MLB The Show vs MLB 2K12 Career Modes - Comparing and Contrasting (Part 1) - richgrisham's Blog

richgrisham's Blog

MLB The Show vs MLB 2K12 Career Modes - Comparing and Contrasting (Part 1)

Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:37 PM.

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What�s better � MLB 12�s Road To The Show or MLB 2K12�s My Player?

Obviously, that�s a subjective question. There�s little debate that The Show is the superior overall game, even though I�m admittedly partial to MLB 2K12�s pitching mechanics. Moreover, it�s not nearly as cut and dried when you compare the two �slices� of individual career modes the games offer � especially when you�re a starting pitcher.

I created a strapping, 6�4� 210-lb starting pitcher named Leo with three pitches � fastball, splitter, and screwball � and placed him into both games. I love the idea of three widely varying pitches, which, I was hoping, would allow me to baffle hitters by throwing 95+ MPH heaters followed by 78 MPH screwballs and 84 MPH splitters dropping into the dirt.

The first step, of course, is making it to the majors.

Both titles start you off in AA and force you to earn your way to the big leagues. This year, one of the features in The Show is that you�re a stud and won�t necessarily be subjected to the drudgery of toiling in the minors for too long. That would probably explain why after just 4 starts in the Mets� AA organization (going 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP) I somehow got promoted to AAA. Of course, being The Show, I also got traded; in this case, to the Orioles. The rest of 2012 was generally OK for Leo, as he went 6-4 with a 3.82 ERA with 91 Ks in 125 innings, sporting a 1.10 WHIP. Not bad, certainly not great.

Meanwhile, Leo�s alter ego in MLB 2K12 was having a better 2012 statistically � without getting the bump up a level. He dominated his Eastern League competition, compiling a 7-4 record with a 1.72 ERA and a ridiculous 0.87 WHIP, notching 77 Ks in 99 innings � and only 2 walks. Yet, no call came to move up to AAA. 2012 ended right where it began.

Even so, one year in I was enjoying MLB 2K12 more than The Show. I already mentioned the better mechanics, but I also love the fact that it�s obvious when I�ll make it to the majors. The main menu clearly shows the attribute levels I need to attain as well as the specific statistics I have to compile; when those happen, my ticket to The Bigs is printed. Conversely, The Show gives you a combination of attributes to improve and stat measurements to hit in running three-week increments � with no clear indication how much closer to the majors you�re getting.

The Show does do some things better, though. For one, the in-game rewards are smarter. Strike a batter out or get a double play and you�ll get attribute points to make your guy better. MLB 2K12 has situation-specific goals for every batter to get similar skill points, but they often don�t make much sense. Why is a fly ball better than a ground ball with no outs at the top of an inning? Other times, they�re almost impossible, such as striking out the side.

The Show will take points away for bad at-bats, but MLB 2K12 doesn�t ever go negative; 2K12 rewards you with extra skill points for giving up no hits or no runs in an inning, whereas The Show is more judicious with the rewards.

The strategy of assigning attributes and saving/spending the points you achieve is the most interesting aspect of player management. In The Show, I�ve been hoarding the points after making sure I increased the assignment-specific attributes I was told to each week. Since there�s no clear path to the majors, that seemed to make sense. Meanwhile, 2K12 tells you flat-out that you need to increase your attributes in specific categories to get promoted, so I spent every last point on one or more of those in the chase to match the need. Neither is necessarily better or worse, but it definitely makes you allocate your resources differently.

Coming up next time � what does 2013 have in store for the two Leos? Will the majors come calling?

Comments

# 1 bomberooski @ May 8

Have only played the Show and love RTTS.

Really like the 2k idea of letting you know what stats you need to move up a level.

# 2 Lieseegew @ Oct 29

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