Don Bradman Cricket 14

Don Bradman Cricket is a fine, fine game. As a simulation of a sport, it's right up there in terms of quality. A sharp learning curve and a few minor oversights do hinder Big Ant's title, but that doesn't mean that the beautiful cricketing sandbox that they've put together isn't massively impressive. But is it the best cricket game ever made? The way in which it simulates the battle between bowler and batsman as well as all of the other nice little touches it provides, means that it knocks the opposition for six.

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Don Bradman Cricket 14 offers a fresh take on cricket games with its realistic cricket simulation. Create your own cricket career, control every shot and delivery with unique batting and bowling controls, and experience full-featured fielding and physics systems. Play with over 100 teams or choose from 14,000 online from the Academy, and expect realistic ball physics and player attributes.

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Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 536 reviews

gameplay23 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

The game offers an incredibly realistic cricketing experience with detailed gameplay mechanics for both batting and bowling.
Excellent customization options allow players to create teams and players, enhancing the overall experience.
Despite its age, the graphics and physics are still impressive, making it one of the best cricket games available.

The game frequently crashes, especially on newer systems, which can be frustrating for players.
The commentary is repetitive and lacks depth, detracting from the immersive experience.
Fielding AI can be inconsistent, leading to unrealistic plays and missed catches.

gameplay
51 mentions
45 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay of the cricket game is praised for its depth, mechanics, and realism, with many players noting the excellent batting and bowling systems. However, there are criticisms regarding fielding mechanics and some awkward design choices that can detract from the experience. While the game may have a steep learning curve, especially for newcomers, it offers a rewarding and engaging cricket simulation that stands out among its peers.
- “Gameplay is top class.”
- “This is one of the most complete cricket games ever made, love the fact that the developers took a completely different route to gameplay, different from all other cricket games.”
- “To sum up the positives - there is a real emphasis on gameplay, and this has been executed very well.”
- “Gameplay doesn't make sense sometimes, and you'll probably have more fun creating caricatures as playable characters for the lols.”
- “Whilst the gameplay mechanics are solid, with the notable exception of fielding being bloody awful, the game has some weird design decisions.”
- “Clunky mechanics, and they're hitching a ride on Bradman's name in a shameless cash-in attempt.”
graphics
51 mentions
55 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising their realism and detail, especially considering the game's age, while others note minor glitches and areas for improvement. Some users report issues with crashes on newer PCs, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are generally regarded as good to impressive, with a few calls for enhancements in specific areas like animations and crowd dynamics.
- “Even after almost 10 years, the graphics and gameplay are still amazing.”
- “This game has good graphics and is worth playing!”
- “Graphics are the best I have seen in any cricket game, and with the ability to download player-made content adding depth, I see this game being around for a while!”
- “The graphics are odd.”
- “The graphics aren't great, but I am sure they will be improved in the next iteration.”
- “The graphics need to be as clear as EA Sports Cricket and the loading and internal cricket controls should have a smart synchronization.”
stability
12 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes and crashes, particularly on PC, despite having high-end specifications. While some users note that it is less buggy than other current games, the overall experience is marred by glitches and performance issues that detract from gameplay. Console performance may differ, but the PC version is criticized for its instability, leading to frustration during matches.
- “In Windows 10, it freezes a lot even though my specs are way beyond the required ones.”
- “The only thing that lets it down is I've played 4 hours and experienced probably 10-15 freezes in that time, where I'll try to start a match and the game just freezes straight away and I have to ctrl+alt+delete my way out.”
- “Great game - shocking stability, freezes on PC constantly.”
optimization
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on lower-end laptops, with impressive graphics and quick gameplay facilitated by the ability to simulate non-played segments. The in-depth 'be a pro' career mode enhances the experience by making player performance feel impactful and realistic.
- “Other bigger games run smoothly on my laptop.”
- “As a result, the games are quicker (you can simulate the bits you're not playing), and your performance is more in the spotlight.”
- “Graphics are pretty good too, and the game runs smoothly.”
- “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frustrating performance issues.”
- “I often experience lag and stuttering, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.”
- “The game feels unpolished, with many features not functioning as intended due to poor optimization.”
music
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received negative feedback, particularly regarding the main menu track, which many find unpleasant and suggest would be better replaced. Additionally, players have noted that the commentary can be disjointed, leading some to prefer playing their own music while gaming.
- “The music adds a vibrant atmosphere to the game, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The main menu music is awful; it feels as though having none would have been better.”
- “The only thing that is missing is the option to replace the title music with 'Soul Limbo' by Booker T & the MG's.”
- “One of my gripes with the game is the commentary being inserted at random, as about half the time it doesn't make sense, so I've taken to playing music at the same time.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is derived from its quirky and often jarring animations, particularly in the catching mechanics, which can lead to amusingly unrealistic scenarios. While these moments are entertaining, they also highlight the game's shortcomings, leaving players both baffled and amused.
- “The game seems incomplete, jarring, baffling, and sometimes just straight funny in its shortcomings.”
- “Catching animations are also a little odd, especially when the wicketkeeper is catching edges. Instead of just taking a regulation catch, they will turn their back towards the ball and somehow dive on it, but catch it nonetheless. Although funny, I don't think we would see MS Dhoni do that! :p”
story
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received criticism for its linearity and lack of an engaging narrative, particularly in the career mode, which many users found disappointing.
- “I was quite disappointed with the career mode, which is very linear and lacks any engaging story elements.”
- “The narrative felt shallow and uninspired, leaving me wanting more depth and character development.”
- “The story was predictable and failed to capture my interest, making the overall experience feel bland.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive, making players feel as though they are truly present in the game world.
- “Atmospherically, it's like being there.”
- “The immersive environment truly pulls you in and makes you feel part of the world.”
- “Every sound and visual detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.”