International Cricket 2010

International Cricket 2010 is an improvement from Ashes Cricket 2010. The obvious improvment is the new action cam, which is a nice new edition to the game. The action cam really does feel like you are actualy playing cricket and, if you dont like it, you can opt for the traditional broadcast view.

That aside, the big relief in IC 2010 is the scoring rates of the A1. In Ashes Cricket, especialy in Test Matches, the A1 would seldom block a ball, seeing scoring rates of around 8 - 15, depending on the mode in which you opt for. However, this time around, the scoring rates are far more realistic, with the A1 scoring at around 3.50 - 5.00 RPO, which although is not completley realistic, allows you to enjoy playing, as it would be pointless mirroring an actual Test, with the A1 scoring at around 1 RPO when the ball is swinging.

The instant tournament is also great, which allows you to play realistic cups, such as Champions trophy and the World Cup (although they are called Champions Cup and World Trophy due to licensing issues). These are really good fun to play, and you can get unlocks etc from completing the various stages. You can also play a Test series in the tournament mode, chosing how many tests in the series (from 2 to 5). You can also play 1 off ODI's, Twenty20's and Tests at any venue.

Especialy in the Twenty20's and the ODI's, batting can be extremely challenging, especially on the hardest mode, and you can often see your side totaly capiculate from a decent start from 40 for 1 to about 130 all out, if you play totaly recklessly. This is where another new edition to the game, the power stick comes in, allowing you to modulate the power in which you play your shot. This is especialy useful when the field is out, allowing you to either chip the ball into gaps or place the ball there, allowing a sprinted two. You can check field placings before the ball is bowled, by pressing the left stick, which helps with your placement of your shot.

However, I would have liked to have seen the 2010 / 11 Ashes down under to have featured on the game, which could have seen the realease of the game in about October or Novemeber. Not only would have it allowed for improvments but it would have been far more suitable than ridiculously realeasing it in the middle of a football World Cup.

I would like to see the review system in place, and therefore make umpires decisions be more unpredictable, as it would add an exciting edge to the game.

They could do with mabye adapting the English County format, with the revelvant tournaments featuring in the game, ie LV championship, CB 40, FP Twenty20 etc.

The catching could also be looked at, as the catching is easy after a while.

Bowling is now good, and it feels like you now can out fox the batsman, ie slipping in a slower ball to make him chip one up in the air, and THERE ARE NO RUN OUTS!!!!

i do think that you could also adjust the batsman in his crease, ie batting him out his crease or deeper in his crease, particulary in the shorter forms of the game.

Overall a really good and fun game; 8/ 10.

This is a good simulation of cricket and plays very well. No complaints in terms of the gameplay - hitting perfectly timed boundaries and taking wickets on the higher difficulty levels are very satisfying. Unfortunately, the game doesn't really have any meaningful management / career development options and can only be really approached as a game to play a one off game of cricket with, which is a pity.

County Cricket or some kind of domestic competition should be in here, the gameplay is too good not to to include it..