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.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 91 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

stability7 negative mentions

The game offers a variety of licensed teams and engaging gameplay mechanics, making it enjoyable for rugby fans.
It has made significant improvements over previous iterations, particularly in set plays and tactical options.
Despite some bugs, many players find it fun and rewarding, especially when mastering the controls and strategies.

The game is plagued with bugs and glitches, causing issues like freezing and unresponsive controls.
Many players feel the gameplay lacks polish, with slow passing and poor AI decision-making detracting from the experience.
The absence of certain licenses and customization options limits the game's appeal, leaving some fans disappointed.

gameplay
25 mentions
24 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the mechanics for set plays and tactics are well-designed, the overall execution suffers from poor AI, clunky controls, and outdated mechanics. Despite some improvements over previous titles, such as Rugby 18, the game still feels slow and lacks intuitive controls, leading to a less engaging experience. Players express hope that future updates could enhance the gameplay to better reflect modern rugby.
- “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
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered subpar compared to competitors like FIFA and NBA 2K, with many users noting a lack of polish and dated visuals reminiscent of 2010. While some appreciate the inclusion of cut-scenes and animations, the overall consensus is that improvements are needed, particularly in player representation and graphical settings. Despite these shortcomings, there is hope for future titles to enhance the graphical quality significantly.
- “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.”
- “O graphics are acceptable; not much of an improvement over Rugby 18, but lots of nice cut-scenes and animations.”
- “Not even close in graphics and polish as its similars like FIFA or NBA 2K, but after a while, it is really fun.”
- “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 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.”
stability
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with users reporting various bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly at launch. While some players note improvements with recent updates, others have experienced significant issues, such as freezing at the home screen, leading to requests for refunds. Overall, the game is considered enjoyable but still requires further stability enhancements.
- “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, and reinstalling Steam again, 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
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received negative feedback, particularly for its annoying drumbeat that players find distracting. Additionally, the overall audio experience is criticized for being corny and lacking polish, contributing to a sense of datedness alongside other visual issues.
- “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
1 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, ultimately deeming it a failure in delivering a compelling experience.
atmosphere
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers feel that the game's atmosphere is lacking due to a generic and unengaging crowd presence, with calls for more diverse crowd sounds and character to enhance the overall experience.
- “The crowd lacks character; the sounds are so flat that it feels like cardboard, completely draining the atmosphere.”
- “There is a severe lack of ambient sounds, making the environment feel lifeless and dull.”
- “The overall atmosphere is uninspired, with repetitive sound design that fails to immerse players in the game world.”
monetization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization system is considered fair, as players can acquire Epic player packs using in-game currency earned through gameplay, costing the equivalent of 6-9 games, with no reliance on microtransactions.
- “Epic player packs give you 5 players and will cost you about 6-9 games worth of currency (all in-game, no microtransactions), so there's no real issue there.”
- “The monetization model is fair, allowing players to earn everything through gameplay without feeling pressured to spend real money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers a variety of ways to earn in-game currency, making it accessible for everyone.”
- “The cost of player packs is outrageous; spending 6-9 games worth of currency for just 5 players feels like a money grab.”
- “While there are no microtransactions, the in-game currency required for player packs is still excessive and discouraging.”
- “The monetization strategy is frustrating, as it forces players to grind excessively just to afford basic content.”