The latest entry into the MLB The Show series has arrived with more eyes on the product than ever before. This is due to the surprise announcement that the game was not only coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but that it would be launching on Microsoft's Game Pass service on day one. This turned heads as the franchise is published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, who are charging PlayStation players full price. However, frustrations from the PlayStation community were eased when it was announced that the Xbox iteration of MLB The Show 21 was being published by MLB Advanced Media. Many believe that this decision was an attempt to grow the game of baseball outside of America.
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Consequently, the game's development team, San Diego Studio, would have been under pressure to deliver a high-quality game. As of April 2021, the PlayStation 5 iteration of the game has a 77 score on Metacritic. While it's not exactly a home run, it's a solid score for a modern sports game. Fans have made some complaints about a lack of improvements from previous entries — but new audiences won't be concerned with that.
One of the best aspects of MLB The Show 21 is the level of customizability. This isn't just because of the new Stadium Creator mode; it's also due to the impressive amount of gameplay settings available to players. One choice that players need to make is which pitching mechanic they want to use. There are five to choose from in the game, so we've explained each one to help players who are unsure which is best suited for them.
5 Classic Pitching
Classic pitching is a great choice for players who don't want their pitching to be complex and would like near-precise control as to where the ball will be heading. It's ideal for people who are playing the game for the first time. New players can use this method to learn other aspects of the game before delving into more intricate pitching methods. Downsides for Classic pitching include the limited types of pitches players can throw, and that some baseball fans will find it too simplistic. Simply put, it's low risk, low reward.
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To use Classic pitching, players simply need to select what type of pitch they want to throw and aim the cursor, then let the pitcher do the rest.
4 Pulse Pitching
The Pulse method of pitching is very similar to the Classic style but with an extra layer of difficulty. Whereas Classic ensures players that the ball will be traveling where they intend, Pulse adds a margin of error due to a pulsating circle around the targeted area. Understanding the method isn't too tricky, though nailing the timing can take a bit of practice.
The Pulse method is another great choice for players who are just getting started and don't want to overcomplicate things. Although it is possible to make mistakes, the punishment for doing so isn't too significant. The game also indicates to players how good or bad their timing was, which will help their improvement. To throw the best Pulse pitches possible, players need to press the designated button when the pulsating circle is as close to the ball cursor as possible.
3 Pinpoint Pitching
Pinpoint Pitching is a brand new mechanic to the MLB The Show series. It's essentially the opposite of the Classic method, in the sense that it's high risk, high reward.
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The majority of players will likely find Pinpoint Pitching to be the toughest method. However, it's worth trying for those who want to throw more complex pitches. Upon selecting the method, players will see a diagram that they will need to follow with their analog stick. The game provides players with feedback on their pitches, which is very helpful when first learning the method. The quality of the pitch will depend on how accurate players' pattern matching was, how accurate their timing was, and how accurately positioned their cursor was to where they wanted to throw.
2 Meter Pitching
The Meter method essentially does what it says on the tin, displaying a two-click meter that will test players' timing. The two-click method is commonly seen in golfing video games, particularly from the 90s.
After selecting and aiming a pitch, a curved meter will pop up on the screen. Players' first job will be to select the amount of power that they want, indicated by the yellow to red section at the far right of the meter. Then, players will need to focus on nailing their accuracy. This is determined by how close they get to hitting the singular yellow stripe when the white line comes springing back from right to left in a flash.
1 Pure Analog Pitching
As the name suggests, Pure Analog tests players' accuracy with the analog sticks, much like Pinpoint Pitching. Achieving an immersive pitching experience with a standard Xbox or PlayStation controller is virtually impossible; however, Pure Analog comes the closest to doing so. Players dictate how fast the ball will travel and in what direction, by how fast and which way they flick the analog stick.
Pure Analog is another one of the game's more tricky methods. Yet, getting the hang of it can be worth the effort for players who want to feel like they're swinging the arm of the pitcher.