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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) | – | 77 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 53 | 39 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 68 | 239 |
| PlayStation store ratings | – | 62 | 750 |
| Xbox store ratings | – | 30 | 516 |
| 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 (44)
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
“Each year’s Show adds new features or tweaks some aspect of its gameplay or controls to give you a more authentic MLB experience while still retaining everything from the previous year. If you have never played a series installment before, MLB The Show 22 is the best baseball simulator you will ever play. If you played last year’s Show, however, it will feel like deja vu.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Even though The Show 22 provides players with some great gameplay changes and improvements, SDS still offers nothing new to the single-player modes. It still is a great baseball simulation, but the lack of upgrades sadly provides existing players with little reason to transfer to the new iteration, besides this season’s new dynamic content in Diamond Dynasty.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“MLB The Show 22 is still among the highest forms of video game baseball available … right along with the game that came before it. It still plays exquisitely, and it's still definitely worth your time if you've never really experienced the series before. For veterans, however, this could be the moment where the game just feels … sort of "there," and the only big difference you'll notice is that this year's cover guy probably should have been last year's cover guy.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“MLB The Show 22 still plays a fantastic game of baseball, even if tweaks to fielding and hit variety are mere subtle improvements compared to anything more impactful. Additions to March to October and (especially) Diamond Dynasty enhance both modes, while Franchise and Road to the Show continue to stagnate by doing little else than treading water. There's still a ton of content to sink your teeth into, and MLB The Show 22 will keep you busy into the winter months, but it's difficult to ignore how conservative the series has been for the past two years. This is an excellent sports game, just as MLB The Show 21 was. The problem is that the list of reasons to upgrade is getting smaller and smaller.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 22 remains the sport's one true constant, and some fresh tweaks to existing modes, along with a much-welcomed gameplay addition, prove the game can only get better year after year, even with some features being mysteriously omitted at launch.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 22 still has room to improve for the future, but makes more than enough changes to remain a great baseball experience at the end of the day.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“At the end of the day, MLB The Show 22 doesn´t bring much to the table in terms of innovation, but when it comes to gameplay and game modes, that's where it really shines. Fans of the franchise will find a lot to love over here, and newcomers won't have too much trouble learning the game thanks to all the amazing accesibility options. The newest entry in the beloved baseball franchise is basically more of the same, but better. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“MLB The Show 22 is a solid entry in the long-running baseball franchise. This year’s approach caters to its fanbase by improving upon what it’s good at while helping new players discover the magic of baseball. Despite encouraging players to spend more than in years past, Diamond Dynasty is still a game excellent mode that is a real highlight for the baseball sim that provides an unbelievable amount of replayability.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This may be the best baseball game available right now, but when it’s only incrementally better than least year’s effort, you might not feel like it’s worth the cost.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The key modes in MLB The Show 22 are as fun as ever, which is no surprise given that most of them haven’t changed meaningfully. Hitting, pitching, and fielding remain sublime, and another year on the newest generation of hardware has virtual ballplayers looking even better. However, technical issues are a nuisance and co-op, the most ambitious new element, is fun but unfortunately underdeveloped. The push-pull between reliable small refinements and incomplete major additions is evident, and it’s the clearest sign of the limitations an annual release can have on the series so far. MLB The Show 22 remains a very good baseball game, but it’s beginning to look like a star ballplayer on their way toward a post-prime decline. ”
read full review ↗ - 65
“MLB The Show 22 is one of the most conservative annual sports titles I’ve played in some time. Aside from a few minor mechanical tweaks and a handful of ancillary features like online co-op and new commentary, this is essentially the same game we got last year. It’s a shame because the franchise’s core gameplay remains rock-solid, but it’s increasingly difficult to ignore its lack of ambition. Those new to the series can add at least a point to my score, but longtime fans aren’t getting much to cheer for.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“There’s something to be said about not messing with something that’s working just fine. The Show 22 is a familiar product for better and for worse. The ball game is as solid as ever, but the video game entry fails to offer something truly new for PlayStation owners who bought last year’s installment, while its most noticeable change doesn’t really help matters.”
read full review ↗
Gamepressure
PLAY Zine
Worth Playing
GameSpot
We Got This Covered
GamingBolt
Atomix
Dexerto
GameSpew
IGN
Wccftech
Inverse…and 32 more tracked reviews.