RUGBY 08 WITH PS3 CONTROLLER SERIES
Rugby 20 reminds me of the FIFA series some 20 years ago when they started to introduce feints and tricks. Get the correct play and send the equivalent of Jonah Lomu to break their ranks or take cheeky drop kicks when the other team least expects it. That’s not to say you can’t make crazy runs. It’s a shame that the AI doesn’t always share the same sentiment. An alternative comparison would be the heyday of Barcelona and their passing game beautiful to watch, and effortless for teammates to communicate with one another. You can’t wholly wing it in rugby as it’s not just a case of grabbing the ball and tanking your way through – it’s about build-up and the momentum of your teammates. If you’re applying any form of strategy, you’ll predict the state of play anyway. The action is fast, but it doesn’t feel like a QTE when you have to tap a button as fast as you can. Gain possession, and you’ll have the opportunity to pass back to your team or punt it forward and hope for the best. The screen isn’t cluttered with excessive HUD information, and there will be a legend that appears each time you have an option. Once into the game, we get into the action straight away. For the average player, you may not be familiar with all the players, or perhaps you don’t mind so much, but there are some teams with fictitious names. Of course, I went with the Saracens – not because I’m a glory supporter, but they had the best stats, and I needed the edge as my rugby playing skills are rusty at best. I did make a start on the campaign, but a quick heads up to say that I’m not so deep into it due to the time factor, but what I can say is the leagues are very thorough and will satisfy rugby fans.Īs with similar sports titles, you can choose from a multitude of official teams, each with their ranking stated. There are additional options such as online play (not reviewed), challenges and the FIFA inspired My Team, where you grind through to make the perfect team. From the outset, you can get straight into a game with quick match, league, and solo play. Those familiar with the FIFA title screens will be at ease with Rugby 20. Well, Rugby 20 changes that up will bells and whistles, and makes for the best rugby game I’ve played (granted, it’s about a dozen or so). If you played a rugby game, it’s because you sought it out or a family member bought it for Christmas. Though rugby isn’t as popular as football, basketball, F1 or many others, the transition to consoles has been relatively understated and hardly life-changing. A sweeping statement, but the bulk of rugby players are hard as nails and get the job done – it’s not about the performance off the pitch with models dangling on each arm or camouflage Bentleys – it’s a pure unadulterated testosterone-infused sport. Apart from the World Cup and Six Nations, the sport doesn’t share the same limelight as football, nor does it have the bling. Rugby doesn’t get the credit it deserves. From the sliding on the floor, of course. Well, time to rejoice as Rugby 20, developed by Eko Software, is the closest I’ll get to a scrum without soiling my clothes. Despite being a fast runner in my youth, my small frame meant that I’d ricochet around the pitch like a pinball, should one of the larger players jolt me. Rugby always appealed to me as a younger person. That’s changed as sitting on the sofa with a controller in hand without incurring a hamstring injury, or a split lip is preferable to the real thing. There was a time when I would rather play sport than watch it.