Reviewed by Donn O’SullivanTHE official press release from HB Studios heralds the arrival of Rugby World Cup 2011, the game, as a challenge to all PS3 and Xbox gamers.
“The Rugby World Cup game will challenge players to pick from the 20 participating teams and attempt to lead their team through the pool phase, and progress to the Final with the opportunity to lift the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup”
This is certainly does. At first glance, the 505 Studios release is exactly the same as EA Sports Rugby from 2008. A game many feel was a classic.
The similarities are uncanny. The gameplay and buttons are almost identical. The pro’s of this game are that the game play is easy. The graphics are superb and the levels of difficulty are not as easy to get through as before. Which leads to long playing time. A feat in itself these days.
There are, of course, draw backs to this game. Outside of the fact that this game, from time to time, thinks that Brian O’Driscoll is Mick O’Driscoll, there are a few areas which should have been updated from it’s 2008 template.
The lineouts are a lottery. No one knows if you are going off the top or taking it in. High tackles are so common it borders on ridiculous and the ease at which some teams can line break is disappointing.
The fact remains though that this game is the first rugby game on the PS3 and XBox formats. This is a treat for fans of all sports games.
There is another Rugby Challenge game to come in a few weeks, but this Rugby World Cup game is worth a try first.
Rating: 7/10
Rugby World Cup 2011 is now available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems. For more information, please visit the official website at www.rwc2011game.com and facebook.comrwc2011game
