I’ve reviewed each of the R.B.I. games since MLB brought the series back in 2014. At this point, I’m not sure a review is necessary anymore. I feel like I should just copy and paste what I wrote last year, because it’s the same game with an updated roster.
There’s no new modes and no new ways to play. I also can’t tell where any of the issues were fixed, and the game certainly doesn’t look any better. In fact, the only difference here is that this year’s game doesn’t have online multiplayer whereas the previous two versions did.
I get it. It’s an old school, arcade style baseball game. It isn’t ever going to have the depth of something like MLB: The Show, which is the only other baseball game in town and is exclusive to PlayStation. That’s a shame, because Xbox owners deserve a decent baseball game.
R.B.I. Baseball COULD be that, but at this point it’s clear that MLB Advanced Media has no desire to make it that. That’s evident by the fact that while there’s a year in between releases, nothing gets added or seemingly fixed, and instead a mode gets removed.
If you’re going to do a game like this, take the foundation and build upon it. Instead we’re getting the exact same game with a roster update minus online play.
If you’ve ever played an RBI Baseball game, then I’d suggest skipping this one. There’s literally no reason to “upgrade” to this year’s version unless you just want to spend $20 on a roster update. If you’re on PS4, skip it completely and just get The Show. The Retro Mode there will more than satisfy the old days experience, even without the ability to play a season.
I’d like to see this series do well, but MLB Advanced Media has a long ways to go. I had some belief in them in the beginning, as 2014 was a solid foundation and 2015 improved upon it. Now it seems like they’re just pleased to release the same game each year and make no noticeable improvements to gameplay, AI, graphics, or overall presentation.
This is a shorter review than I’d normally like to give, but in this case what else is left to say that I haven’t already said three times previously? It’s a shame, but it is what it is. There’s just no reason to bother with this version.
A copy of this game was provided by the publisher for review.
