Cricket 2002 is from the famed stables of EA Sports known for their games, which go with catch-line “If it’s in the game it’s in the game”. Gamers must be well aware of their games like NFS, FIFA etc.
Cricket 2000 left me pretty much more wanting from the game, for the concept of cricket in a PC was highly irresistible. And Cricket 2002 didn’t at all disappoint me. The game is excellent when compared to the previous outing. Game graphics are an improved lot with more stress laid on giving original faces to most of the players. The actions of batsmen and bowlers are really good with the option of left arm and right arm given pretty nicely. Unfortunately CKT 2002 is more of a batsmen game than a bowlers’. Taking wickets is not as easy as hitting any bowler for a six(with of course a slight modification to the files called “patches”). The fielding is good along with the excellent camera coverage giving you the best of TV and PC game. Every camera angle is there for you to relish that spectacular catch the fielder has taken or the six your batsman had hit. The game includes practice sessions with both batting and bowling. Bowling especially is quite interesting with the option of either left or right arm bowling, along with fast, fast-medium, swing, off-spin, leg spin and left arm.
The special features includes the cameras, excellent camera replays and a very option of editing any team members since not all teams have the same set of players every time. The game consists of excellent work on graphics and movement of players with a real-life like sounds in stadiums, natural ambient sounds along with some pretty good crowd chants and shouts. The most exciting feature of this game is probably the game modes, which include even Test series, tournaments in Sharjah featuring any 4 of your choice teams and a World Cup along with Knock Out trophy and exhibition matches. You even have an option to select the stadiums, teams, team members and number of overs from 10 to 50. Test matches are great and the look is a real test match. There are additional teams like the all time team for each country, including the makers HB Studios team and the world team consisting of every player in the cricket.
The only disappointing stuff in the game is probably that you cannot play with your friend one-on-one without a joystick. Normal play mode is with keyboard and the controls are neat with the option of changing them according to your wish(not many keys to use though). Another biggest most disappointing feature is the commentary by Jim Maxwell, though the one by Ritchie Benaud is quite good. Jim may get on your nerves but don’t worry there are patches being developed for him to be replaced by either Boycott or someone else, so keep a lookout.
With an internet connection you could do wonders to your game graphics by downloading patches(unofficial) for absolutely any item in the game right from TV display, uniforms for teams, updated teams, updating the stadiums, including new members for teams, replacing the logos on the bats, pitches, umpire coats etc.
If you want to play some quality cricket with comfort of home this is the probably the best game in the series. And don’t worry your Indian team in the game can always win in the matches unlike the real ones. But never underestimate the computer ‘cos it can always get you in the slog overs.
Well to sum it up the game lives up to its catch-line “if it’s in the game it’s in the game”.