Brian Lara International Cricket 2007

"A seriously flawed effort."

After the disappointment of BLIC 05, a number of members on the codemasters forum devoted much time to telling the company what they needed to do to make this latest effort a better game. They did not listen.

From the outset it becomes clear that this was a game rushed out to exploit the hype surrounding the World Cup. Forgivable is the annoying music on the menu screens, the limited game options, and the unimpressive (though not awful) graphics, with the character models being particularly poor. Unforgivable are the host of problems when a game actually begins.

The central problem with BLIC 07 is that it is, on any level, far too easy, providing no challenge for experienced players and, one would imagine, little for newcomers either. The AI is depressingly stupid - on test level (the hardest on the game), I managed to bowl Australia out for 80, and then pile on the runs and reach 300-1 before deciding how pointless it really all was. The next time I played a test match, against Bangladesh, I skipped their innings so as to make it slightly harder and they made 305 - in a single session. Not only does the AI make bizarre bowling choices (often deciding to open with a spinner or continue using the same two bowlers for very long periods of time) but it does nothing to react to how you are batting. In one instance I had Strauss settled in during a test match, on about 70, and yet one would gain the impression by the field set that he was new to the crease. I was able to dispatch just about every ball to the boundary, scoring at more than 6 an over. In one day cricket it gets even worse, with the AI paying no attention when fielding restrictions are lifted and continuing to post only two players outside the circle. To add insult to injury the AI opponent is a hopelessly bad catcher.

To this can be added a whole host of other bugs and annoyances. For example, both the wicket-keeper and bowler seem hell-bent on removing the stumps, even if no possibility of a run-out exists. Throws from fielders are also somewhat odd, and seldom, even from close in, are balls whipped into the wicket-keepers hands but are rather looped gently in the air. Overthrows have been poorly implemented. Fielders don't dive when trying to prevent a boundary. A heap of grass can be seen flying in the air when a ball pitches. Unfortunately, there are even more than is mentioned here.

For a detailed look at BLIC 07 on Live (which I did not try), I'd advise you to look at the Codemasters forum. It will give a good picture of the multiple problems existant here, too.

With its almost total lack of realism (I say 'almost' as in the OD tournaments you at least get real player names) and sheer ease, it is clear that codemasters aimed this game at a broad audience. Unfortunately, you do not need to be a big cricket fan to be disappointed by what has been created here. I'd advise all to keep an eye out on a game being developed for PC under the title 'The Art of Cricket'. There are no certainties at this stage, but the makers of it appear to be far more focussed on creating something closer to the essence of the sport than codies ever did.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 03/26/07