RUGBY 20

The Six Nations Championship brings fresh hope that we might finally get a great rugby game, but this engaging effort fails to convert where it counts.

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"RUGBY 20" is a sports simulation game that offers an authentic rugby experience with improved graphics and gameplay. Choose from over 60 official teams and compete in various competitions, including the Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup. The game features a new tactical system, improved AI, and advanced ball physics for a more realistic rugby experience. However, some users have reported issues with lag and connectivity during online play.

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Reviews

52%

Audience ScoreBased on 184 reviews

gameplay13 positive mentions

stability14 negative mentions

The game offers a solid foundation for rugby gameplay with engaging mechanics for set plays like lineouts and scrums.
It features a variety of licensed teams and allows for customization and management of your own team, similar to FIFA's Ultimate Team.
Despite its flaws, many players find it enjoyable and a significant improvement over previous rugby games, particularly Rugby 18.

The game is plagued by bugs and performance issues, including slow gameplay, unresponsive controls, and frequent crashes.
Many players feel the tutorials are inadequate, making it difficult to learn the game's mechanics and controls effectively.
The lack of licensed teams, particularly from the Southern Hemisphere, and the absence of a single-player career mode are significant drawbacks.

gameplay
53 mentions
25 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Rugby 20 has received mixed reviews, with some praising its tactical elements and set-play mechanics, while others criticize the AI's simplicity and the clunky control system. Although it shows significant improvement over its predecessor, Rugby 18, many players find the core mechanics outdated and lacking in depth, leading to a less engaging experience overall. While there are enjoyable aspects, such as tackling and goal kicking, the game requires further updates to enhance realism and player control.
- “The core gameplay here is good.”
- “Thankfully, Rugby 20 is huge leaps ahead of Rugby 18, and a totally new approach, control system, and mechanics lead Rugby 20 into an unassailable lead over its predecessor.”
- “Where this game really delivers is on the tactics and set-plays; some of the mechanics (tackling, goal kicking, lineouts, etc.) are really good.”
- “The gameplay itself is so poor.”
- “The mechanics of throwing the ball are just terrible, very little control, and it makes the game look like it's an under-8's match on a rainy Sunday afternoon.”
- “Half of the mechanics in the game are not intuitive, and the tutorial does a poor job of letting you know exactly how they work.”
graphics
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered subpar compared to competitors like FIFA and NBA2K, with many reviewers noting a lack of polish and dated visuals reminiscent of 2010. While some appreciate the inclusion of nice cut-scenes and animations, the overall consensus is that improvements are needed, particularly in player representation and graphical settings. Despite these shortcomings, some players find the game enjoyable and hope for future enhancements in graphics and features.
- “With any luck they build on this and bring out something at FIFA/Madden/NBA level of graphics in the future!”
- “A new EA Sports rugby game will have better graphics and better features overall, I am sure, considering old rugby games published by EA.”
- “Graphics 4/5 - good”
- “Graphics are from 2010, commentators are so badly programmed, rules don't apply to the defenders, too many times they're offside and it doesn't matter.”
- “I'm ok with the lack of polish - god awful stock images, inconsistent and sometimes entirely missing player pictures, dated graphics, corny music etc. - but there are a lot of bugs that I'm sure the devs must have known about.”
- “Not even close in graphics and polish as its similars like FIFA or NBA2K but after a while it is really fun.”
stability
14 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have several bugs and glitches, particularly at launch, which have affected user experience, including freezing issues that prevent gameplay. While some players note improvements with recent updates and find the game enjoyable, the overall stability remains a concern, leading some to request refunds.
- “Played for 6 hours, amazing game but I can't get past the home screen. Every time I press a button, it freezes. I've tried everything like restarting my PC, reinstalling the game, reinstalling Steam, etc.”
- “I purchased the game to play with a friend in multiplayer. It's fun in some respects, but way too buggy; therefore, I requested a refund.”
- “Bit buggy at launch, but with the new updates being released in the public development beta earlier this week, this is becoming a brilliant rugby game!”
music
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received significant criticism, particularly for its repetitive and annoying drumbeat, which many players find distracting. Additionally, the overall quality of the audio, described as "corny," contributes to a perception of a lack of polish in the game's presentation.
- “Get rid of that horrible drumbeat music after a try; it's really annoying.”
- “I'm okay with the lack of polish - god awful stock images, inconsistent and sometimes entirely missing player pictures, dated graphics, corny music, etc. - but there are a lot of bugs that I'm sure the devs must have known about.”
story
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is perceived as lacking, with users expressing disappointment in its narrative depth and engagement, indicating a continued struggle to deliver a compelling rugby gaming experience.
atmosphere
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviewers criticize the game's atmosphere, particularly noting that the crowd sounds lack variety and depth, resulting in a flat and lifeless experience. There is a call for more character and diverse audio elements to enhance the overall ambiance.
- “You need to give the crowd more character; various different crowd sounds would help, as they sound cardboard and lack atmosphere!”
monetization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The monetization system is player-friendly, as it allows users to acquire Epic player packs containing five players using in-game currency earned through gameplay, with no reliance on microtransactions. This approach minimizes concerns about pay-to-win mechanics.
- “Epic player packs get you 5 players and will cost you about 6-9 games worth of currency (all in-game, no microtransactions), so no real issue there.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the chaotic and amusing nature of its mechanics, particularly during scoring attempts and kicking, which often lead to unexpected and funny outcomes. Additionally, the mysquad mode is likened to a fun, albeit familiar, experience reminiscent of other popular games.
- “The challenging mechanics make scoring tries a delight, and the kicking induces hilarious chaos.”
- “The humor in the game is spot on, with witty dialogue and funny character interactions that keep you laughing.”
- “Every match is filled with unexpected moments that leave you in stitches, making it a joy to play.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with users noting a barebones mode selection that may not enhance performance, alongside persistent performance issues and confusing button combinations that hinder gameplay experience.
- “The barebones mode selection is frustrating, and the performance issues make the game nearly unplayable.”
- “I encountered numerous performance issues that severely impacted my gaming experience.”
- “The confusing button combinations only add to the overall lack of optimization in the game.”