Lacrosse 26 is launching on April 24, and there are still plenty of unknowns about the first lacrosse video game to hit consoles since Casey Powell Lacrosse 18. The game was first announced as somewhat of a surprise, a little over a week ago, and details on gameplay and franchise mode have come out.
Still, fans have plenty of questions regarding what to expect in Lacrosse 26. I’ve been able to get early access to the game, and with permission from the developers at Crosse Studios, I’m here to answer some of those questions for you.
Lacrosse 26 – What you wanted to know
What is in the game at launch?
On release, Lacrosse 26 features quick play, practice, and franchise modes.
Is it cross-platform?
Lacrosse 26 doesn’t feature any online play. It does, however, have local multiplayer with up to four players.
What’s the price?
$34.99
How deep is the team creator?
This has been the most common question about the game. I can tell you that it’s not as deep as what Casey Powell Lacrosse 18 had. That was a creation system added to a game that already had a foundation. With Lacrosse 26 being built from the ground up, the developers tell me that more of the focus went into the depth of franchise mode and the gameplay.
Team creator has you select from one of a few dozen team names, such as Buffalo, Albany, Eagles, Greyhounds, and more. There are five stadiums, 99 logos, and 10 jersey templates to choose from. You can also edit your roster, but only portraits and names are available at launch. Further player customization is planned for a future update.
Can you create a team for quick play?
No. Team creator is for franchise mode only.
Will we be able to upload our own images for team creation?
No. The game instead has 99 logos to choose from for your team.
How’s it for specialist positions?
Positions in the game are standard: Attack, Midfielder, Defense, Goalie.
How many teams are in franchise mode?
There are 71 teams total across 10 conferences. It’s also worth noting that there is no official licensing, but you can tell which programs the in-game teams are based on.
What can you do in franchise mode?
Obviously, you play your games—note, there’s no simulation option. You’re playing the full 18-game season! You’ll also be able to recruit players, upgrade things like team morale, fan happiness, team fitness, and overall hype that give you various bonuses.
What is lineup customization like?
In franchise and quick play, you can actually set two separate lineups per position. Within games, you can quickly swap to them using the d-pad.
What is the gameplay like?
I’ll have more in my full impressions piece, but it has its hits and misses. The general player movement and shooting feel solid; Passing and defensive play could use some improvement. You can set attack formations, but it doesn’t appear that you can do the same on defense.
How do player ratings and attributes work?
From my short time with the game, they work like almost every other sports game. It helps determine the skill of the CPU team you play against, as well as the abilities of your team. You can definitely tell the difference when playing as a team with good shooters compared to one without.
What camera angles are there?
I was surprised to see the number of camera angles available. You can choose from: Low, Medium, High, Nosebleeds, Low Dynamic, Side, and Broadcast.
Are you going to pick up Lacrosse 26 on April 24 for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S? Let us know down in the comments and in the official Insider Gaming Discord.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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