{{short description|2018 sports video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox video game | title = MLB The Show 18 | image = MLB the show 18 cover.png | caption = United States cover art featuring [[Aaron Judge]] | developer = [[San Diego Studio]] | publisher = [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] | director = | producer = | designer = | writer = | artist = | series = ''[[MLB: The Show]]'' | engine = | platforms = [[PlayStation 4]] | released = March 27, 2018 | genre = [[Sports game|Sports]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] }}
'''''MLB The Show 18''''' is a [[baseball]] video game by [[San Diego Studio]] and published by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]], based on [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). It is the thirteenth entry of the ''[[MLB: The Show (series)|MLB: The Show]]'' franchise, and was released worldwide on March 27, 2018, for [[PlayStation 4]]. [[New York Yankees]] outfielder [[Aaron Judge]] is featured as the cover star for the U.S. version,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-on-cover-of-mlb-the-show-18-c260847502|title=Aaron Judge on cover of MLB The Show 18|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093640/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/260847502/aaron-judge-on-cover-of-mlb-the-show-18/|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Toronto Blue Jays]] pitcher [[Marcus Stroman]] is on the cover of the Canadian version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-stroman-yankees-judge-grace-mlb-show-18-cover/|title=Blue Jays' Stroman, Yankees' Judge to grace MLB The Show 18 cover – Sportsnet.ca|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113120421/http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-stroman-yankees-judge-grace-mlb-show-18-cover/|url-status=live}}</ref> A limited number of people were invited to a closed alpha, which began on December 22, 2017, until December 26, 2017, to test the online servers. Those who pre-ordered the game received access to the game four days early, able to pick up their copy of the game on March 23, 2018.
[[Matt Vasgersian]], [[Dan Plesac]] and [[Mark DeRosa]] act as play-by-play commentators; DeRosa replaces [[Harold Reynolds]], who was featured in the [[MLB The Show 17|previous year's]] game. Mike Carlucci returns as public address commentator.
== Features == "MLB The Show 18" is host to a multitude of features; Play Now, Road to The Show, Franchise, Diamond Dynasty.
=== Road to The Show === The "Road to The Show" game mode allows the user to create a player and guide him through path to MLB. In this game mode the user plays the baseball games through their player, only able to control situations that involve their player (ex. "at-bats", "fielding opportunities").
== Reception == {{video game reviews | MC = 82/100<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mlb-the-show-18/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=MLB The Show 18 critic reviews for PlayStation 4|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=March 31, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329022145/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mlb-the-show-18/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref> | EGM = 9/10<ref name="EGM">{{cite web |last=Gotoff |first=Michael |date=March 29, 2018 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/mlb-the-show-18-review/ |title=MLB The Show 18 review |publisher=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |accessdate=April 1, 2018 |archive-date=April 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401092828/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/mlb-the-show-18-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | GI = 6.75/10<ref name="Ginform">{{cite web |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=March 29, 2018 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/mlb_the_show_18/b/playstation4/archive/2018/03/29/the-online-slump-continues.aspx |title=MLB The Show 18: The Online Slump Continues |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=March 30, 2018 |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330152322/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mlb_the_show_18/b/playstation4/archive/2018/03/29/the-online-slump-continues.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> | GSpot = 9/10<ref name="Gspot">{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=March 27, 2018 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mlb-the-show-18-review-a-home-run/1900-6416884/ |title=MLB The Show 18 Review: A Home Run |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=March 29, 2018 |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080229/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mlb-the-show-18-review-a-home-run/1900-6416884/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | GRadar = | IGN = 8.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last=Roark |first=Caley |date=March 27, 2018 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/28/mlb-the-show-18-review |title=MLB The Show 18 Review |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=March 29, 2018 |archive-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329021651/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/28/mlb-the-show-18-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | Poly = }} ''MLB The Show 18'' received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].
Eddie Makuch of ''[[GameSpot]]'' gave the game 9/10, writing: "Sony's flagship baseball franchise has never been better. With its best-in-class controls and visuals, and impeccable attention to detail for the small stuff, ''MLB The Show 18'' is worth catching for any baseball fan."<ref name=Gspot/> Writing for ''[[IGN]]'', Caley Roark gave it an 8.5/10 and said, "The strength of the ''MLB The Show'' series has always been its authentic gameplay, which traditionally does a fantastic job capturing the essence of baseball. The 2018 version of ''The Show'' continues that trend, creating the most realistic baseball game to date. However, the nuanced gameplay and visual changes don't quite make up for the lack of innovation – or removal – of ''MLB The Show''{{'}}s core modes."<ref name=IGN/>
Michael Goroff of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' gave the 8.5/10, writing, "''MLB The Show 18'' offers a ton of options for new players to craft their own experiences while still giving veteran players the level of depth they'd expect from the latest entry in a series that's been totally refined over the years."<ref name=EGM/>
Conversely, Andrew Reiner of ''[[Game Informer]]'' gave it just 6.75/10, specifically criticizing online gameplay and saying "... the online aspect of the game – where Sony is focusing the most for additions – remains unpredictable at best and completely broken at its worst. As the season goes along, the experience will hopefully get better, but for the hardcore baseball fans that purchased the game early, it can be a nightmare."<ref name=Ginform/>
The [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''MLB The Show 18'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Sports Game of the Year|Sports Game of the Year]]" at the [[22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=January 10, 2019 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ |title=God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=January 13, 2019 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111065623/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{San Diego Studio}}
[[Category:2018 video games]] [[Category:MLB: The Show video games|18]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4-only games]] [[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]] [[Category:Sports video games with career mode]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Video games set in Canada]] [[Category:Video games set in Maryland]] [[Category:2018 in sports]] [[Category:San Diego Studio games]]