The 2011 Major League Baseball season begins at the end of the month which means it's time for another edition of the critically acclaimed baseball franchise MLB The Show to celebrate the occasion. MLB 11 The Show is available now for the PlayStation 3, PSP, downloadable on the PSPgo, and yes, it's even coming out for the 11-year-old PlayStation 2.
MLB The Show has consistently ranked as the gold standard for the baseball and according to Metacritic, the most referenced video game review score aggregating website, the MLB The Show series has been getting more favourable responses from critics since it made its PlayStation 3 debut in May 2007. MLB 07 scored 77%, MLB 08 scored 85%, MLB 09 scored 90%, and last year's title earned a 91% industry average score.
MLB 11 The Show features true-to-life graphics, including all 30 MLB sports teams and the most authentic-looking stadiums seen yet. Adding to the realism this year is a customizable camera editor, stadium specific broadcast camera angles, a new integrated weather system that dynamically creates rain and cloud coverage, stadium specific jumbotrons, and fireworks displays. Short of actually being in the stadium, MLB 11 aims to be the closest you can get without stepping outside your own home.
As I previously discussed, the major enhancement this year is the inclusion of the Pure Analog Control System for pitching, hitting and throwing. With this feature, controls have been tweaked to provide greater accuracy and precision through the use of the right analog stick, offering 360 degree control as well as greater control over power depending on how hard the stick is flicked. Pure Hitting gives you the ability to alter your stride and swing on-the-fly, Pure Pitching incorporates new pitch meter that's used to set the ball's strength and direction, and Pure Throwing allows you to toss defensive throws by pointing the right analog stick, as well as gives you the ability to fake throws and catch eager runners off guard.
MLB 11 is the first to add stereoscopic 3D functionality (for 3D compatible televisions) in all gameplay modes, offering the most immersive baseball experience yet. PlayStation Move controller support has also been added for the Home Run Derby mode which has you control a hitter with 1:1 baseball bat controls as you aim to get as many home runs as possible.
The game also features a new Challenge of the Week online contest mode where you test your skills against MLB players from around the world with the promise of big league prizes, such as potentially winning a trip to the World Series as an official guest of Sony. Competitions will range between 2-3 minutes, all 1-player, and includes online leaderboards and prizes awarded in three tiers.
Baseball is inherently a social sport to watch so it only makes sense that Sony's San Diego Studio would include multiplayer Co-op mode in this year's edition. Up to four players offline and online can play together cooperatively where players can make team decisions such as who will cover infield or outfield duties, while also giving the option of divvying up batting and pitching responsibility, even selecting which specific batters they'd like to control. Multiplayer options include 1v2, 2v2, or 2vCPU.
“As the #1 selling baseball franchise in video game history, MLB 11 The Show delivers the most true-to-life baseball experience short of being on the actual diamond,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. “This year’s installment is once again a must-have for sports fans, raising the innovation bar with beautiful stereoscopic 3D functionality and PlayStation Move support providing endless entertainment for the entire family that is only available on PlayStation.”
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