new preview up at ign
ps2.ign.com/articles/755/755516p1.htmlCricket videogames have been on something of a sticky wicket for a few years now, struggling to get runs on the board thanks to patchy graphics, average AI and often convoluted mechanics. Of the two major series', however, Codemasters' Ricky Ponting games have shown the most promise, with accessible, pick up and play gameplay. This trend looks set to continue, and after spending some quality time out in the centre with an early version of the latest game, we have to say that it's one step closer to being the ultimate Cricket game.
Ricky Ponting International Cricket 2007 is coming to PS2, PC and Xbox 360, but for our preview we've gone hands on with the 360 build, so PS2 and PC owners - bear with us, the buttons mentioned obviously won't apply, but the underlying mechanics will. Please note the screenshots are from the 360 version as well.
One of Ricky Ponting 2007's strengths is that all aspects of the game are quite easy to get into, whether you're dancing down the pitch and smacking the ball over the head of the bowler, whipping the ball in over the stumps from out on the boundary or confounding the batsmen with reverse swing. For the new player there are quite a few commands to get your head around, but thankfully it doesn't take long to get into the groove. Let's take a look at how the mechanics work.
When bowling you have a number of options at your virtual fingertips. Line and length is adjusted as you're running in, via a circular marker on the pitch that you can quickly position. Want to try and jam a yorker in at the batsman's feet? Just move the marker to near the foot of the stumps. Want to try and bowl a good line and length just outside off? Aim for that sweet spot midway down the pitch that you've no doubt memorised from watching every ball Glen McGrath has ever bowled on TV. As you get closer to the stumps a meter starts charging up on screen, and if you time your delivery well you'll bowl from bang on the popping crease. Time it too late on the other hand and you'll risk bowling a no ball.
There are four types of deliveries you can bowl - a normal delivery using A, a left to right cutter using B, a right to left cutter using X and a slower ball with Y. You can also make the ball move in the air using the bumper buttons, and switch between around and over the wicket. It's all pretty straightforward, but gives you plenty of variables to try and find the right line to each batsman. And if you're getting punished in the same area, simply cycle through the fielding layout options with the left and right bumpers before you bowl. These include several set fielding layouts as well as custom ones you create yourself.
Bowling is actually pretty fluid and it's hugely satisfying to tempt a batsman into a flashy looking cut only to knick it through to the keeper. Speaking of which, taking a catch isn't a passive thing - as the ball approaches a fielder, you'll have to time the meter that pops up on screen with A to ensure the ball sticks as you go for the catch. Throwing the ball in to the stumps is also a matter of timing - the better you time the meter, the faster your pick up and throw. You can also choose which end to throw to, with the left trigger representing the wicket keeper's end and the right trigger the bowler's end. That's probably not as intuitive as it could be, but you'll get used to it.
The batting mechanics have a similar level of versatility to bowling. The first thing you'll want to check out before the bowler comes charging in is the placement of fielders. There's a little radar in the bottom right that displays a top down view of the ground, with each player represented by a white dot. At a glance you can see where the fielders are, and hence where there are gaps you can try driving through, or fielders that you may be able to hit over. Once the bowler starts his run up, you're able to get a rough idea where he's pitching the ball, and have a few moments to decide whether you want to move your player left or right across the stumps. Say the ball is coming in directly at the stumps, with a step across the stumps you can position yourself to try to flick the ball off your pads for four… of course if you botch the timing you'll open yourself up to a potential LBW.
In any case, choosing where to hit the ball is simplicity itself. Simply point the left analogue stick in the direction you want to hit the ball (you'll see a cone indicating the direction on the radar) then hit the relevant button. A ground stroke is triggered with A, a lofted shot with B, a defensive stroke with X (although why you'd ever use this we're not sure), an attacking sweep with the Left Bumper (and if you pick a ball pitched on the off side you'll automatically do a reverse sweep which is a nice touch) and a lofted sweep with the Right Bumper. How well - or if - you hit the ball comes down to your timing, and this is what makes batting so satisfying. Like the real thing, you really need to watch the ball come on to the bat. Unlike the real thing, get your timing down and you'll be knocking sixes all over the park.
Hit the ball into a gap and you can take a run with a simple tap of the Y button. At this point a small window will pop up in the top left of the screen showing a top down perspective of the pitch, so you can see where your batsmen are, and whether you should try for another run or not. Realise you got it wrong and you can send the batsmen back with the A button.
One of the best inclusions on the batting side of things is a confidence meter that builds up if you're playing well. This brings in the concept of playing yourself in, and once you've maxed out your confidence meter you can literally dance down the pitch to try and take the bowling apart.
The camera angles are a little less dynamic than they could be at this stage, and it can be quite hard to see the ball at times, but this is something that Codemasters are working on. A few of the innovations from the televised game have made it into Ricky Ponting International Cricket 2007, with Hawkeye revealing how close LBW shouts are, as well as the line that each bowler takes during an over. While we didn't see the worm in our time with the game, we have our fingers crossed that it'll make an appearance.
One of the coolest aspects of Ricky Ponting's International Cricket 2007 is extensive online multiplayer for PC and Xbox 360. You'll be able to sledge your way to the top in an online version of the ICC Champion's Trophy 2006 or World Cup, or play through a league or standalone match (complete with online spectators). As you'd expect there will be leader boards and achievements, tracking and celebrating your victories, centuries and more. We haven't been able to test the online play as yet, but look out for our thoughts around the time of the game's release. PS2 owners haven't been left out either, with a number of multiplayer options for up to four people.
In terms of licensing, this year's Ricky Ponting is once again a mixed bag. The game is officially licensed for the ICC Champion's Trophy 2006 and the upcoming World Cup, so all the players and teams involved in those competitions have made it in, with accurate player names and likenesses (although to be honest the player models have a long way to go before they look anything like their real life counterparts - we're hoping they're just placeholders in this build of the game). Aside from these top tier events, however, there are a huge number of teams and competitions that aren't represented. Still, the World Cup should keep cricket fans happy for a while.
In-game commentary has been recorded by the likes of Jonathan Agnew, David Gower, Ian Bishop, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig, but unfortunately it wasn't really implemented in our code, with only the odd random comment being thrown in during play.
Indeed, with only a couple of months until release, Codemasters still have a lot of work to do. The raw nuggets of gameplay goodness are certainly there in Ricky Ponting International Cricket 2007, let's just hope that the final game has the polish it deserves.
And yes, Billy Bowden's crazy hand signals have made it into the game. Phew!