Rugby 25
- June 28, 2024
- Big Ant Studios
- 1h median play time
Get on Steam"Rugby 25" is an exciting rugby video game now available in Early Access on Steam. It offers a realistic and immersive rugby experience, from local clubs to international tournaments, and allows players to influence its development. Although teams are not finalized in the Early Access version, it provides a promising glimpse into the most comprehensive Rugby video game to date.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has great potential with a solid foundation and impressive graphics, especially with player likenesses and licensed teams.
- Recent updates have shown improvements in gameplay mechanics, particularly in passing and running dynamics, making it more enjoyable.
- The inclusion of 'Tier 2' teams and various stadium selections adds depth and variety to the game.
- The gameplay is currently unplayable due to numerous bugs, including crashes, poor passing mechanics, and erratic AI behavior.
- Rucks and scrums are poorly implemented, making it difficult to contest for the ball or execute plays effectively.
- The controls are clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustration as players often do not perform actions as intended.
- gameplay57 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed to negative feedback, with many users highlighting issues such as clunky mechanics, a lack of intuitive controls, and a confusing camera system that disrupts the flow of play. While some aspects, like the passing mechanic, show promise, the overall experience feels underdeveloped and unresponsive, leading players to feel disconnected from their teams. Many reviewers express hope for improvements in future updates, emphasizing the need for a stronger focus on gameplay mechanics over licensing and graphics.
“The passing mechanic can work brilliantly; I'd say it's one of the better implementations in recent years.”
“All in all, I hope a lot gets tweaked for passing as it's a fundamental mechanic that improves the overall quality of the game.”
“Honestly, of the modern games, Rugby 22 comes closest on the gameplay front; it just lacked everything else.”
“The lack of tutorial makes the mechanics complicated and hard to understand.”
“However, the underdeveloped mechanics make the game unplayable at the moment.”
“Gameplay is poor at this stage, doesn’t flow and animations for contact plays such as handoffs, bump-offs, and steps are horrible and don’t give you an advantage in the current state.”
- graphics21 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users noting significant improvements over previous titles, including excellent player models and animations. However, some players have expressed concerns about gameplay issues and bugs that detract from the overall experience, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they are not enough to compensate for the game's current state. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight, but there is a strong desire for gameplay enhancements to match the visual quality.
“The graphics are also a huge step up from any previous game.”
“The graphics are great, and you can now even create players and clubs.”
“Graphics and presentation are probably the best of any rugby game to date.”
“The graphics make the game look like it was released ten years ago.”
“The button prompts lie/don't work; the graphics/face scans that they claim were a reason for the delays are reminiscent of PGA Tour 08's face scans with the PS3 camera.”
“Graphics look nice but the gameplay is horrible.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by unexpected and absurd moments, such as a scrum half making wildly inaccurate passes and players forming comical shapes during rucks. Additionally, the occasional invulnerability of certain players adds a layer of absurdity that players find amusing, contributing to an overall lighthearted experience.
“Occasional hilarious 1000mph passes from the scrum half directly into touch from a ruck on the other side of the pitch.”
“I had one instance where players joined the ruck in some funny shapes and couldn't continue the game.”
“That player sometimes becomes immortal and can't be tackled, which is kind of funny.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, particularly during ruck situations where players displayed unusual behavior. While the graphics are praised, the early access status has led to warnings from both developers and editors about potential gameplay issues.
“The game is very buggy; I had one instance where players joined the ruck in some funny shapes and couldn't continue the game.”
“Early access feels too early; the graphics are beautiful, but the gameplay is riddled with bugs.”
“Both the developer and publisher warned us about potential bugs and glitches.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the stadiums is widely regarded as suitable for games, enhancing the overall experience for players and spectators alike.
“The atmosphere in the stadiums is electric and immersive.”
“The game creates a suitable atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“The vibrant atmosphere truly brings the games to life.”
“The atmosphere in the stadiums feels lifeless and lacks the energy you'd expect from a live event.”
“Despite the impressive graphics, the overall atmosphere fails to immerse you in the game.”
“The crowd noise is repetitive and doesn't capture the excitement of a real match, making the atmosphere feel flat.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game, including the licensed soundtrack and crowd chants, is highly praised for enhancing the overall experience, complementing the impressive graphics and design. However, some players feel that despite the strong musical elements, the gameplay mechanics detract from their enjoyment.
“The soundtrack is absolutely fantastic, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience.”
“The crowd chants and licensed team music really immerse you in the game, making every match feel alive and exciting.”
“The combination of the game's cinematics and its music creates an unforgettable emotional experience that keeps you engaged.”
“I really want to like this game because of the graphics, menu design, UI, licensed teams, crowd chants, soundtrack, and cinematics, but I just dislike the current state of the gameplay mechanics.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during gameplay.”
“While the soundtrack has potential, it often feels out of place and doesn't match the intensity of the game.”
