A new mode aimed at beginners, along with several touch-ups, make this one of Sony's best baseball games yet.
Although the game doesn't feature too much new content outside of Beginner Mode, there are a number of additions to familiar modes. Franchise once again makes a return, letting you control a team and its organization from the inside out, including scouting and working on a budget to reap the rewards. Relax, you won't need an accountant to figure it out. But there are a lot of menus – just a word of warning.
Road To the Show and The Show Live also return, immersing you in a baseball universe by taking a player into the big leagues, or just experiencing epic match-ups from the start. In fact, you can go right into the World Series if you prefer, foregoing the boring old season in favor of the days of October. Though some online options do need addressing – there were occasional cut-offs with the server – it's a must visit for baseball fans, especially those who have dreamed of taking their beloved Cubs to the World Series. (You know, the ones who run last year's TV commercial on repeat.)
Again, there's an abundance of menus to go through, and the game's Cross-Play feature with the PS Vita (which we'll review later this week) is a bit misleading, as it's mainly tied in with the Home Run Derby – which is fun, but not the entire game. But these are flaws that can easily be addressed when the game goes to the following year's release – which will hopefully involve the PlayStation 4 as well.
The presentation for MLB 13: The Show is simply astounding. Players react more life-like than ever before, swinging with utmost style, making a hustle in the outfield and clearing the bases like a champ. There are unusual design missteps with smaller league players, and some of the stadiums don't look as sharp as the others, but overall this is a smooth looking game. The TV broadcast angles are a nice touch as well, and will make someone do a double take, as if they're watching an actual contest on ESPN or something.
