18.8.2009

So, is Ashes 2009 finally a cricket game for the PS3 that can achieve a similar level of success as Brian Lara Cricket did for the PS2? Judging by some of the other reviews on here, yes and no. A very mixed bag of scores and opinions have been delivered so far, and I'd say that pretty much sums up my experiences with the game, but not my end opinion.I played Brian Lara Cricket a lot, and so thought I would have a go at Ashes 2009 by getting stuck into a 20 over match on easy. Things did not go well. Batting was initially very difficult to time and bowling was not much better. And despite my best efforts, and perhaps due to an addiction to the 'loft' stroke, the game was lost.Back to the drawing board.I moved straight onto the tutorials. Batting, bowling and fielding are all taught here, with many different tasks aimed at gradually increasing your skills. Some, however, are tediously difficult at times, but then so is cricket. Having spent some time completing the tutorials I went back to a 20 over match on the easy setting. England(me) versus Zimbabwe(Computer). Not a tough test I know, and a lanslide England victory (by over 400 runs mainly thanks to Bopara with 271no) left me thinking this game was not going to last. Computer batsmen were trying to play back foot square cuts to 60mph off spinners bowling a length a foot outside off stump. This resulted in some very harsh LBW decisions when the ball had hit the batsmen in an all together more painful place. Amusing none the less, but definately not cricket!Either way I wanted to win the ashes, so I set about doing so on the normal difficulty setting. After an innings and 284 runs victory, I was getting frustrated with how easy the game was becoming, and how poor the A.I was both in terms of bowling and batting.So I started a 5 over tournament on the hard setting. This, in my opinion, is where the game was meant to be played. Timing shots is much, much harder, especially against Brett Lee's 95mph outswingers. And the A.I batsmen will punish anything that is slightly off line or length(allthough the tendancy to get out to the offspinners in the way described above still occurs). I can't wait to restart the Ashes on hard, where I imagine not every ball will be a scoring one, and maidens and outside edges will be more regular.Graphics are good, ok for this type of game. A marked improvement on previous PS2 cricket games, as expected, but an area that must be improved upon if a sequal is to be made. Player likenesses are poor, but then I would consider gameplay a more worthwhile investment as the times when players faces need to be seen are few and far between.Longevity of this game should be good, but then that depends on how quickly the difficult setting can be mastered. Perhaps a very hard setting would've been a good addition? But with online multiplayer, the game could be played for some time yet.Overall I am very pleased with the game. Graphics are generally good, gameplay is excellent and very enjoyable, and I can't wait to have a go playing mates online.I think some reviewers have been harsh. For example, bowlers will bowl at a realistic speed if you can time it. Otherwise there would be no point in controlling the bowler if Jimmy Anderson's speed was predetermined by his real life speed. And yes, on some difficulty levels the game can be unrealistic in how many runs can be scored, but how many people would buy Fifa 10 if you had to play 90 minutes to draw 0-0 to then go to extra time and then lose on penalties? I would not want to have to bat on Ashes 2009 for 12 hours to score 150 runs. Unfair criticism I think, but that's my opinion. Don't be put off this game, it's what many cricket fans have been waiting for, and the closest others will get to having their cricket gaming needs satisfied.

24.8.2009

After waiting two years for the first cricket game to come out on the ps3, I had high expectations on this game. I was hoping for a realistic and accesible cricket game. i pre-ordered the game from amazon and it came on the anticipated day. I started off on the toturial and after a while bating and bowling feels natural. I headed straight into ashes on hard mode (hoping for realistic gameplay) and on the whole it delievered. There are some flaws to this game which i'll mention later.THE GOODTotorial is a good way to get used to gameEach format of the game(test odi T20) feels right e.g T20 music,loud exciting crowds. est ebb and flow.English and Ausie teams look awsomeThe pitch influences the game big timeIn test,

10.8.2009

Well, what can I say. Apart from a lack of games modes this is the difinitive cricket game. After an hours tutition from Beefy and Warney I was into the game.As an experiance player I went straight onto normal mode. Remember if your a newbie driving outside offstump is very dangerous early on, you will get caught in the slips. However after a while I was happily batting away. The bowling is a bit better too. I've actually got people out caught at short leg(which has been a completly useless position in all previous games). Just keep a steady line and length. Bowl to short too often and you'll go round the park, too full you'll get driven all day.Now I've got it on hard, it really is a challenge.

29.8.2009

ok, I have written this having not read any review so far. And this is the first cricket game I have ever played.On first glances the first thing I thought was 'could have been been better music before you even start the game!' that aside, I started the game trying out the legends coaching. After nearly an hour trying out the bowling, fielding and batting basics I tried out a test match. Instead of going for a hard match I tried England vs Ireland and started well I thought, Anderson getting 5-37 and them getting bowled out for 101 and me earning a trophy for 5 caught wickets from the same bowler.I thought I was doing ok, but then England (me) took the crease and got 204.

14.9.2009

I think this game looks good when you play.The batting is very good. the biggest range of shots from all cricket games available. Good techniques. And i think is quite realistic.When you first get to the crease you will find it hard to get started a bit of a missed time shot will lead to you edging or give the outfield a chance. so i cant really complain about the batting.The bowling is where i think it could be better. if you set an all offside feild 4 slips 2 gullys 2 points etc and bowl almost offside wides they will hit it to the slips every time and you can get australia out for 50. Also the pace of the bowling cracks me up, the likes of harmisson can only bowl 75mph.

24.8.2009

After reading some reviews and have this game i have to say there are some stupid reviews one in particular saying "Its Not Cricket" i had to laugh at that, i know everyone is entitled to an opinion and thats fine. Right Ok basically you gotta like cricket in the first place to go out and buy this, if your not sure try and rent the game of Love film or Blockbusters or even a friend that might have it. Like one reviewer said you got to understand the sport to get anywhere with it, In my opinion its best cricket game out there graphics are not everything in a game although it helps its gotta have gameplay and thats where this game delivers, it has decent graphics, online and playability,

26.7.2012

This is a must buy game. Despite being 1 year old I would say it is better than ICC Cricket 2010 and the best sporting game around and is perfect for any cricket lover.There is always something to do whether you want to reanact Shane warnes wonderball in the legends challenges, create your own team' start your own world cup or test match and of course take part in a thrilling Ashes tour. I have had this game for a few years now and I am still discovering more and more things to do. here are my Ashes results ( On a ps3 hard difficulty)Played: 20Won: 10Lost 8Drawn 2Top Tips: To bowl right handers use either fast or spin bowlers and bowl on the right side of the wicket and then bowl at the right stump (

7.8.2009

I got the game today and i've managed to get a few hours of solid gameplay on it tonight. I've had a few goes at the 20/20 slogathon which is wonderful fun.There are various modes you can play such as 20/20, ODIs or an Ashes series. All the major cricketing nations are there to chose from with all your fave players. There is also a mode where Beefy and Warney challenge you to play certain cricketing shots and they also give you bowling challenges. The graphics are impressive and it plays very smoothly.Ashes Cricket 2009 is definitely the best cricket sim i've ever played (not that there's been many previously) and it will certainly appeal to any would-be Kevin Pietersen or Freddie Flintoff.p.s.

7.8.2009

I got this game this morning and just stopped for lunch now after playing it solidly, so addictive.Batting and fielding (which consists just of catches) are both incredibly easy to master and fun to do. The bowling is just as fun but takes a little longer to master but when you do the wickets become very enjoyable.I managed to play through a a few 20-20 games without boredom but dont think i would be able to last a full day, but the ability to skip overs is very useful however the downside is that you cant get any trophy's or unlock anything in an innings with a simulated over.All in all a fantastic cricket game would defiantly recommend to big cricket fans and just people who just enjoy

9.8.2009

The game arrived on Friday morning and I haven't stopped playing it since. I completed all of the tutorials so I'd have an idea of how to play it and then began a test against Australia and I'm batting in my second innings on the fifth test (up 4 nil - ha ha ha!). Ashes Cricket 09 is one of the most addictive games I've ever played, I'm finding it extremely challenging to leave my PS3 for five minutes to get food and drink! I think the graphics are great, the mechanics are brilliant, and there are a lot of trophies to earn - fastest 100 runs, double century etc. Fantastic game, so much better than you would expect and I highly recommend it!

28.9.2009

Ashes Cricket 09 is very good, having not had a cricket game on play station for a while it was nice to have one back, i have been waiting a while for one to come out, the game is more improved then the last one, the only thing it misses is that you can not play domestic cricket, for example you can't be yorkshire or durham or anybody, its just international teams only, but still good though, you can play a wide range of games and the challenges are really good to do as well, one which is very tricky. Overall if you love the game of cricket like i do, you will enjoy knocking the Aussies for six .

25.8.2009

It is a pretty average game for ps3.Graphics ok could be better, a higher difficulty lvl am playing hard and beat aussies most of the time get them out for less than 100 quite a ;lot AI batting unrealistic playing like twenty overs games, deosn't matter who's bowling you can still get wickets whether there rated 84 or 5.Good Pointcan create custum team and can use them as one team agaist other countries on the game and it records their stats but it does take a long time to create 11 players.No players real names except English and Australians.All in All good Fun.

8.8.2009

I pre-ordered this from here months inadvance and i was really looking forward to it, i was not disappointed.It was never going to be a 'game of the year' contender, once you realise this it becomes immense fun. Graphics aren't great but still decent quality, gameplay is fun and more realistic than other cricket games in the past. On the downside, doesn't seem to have great depth so i can see it becoming repetitive after a few weeks.I'd recommend to cricket lovers and sports fans alike.

6.9.2009

As soon as i got this i loved it. The graphics are quite good and it has everything u would want from a cricket game. I played this a lot for the first few weeks trying to complete all the trophies. It is very easy to get the platinum trophy it took me under 10 hrs, so if trophies is what ur after this is a good game for u. I enjoyed playing it, but for me the novelty did start to where off and now i hardly play it.

26.9.2009

The shift from EA to Codemasters has instantly paid dividends for Cricket fans. The mechanics are much improved although the AI is still a lot to be desired at times. Multi-player is best with this game. I would recommend this game to anyone who is a genuine fan of cricket (a bit too tricky for newbies).

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