MLB 15: The Show

Sony Computer Entertainment America took an already great game and made it even better. Near photorealistic graphics and fluid animations are the first thing players will notice when booting up MLB 15: The Show. The huge number of solo and multiplayer modes are back again, but it's the refined visuals that will no doubt please baseball fans. Players look, move, and act more like their real-life counterparts (even when in the dugout). Plus, this new game adds real-time seasonal sun and shadows, realistic-looking crowds, and revamped nighttime lighting. But it's not only good looks: The tension between the pitcher and batter is palpable, and it feels good on the plate when you hit the ball with a thwaaack and run the bases. Enhanced stadium visuals have authentic crowds and shadows.

Enhancements to the now-streamlined Diamond Dynasty mode no doubt will be celebrated by seasoned MLB game fans, though Stubs, the in-game currency, can be hard to earn -- and might frustrate players who play for hours but can't even afford one deck of virtual playing cards. Perhaps some better balancing is required here in a downloadable update? On a related note, the new directional hitting mechanic is a great idea but didn't seem to work that well; trying to aim where the ball will go wasn't very easy. But overall, MLB 15: The Show is still the best baseball game available, and thought it's not vastly different from its predecessor, you'll appreciate the improvements and additions.