MLB The Show 25 has made a lot of improvements in this installment of the series. This isn't just a typical upgrade; it has so many different changes and features that fans have been asking for. From the basic gameplay to brand-new modes and improvements to staples the game is known for, there's so much to love about this new entry in the MLB The Show franchise.

There are a lot more than 10 changes that were made to this game. In fact, the Franchise mode alone can be broken down into the many new features the developers added. However, there are some very big changes that altered the overall feeling of the game and arguably improved the quality. The next game is in a difficult position because it will be hard to improve on all these new features.

ShowTech Gameplay Improvements

Players React To What's Going On

ShowTech makes playing MLB The Show 25 much more realistic and exciting. It adds hundreds of new animations to make moments feel more realistic. It shows how players react to different scenarios happening in the game. The new animations not only look great but also change how characters react in the game. For instance, improved catching animations, like snatching line drives or catching on the run, make defense feel more realistic. Little things like that often get overlooked in favor of bigger more noticeable changes.

Another cool feature is the Ambush Hitting mechanic, where players try to guess what type of pitch the pitcher will throw. If they guess right, their hitting area gets bigger, making it easier to hit the ball. If they guess wrong, the hitting area shrinks. That makes things a lot tougher, and adds a new layer of strategy than just attempting to hit the ball.

Road to the Show: The Amateur Years

High School Days Are Where We Start

MLB The Show 25 brought a new feature to its Road to the Show mode called The Amateur Years. This let players start their baseball journey in high school, where they could play games and deal with the pressure of getting recruited for college. Players have to show off their skills to try to earn a college scholarship, making the journey to become a professional baseball player more realistic.

There were only a few schools added in, but more should come in the next few games.

Players can choose their Perks, which are special abilities that improve certain aspects of a ballplayer's performance. This way, players can naturally shape their ballplayer to match a certain playing style, highlighting their strengths and covering their weaknesses. Additionally, the game includes sounds from high school and college games, which really improves the immersion of the experience. I really wish more games would add things like this, as they tend to only focus on college but ignore how much is learned in high school.

Diamond Dynasty: Diamond Quest

Roguelike Elements In Baseball Turned Out To Be A Good Idea

MLB The Show 25 also introduced the Diamond Quest mode. This is a fascinating twist to Diamond Dynasty. If you're tired of online competition, then this was a perfect addition for you. In Diamond Quest, players move around a game board filled with challenges, secrets, and rewards. They face off in quick three-inning games and go up against tough challengers. There's no death involved but this mode feels a lot like a Roguelike.

Players earn peanuts from their good plays and spend them on perks at the Coach's Cart. There are penalties too, but it's about thinking of a smart strategy to get through each playthrough. This isn't the mode for everyone, and those who just wanted the regular baseball experience likely didn't like it, but it definitely gave some variety to the gameplay.

Revamped Road to the Show Progression (Path to 99)

A Great Way To Shake Things Up

MLB The Show 25 introduced a new system called Path to 99. This completely changed how players developed their characters in Road to the Show. This system gives players much more control over how their player grows. Instead of following a set path, players earn tokens by playing the game, which they can use to improve specific skills or groups of skills. It's a really cool way of changing things that was arguably more fun than traditional growth.

This level of personalization is what's needed to keep players engaged with the game while developing their character. Every game and decision works toward the long-term goal of becoming one of the best. Players can focus on specific skills, like building a pitcher with precise control and strong off-speed pitches, or creating a powerful hitter with great running skills.

Franchise: Front Office Experience

One of the Biggest Changes in MLB The Show 25

Franchise mode got one of the biggest upgrades in MLB The Show 25. The Front Office Experience made managing a team a lot more realistic and strategic. The biggest change was the revamped Free Agency system, which made g players more challenging, but also rewarding. The new Big Board lets players see all available free agents, so they can plan and prioritize who to target. Instead of just going after the best players, managers now have to consider what motivates each player and the overall market conditions.

There were a lot of changes and new features in Franchise mode. For example, salaries now reflect the actual market values more accurately, along with realistic arbitration and figures that add a bit of complexity to contracting players. This gets players to manage their team's talent and their finances wisely and every decision seems to carry weight. The system takes into a free agent's motivation, the competition, and how they meet the team's needs. It's a lot of fun, and a really cool the franchise mode.

Diamond Dynasty: Weekend Classic

A Difficult But Super Rewarding System

The next new mode in MLB The Show 25 added in Diamond Dynasty was Weekend Classic mode. This was a lot more intense than Diamond Quest, and required consistent high-level playing. Basically, it's a competitive tournament within Diamond Dynasty mode. It happens over a few days at the end of each regular ranked season, and it was way too tough for me to enjoy.

Only the best players who got a high enough ranking in the regular season could participate. The better your ranking, the tougher the competition, and the better the prizes you win. The goal is essentially to win as many games as possible, and it is a real hit for those who do really well in the regular season in Diamond Dynasty anyway.

New First-Person Camera (In Road To The Show)

You Literally Can't Get Closer To The Field

MLB The Show 25 is the first game in the series to have a first-person camera. It's something that you wouldn't think would work because there's so much the player needs to be aware of, but it works really well. Players are able to see the game from the viewpoint of their characters, which is a whole new feeling. It's like being on the field itself, and I'd be so surprised if it doesn't catch on or push genres like first-person sports in VR.

First-person mode is a new feature that could change the series forever. Players can switch the camera view whenever they want, which makes a lot of sense because plenty of times it's about the team and not just one character. It's a really smart way to implement a system like this, and the developers are trailblazers for doing this. It's not easy to sell players on this idea, but it adds so much to the gameplay.

Improved Quick Time Events (In Road To The Show)

A Good Way To Make QTE Fun

MLB The Show 25 did a good job of improving the quick time event system. These changes aren't small fixes either, they really adjusted how players effect the outcome of plays. Infielders have tougher QTEs when dealing with fast ground balls, which means more precise timing and button presses. This makes a lot more sense than a regular QTE for every situation. Each position and situation carries its own QTE requirement.

When baserunning, QTEs pop up during tense situations. For example, if the catcher blocks a wild pitch, players have to react quickly and decide how to advance the runner safely. Just like in real baseball, these situations require players to think quickly and make smart decisions, which feels more realistic. Hopefully, we get to the point where something better replaces QTEs altogether, because this is really made for people who know their controllers well, and that is annoying when you switch consoles.

Storylines: Negro Leagues Season 3

A Great Tribute To Some Of History's Best Players

This is more of an update than a change, but it's still different. MLB The Show 25 is bringing back its Storylines mode for a third season. Once again, it will focus on the history of the Negro Leagues. You get to play as both well-known and lesser-known figures who made a difference in baseball. A lot of us know about Jackie Robinson, but there were also many others who changed the history of baseball that are highlighted here.

The presentation got better, the sound quality was upgraded, and real-life sounds were added. This made it feel almost like a documentary players could experience through gameplay. It's a big win for MLB The Show 25, as well as for players who love the history of the sport and want to experience it first-hand.

Diamond Dynasty's Complete Overhaul

Things Changed For The Better

I mentioned two of the challenges in Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 25, but the whole thing is pretty new this year. The developers decided to scrap sets and seasons for a year-long progress system, which was arguably the worst Diamond Dynasty feature. This is a lot smoother and nowhere near as complicated as the sets and season were. Players are back to building a single top-tier team to have through the entire year.

Switching sets and seasons for year-long progression was probably the best change this year.

This lets players take their time with card collecting and keeps them working for the long haul. Without the set restriction, there's no need to throw out valuable cards and now every card is a step closer to the ultimate goal. Also, Team Affinity brings in a fun new element to the progress system and rewards those who stick with their favorite teams in MLB The Show 25.