Ashes Cricket 2009

[Andrew]

Is it on PS2?

 

[John Bumlick]

Yes, just been playing it for the past hour or so. It's okay. I suppose I had unrealistic expectations.

Graphics are VERY similar to the last Brian Lara games, and the players look almost identical (i.e. generally nothing like their real life counterparts). The bowling is good and works pretty well, but the batting is a bit of a let down. As in previous Brian Lara games you select where you want to play the shot first, and then simply swing the remote (read in previous games clicking a button); doesn't matter whether you play a straight drive or an uppercut, the ball goes wherever you've pre-aimed.

Gameplay is also not perfect; was supposedly caught on the boundary when the graphic showed the player simply stopping the ball (because to catch it he would have had a foot over the rope), and there are other (relatively) small foibles. AI tactics are very much in one day mode, which is annoying given that it's sold as an Ashes game; bowlers are rotated strangely (in a Test match Lee opened, then Johnson, at which point I was 11-2 and they bought on some random 3rd quick instead of keeping with Lee) and the limited field settings mean that in some cases the AI quickly switches between very attacking and very defensive fields.

Overall, it's a reasonable game, but could have been so much more.

cheers for the review. sounds like it's pretty much what i was expecting.

hopefully it'll be a big seller and they'll keep updating it. i would imagine some development time with the motion plus thingy would result in a far better game.

 

[8ace]

56/100 from Official Nintendo Magazine UK

 

[Dirk lovelace]

Can the players have a footie kickabout in the outfield, randomly picking up injuries?

 

[itszamora]

Just ordered it online. Looking forward to it, If its anything like the last brian Lara game, then it will be good.

You mean the game where even on the hardest difficulty you (and the computer) would happily romp along scoring 20 an over yet wouldn't be able to take the simplest of catches? That game was COMICALLY flawed.

 

[Postman Pat]

I bought mine on the Wii this morning from Hollingbury ASDA, behind me in the queue buying the PS3 version was........ Adam Virgo!!

First impressions are it's an average cricket game, where on the Wii it could have been awesome.

 

[Wozza]

I bought mine on the Wii this morning from Hollingbury ASDA, behind me in the queue buying the PS3 version was........ Adam Virgo!!

Nice. I've passed that on to The Guardian.

 

[Box of Frogs]

I bought mine on the Wii this morning from Hollingbury ASDA, behind me in the queue buying the PS3 version was........ Adam Virgo!!

First impressions are it's an average cricket game, where on the Wii it could have been awesome.

Lets hope he's not up late tonight playing it - David James style!

 

[Vatican Citys No.2 Keeper]

Will wait till they bring out a version on the wii with motionplus. Then it will be an awesome game!!

 

[Easy 10]

As in previous Brian Lara games you select where you want to play the shot first, and then simply swing the remote (read in previous games clicking a button); doesn't matter whether you play a straight drive or an uppercut, the ball goes wherever you've pre-aimed.

That for me sounds like a FUNDAMENTAL flaw, removing all semblance of instinct and proper decision-making from the game. So I will not be bothering with it.

I'm saving my pennies for Tiger Woods 2010, now that they've snorted the putting.

 

[sten_super]

That for me sounds like a FUNDAMENTAL flaw, removing all semblance of instinct and proper decision-making from the game. So I will not be bothering with it.

I'm saving my pennies for Tiger Woods 2010, now that they've snorted the putting.

Oh it is. I can only assume that they've done it because it is too difficult for the wii to work out the direction of shots from the swing, which is pretty piss poor to be honest.

I have also shelled out for Tiger Woods, and I can heartily recommend it. It is QUALLA.

 

[8ace]

We are getting a copy at work so I'm gonna borrow that and see what it's like before deciding to whether to buy it.

 

[burrish-gull]

I got the Wii version in the post today, its pretty much like all cricket games on consoles, absolute PONY. I will be sending it back to Amazon tomorrow.

Its a shame because if they'd actually spent some time on developing it properly it could of been amazing.

 

[Marc]

Yes, just been playing it for the past hour or so. It's okay. I suppose I had unrealistic expectations.

Graphics are VERY similar to the last Brian Lara games, and the players look almost identical (i.e. generally nothing like their real life counterparts). The bowling is good and works pretty well, but the batting is a bit of a let down. As in previous Brian Lara games you select where you want to play the shot first, and then simply swing the remote (read in previous games clicking a button); doesn't matter whether you play a straight drive or an uppercut, the ball goes wherever you've pre-aimed.

Gameplay is also not perfect; was supposedly caught on the boundary when the graphic showed the player simply stopping the ball (because to catch it he would have had a foot over the rope), and there are other (relatively) small foibles. AI tactics are very much in one day mode, which is annoying given that it's sold as an Ashes game; bowlers are rotated strangely (in a Test match Lee opened, then Johnson, at which point I was 11-2 and they bought on some random 3rd quick instead of keeping with Lee) and the limited field settings mean that in some cases the AI quickly switches between very attacking and very defensive fields.

Overall, it's a reasonable game, but could have been so much more.

sums up what Codemasters have been doing to the Brian Lara series, could've been so much better but the little things let it down big time.
I'll get a rented copy and try it on a mates Wii before I even think about buying the console just for this game.

 

[SirDouglasLoft]

What does everyone think of it then?

 

[John Bumlick]

What does everyone think of it then?

there are few reviews of the game here: Ashes Cricket 2009 - North Stand Chat

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I've played it for an hour or so the other night, and it's ok... nothing more. The commentary borrows a lot from Brian Lara as well.

I only played it on the easy level, but for a 1st try I bowled Australia out for 136, and I'm 120-3 in reply.

I'm not sure, but I think there is a way to play more instinctively, which is not to select your shot direction, but use the remote to hit in a certain direction after the delivery. I think it works.

The graphics are ok

The bowling is good, but I found an easy way to bowl unplayable deliveries - getting huge out / in swing.

The players look absolutlely fack all like the real players... just look at Luke Wright for example.

If I'm wrong about the not selecting the direction trick above, then the batting is poor.

I hope on Test level the scoring is more difficult, as I was scoring at 10 an over with ease against Australia's finest!

6/10

Papa

 

[Mendoza]

I am undecided whether to buy this now, I dont wont to be disappointed massively like others seem to have been

Is the game still FUN though, even if it is not perfect?

Maybe I should get the new wii sports resort instead??

 

[Dave the OAP]

i bought it and with all computer games i am shite at it!

i cant bat at all.....

 

[Husty]

I've read some good reviews about the PS3 version, shame i hate cricket really