Part 2:
In Game Options and Gameplay
Camera Views:
This year you can customise your own camera views, however this may not be needed. All the camera views from previous games have been included and two new ones have been added.
Zoom: This camera angle zooms in close to and behind the ruck, the camera will stay in this position should you play it in close with the half back or forwards. When the backs have the ball the camera zooms out.
Swing: This camera acts the same as ‘Zoom’ when the ball is with the forwards or close to ruck. When the ball is with the backs the camera swings out to an angle similar to that seen in ‘Broadcast’.
Replays:
This year replays are much more fluent than the previous installments and the replay is shown in a format similar to that seen on the ‘Madden’ games. The ‘Instant Replay’ option in game menu remains in the same format, however this time it runs much more fluently. You will also be able to save your custom replays.
Game Length:
This year you can chose from a list of ten half-lengths.
Your options will be: 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 mins.
Stadia:
In this installment all stadiums are up to date. Even the most minor details have been taken into account including ‘Big Screens’ and signs for kiosks around the stadium. Stairs and barriers look far more realistic with official sponsors.
Difficulty:
This year two new difficulty levels have been added: Beginner and Test.
· ‘Beginner’ is for those completely foreign to the game of Rugby. The game is slower and has less feel, but actually acts as a tutorial.
· ‘Test’ is for those accomplished in the game of Rugby. Even those that have perfected most skills will have difficulty in this mode. If you are not up to scratch you will be beaten by Georgia.
Commentary:
This installment in the Rugby series has more than 110 lines for each major facet of the game used for good and bad play in each area. There is more excitement in the voices of the commentators and it does not sound so heavily ‘cut and pasted’ as the commentary in other Rugby ***les are.
This year the commentators include Greg Martin and Phil Kearns and side line up dates is expertly taken to by Murray Mexted.
War Cries:
In Rugby 2005 the All Blacks perform the Haka before the match. This year war cries for the Maoris, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Pacific Islanders Rep side have also been included. These teams have voiced the war cry that they perform. The All Blacks eligible to lead the Haka have given their voice to that position as well.
Refereeing:
Styles of refereeing differ between hemispheres and this has been simulated into the game perfectly. Northern refs are more conservative and are used to the tight play seen in the Northern Hemisphere. Southern refs are more used to the open, free-flowing play in the Southern Hemisphere.
Some of the top referees have given their likenesses and voices to the game. This year referees are animated for in game play â€" not just cut scenes.
Ball Physics:
This part of the game has been improved beyond belief. The ball will do many random things while on the ground, but all are realistic. A rolling ball may suddenly bounce up depending on the spin. The ball will bounce in a certain direction depending on the angle of it after a kick has been made to open field. This section is unexplainable and viewing it in game is the only way of presenting ball physics properly.
Defensive and Tight Play:
The following is a list of controls for tackling on PS2:
· Dive Tackle = x button
· Ball and All tackle = circle button
· Ankle Tap (for pressure situations and tripping players on the run) = triangle button
· Power Tackle (risk a dangerous tackle or missing target) = right analogue stick in direction of target
· Wrestle For The Ball = move both analogue sticks in a circular motion
The following is a list of controls for rucks on PS2:
· Add players = x button
· Remove players = square button
· Handle ball = right analogue stick
· Pressure / Win Ball = Left Analogue stick towards try line
· Pass ball = shoulder buttons
· Box kick = triangle button
This year mauls are controlled similar to a ruck, however you use the circle button (on PS2) to put pressure on the opposition and drive further. By quickly tapping this button you can get a superior drive on the opposition.
Passing:
This year passing has been enhanced so that you can make offloads and better pop passes. All passing is controlled with the shoulder buttons on PS2.
When trying to perform an offload you must hold the R1/L1 button when in a ‘Ball and All’ tackle to get the ball away. Even your best efforts may result in an intercept so you will need to perfect the timing.
Tapping R2/L2 as you approach a defender performs a pop pass. Sprinting is controlled with R2 however if your timing is perfect you will not be able to stop sprinting by the time you reach the defender â€" making the running much more realistic and fluent.
Line Outs:
This area is controlled in exactly the same manner used in Rugby 2005. This year however you can chose the number of players in the lineout and make quick throw-ins.
If a receiving player is in touch when he takes the ball he can immediately pass by tapping R1/L1 and take what is called a quick throw-in.
If this is turned down an option screen will come up with three numbers â€" 3, 5 or 7. These numbers refer to the amount of players in the lineout. It is then up to you to control which player you throw to (using the face buttons) and the timing of the jump.
Penalties:
This year, your team and the AI operated team will be penalised for more offences than just offsides and handling the ball on the ground.
New offences include:
· Deliberately passing the ball into touch
· Deliberately knocking the ball down
· Dangerous or Illegal Tackles
Substitutions:
This year you are able to make more than one substitution at a time to make the game as much like real Rugby as possible. As the game progresses it is known that players tire so this year the AI will make replacements when it sees it necessary.
During the game you may be hit by injuries and a need arises to change a players position mid-match. In Rugby 2005 this was not able to be done, so this year you will be able to change positions of players when you feel it necessary.
Creation
Create-a-Player:
In Supa Rugby you will be able to create a brand new player. The face creator still exists, however more concentration is made on the players build and accessories. You will be able to set the exact height and weight of your player. Your player can wear arm tape, wrist tape, gloves, thigh tape, head tape and headgear. You can adjust the colour of your accessories to suit the team your player is in. No commentary name will need to be selected this year. If you type in a name that is in the database the name will be used in commentary. If the name is not in the database the player will be referred to by his position â€" eg. ‘the winger is away’.
This year you will be able to adjust an existing player, however you will not be able to change their name or face.
Create-a-Team:
This creation zone is an in depth team creation similar to that in the Madden series. Commentary will be compatible with the team name should it already exist. If it does not it will then be referred to as ‘the home team’ or ‘the visiting team’.