I have played the game extensively post patch 4 (Xbox one). I have mostly batted (not bowled as much) in casual, tournament and career mode (Medium, Medium, Veteran). I must say i am very impressed with the status of the game. I dont think there has been a massive overhaul in the gameplay (not that is was needed in first place), but the little little things have been worked at. Its a much polished and enjoyable product. For starters, i love the fact that they have darkened the ball length markers (also yellow marker has been rightly changed to orange). The game feels much smoother. While batting, you feel much more in control of your shots. Batting timing is slightly delayed which gives you that extra bit of time. Footwork is less sensitive and edges feel super real. Absolutely love the edges. Also, the shot power feels spot on especially when your timing is ideal. Running between the wickets is much better (though not as good as DBC 14) and the AI fielding is much sharper. There was this one instant when the ball was going for a six and the AI fielder jumped (ala IPL style) and tapped the ball inside, thereby saving the six. It was bloody epic. AI field placements is quite good as well though sometimes you feel why is this fielder not there and why is that fielder not there. But hey, doesnt that happen in real life as well. Captains being critised for their field placements. The AI bowling variation has also improved. Love the fact that spinners bowl short deliveries. I dont see any issue in stamina nor in batting feedback (which were pretty broken pre-patch 4). Also, i am yet to see any problem in career stats (i did not delete all my data, just started a new career). All in all, its these little little things which completely turn the game around, for the good of course.
Having said everything, there are few issues which need attention, out of which 3 issues are more important IMO. The first being the bat-pad issue. I have reported it in the bugs thread as well. I dont want to speak much about it but it surely needs to be toned down. Second, the AI changing fields almost every delivery is pretty annoying. Third, manual field changes not sticking is one major issue which really needs to be corrected.
Apart from these, late cut to spinners have been improved post-patch 4 (you can generally late cut wider deliveries without the keeper catching it) but still some tuning would be nice. Also, running between wickets is pretty quick, reducing the running speed by maybe 10% would be nice as taking single on almost every delivery is easy. Sometimes the field goes blurry. Sliding fielder results in boundary as his feet touches the rope while sliding. Unable to run after ball hits the stumps (during run out). The AI changes field during free hit. In general, i dont find backfoot shots convincing. I feel the backlift is too big during backfoot shots. I cant pin point the issue and what can be done to improve but backfoot play is not as solid as front foot play. Also, it would be nice to know the correct gameplay modifier values for easy/medium/hard settings. For eg. i want to play on hard setting but increase ball marker time value. Though, post patch 4, we can see easy/medium/hard values but they are incorrect.
However, i am extremely delighted with whatever we have and really looking forward to some exciting hours of gameplay. We need to realise that in spite of limited resources, Big Ant has provided us such a beautiful game. EA with all the hooooo-haaaaa have not given us anything close to this. We all need to support these guys and be grateful to them.
