Title: Cricket 19
Available On: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Developer: Big Ant Studios
Publisher: Big Ant Studios
Genre: Sports
Official Site: https://www.bigant.com/all-game-list/cricket-19-the-official-game-of-the-ashes/
Release Date: July 2019
Introduction to Cricket 19
The phenomenal success of the Cricket World Cup and the subsequent excitement of The Ashes has helped to spark increased interest in the sport. From media outlets to major betting sites and beyond, cricket’s appeal is at an all-time high and that is great news for fans of the game.
The release of Cricket 19 is another exciting development, taking the sport into households across the world. Read on as we take a closer look at this exciting cricket simulation.
Cricket 19 Key Features
Cricket 19 covers all levels of the game, from junior through to national, and includes T20, ODI, and Test Match formats. You can develop the career of a junior player and take them through to national captaincy, or face historical scenarios from some of the most famous matches ever played.
There is also the opportunity to take charge of your own nation and try to lead them to World Cup glory in the ever-popular 50-over ODI mode. Cricket 19 features full licenses for England and Australia, meaning you can immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Ashes Cricket.
Licenses for some of the other major nations are missing, although this can be rectified by downloading the community content via the Cricket Academy section. The game also allows you to create your own club, stadia, and uniform, giving you the opportunity to manage things as you see fit.
Cricket 19 Gameplay
Building on the success of Big Ant’s ‘Ashes Cricket’ game, Cricket 19 features an enhanced AI engine that offers the most realistic gameplay ever. Opposing bowlers are quick to work out your team’s strengths and weaknesses, meaning you must be alert to adjust your strategy accordingly.
Similarly, the AI is more intuitive when batting, with the better players exploiting poorly set fields and the weaker ones kept off strike as much as possible. The graphics are generally very good, while each of the grounds has been lovingly recreated to appear as real as possible.
The gameplay is smooth, although the frame rate does appear a little clunky whenever the camera pans to a wide shot. The game has been designed to allow novice players to soon start collecting runs, but perfecting the technique to hit boundaries on a regular basis does take plenty of practice.
Bowling also takes a little while to master, but most players will be able to quickly pick up how the fielding works. The career mode is perhaps the most enjoyable part of the game, giving you the chance to create your own player and guide them to the top of the sport.
The difficulty rises as the game progresses, but with hard work and dedication, it is entirely feasible to make it all the way.
Verdict: In what is undoubtedly a niche field, Cricket 19 is the best game in its sector. Novice players can soon pick up the nuances of the game, while cricket experts will be smashing boundaries in no time at all. The career mode is the icing on the cake, providing a rewarding experience for the committed gamer.
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