T
toup
Guest
Just had my 4th or 5th night of serious play, and thought I'd share my thoughts...
Guys, don't judge this game on the first few hours! I'll admit I wasn't hugely impressed although it played better than WCR. It is only now that I am starting to appreciate the depth of this game. I've just started a heineken cup campaign as Stade Francais, and have scored some very varied and exciting tries, as well as enjoyed some very close games with the AI.
When I first got the game I admit I tried WCR tactics on it - spread it to the wings, little grubbers, and occasionally it worked... but then it does in real life! It is only now after starting to use the sprint more efficiently (finding the gap running at normal speed then burst through it) and using the forwards to power through with their 'sprint' mode as well as a few other discoveries, that I have really started enjoying this!.
I have got the hang of offloads a bit better and improved my attacking and defensive rucks - as you get better, so does the game!
A few pointers that might help you to get to this stage quicker:
* Don't sprint all the time - pick a line or gap and then go for it. With forwards, start your sprint just before the contact and you might bust through.
* When defending, especially goal line, don't go for the big hits - use normal tackles unless you spot a real mismatch, and even then it may be better to try to hold them up, as with good timing you can turn them over with a maul.
* Make sure if you go for a grubber you aim for space - they work well if the fullback is coming across to tackle you.
* Use the scrum half pick up if you can get the hang of it as you can usually commit a defender and give your 10 more time - although sometimes the quick pass out can be better - mix it up.
* You can get round players just using normal movement, don't use the sidestep and fend all the time, and only use offloads in reasonable amounts of space. A good example is if you get it wide to a winger quickly and he has space, think about cutting back in behind the line and looking for support that way rather than going straight outside.
* If you get the ball as a big forward in your backs line, don't just fling the ball on because he's too slow - you can make good yards powering forwards and tend to go forward in the tackle for a few extra yards.
* Be patient on attack - it is relatively easy to keep possession if you don't get isolated, so wait for a gap before you attempt a line break.
It is hard to explain some of the things I've discovered, but really have taken to this game now. I am not trying to say it is realistic as it's not, but it is more so than it's been given credit for. I am not saying it's the best game ever, but it really is good fun once you discover the hidden depth. I can see why it may have reviewed badly, as it takes some getting into. I know some will hate it and dismiss it too quickly, but I think it's full of little surprises and great fun! Can't wait for my Xbox version to come so I can get some multiplayer going...
PS sorry for the essay...
Guys, don't judge this game on the first few hours! I'll admit I wasn't hugely impressed although it played better than WCR. It is only now that I am starting to appreciate the depth of this game. I've just started a heineken cup campaign as Stade Francais, and have scored some very varied and exciting tries, as well as enjoyed some very close games with the AI.
When I first got the game I admit I tried WCR tactics on it - spread it to the wings, little grubbers, and occasionally it worked... but then it does in real life! It is only now after starting to use the sprint more efficiently (finding the gap running at normal speed then burst through it) and using the forwards to power through with their 'sprint' mode as well as a few other discoveries, that I have really started enjoying this!.
I have got the hang of offloads a bit better and improved my attacking and defensive rucks - as you get better, so does the game!
A few pointers that might help you to get to this stage quicker:
* Don't sprint all the time - pick a line or gap and then go for it. With forwards, start your sprint just before the contact and you might bust through.
* When defending, especially goal line, don't go for the big hits - use normal tackles unless you spot a real mismatch, and even then it may be better to try to hold them up, as with good timing you can turn them over with a maul.
* Make sure if you go for a grubber you aim for space - they work well if the fullback is coming across to tackle you.
* Use the scrum half pick up if you can get the hang of it as you can usually commit a defender and give your 10 more time - although sometimes the quick pass out can be better - mix it up.
* You can get round players just using normal movement, don't use the sidestep and fend all the time, and only use offloads in reasonable amounts of space. A good example is if you get it wide to a winger quickly and he has space, think about cutting back in behind the line and looking for support that way rather than going straight outside.
* If you get the ball as a big forward in your backs line, don't just fling the ball on because he's too slow - you can make good yards powering forwards and tend to go forward in the tackle for a few extra yards.
* Be patient on attack - it is relatively easy to keep possession if you don't get isolated, so wait for a gap before you attempt a line break.
It is hard to explain some of the things I've discovered, but really have taken to this game now. I am not trying to say it is realistic as it's not, but it is more so than it's been given credit for. I am not saying it's the best game ever, but it really is good fun once you discover the hidden depth. I can see why it may have reviewed badly, as it takes some getting into. I know some will hate it and dismiss it too quickly, but I think it's full of little surprises and great fun! Can't wait for my Xbox version to come so I can get some multiplayer going...
PS sorry for the essay...