Had a few days to try the gameplay after getting it at Christmas. Haven’t ventured into career mode yet as I’m waiting for the English county teams to be created by someone more talented than I!
My initial feeling is that I’m pretty happy with things so far, there’s a few things that need to be patched but overall I’m liking what I’m seeing. Sorry if the following is rambling!
Positives
The AI Test Batsmen
In terms of test matches, I’ve been really impressed so far at how the opposition batsmen go about scoring runs when I’m in the field. Playing an ashes series and it’s been very interesting to see how they go about taking on my spinner.
Unlike the last game where a good spell would see them just play the exact same shot before eventually nicking one to bat pad, they actually try to put the pressure back on. Dropping it into the off side for singles constantly and making me change my field to try and dry it up, it actually felt like I had to try and actively think of ways to stop them. In a similar vein, when the pitch is flat and they’re seriously on top, they look to take my spinner on, whack him down the ground and make me set a defensive field so they can then milk the singles.
I’ve also found that edges actually carry in this . Hallelujah!
White Ball Bowling
Ive also been playing the 100 and there has been big improvements with how the AI go after me.
In the last iteration I felt like all I had to do was set 4 men on the boundary between deep square and long on, bowl straight and they’d score at 3 an over by only playing orthodox shots and I’d barely pick up wickets, yet still hold them to a low score. Whereas now they actively target the gaps in the field like they do in real life despite it not being the optimal shot. This had led to a more realistic scenario where they score quicker but also give you chances. There’s been a few times where I’ve left out fine leg/third man and they’ve torn me apart by being clever. Often the bat will step outside leg and flick through fine leg, which also leads to the odd edge/playing on wicket.
Batting Engine
Have only batted a couple of times so far but once again there’s been improvement I feel. I can no longer unrealistically drag a ball from outside off to the leg side as a left-hander. Length balls outside off can’t just be driven through the offside or clipped through midwicket without risking your wicket which is good. Also I feel like playing spinners off the back foot is fixed, in the last game it was so incredibly risky despite almost being like a free hit in real life.
In limited Over cricket I feel like a you are rewarded for playing the proper shot. Eg last game trying to hit straight length balls over cow corner was a lot riskier than it is in real life due to the awkward mechanics. It feels a lot more fluid and realistic
Negatives
Hitting The Stumps
From my limited experience of bowling in Australia for the ashes, I’m still finding length a problem. Length balls from both spinners and seamers go way over the top which is understandable given that happens in real life.
However I’m finding that even if I go full (Y on Xbox) the balls still miss the stumps by an inch or so height wise. This leads to a lack of bowled/LBWs. I’ve been given a few by the umpire but as soon as they review it’s obviously not out as I already know I can’t physically Bowl a ball that hits the stumps unless I go for Yorkers
I will investigate further on pitches that aren’t hard but it was admittedly disappointing.
WicketKeepers
Still finding issues with keepers left over from the last game. Teleporting, diving where they have no right to get to. Not moving at all in some instances. Won’t go on about this as it’s been well documented over the last 3 games!
That Awkward Pull Shot
I’ve you’ve seen GJWeavr play on YouTube you’ll know what I mean. Players seem to go through periods of playing this weird pull shot from a full length that is very unrealistic. IRL they might get away with it once before being LBW, but they can do it freely currently
