MLB The Show 21 was released in April 2021 and once again raised the bar for visuals and authenticity in baseball gaming. The game was well-received by fans and critics, exemplified by its Metascores that ranged between 78 and 81, which are respectable for a modern sports game.
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Along with its impressive critical reception, MLB The Show 21 also saw a sharp increase to its player base in this year's iteration, thanks to the game coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S for the first time in the franchise's history. There are likely many people playing MLB The Show 21 who haven't ever played a simulation-style baseball game before and need some guidance in hitting home runs, striking out opponents, and ultimately winning games.
10 Choose A Suitable Gameplay Style
One of the most important decisions that players need to make in MLB The Show 21 is what gameplay style to choose. This option is presented to players when they first play the game, though it's tough for new players to know what to choose, causing them to essentially pick at random. Players are presented with three options at the start of the game: Casual, Simulation, and Competitive.
As the name suggests, Casual is the best option for new players. Many people will be reluctant to pick Casual, especially if they're well-versed in other games. However, it's the right option for starting and learning the game's core mechanics, and it can, of course, be changed later in the game.
9 Try Out Every Hitting Interface
MLB The Show 21 offers three different hitting interfaces for players to choose from, each of which offers fundamentally different gameplay styles. The three options are as follows:
Directional - As the name suggests, Directional simply requires the player to aim their shot and nail the timing of their swing. However, befitting of the game's realistic approach, players can't reliably choose where they want the ball to fly, as wind conditions, the batter's skill, the pitcher's skill, the pitch itself, and many other factors influence how the ball travels once hit.
Pure Analog - This mode removes the hitting choices from the button pad and instead applies them to the analog stick. Pushing the analog stick left or right will make the batter perform a Contact swing, pushing it up will perform a Standard swing, and pushing it down will perform a Power swing.
Zone - The most popular method of batting, Zone puts players in control of a Plate Coverage Indicator (PCI). Players must line the PCI up with the ball being thrown at them, as it will determine the accuracy and quality of their shot.
Although Zone is the most popular method, it's worth trying Pure Analog and Directional before deciding on a method.
8 Try Out Every Pitching Style
Yet another important settings decision that players need to make before they even start a game is what pitching setting they would like to choose. MLB The Show 21 provides the following options:
Classic Pitching - A great choice for new players, thanks to its lack of complex mechanics. The Classic Pitching mode simply requires players to aim their pitch, and the ball will reliably travel in that direction.
Pulse Pitching - Similar to Classic Pitching, but with an added layer of challenge. A pulsating circle will surround the ball, which determines how accurate the players' throw is depending on how well they time their button press.
Pinpoint Pitching - A new mechanic in MLB The Show 21 and also one of the toughest to master. Players are given a pattern to follow, with the pitch's accuracy depending on how well players draw the corresponding shape with their analog stick.
Meter Pitching - Meter Pitching offers a traditional two-click method that has featured countless times in sports games and mini-games, particularly in golf releases like the Mario Golf and Everybody's Golf franchises.
Pure Analog Pitching - The most immersive option available, Pure Analog Pitching requires players to flick the analog stick in a way that is reminiscent of throwing a ball. The pitching method may sound easy on paper, but it's deceivingly difficult to throw an accurate pitch with the analog stick.
Classic Pitching and Pulse Pitching tend to be the best options for new players, though it's worth trying every mode to see which is best suited. A more in-depth guide to pitching in MLB The Show 21 can be found by clicking here.
7 Don't Swing At Every Pitch
The decision made by the MLB to publish MLB The Show 21 on Xbox consoles and implement it in Game Pass was presumably made as an attempt to grow the sport worldwide. Consequently, many players will load up MLB The Show 21 without having ever watched a game of baseball and will likely think that they need to swing at every shot. Moreover, popular arcade batting games like the one included in Wii Sports have given some people a false idea of baseball, as they tend to let players hit almost any ball, which will often be blasted out of the stadium without too much effort.
Beginners should familiarize themselves with the rules of baseball if they aren't already aware of them and understand that standing still in response to pitches is frequently the best option, despite how counterintuitive it may seem at first.
6 Don't Be Afraid To Throw Balls
Following on from the previous point, players should throw plenty of Balls themselves. Again, this can seem counterintuitive for new players, who will naturally believe that they need to aim for the displayed square in each and every pitch in hopes of striking the opponent out.
Unfortunately, new players will learn the hard way that this is a fatal error. Constantly refusing to throw Balls will make pitchers extremely easy to predict, giving batters the opportunity to freely swing and every ball, which can result in a devastating scoreline.
5 Don't Rely On Power Hits
Another dangerous habit for new players to get into is thinking that Power hits are the best option for every pitch as they constantly try to hit the ball out of the park. Again, this idea is ingrained in many new players due to arcade-style baseball games that encourage players to try and hit home runs on each and every swing.
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In fact, Power hits are often the worst choice to pick, as they're extremely tough to find success with and should only be used if the player is very confident as to what pitch the pitching is planning to throw. Instead, players should familiarize themselves with Standard and Contact hits, which can also result in home runs with a well-timed swing.
4 Pay Attention To Catcher Recommendations
When first playing MLB The Show 21 and trying to get to grips with its many complex mechanics, it's easy to get tunnel vision and be oblivious to what in-game teammates are doing. Consequently, it will take many beginners a while to realize that the Catcher frequently gives the player pitching advice based on their hand movements.
This advice can be very handy for new players, as it will give them an idea of what sort of pitches to throw and how to mix them up.
3 Keep Your Thumb Active On The Analog Stick When Batting
Anyone who has played a sport in real life will have likely heard their coach say the phrase "be on your toes." For those that don't know, this essentially means that players should bounce around and stay active when waiting for something to happen to ensure that their body is prepared for action. Soccer players do it when waiting for a corner to come in, MMA fighters and boxers constantly do it to prepare for fast movements, basketball players do it when waiting for a rebound, among numerous other examples.
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When picking the popular Zone option for batting, players should adopt this same concept. Most players will just wait for the pitch to be thrown before darting their thumb in one direction to try and match the pitch. Instead, players should move the analog stick around with their thumb while waiting for the pitch to be thrown; it may seem pointless at first, but players should soon notice an improvement to their batting performance, as it will naturally prepare their finger to move and make it far easier to follow the pitch.
2 Be Patient
As alluded to throughout this guide, MLB The Show 21 is considerably tougher to get the hang of than most baseball games. Moreover, it offers a realistic, more true-to-life experience than arcade-style baseball video games, which give gamers the impression that home runs are hit after every few pitches.
This realistic lack of big hits, partnered with the huge range of gameplay mechanics and settings to learn and alter, can make the first few hours of MLB The Show 21 tough for new players. Players should persist, though, as they'll soon learn how to work with the game and get the most out of it.
1 Try Not To Get Frustrated
Following on from the previous point, it's important not to get too frustrated while playing. This advice can be applied to almost any video game, though it's worth specifying in this guide, as baseball isn't a sport that rewards people who get annoyed and try to constantly make big plays, seeking instant gratification.
There will be many games where players won't hit a single home run, will struggle to strike many batters out, and will ultimately be heavily beaten. Although these losses can be tough, beginners should take the age-old life advice of treating them as lessons. These lessons will help the player improve and build upon their skill at the game, helping them find joy in the MLB The Show 21's difficult yet rewarding experience.