Rugby 22

Rugby 22 is still a flawed game, but it’s better than its predecessor, which was already a massive improvement over the disastrous Rugby 18. The core gameplay is there and the mechanics have been translated well into a gaming format. EKO Software now needs to improve the game’s presentation and fill it up with more content. This is the first rugby game released in almost fifteen years in which I can safely call it 'good' and recommend it without a hitch, without any caveats, and that alone is worth celebrating. I can’t wait for the sequel.

73%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

stability, music

75% User Score Based on 388 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

Rugby 22 is a single player and multiplayer management game. It was developed by Eko Software and was released on January 26, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Take control of the biggest clubs and top rugby nations, and enter the most prestigious competitions in single-player and multiplayer modes, local and online.Rugby 22 offers total rugby, combining tactics and intensity through gameplay that stays true to the sport.

Genres & Tags

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Skip User Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 388 reviews

gameplay36 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

The gameplay is enjoyable and captures the tactical aspects of rugby well, making it fun for both new and experienced players.
There are improvements in mechanics compared to previous titles, with better passing, rucking, and mauling systems.
The game has a good selection of teams and tournaments, providing a decent rugby experience despite some licensing issues.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches, including freezing and AI issues that affect gameplay realism.
Many players and teams are unlicensed, leading to a lack of authenticity and immersion in the game.
Controls can be overly complicated and clunky, making it frustrating for players to execute basic actions effectively.

gameplay
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The gameplay in Rugby 22 is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its balance between arcade and simulation elements, while others criticize its mechanics as outdated and janky. While the passing and kicking mechanics are noted for their detail, many feel the overall experience is hampered by limited features, rough animations, and a lack of modern graphics. Despite these issues, some players find the gameplay fun and rewarding once they adapt to its quirks, suggesting potential for improvement in future updates.
- “Having played most of the rugby titles on offer over the years, including previous entries and the Rugby Challenge franchise, I found that Rugby 22 strikes a good balance between arcade-like feel and simulation gameplay.”
- “But once you figure things out, gameplay can be tactical and very rewarding.”
- “The gameplay is very well thought out and that gives a great rugby experience.”
- “The tackling mechanic in this game is just a complete joke.”
- “The gameplay doesn't flow well.”
- “2022 game with 2002 graphics and 1992 gameplay.”
graphics
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
76%
7%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing them as outdated and reminiscent of early 2000s titles, particularly noting pixelation and poor animations. While some players appreciate the visual improvements over previous iterations, others feel that the graphics do not meet modern standards, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, there is a consensus that while the gameplay may be enjoyable, significant enhancements to the graphics are necessary for a more immersive experience.
- “Graphics look much better and more realistic.”
- “Graphics are evidently much better in Rugby 22 and player faces are better in Rugby 22.”
- “Graphics 4/5 - good”
- “For the graphics of a game released in 2022 to look like how they do in this is rather embarrassing.”
- “And for a game to cost this much when it has the graphics and feel of a PlayStation 1 game is mind-blowing because I bought it on sale for 50% off and I was still upset with that price; the fact that some people actually paid full price for this is a massive laugh.”
- “2022 game with 2002 graphics and 1992 gameplay.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The game's story aspect is polarizing, with some players noting a complete lack of narrative, while others find it engaging and epic. A few comparisons to simplistic games like Temple Run highlight the minimal storytelling, while others appreciate the interesting missions that encourage varied gameplay. Overall, the story experience seems to vary significantly among players.
- “Epic story.”
- “The missions for playing are also interesting and make me try to change my gameplay for certain games.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “It's like playing Temple Run for the story.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including random freezes and commentary glitches that disrupt gameplay. Users report a lack of depth and entertainment, compounded by numerous bugs that hinder the overall experience. Additionally, the inability to save progress and the simplistic nature of the game further detract from its stability.
- “It freezes randomly.”
- “The game is filled with bugs and glitches.”
- “Pretty shite game to be honest, so buggy, no depth to anything, no entertainment, you can't even save your progress.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game has been criticized for being tasteless and poorly suited to the pop-art style of the menu, leading to a negative reception among users.
- “The pop-art style menu with its tasteless music is terrible.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Users consistently highlight the game's "infinitely replayable" nature, indicating that it offers a compelling experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “The game offers endless opportunities for replayability.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game to be consistently entertaining, even in 2023, though some express a desire for additional content, such as the release of the 7s mode. Overall, the comedic elements remain a highlight for users.
- “Still very funny to play in 2023!”
- “It's funny, but one thing is that I wish I could unlock the 7s mode.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The game's atmosphere is inconsistent, with some users noting a lack of immersive elements, while others praise the effective portrayal of crowd spirit and stadium ambiance.
- “The crowd spirit and the stadium atmosphere is well-conveyed.”
- “Lacks any atmosphere in the game.”