Rugby 22 is a new rugby game for PS4. It has all the features you would expect from a professional sport, but its gameplay falls short of expectation. Rugby 22 does not have much to offer other than some arcade-style fun with friends
Rugby 22 is a game that has been developed by the creators of rugby. The game includes licensed teams and real-life players. Read more in detail here: rugby 22 licensed teams.
I find it humorous that Nacon and EKO Software release their rugby games every two years rather than the customary annual sports title release in the second part of the year. On the one hand, I think that’s fantastic: each new version of their Rugby games is much superior than the previous ones. On the other hand, they’re still a long way from being regarded the genre’s quintessential experiences. Rugby 20 was a step in the right direction, but it was still riddled with flaws. Rugby 22 is the same way. It’s an improvement over Rugby 20, and a vast improvement over the awful Rugby 18, but we’re still a long way from the quality of the earlier rugby games from the mid-2000s.
How can you include the All Blacks into your rugby game without excluding their haka? It’s like ordering a hamburger without the cheese.
Surprisingly, practically every good and bad element of Rugby 22 that I shall describe sounds just like my Rugby 20. With the exception of one area, EKO Software improved on what was previously fantastic, but much of what wasn’t perfect in Rugby 20 remains virtually unaltered in this iteration. Let me start by saying that the number of licensed teams is still lacking, with no teams from the Southern Hemisphere appearing in the game. Some national teams, such as South Africa and England, are also unlicensed and wear awful “alternative” outfits. What I don’t get is why England is wearing an orange uniform, but what can I do? What happened to the Premiership? The career mode is still card-based, which makes it very demotivating to play.
The aesthetics in Rugby 20 were my major gripe. It was an abominably ugly sports game, with players running around the field like robots and models that looked like they were plucked from FIFA 2002 for the PlayStation 2. Thankfully, EKO Software improved the visuals and animations in Rugby 22, but there’s a catch. Sure, the animations have been enhanced, with people moving about more like humans, and the lighting effects and framerate have been improved, but the game remains unappealing. However, it’s not on the PS2’s level of ugliness. Let’s just say that, rather than appearing like FIFA 2002 on the PlayStation 2, FIFA 2008 for the Xbox 360 now does. Still far from perfect, but it’s a start in the right direction.
Rugby 22’s controls are excellent, despite the fact that it is still somewhat ugly.
Rugby 20’s gameplay was one of its highlights, and I’m happy to report that Rugby 22 is even better. The game seems tremendously natural and responsive, thanks to a more consistent framerate and some modifications in how you make side passes. I’ve only had a few instances when I’ve felt like I’ve lost control due to a glitch. Sure, that occurred once or twice, but given the circumstances, it was very unusual. However, converting still seems less than optimal.
Rugby 22 is still best appreciated as a “pick up and play” game rather than a full-fledged simulation. Don’t get me wrong, being able to form your own club in one of the primary single player modes is fun, but since the game lacks so many league licenses, you can’t exactly employ players from the Premiership or Super Rugby, which makes the experience seem a little flat. You also can’t download community-created teams, which is a frequent feature in mid-tier sports games. Picking it up to play a fast game with a buddy or by yourself, on the other hand, feels fantastic. There are few to no loading times, seamless gameplay, and even a comprehensive instructional part that teaches novices all they need to know about rugby union.
Conversions in this game continue to irritate me.
We’re almost there. Rugby 22 is still a poor game, but it is an improvement over its predecessor, which was already a huge step forward from the terrible Rugby 18. The essential gameplay is there, and the mechanisms have been successfully adapted into a video game format. EKO Software now has to work on improving the game’s appearance and adding additional content. This is the first rugby game in in fifteen years that I can confidently label “excellent” and recommend without reservation, and that alone is cause for celebration. I can’t wait for the next installment.
It’s still an ugly game, but it’s a lot better than Rugby 20’s aesthetics. Players are now animated in the same way as actual people are, even though they don’t look like people. The framerate is superb at the very least. | Rugby 22 improves on what was already excellent. It’s the ideal balance of complexity and simplicity. It’s intuitive without being simplistic. Although I still don’t believe converting is perfect, it is a significant improvement. |
I loved the music in Rugby 22, which was much superior than that of Rugby 20, but I believe the narration quality suffered as a result. | Rugby 22 has a few flaws, such as a lack of licenses and a perplexing career mode, but as a short, “pick up and play” rugby game, it’s perfect. |
Rugby 22 is currently available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox One S/X, and PC.
PS5 was used for this review.
The publisher donated a copy of Rugby 22.
As an example:
As if Loading…
Look at them!
Rugby 22 is a rugby game that was released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game has been met with mixed reviews, but it’s still worth checking out. Reference: rugby 22 release date.
Related Tags
- rugby 22 line
- rugby 22 price
- nacon rugby 22
- rugby 22 features
- rugby 21
