REVIEW : Rugby 22 (XBOX Series X)
Rugby is a challenging sport to recreate in a video game. There are complicated regulations that change on a regular basis, large collisions, and a plethora of tactical options. It’s a fluid, spontaneous game that changes appearance with each match. It’s no surprise, therefore, that many video game makers have avoided the sport — at least until now.
Rugby 22, from Eko Software, is a love letter to current rugby on paper — there are options to build your team’s tactical outfit, there’s a fresh focus on kicking in-field, and there’s a clear attempt to promote running rugby. All of these concepts, which represent the essential tenets of modern rugby, fade away when you actually spend time playing Rugby 22. It’s evident right away that while this game was created by rugby enthusiasts for rugby fans, it wasn’t the one we’ve been waiting for. In single-player and online settings, offline and network, assume command of the top teams and top rugby nations, and enter the most renowned events. Rugby 22 is a complete rugby game that combines strategies and intensity with true-to-sport action. In tournaments, official leagues, and a Career Mode where you may establish and run your own team, you can lead your players to victory.
While Rugby 22 is an upgrade over Eko’s previous game, Rugby 20, it still has a lot of room for growth. Its control scheme is just too difficult, and you’re not completely introduced to it – even in the game’s devoted tutorial – leaving you in the dark at crucial moments.The lesson will take you through the fundamentals of rugby in the same way as your first practice session would. You’ll learn to make both short and long throws, as well as how to toss players into a ruck, scrum, and line out. What it doesn’t show you, especially later on, is how to genuinely compete for the ball, which is crucial in the great scheme of things.
You learn how to add players in ruck training (it’s as simple as pressing B/Circle and shoving your right controller forward), but not how to jackal. You learn how to pass the ball to each of pods in line up training, but not how to choose which person to elevate during an opponent throw in. While I have a clear grasp of rugby from my prime years, I am concerned about how new players will react to Rugby 22. There’s no effort to describe these situations, and considering that the breakdown is possibly the most perplexing aspect of a rugby match, not describing what a jackal is, much less the when you will attempt one, is bound to result in a misunderstanding.
After finishing the tutorial, you’re immediately put into your first game against AI, with no formal introduction to the complete control scheme. It doesn’t teach you how and when to kick in play, how to effectively maul, or how to defend against defenders in attack. I spent the whole of my first match tapping buttons at random. That’s what they’d do, something you shouldn’t have to do moments after a tutorial. When you’ve mastered the control method, Rugby 22 offers a variety of game types, including Quick Match, Online Match, Career, and League. Quick Match does exactly what it says on the tin: it allows you to hop right into a game against AI or a friend. Online allows you to play online against a friend or another player, League allows users to play a period as a squad from one of 5 premier league teams (Top 14, Premier League, URC, Pro D2, and the Nation’s Trophy), and Career allows you to play online against AI or a friend with your specially made team, which you create utilising player cards you unleash as you play.
League play is one of the game’s best features, allowing you to advance your club up the levels. The Top 14, the Pro D2, and the URC are all licensed teams. While it’s nice to see teams like the All Blacks and the Wallabies join the ranks of Rugby 22, it’s disheartening – especially as someone who watches top-flight English rugby – not to be able to tear it up on the pitch with an old favourite. While you can play as Leicester – as in Leicester Tigers – you’ll get a drab old outfit that doesn’t even match the team colours, as well as randomised players with no connection to the team.
When you contemplate the possibilities of Career mode, this irritation becomes even more pronounced. While licensed players do appear in the mode, which is heavily influenced by FIFA’s Ultimate Team, there are also a lot of unauthorised ones, forcing you to verify the statistics of basically Footballer regens while assembling your starting 15. The game does, however, dig its claws into you when you discover a licenced squad that you enjoy playing with. Yes, it’s a jumble, and it’s no substitute for the rugby games Electronic Arts was renowned for, but if you have an egg-shaped hole in your life, it’ll fill it. Games are quick five- or ten-minute distractions, and while the AI varies greatly depending on the difficulty level, you’ll soon develop what appears to be senseless button mashing into a much more refined. This is thanks in part to the game’s new strategic options, which enables users to create your team’s offence and defence. You can use a blitz defence with your defensive line and a pendulum defence with your back three. You may even choose which pods you want from the nine available, as well as their shape and spacing. In this way, Rugby 22 gives you far more influence over how you approach the game than it has ever been. Rugby 22 is a great option for individuals who wish to attend a game of rugby again from comfort of home. What else are you going to do with your time? There are enough changes and modes here just to make it a good purchase. You can play online, participate in big occasions, and accomplish a range of tasks in addition to the normal career and rapid match options.
