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 and the developers are actively working on improvements based on community feedback.
- Graphics and player models are impressive, showcasing significant effort in player likeness and overall presentation.
- The inclusion of licensed teams and the promise of more content in future updates are encouraging for rugby fans.
- Gameplay is currently unplayable, with numerous bugs, including issues with passing, rucking, and player control.
- The game feels incomplete, lacking essential features like a campaign mode, customization options, and a tutorial.
- Frequent crashes and poor AI behavior severely detract from the overall experience, making it frustrating to play.
- gameplay130 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the current rugby title is widely criticized for being clunky, unresponsive, and underdeveloped, with many reviewers noting that it feels more like an early alpha than a polished product. While the graphics and some mechanics show promise, the overall experience is marred by poor collision detection, unintuitive ruck mechanics, and a lack of fluidity in running and passing. Many players express hope for future updates to improve gameplay, emphasizing the need for a focus on core mechanics over licensing and graphics.
“I'll be keeping up to date on this, so devs: please keep focusing on the core dynamics of the gameplay and fluidity of running and passing. Once that's nailed, you've got a little gold mine all to yourselves.”
“Look, yes it's in early access, but so far it's very good and has a lot of promise going forward. With a few bugs, as per the norm for early access, the gameplay and graphics are going to be amazing. This game could hopefully be the successor to Rugby 08 and surpass it finally.”
“Gameplay generally works well.”
“The gameplay feels clunky, unresponsive at times.”
“Gameplay in its current state is unplayable.”
“However, the underdeveloped mechanics make the game unplayable at the moment.”
- graphics51 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising the visuals and player models as a significant improvement over previous titles, potentially the best in any rugby game to date. However, some users noted that the graphics can appear outdated or reminiscent of older games, and there are concerns about the overall presentation and camera work. While the graphics show promise, they are often overshadowed by gameplay issues, leading to a sense of frustration among players.
“Graphics and presentation is probably the best of any rugby game to date but I hope this game doesn't get a full release for a long time.”
“The graphics are great, the animations are pretty decent too.”
“The graphics are also a huge step up from any previous game.”
“The graphics make the game look like it was released ten years ago.”
“The graphics look like it's a mobile game and I'm not exaggerating.”
“The button prompts lie/don't work, the graphics/face scans that they claim was a reason for the delays are reminiscent of PGA Tour 08's face scans with the PS3 camera.”
- stability11 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is currently plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly during gameplay mechanics like the ruck, where players often exhibit strange behaviors and the AI struggles to function properly. Both the developer and editor have acknowledged these issues, indicating that the early access state may be premature for a smooth gaming experience. While the graphics are praised, the overall stability remains a significant concern for players.
“Early access is too early; beautiful graphics so far, but the gameplay is very buggy.”
“Ruck: buggy - had one instance where players joined the ruck in some funny shapes and couldn't continue the game.”
“Majority of the time, no player goes to the back of the ruck. It doesn't seem to be a way of just passing it from the back; instead, the player picks up and runs with it every time. Other times, they just pick up the ball and stand there or glitch into the ruck until the player gets tackled, which then causes the AI on my team to get confused as there's a tackle inside a ruck.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its unexpected and absurd moments, such as players becoming temporarily immortal and unable to be tackled, as well as comically erratic passes that lead to amusing situations. Additionally, glitches during gameplay, like players joining rucks in bizarre shapes, contribute to the overall comedic experience, prompting players to laugh at the chaos.
“That player sometimes becomes immortal and can't be tackled, which is kind of funny.”
“Occasional hilarious 1000mph passes from the scrum half direct into touch from a ruck on the other side of the pitch.”
“Ruck: buggy - had one instance where players joined the ruck in some funny shapes and couldn't continue the game.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the atmosphere in the stadiums is well-suited for games, creating an engaging and immersive experience for players and spectators alike. The overall ambiance enhances the excitement and enjoyment of the sporting events.
“The atmosphere in the stadiums is electric and immersive.”
“The game creates a suitable atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
“The vibrant atmosphere in the stadiums truly brings the game to life.”
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game, including the soundtrack, crowd chants, and overall audio design, is highly praised for enhancing the experience, alongside impressive graphics and UI. However, some players feel that despite these strong musical elements, the gameplay mechanics detract from their overall enjoyment.
“The soundtrack is absolutely fantastic, perfectly capturing the energy of the game.”
“The crowd chants add an immersive layer to the experience, making every match feel alive.”
“The licensed teams and their accompanying music create a vibrant atmosphere that enhances gameplay.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during gameplay.”
“The music feels generic and doesn't match the intensity of the game, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“While the crowd chants are a nice touch, the overall audio experience is underwhelming and fails to enhance the atmosphere.”
