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<blockquote data-quote="saulan" data-source="post: 988077" data-attributes="member: 60236"><p>Work has been a bit hectic the start of this year, but managed to get a bit of time into this one over the weekend. Posted a review of the game on Steam, but thought I would post it on here as well.</p><p></p><p><u><strong>A big improvement for Rugby XX games, but still notable flaws</strong></u></p><p></p><p>This really is an on the fence review. If you have an strong interest in rugby, this game is worth giving a try (but it won't be perfect). For those that are semi-interested in rugby, I would likely suggest skipping this.</p><p></p><p>Whereas previous iterations of Rugby xx games I would score below 50%, this one I would put around 60-65%.</p><p></p><p><strong><u>Pros</u></strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Set plays are some of the best in rugby games.</em> Specifically line-outs and scrums have engaging mini-games that give you the most control we have seen in video games (e.g. feint jump at front, feint jump at back, throw ball to middle and maul). <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Options and variation in attack.</em> Doing the same thing repetitively doesn't work. Swinging to the wing every phase is going to get the ball caught in mid-field or is going to see the wing smashed by cover defense. There is a need to suck in players to earn the right to go wide. Kicking is also plays an important role, although sometimes the animations feel quite slow.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Tactics customisation.</em> It's great to be able to control the speed of your defensive line, what set-plays you want to set up, pod systems and backline depth on the fly</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong><u>Neutral</u></strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Licenses.</em> Licensing is decent if you are focused on NH leagues. Unfortunately, as a Southern Hemisphere supporter there is a significant gap in not having any Super Rugby featured or not having any licenses from the top 4 SH teams. Understandably this is a factor of exclusivity agreements and there is only so much devs can do here (however, see cons on customisation)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Game modes.</em> The introduction of the my team along with the career mode similarly built to the old Super League of Rugby 08 (All teams thrown into one of two leagues of multiple divisions) is a welcome addition, but still lacks a bit in the engagement and fun side. Epic player packs gets you 5 players and will cost you about 6-9 games worth of currency (all in-game, no microtransactions) so no real issue there. The chemistry system is not explained and doesn't make sense (players with same nationality and from the same league have bad chemistry (A. Goode & R. McConnochie), while some players from different leagues and nationalities have good chemistry (F. de Klerk & C. Canna)). Overall, it feels like it lacks engaging depth that you want from a manager-esque type singleplayer experience.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Rugbypass player ratings.</em> It was a really smart idea to leverage the database for players, but the data appears to be a one off pull rather than constantly updated and already seems out of date. Some examples are Faf De Klerk at 75% in game while 88% on RP and Eben Etzebeth having 83% in game and 92% in RP.</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong><u>Cons</u></strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Presentation.</em> Players proportions are poor and the lack of any licensed stadiums is disappointing. Poor player likeness for the majority of players<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>In-field gameplay.</em> Passing feels slow and a bit unresponsive to inputs. Wings that get a break can be caught by front row forwards, which makes creating the gap feel unrewarding, especially since supporting runners stay behind the line of chasing defenders so you can't offload to score. Good attempt to implement set-plays, but they feel ineffective as if there is constantly not enough space, even if you maximise your line depth<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>No customisation. </em> A big problem when there are big gaps in licensing. You cannot create players, teams or edit stats. No editing would make sense if stats were updated via RugbyPass, but they aren't. It feels like these features were likely excluded so that players couldn't mess with their my team players, but severely limits interest from SH fans. You can't even name your "My Team" custom team.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Lack of alignment to actual rugby laws/ general bugs.</em> Some of my experiences include: knock-ons being ignored by the ref, penalty advantage disappearing after a couple of phases even though you have gone backwards, missing a try conversion and an opponent catching the ball locking the match, forcing you to reset the match as the teams assume the ball is live but no one tackles anyone. Weekly challenges not appearing.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><em>Poor tutorials.</em> This just feels like shooting yourself in the foot from a developer perspective. Trainings are incredibly inadequate and a lot of learning how to play well comes with investing hours into playing matches. This is problematic when the first few games feel unrewarding.</li> </ul><p></p><p>Overall I'm glad to see BigBen making progress and significantly improving their rugby offerings so that there is actually competition for Rugby Challenge 4. I do feel like Rugby Challenge 4 will likely end up being the better game, but I believe the gap may be getting smaller.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="saulan, post: 988077, member: 60236"] Work has been a bit hectic the start of this year, but managed to get a bit of time into this one over the weekend. Posted a review of the game on Steam, but thought I would post it on here as well. [U][B]A big improvement for Rugby XX games, but still notable flaws[/B][/U] This really is an on the fence review. If you have an strong interest in rugby, this game is worth giving a try (but it won't be perfect). For those that are semi-interested in rugby, I would likely suggest skipping this. Whereas previous iterations of Rugby xx games I would score below 50%, this one I would put around 60-65%. [B][U]Pros[/U][/B] [LIST] [*][I]Set plays are some of the best in rugby games.[/I] Specifically line-outs and scrums have engaging mini-games that give you the most control we have seen in video games (e.g. feint jump at front, feint jump at back, throw ball to middle and maul). [*][I]Options and variation in attack.[/I] Doing the same thing repetitively doesn't work. Swinging to the wing every phase is going to get the ball caught in mid-field or is going to see the wing smashed by cover defense. There is a need to suck in players to earn the right to go wide. Kicking is also plays an important role, although sometimes the animations feel quite slow. [*][I]Tactics customisation.[/I] It's great to be able to control the speed of your defensive line, what set-plays you want to set up, pod systems and backline depth on the fly [/LIST] [B][U]Neutral[/U][/B] [LIST] [*][I]Licenses.[/I] Licensing is decent if you are focused on NH leagues. Unfortunately, as a Southern Hemisphere supporter there is a significant gap in not having any Super Rugby featured or not having any licenses from the top 4 SH teams. Understandably this is a factor of exclusivity agreements and there is only so much devs can do here (however, see cons on customisation) [*][I]Game modes.[/I] The introduction of the my team along with the career mode similarly built to the old Super League of Rugby 08 (All teams thrown into one of two leagues of multiple divisions) is a welcome addition, but still lacks a bit in the engagement and fun side. Epic player packs gets you 5 players and will cost you about 6-9 games worth of currency (all in-game, no microtransactions) so no real issue there. The chemistry system is not explained and doesn't make sense (players with same nationality and from the same league have bad chemistry (A. Goode & R. McConnochie), while some players from different leagues and nationalities have good chemistry (F. de Klerk & C. Canna)). Overall, it feels like it lacks engaging depth that you want from a manager-esque type singleplayer experience. [*][I]Rugbypass player ratings.[/I] It was a really smart idea to leverage the database for players, but the data appears to be a one off pull rather than constantly updated and already seems out of date. Some examples are Faf De Klerk at 75% in game while 88% on RP and Eben Etzebeth having 83% in game and 92% in RP. [/LIST] [B][U]Cons[/U][/B] [LIST] [*][I]Presentation.[/I] Players proportions are poor and the lack of any licensed stadiums is disappointing. Poor player likeness for the majority of players [*][I]In-field gameplay.[/I] Passing feels slow and a bit unresponsive to inputs. Wings that get a break can be caught by front row forwards, which makes creating the gap feel unrewarding, especially since supporting runners stay behind the line of chasing defenders so you can't offload to score. Good attempt to implement set-plays, but they feel ineffective as if there is constantly not enough space, even if you maximise your line depth [*][I]No customisation. [/I] A big problem when there are big gaps in licensing. You cannot create players, teams or edit stats. No editing would make sense if stats were updated via RugbyPass, but they aren't. It feels like these features were likely excluded so that players couldn't mess with their my team players, but severely limits interest from SH fans. You can't even name your "My Team" custom team. [*][I]Lack of alignment to actual rugby laws/ general bugs.[/I] Some of my experiences include: knock-ons being ignored by the ref, penalty advantage disappearing after a couple of phases even though you have gone backwards, missing a try conversion and an opponent catching the ball locking the match, forcing you to reset the match as the teams assume the ball is live but no one tackles anyone. Weekly challenges not appearing. [*][I]Poor tutorials.[/I] This just feels like shooting yourself in the foot from a developer perspective. Trainings are incredibly inadequate and a lot of learning how to play well comes with investing hours into playing matches. This is problematic when the first few games feel unrewarding. [/LIST] Overall I'm glad to see BigBen making progress and significantly improving their rugby offerings so that there is actually competition for Rugby Challenge 4. I do feel like Rugby Challenge 4 will likely end up being the better game, but I believe the gap may be getting smaller. [/QUOTE]
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