Still very disappointing

[guyfs@yahoo.co.uk]

I have been eagerly awaiting each new release of this game as I am desperate for a good PC cricket game, but the latest release is still very disappointing. Instead of introducing whizzy new graphics (which ARE very good!) why not concentrate on fixing the problems that have always been there with the basic game engine?

The bat still seems to dominate. Balls still trickle past fielders on the boundary for four. Batsmen still hook good length balls and drive short ones. Batsmen bowling ocasional spin run through a side while good seamers struggle. Fielding changes have minimal effect. Good length balls on the off stump get caught at short leg. Short pitched balls on leg stump get caught at slip. The training sessions seem to have no effect.

The "hawkeye" feature is neat but only demonstrates how little the games conforms to reality. Somebody needs to program the LBW law into the game engine. You cannot be out LBW to a ball which pitches outside leg stump, nor to one which strikes you outside the line of the off stump provided you are playing a shot.

The manufacturers need to make up their minds whether they are trying to produce an arcade game or a strategic simulation. If the latter, they need to go back to the drawing board and redesign it from scratch.

[Detroit500]

I have been eagerly awaiting each new release of this game as I am desperate for a good PC cricket game, but the latest release is still very disappointing. Instead of introducing whizzy new graphics (which ARE very good!) why not concentrate on fixing the problems that have always been there with the basic game engine?

The bat still seems to dominate. Balls still trickle past fielders on the boundary for four. Batsmen still hook good length balls and drive short ones. Batsmen bowling ocasional spin run through a side while good seamers struggle. Fielding changes have minimal effect. Good length balls on the off stump get caught at short leg. Short pitched balls on leg stump get caught at slip. The training sessions seem to have no effect.

The "hawkeye" feature is neat but only demonstrates how little the games conforms to reality. Somebody needs to program the LBW law into the game engine. You cannot be out LBW to a ball which pitches outside leg stump, nor to one which strikes you outside the line of the off stump provided you are playing a shot.

The manufacturers need to make up their minds whether they are trying to produce an arcade game or a strategic simulation. If the latter, they need to go back to the drawing board and redesign it from scratch.

the only part i agree on but its a little more real in this version. sometimes players are not out when the ball is going to hit...but i've never seen the ball not hit the stump when given out.
Its a strategic game..you need to bowl to weaknesses and bat to strengths..make field changes when appropriate..use training/physio as needed. i do this and it works well. ;)

[Sureshot]

I have seen an lbw where the ball was missing the stumps (though maybe Chris will tell me this isn't possible with the code in place :p), umpiring mistakes are part and parcel of the game. As long as it's not happening excessively (ie, more frequent than real life), I don't see it as a huge problem. Kind of creates a sense of realism about it. Think to Football Manager, you get goals given that were off-side. You get penalties given that were dives. Mistakes from the officials are a part of sport.