Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 83 | 36 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 53 | 42 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 71 | 149 |
| PlayStation store ratings | – | 53 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (31)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“MLB The Show 25’s refinements to Road to the Show and Diamond Dynasty make this another superb baseball sim. The on-field gameplay may feel largely familiar, but it’s already so well executed that it staves off any feeling of samey-ness. Some great new modes and another enjoyable set of documentary-esque storylines round out a package that’s still quite comfortably at the top of its game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Not all sports franchises are created equal, and some are top-tier. In terms of both improvements and content, MLB: The Show 25 is the most complete installment the franchise has released to date and is already positioned as one of the best sports titles of the year. The Fall Classic is still a long way off, but it's certainly nice to be heading to the iconic World Series with a video game that delivers and exceeds expectations.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“MLB The Show 25 shows respect for its players, with minimal microtransactions and a few genuine attempts at innovation. The only downside? The yearly release cycle makes it hard to justify this upgrade.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 25 provides an authentic baseball experience that brings you directly to the field. Various gameplay modes challenge you and the settings let you further customise your experience. The niche appeal and high difficulty make it tough to recommend for players who aren’t already interested in baseball. But if you have any passing interest or knowledge, you won’t regret picking this game up.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB: The Show 25 is a better game than its predecessor, capable of gripping the player more quickly and making it easier to enjoy. The two main game modes are much more fun and even the stagnant graphics don't detract from them.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 25 plays a typically excellent game of baseball. Ambush Hitting is lackluster, but tweaks to fielding make for a more well-rounded game. Meanwhile, Road to the Show finally gets the shot in the arm it's been crying out for with the inclusion of amateur games and a reworked progression system; free agency is more engaging in Franchise, and Diamond Dynasty smartly shifts away from the restrictive Sets and Seasons model while also introducing an enjoyable new single-player mode. Whether its additions are incremental or more significant, MLB The Show 25 makes enough positive changes to justify another year out on the diamond.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Sony San Diego plays it relatively safe with its flagship baseball series but offers new Storylines and modes with the same solid gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“One of the major additions is the Diamond Quest mode, which is available as a section within Diamond Dynasty mode and appeals to rogue-like experiences, making it an addition that has every chance of remaining as a permanent mode in future installments and could even set a standard in sports video games. In parallel, technical and gameplay improvements such as the Ambush Hitting system and defensive upgrades add a layer of realism and strategy that deepens the gaming experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 25 doesn’t reinvent the game but remains a top-tier sports title. With stellar presentation, a great soundtrack, and smooth gameplay, it might just be the best in its genre. Baseball fans can't afford to miss this one.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 25 doesn’t make any massive changes, but it didn’t need to. If you are a baseball fan, I highly recommend picking up MLB The Show 25, and if you are a sports fan who hasn’t tried this series yet, it’s the perfect year to do so.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“MLB The Show remains one of the best sports series around. The new upgrade system and the amateur portion of your player’s journey have reinvigorated Road To The Show, while the shift away from Sets and Seasons has righted Diamond Dynasty’s biggest wrong. While it’s a bit of a bummer that the Storylines feature isn’t living up to its full potential, it remains a worthwhile and important inclusion that has reach beyond the game of baseball. All the small touches, such as updated infielder reactions and new quick time events like the swim move, have the on-field action in a great place, too. It’s not always easy for an annual franchise to justify the move to a new entry, but in the case of MLB The Show 25, it does more than enough to make me glad it has arrived. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If nothing else, MLB The Show 25 is great because of how well it lets us live out those big baseball dreams - with Legends who have passed, at Stadiums we may never get to visit, and with teams who may not win the World Series anytime soon. There aren't massive, major changes, but they're good ones. Because of San Diego Studio's willingness to change and adapt, MLB The Show 25 proves this series is the best baseball sim on the market - and arguably the best sports game out there.”
read full review ↗
Push Square
LevelUp
Checkpoint Gaming
Eurogamer
GameSpot
GamingBolt
Atomix
Gameliner
Dexerto
IGN
Screen Rant…and 19 more tracked reviews.