Howzat! (Brian Lara International Cricket (PS2))

Member Name: GeordieNick

Product:	Brian Lara International Cricket (PS2)
Date:	10/08/09 (30 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun to play with friends, Good use of the camera and hawkeye, Extensive match options

Disadvantages: Unlicensed, Easy to exploit, No charging down the wicket, Looks unrealistic

I remember I played this game to death for awhile in 2005 but recently as the Ashes started again I thought that I would give it another go as my PS3 has backwards compatability. The game was released around the famous Ashes 2005 series and is called Ricky Ponting Cricket in Australia. Have Codemasters missed a trick not calling it Andrew Flintoff Cricket here? The game was a more arcade style of cricket game in comparison to EA Sports Cricket which felt like more of a simulation.

The game contains the majority of cricket playing nations, including those that are not test nations such as Kenya. Every team is unlicensed except in events that Codemasters have the rights to which are the 2003 Cricket World Cup and the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy. The game has licensed bats and balls as well as fully licensed stadiums in those two game modes I mentioned. You play the game just like you are watching it on television with a camera at the bowlers end looking towards the batsman. Realism is added to the 'television' experience with features such as hawkeye and wagon wheels used.

You can play a test match, one day international, Codemasters special two over game between two man teams and if you want to do a Twenty 20 match you can just reduce the overs in a match. There are several difficulty settings which is helpful depending on your level and if you do an exhibition there are a lot of options. For example you can choose from one of many venues around the world, whether you want a sticky wicket, dry wicket or flat wicket and what weather conditions you play in. There is also a Classic XI mode where legendary players such as Garfield Sobers can be unlocked. The game also has a decent scenario mode where players can take on historic events in the cricketing past. This involves famous moments such as hitting six sixes in an over and the infamous Bodyline series. You also are given the opportunity to create a player and increase his abilities over time. I made a leg spin bowler and took him in an Ashes series I created.

The game recieved decent ratings and was regarded as the best cricket game at the time. For me though there are some major flaws. In my opinion the action happens a tad too fast and the actions do not look realistic. The player faces do not look very human and there is not much scope for editing either. You can not move down the pitch when batting or do a direct hit or an overthrow when going for a run out. The most annoying thing though is the batting and bowling both seems flawed and it is easy to get players out once you are used to the game and his boundaries off nearly every bowl. Overall though it is a fun game to play and I hope the new Ashes Cricket 2009 will revamp the gameplay and make it more like cricket.

Summary: A fun game at the time but Codemasters must progress now.