Heralded nearly every year as one of the best sports games available, "MLB: The Show" (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita) is less than three months from its next release.
Following the PlayStation Experience event in December, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has revealed some features for "MLB 15: The Show," which is due out March 31.
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One of the big ones is the Year-to-Year Saves feature which originally was put into "MLB 14." So much time and effort are expended in Road to the Show and Franchise modes that the developers sought to allow users to carry over their progress from one game to the next.
Users who purchased MLB 14 The Show will be able to continue their Franchise and Road to the Show progress in MLB 15 The Show. Saves between the two releases will be forward-compatible, meaning you never have to worry about starting your Franchise or Road to the Show seasons over!
It remains to be seen just how effective the concept will be given that it presents other challenges. These modes have been perceived as being stale already and if they can't naturally evolve because of the need to roll over compatible saves, the plan may end up backfiring. Despite that, many players understandably are eagerly anticipating not having to start from scratch this year.
Another new feature: a group of Legends, following in the footsteps of other sports games. How they'll be used is unclear, but it sounds as though they won't be limited to a single mode such as the card-collecting Diamond Dynasty mode.
We’re introducing 30 Iconic MLB Alumni into our virtual player card pool, 1 representative for each team. These players span every historic baseball era of the last 70 years. Like all of our Universal Rewards, you have a chance of finding a historic virtual player card to add to your collection and utilize throughout MLB 15 The Show.
Naturally, the visuals are being worked on for the second effort on PlayStation 4. Yasiel Puig is on the cover, which makes sense because he was chosen to represent player personality and emotion.
Visually, the introduction of real time seasonal sun and shadows, revamped night lighting, and enhanced player personality help make MLB 15 The Show the most authentic baseball experience yet. (PS4 Only)
Other anticipated features: improved load times, an overhauled Diamond Dynasty mode, a new Radio Show (presumably for Franchise mode but that has not been specified), a new tag system, a new animation engine, and licensed equipment (bats, gloves, shoes, batting gloves). All this will be broken down in detail in the coming months.
"MLB 14" was well-regarded but it also had its share of deficiencies. "The Show" continues to offer the worst online experience in all of sports gaming. The commentary is in desperate need of a reboot.
Still, the series is arguably the most consistent in the sports gaming genre. Consumers have a sufficient idea of what they're getting when they buy; that's not always the case in the industry. Sony has no direct competition, so fans can only hope that improvements will be made alongside some much needed innovation.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast and Press Row Hangout shows, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.