Preview: MLB 2K12
(CBS News) Once considered America's Past Time, baseball's popularity has continued to play second fiddle to other sports like Football and Basketball. Even Hockey, NASCAR and Tennis has garnered a very high and dedicated following. But even after diminishing sales, and slight decreased popularity, the longest running baseball gaming series has yet to give into the notion that our past-time has truly passed on. The 2K masterminds have gone back into the lab spending countless hours re-tweaking and revitalizing our desire to achieve virtual greatness on the diamond with MLB2K12. Oh and having an opportunity to win $1 million dollars again doesn't hurt either! 2K12 has definitely made some interesting upgrades and changes to their recent installment currently available on store shelves as of March 6. For a moment, lets not try to make comparisons of 'MLB2K' to 'MLB the Show'. While both of these baseball games are the creme de la creme of their perspective software companies, both 2K and "the Show" are clearly making distinct strides that ultimately infuse the resurgence of the enthused baseball fan. Both games emphasize a unique view and philosophy on how we ought to see and experience the game. For baseball lovers, this is a good thing! The philosophy of 2K12 remains the same which is emphasizing the pitcher vs batter perspective. In 2011 Major League Baseball witnessed some remarkable pitching achievements made by guys like a Justin Verlander, who heads this year's cover, and it would be hard pressed if there wasn't a better incentive to acquire this year's version just to try to emulate and capture MVP bliss in a season marked as the "Year of the Pitcher". So what's in the 'Hot Corner' for 2K12? MLB Today Season Mode
I'm sure the big-dawgs at 2K Sports would rather have me talk about the changes made to the 'Perfect Game Challenge' first because like most MLB athletes it's always about the money. But one of the most unique and clever additions to MLB2K12 is their 'MLB Today Season Mode'. For the passionate New York Mets fan who knows that the team will suck this year, this new mode will let you play an entire season at the same pace as the team scheduled to play during the 2012 campaign. That's right, from Spring Training, to the last game played hopefully in November, you finally have the power to play your team into contention and ultimately change the outcome of each game played. You'll finally become one with your team, feeling the grind of playing 3 games in 4 days, doubleheaders and always gritting your teeth knowing you have to wait the next day because your game got cancelled due to a rain out. Darn Hurricanes!!!! The concept is unprecedented. Using the current line up of the day, you'll be required to only use those that fill the roster of those teams. You can only play that game scheduled on that day. You can not jump ahead to any games through this mode, and most importantly you can not update or add any made up players to this roster. So if your team is filled with a bunch of minor leaguers for that day, and your facing Roy Halladay on 4 days rest, you'll need to apply all of your baseball savvy to pull out the victory. Perfect Game Challenge
While Democrats and Republicans battle it out for our economic well being, 2K Sports continues to supply us with their own version of a "Stimulus Package" that will draw all comers with an opportunity to win $1 Million Dollars in the 'Perfect Game Challenge'. Unlike last year's challenge where all perfect games were videotaped, competitors will go via XBOX Live online and pitch their perfect game, which will be saved and stored on 2K servers. The criteria to earn qualifying points for the perfect game thrown will be more stringent and additional statistical components will be used to break down your perfect games thrown. So those who are looking to sneak in the final 8 by throwing a perfect game with Roy Halladay against the Houston Astros, sorry guys that most likely wont make the cut. But fear not, 2K has also extended the qualifying round to give the masses more chances to perfect their game. The more perfect games you throw the more chances and opportunities you're giving yourself to win the $1 million dollar prize. Improved AI Gameplay and Throwing System
One of the biggest concerns that have hampered the success of previous versions is the constant glitches and errors the computer tends to commit during gameplay. There were several faulty game-simulated scenarios found in 2K11 which killed the real-life experience. Routine plays like bloop pop-ups and fielding ground balls, you'd see several skips and often the CPU highlights the wrong fielder to make a play towards the ball. Recognizing some of these issues as a serious fix, 2K12 has improved the AI to be more strategic while fixing several of the glitches to enrich the simulation experience when playing against the CPU. Throwing on 2K has become a little more challenging. It no longer will be easier for your fielders to specialize in the ridiculous. 2K's revamped throwing system will give players more decisions to make on how their fielders will throw the ball. Also there is higher risk of error if you don't queue your throws accurately. Gameplay and design has vastly improved on MLB2K12. The moment you reach the main menu screen, you can already see that the graphics and display are crisper and more defined. The pitching motions are more natural, and the batting stances, and mannerisms have been updated. Along with updated animations for the batters and pitchers, 2K also re-shot and revamped the catcher animations so good, it might make Jorge Posada come out of retirement and play for the Yankees on the game. Throw in over 80 hours of brand spanking new commentary from MLB's top announcers Gary Throne, John Kruk and Steve Phillips and 2K is primed for a run to resurrect our gaming sensations for 2012. There is no question you will be thoroughly impressed on the improvements made in 2K12, but the bigger question that looms will this be enough to re-instill the confidence of gamers to support the first great sports game of 2012. You would hate to think that the only reason why gamers are electing to acquire copies of 2K12 is for a chance to will the million dollar prize and while the concept is innovative and great, it would be a shame that those who do participate and play are missing out on some great dynamic features and upgrades to enhance their ball play experience.