Reader Reviews

Cricket 2004 (PS2)

by Waine Smith

While soccer (or more accurately football) games are a dime a dozen, and even American Sports games can be found in plentiful supply, simulations of the big South African sports of Cricket and Rugby have been harder to get hold of. Recently Australian game producer, HB Studios, released one of each of these games under the auspices of Electronics Arts, to an expectant South African gaming public.

Rugby 2004 was a disaster, offering an unforgivable backward step in gameplay and graphics compared to a previous release two years ago. So with this in mind, I was understandably cautious about Cricket 2004. Initially I felt my caution was warranted. Like its Rugby cousin, the Cricket 2004 interface can at best be described as uninspiring and while the graphics weren't a step backwards, they weren't a heck of a lot better either, especially at first glance. This led to concern that Cricket 2004, would also fail to offer any improvement over its previous version.

However as you spend more time with the game, the subtle but important, differences do become apparent, especially in the most important facet, gameplay. On the graphics side, the animation is smoother, the grounds are better, and overall the feel is an improvement. However they are nowhere near the standard EA regular churns out in its other annual franchises like FIFA or Tiger Woods.

Almost all the actual players are included in the game (for some reason Lance Klusener is missing from the SA squad) and in an improvement; each nation now has a huge database of players to select their squad from. If like me you believe Daryll Cullinan should still be playing for SA, you can select him, along with Mornatu Hayward, who looking at our pathetic bowling attack should definitely be playing! Disappointingly there are no real player likenesses in the animations, something that is included in almost every other EA game.

The commentary is the same annoying Australian pair from the first game. While Richie Benaud is worth listening too in real life, I find his voices irritating in the game. Not only that, but the commentators repeat the same irritating comments from the previous version as well. Crowd noise and general sound effects are improved though. The match options include friendlies, the World Cup, the World Series, an ODI knockout cup, a Test Series and a nice new addition, an overseas tour. You can also choose to play domestic cricket in Australia or England, if you exhaust all your other options.

On the gameplay side, the batting is vastly improved. The stroke making is realistic, and the timing feels good. Attempt to play a hoink across the line, early in your innings, and the stumps will go flying. In a new touch, each batsmen now has a confidence meter, which gradually fills as he plays good shots. Once full, the batsmen are able to play better, and with better timing. The scoring rates are still unrealistic though, as its now easier to score runs, without resorting to the six hit button. However batting is a pleasurable experience, and trying to guide your players to 50s and 100s, while chasing down a big total is as good a sports gaming experience as I've ever had.

Bowling is also improved in 2004, offering the bowler greater variations, while making it slightly easier to maintain a line and length. While the improvements aren't as good as in the batting department, they're still noticeable. Fielding is best left to the computer, and the animations are much improved. In added realism, fielders are now prone to the occasional mis-field, which is a nice touch.