MLB The Show 25 is finally out, and that means getting to once again live out my dreams of my team making it to the World Series. Every year, no matter the changes, I tend to play The Show games the same, going through March To October and Franchise modes with the Seattle Mariners, the only team in the MLB to never make it to the World Series (yet). So, while holding out hope that 2025 may be the year, playing through this year's version of MLB The Show is the next best thing.

I've been a Mariners fan pretty much since playing Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball on the SNES circa 1994. I watched when it seemed like 2001 might be the year. I was excited when they made the 2022 post-season (and devastated last year when they missed it by a single game). I've been waiting just over 30 years for them to win a World Series, and some fans have waited even longer. I'm not hating on them. I love the Mariners, for better or worse. It's why I stick with them every year in MLB The Show too.

MLB The Show Lets You Live Out World Series Dreams

A Dream Team That Can Make It To The Post-Season

This is why I'm a big believer in MLB The Show. People may complain that each year isn't different enough from previous entries, or that the game has leaned into its rewards system too much. But at the end of the day, no matter the complaints I or anyone else may have with the franchise, the games are all about letting fans live out their biggest baseball dreams. Whether that's building up a team of superstars in Diamond Dynasty or just making it to October with your favorite organization.

MLB The Show 25 is no different. Diamond Dynasty has changed a bit, and there's the new Dynasty Quest to try out. There are new and returning Legends. The team rosters have, of course, been updated. From my time with the game, it's done a lot right. Like previous entries, The Show 25 is an improvement on its predecessor, even if it's not a massive leap forward.

And maybe it doesn't even matter. We play these games for the updated rosters and the dopamine hit of seeing our favorite teams win. I'm not looking for a watershed moment for baseball video games every time I buy a year's version of The Show. I just want to play through modes (mostly with the Mariners) and check out some of the new offerings.

I Play MLB The Show As The Mariners, & Love Seeing Them Win

It's Not Real Life, But March To October Is Still Fun

No matter what issues these games may have, I enjoy them because it lets me play as my favorite team, my favorite players, and (hopefully) make it to the World Series and win. MLB The Show is all about fulfilling dreams, and I'm convinced anyone who says otherwise is lying or just doesn't realize it yet.

Will the Seattle Mariners make it to the World Series for real this year? I have no idea. But they can in MLB The Show 25.

We play MLB The Show because we want to see our struggling teams win, or we want to see what it's like to play as Shohei Ohtani (even if it's just in a video game), or because we want to stomp rival teams into the ground with scores that would never happen in the real world. Will the Seattle Mariners make it to the World Series for real this year? I have no idea. But they can in MLB The Show 25, and that's personally my favorite thing about any of these games.

I mostly play in March To October or Franchise mode, which is why this is probably my favorite aspect of MLB The Show. Diamond Dynasty certainly seems to be most people's favorites, though, and it's probably because it lets you build a dream team of star players and live out whatever baseball fantasies you may have. In MLB The Show 25, that kind of feeling is conveyed better than ever.

MLB The Show 25 Makes Gameplay Better Than Ever

College Teams, First-Person Make The Game More Personal

There are a few elements in MLB The Show 25 that make the game feel more personal than ever. I may not adore first-person perspective, but it certainly helps with immersion and is there for those who want it. New high school and college teams also help with this, since it allows you to be more invested in certain teams and players. There's more to do, more to experiment with, and more to love.

Some people may complain The Show isn't doing enough to change each year, but I'm perfectly fine with what the games have done and where the series seems to be headed. It's too early to tell if I feel the same way about the direction of the Mariners, but (like most years) I'm hopeful. I love MLB The Show 25 for the same reason I've loved the previous years I've played - I get to live out seeing the Mariners win the World Series. Hopefully, it can happen outside a video game soon.