playstation 3 system. I've bee playing the game close to nonstop for the last couple of days, to get a good feel for the gameplay, the graphics and everything else associated with the popular MLB The Show series.

Getting right into it, the graphics from the 2010 installment are a huge upgrade from previous years. You really have to take a second look to make sure at times you're not watching an actual MLB broadcast on television. The real-time announcing with the voices of Matt Vasgersian, Dave Campbell, and Rex Hudler are improved with new comments and a few new sarcasms to add into gameplay. From their real-time stat updates and the overall presentation, I was very pleased the commentary.

Also getting a facelift this year was the Road To The Show game mode. In years past, you created your potential all-star player, and then you would choose the team you wanted to start with. This year you still have the option of choosing your starting team, however now you also have the option of entering the MLB draft. Once you make that choice, you set your gameplay options. From there, you will have a momentary pause before you find out what team you will be drafted to. MLB 10: The Show abolished Spring Training this year as well. Previously, you would compete during Spring Training to see if you would start in AA or AAA play, but now you will automatically start in the AA team for the chosen MLB franchise. From there, you bust your butt to get promoted to AAA and then to The Show.

Two new features to the The Show this year are going to be interesting, one of which I am very glad was put into the game. That would be the return of a baseball classic, the Home Run Derby. Like it's real life counterpart, the HR Derby takes place during the All Star break. If you play well enough during the first half of the season, you may get chosen to represent either the National or American League (depending on your team) in the All Star Game. The HR Derby is just the same in that depending how your first half of the season goes, you may get invited to take part in one of the most popular aspects of the All Star break.

The other introduction this year is centered around the face of MLB 10: The Show, Joe Mauer. The impressive catch for the Minnesota Twins is featured in this year's version, with the debut of Catcher Mode. This gives you the option of playing an entire game behind the plate. You call all the shots with the pitch selection to the location. Don't want to pitch to someone who already has two home runs in the game? Give them a free pass to first and move onto the lower half of the lineup if it makes you feel better. I tried a few innings as catcher, but found out it just wasn't for me. There will be many that will try it and like it, but I couldn't get into it.

Overall, the game itself is a blast to play. I haven't had the chance yet to try the online play but now that the trade deadline has come and gone, it should be a little more interesting with the roster updates and changes. The only problem I've had has been an issue I've wanted to see resolved for several years. Many of the football games like the Madden series and the 2K sports series have "live" score updates during your game. They show other scores of games that are going on from the schedule during your season. I would love to see something similar done to the MLB The Show series. Have a ticker run across the bottom of the screen with the commentary.

One addition I do like is the ability to buy ability points. If you have a Playstation Network account, you can add funds from your credit or debit card to buy certain upgrades to some of your favorite games. If you are having a slow cycle and not able to get a lot of ability points due to a bad game or two, you can buy 1,000 ability points for just 99 cents. I've made a couple of those purchases already and they helped out tremendously with improving certain abilities for my player.

So there you have it, a review with a few features along with some likes and dislikes from MLB 10: The Show. I'll leave you with the closing comments from each game as Matt Vasgersian tells you that if you want more information, please check out the MLB 10: The Show website. But for now, enjoy The Show and thanks for reading!