Road to the Show Is My Favorite Mode in MLB The Show 17

After a few months of playing MLB 17: The Show, I am surprised to report I have spent most of my time in Road to the Show, MLB 17’s career mode. In the past, I’ve enjoyed building a character and watching him progress, but RttS never quite captured my attention as much as franchise mode or, more recently, Diamond Dynasty.

However, this year the mode is on another level and could possibly represent the best individual-focused content in all of sports gaming. Here are a few of my thoughts regarding my experience in Road to the Show this season.

Documentary Syle Is A Cosmetic But Interesting Idea

The addition of a documentary-like framework for the series is unique, but ultimately feels a little cosmetic. That said, when one of these narrated scenes trigger, I know that something important is usually about to happen. It’s a nice change of pace for the traditionally text-heavy mode.

Included in these scenes are some “choose your own adventure” style dialogue options. Having stuck with my single created player, I’ve tried to give him a consistent voice when it comes to answering the questions posed. This gives my character a personality, at least in my head, that extends beyond stats and ratings. However, I’m not quite sure my choices are having a significant impact on the game. I’ve also had my manager address me about the same issue twice, with the exact same choices and responses. Regardless of impact, these dialogue options are an upgrade over past interactions.

My player, a speedy contact-hitting second baseman, was asked to move to third base by the White Sox, the team that drafted him. When I looked at the organizational depth chart, this made sense for both the team and my player. The franchise was lacking a really talented third baseman, which would give me more opportunity to move up the ranks. It was a nice bit of realism that otherwise could have felt like a gimmicky way to make the mode dynamic.

RPG Like Character Building Choices

Also realistic was the issue that I hadn’t spent many points on arm strength, which would now be a problem while my player manned the hot corner. This presented a nice strategic choice for me: continue increasing speed (the strength of his game) or fixing a weakness. These RPG-like choices are what make this mode so interesting for me.

After carrying a .350-plus batting average into the middle of the Double-A season, my player was called up to Triple-A, where he struggled a bit. It was apparent that catchers’ arms had caught up with his speed, so that part of his game was neutralized a bit. He could still hit, but at a much lower clip. After half a season at Triple-A, my player limped to a mediocre .260 average, though his slugging was still high thanks to an ability to leg out doubles and triples.

Being Moved Around Creates an Interesting Dynamic

I was surprised he was  traded in the offseason, though it became another interesting twist in my player’s story. However, as a third baseman in the Rockies organization, he wouldn’t be challenging Arenado anytime soon. I was also surprised that he was again starting in AA; apparently the Rockies weren’t as convinced in his ability as the White Sox had been.

In another twist that made contextual sense, the Rockies tried him at a a variety of positions: the natural spot at second base, his secondary position in center field, and at third. Occasionally, he DH’ed as well. All of this variety makes for a fun career as my player bounces between positions, even if I’d prefer he eventually land somewhere so I could maximize my ratings for a single position.

It’s cool to see your player develop the Quirks that are new across all of MLB 17: The Show. Along with customized equipment and ratings categories, these elements really begin to flesh out a player. Despite the lack of a preset story or cutscenes, like NBA 2K’s career modes and the upcoming Madden Longshot, I think Road to the Show does a great job of presenting a story. The mode doesn’t force anything and it’s easy to craft a vision of your player’s personality, even if just inside your own imagination.

Road to The Show is My Favorite Mode

For all of these compelling stories and reasons, I feel Road to the Show is a valuable piece in the MLB 17’s arsenal of modes. I’ve overlooked it in the past, but this may be the best version yet. I’m thankful that what story does exist is not “on rails” and allows me to craft a character I want to play. Changing situations and contextual realism also make the mode more dynamic and, ultimately, more enjoyable.