You bloody ripper!
Even if it can look a bit intimidating to those who have never had the sport explained to them, cricket really isn’t all that hard a game to understand on a basic level. Many cricket video games in the past have successfully simulated the sport, albeit in a correspondingly simplified and basic way.
The Brian Lara games were known for being relatively accessible and fun to play but too easy to master. More recently, International Cricket 2010 made a big step forward and for several years has held the position of being by far the best approximation of the sport available on console or pc. Unfortunately the depth of the simulation in IC2010 was still rather shallow and the absence of any kind of a career mode definitely limited the games’ longevity.
As with all previous cricket games, Don Bradman cricket 2014 is not an ideal introduction to the sport. There’s no hand holding nor is there any explanation of the rules to be found here. However, unlike all previous cricket games Big Ant have absolutely nailed their simulation of the sport. They have also implemented a substantial career mode that allows for real player skill progression and reward (with corresponding leader boards).
DB14 also has a remarkable attention to detail for factors like weather, humidity, pitch type, bowler fatigue and batsman confidence; all of which make a tangible difference to gameplay. The BARS review system (Hawkeye) is an entertaining addition and, as is the case with the real sport, can make a huge strategic difference if used correctly.
The variety and nuance that can be learned for both batting and bowling runs very deep. Unfortunately, this also means that there is a long (and steep) learning curve to get to grips with the controls with when you first pick up the game. You only get a split second to make a shot selection and making the wrong movements often results in getting out… bowling also requires precise timing and rhythm (like the real thing) so you should expect to be pretty mad at the controls for a while until you get the hang of them.
The graphical quality (textures/animations/models) are certainly passable for the most part but nothing stands out. The commentary isn’t bad but you won’t want to leave it on after a few matches. The gameplay is the draw here... and it is genuinely excellent.
If you like cricket; if you are patient enough to learn tough but fair batting and bowling controls; and if you like the idea of playing a FIFA-esque career mode then you owe it to yourself to play this game.
In summary then, this is definitely the best cricket simulation game to have come along in a very long while.You could even say that a case could quite easily be made that it is the best cricket game ever.