MLB The Show 25 will be including many of the series' most popular modes when it launches this spring, but it's making some key changes to them. The developers at Sony San Diego have pulled back the curtain on the lineup of features and modes in The Show 25, revealing a number of returning inclusions from previous games. Alongside the single-player focused Road To The Show and Franchise modes, the series staple Diamond Dynasty mode will also return.

Diamond Dynasty allows players to build their dream team by collecting cards of players from both the past and present. Each card has its own set of stats reflecting the player's real-life performance, with cards of higher rarity typically having better stats overall. The mode has been a part of almost every game in the series, and while the core experience should remain the same, there will be some significant differences in The Show 25 regarding how players can collect and use their favorite cards.

Sets & Seasons Aren't In Diamond Dynasty Anymore

Seasonal Restrictions On Cards Are A Thing Of The Past

The biggest change coming to Diamond Dynasty in The Show 25 is the removal of sets and seasons, a mechanic designed to control the evolving meta of Diamond Dynasty throughout the year. Introduced in The Show 23 and returning in a modified form in The Show 24's Diamond Dynasty, the format saw a new season start every few weeks that would bring with it a new set of cards. While playing the game's Ranked mode, players were limited to only using cards from the current season's set, the previous season's set, and an evergreen core set that never expired.

MLB The Show 24 tweaked the restrictions slightly with a system of In-Season Cards, longer seasons, and more slots for players to pick their own Wild Cards that could be carried over into future seasons.

While this rotation format helped keep Diamond Dynasty's power creep in check, it also left players with a collection full of cards they couldn't use, as sets were cycled out of play after two seasons. The Show 25 will be doing away with sets and seasons entirely, once again allowing players to use their full collection when assembling their Diamond Dynasty team. With the removal of these restrictions, Diamond Dynasty will also be adding two new modes in which to compete and earn rewards.

New Diamond Quest & Weekend Classic Explained

Challenging New Modes Offer Bigger Rewards

The first new mode being added to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 25 is called Diamond Quest, which resembles a board game with a cartoonish aesthetic. Gameplay footage shows the player exploring tiles on a board, with tallies for rewards found and any active bonuses or penalties. The overview of The Show 25's modes on the official PlayStation Blog describes it as a "risk-and-reward boardgame-like mode," a description that seemingly promises big rewards for those who are able to master it.

The other major addition to Diamond Dynasty's lineup is Weekend Classic, a Ranked mode aimed at those who enjoy stiff competition. Carrying over some of the spirit of the previous games' seasons, Weekend Classic is a short-term league where The Show 25 players can compete against each other within their division to earn rewards. The mode's official description promises it will be "highly competitive" along with featuring some of the best rewards available, so it should be worth checking out for any players who are confident in their skills.

Rewards In Diamond Dynasty For MLB The Show 25

Earn More Rewards With Revamped Programs

The core appeal of Diamond Dynasty is the allure of earning more cards and rewards by playing, and The Show 25 aims to provide more opportunities to earn than ever. Based on how the mode worked in previous entries, playing any of the game's single or multiplayer modes will earn the player XP, which in turn fills out the reward tracker. Reaching new tiers on the tracker will unlock rewards, including individual cards, packs, in-game items, or Stubs that can be spent on purchasing more cards.

Diamond Dynasty also offers a number of Programs — themed challenges with their own reward paths — and The Show 25 is set to continue with that feature as well. Specifically, enhanced Team Affinity Programs will offer rewards themed around specific MLB teams. Rather than relying on the universal distribution of cards from the entire league offered by the normal reward tracker, Team Affinity lets players focus on earning rewards for their favorite team.

Sony San Diego will continue revealing new information on the game's modes and features as The Show 25 draws closer to its release date on March 18. For players who preorder a deluxe edition, early access unlocks four days early on March 14, providing a headstart on earning all the rewards Diamond Dynasty has to offer in MLB The Show 25.

Source: PlayStation Blog