Rugby 06

"Clueless American Reviews Rugby 06"

First off let me say before I ordered Rugby 06 I knew very little about the game of Rugby, except for the fact it was a weird version of Football. I have been a fan of American Football (NFL) but never really knew much about Rugby. So I figured I'd buy the game and teach myself the rules and gameplay. As a side note I used the internet ALOT to understand the terms and rules as they are nowhere to be found in the game manual or the software. After a week or so of research online and playing the game on my PS2 I began to understand the game of Rugby, began to become a fan of the game of Rugby, became obsessed with the game Rugby and even ordered an Irish National Jersey cause I'm Irish and it looks good on me. In other words EA RUGBY 06 has turned a clueless American into a die hard rugby fan in the matter of maybe a month's time. I would suggest that any fan of the NFL or MADDEN series try out Rugby 06, as you will become addicted to the fast paced hard hitting action after all the weird rules start to make sense, and you start understanding the strategy of the game and how to execute the set plays, cause I'm sorry but a 32m Drop Kick beats a 52yrd FG any day in my book. So in a sense I am here to push Rugby on the rest of you Americans. I will also put some terms in American Football English for you like this, a TD in Rugby is called a TRY so it will look like this in my review text: Try(TD).

GAMEPLAY: 8/10
The main reason this game gets an 8 in the gameplay department is because I feel the AI is a bit suspect on defense. I have watched defenders I wasn't in control of stand flat footed as an offensive player streaked by them for a try(TD) I also think the button response needs improved, particularly the "Closest Man" button, it seems to lag after you press it until you actually gain control of that defender. I think there needs to be a better button lay out as well or the ability to map the controls as you see fit.....for those of us that would like a more MADDEN or NHL type layout....but overall I like the control scheme.....just better response would be nice. More defensive and offensive plays would be nice as well as true ON THE FLY type strategy manipulation would be great as well. Other than these few problems, I feel this game plays very tight, very smooth and flows nicely. The passing is usually spot on, and the kicks work out great....grubber kicks(Ground Kick Passes) I feel at time can be a no fail way around a defender, I'd like to see that change a bit in next years version. Drop Kick Goals (see Doug Flutie's?) are an exciting and great way to get points in a jam (basically a mix of a Punt and a FG from anywhere on the field at any time). Punts into Touch(Out of Bounds) are also a great way to pick up ground, pin a team or slow the pace of a game. This game DOES control very nicely, mainly on offense....the defensive controls would be the weak point in my opinion, but not so bad they destroy the fun or experience of the game.

GRAPHICS: 9/10
The graphics in this game are above average....not great but they do a nice job of visualizing the intensity of the sport, and the intensity of it's venues and fans. I wish there were more CAMERA OPTIONS in this game as most are slightly to far from the field, giving it a FIFA I'm in Peanut Heaven feel, but it is nice to have a clean view of the pitch (field) as the game relies mainly on lateral passing. The presentation is this game is awesome, the cut scenes and the Refs giving Yellow Cards, the fans going bananas waving flags after a score, the set up before kicks....it all adds to the feel of being in some weirdly shaped stadium in South Africa playing a weird version of Football about to kick a conversion (Extra Point) to take the lead that most Americans never get to experience...ever!

SOUND: 8/10
The sound is decent but it's apparent that this games' audio budget isn't as large as other EA Football titles as you will hear alot of repeat phrases after a few matches. The quality of the commentators is great, we just need more of it, and a better variety. The crowds are great, they get louder as you get closer to the Try Line (End Zone) and chant and sing songs in that crazy European soccer fan kinda way. Overall it does the job, and you will get lost in the crowd noise and chants.

FEATURES: 6/10
I know this may seem insane, as there is a ridiculous amount of teams and tournaments on this game....BUT.....There is no CREATE A TEAM or CREATE A LEAGUE. I am Irish....so I always use IRELAND, but what about my friend that's Austrain? Wouldn't it be nice if he could create an Austrian team? I would also like to see more Leagues included in next years version....like the Celtic League, but CREATE A LEAGUE would be awesome! Also dropping the score here is the lack of ONLINE PLAY !!! WHY ??!! I would kill to talk smack to someone from England, Ireland, Wales, or South Africa. This would be the ultimate online sports experience....so for that this score drops. But overall this game is packed with teams, leagues, tournament modes, practice and tutorial game modes that will keep you busy, especially if you are a Rugby Rookie.

REPLAY/FUN FACTOR: 10/10
There is endless replay in this title, with the variety of teams and game modes you will be knee deep in Rugby for a long time. This game is a blast to play, and may be more exciting than alot of other sports games we all love here in America, I know I am totally and utterly addicted to this game. It combines the speed and creativity of NHL 06 with the feel of MADDEN mixed with FIFA for a fast, fun and totally bizarre sports gaming experience, but one you may grow to love as I did.

BUY/RENT: BUY !!!
I would tell you to buy this game even if you didn't know what Rugby is.....that's what I did....now I know Rugby and love Rugby.....and I have to say I like it better than MADDEN 06, and for an American that's saying something, especially a guy from Pittsburgh, Home of the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. So go get a copy of Rugby 06, you won't be disappointed!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/17/06