Rugby Union Team Manager 2017
- November 25, 2016
- Alternative Software Ltd
- 21h median play time
Get on Steam"Rugby Union Team Manager 2017" is a sports management simulation game where you lead a rugby union team. Oversee training, player transfers, finances, and match strategies to bring your team to victory. Experience realistic events, sponsorships, and a deep talent pool as you climb the ranks of the rugby world.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is currently the best rugby management sim available, offering a detailed management experience for rugby fans.
- Improvements have been made since the 2015 version, including better graphics and a more engaging match engine.
- The game allows for a hands-on approach to managing teams, with options to customize tactics and player selections.
- The 3D match engine is riddled with bugs, leading to unrealistic gameplay where players often behave erratically.
- The user interface is clunky and not user-friendly, making navigation and team management frustrating.
- Many players have reported frequent crashes and performance issues, detracting from the overall experience.
- graphics12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they appear outdated and lack the polish expected from a 2019 release. While some find the 3D match graphics enjoyable, they are described as basic and lacking detail, especially when compared to other sports simulation games. Overall, there is a consensus that improvements are needed to enhance immersion and visual quality.
“Even on the lowest graphics setting, the games are still enjoyable and good to watch!”
“I know it's not all about graphics, but there needs to be some form of immersion created by the depiction of the games.”
“3D match graphics are not what you would expect from a 2019 game.”
“In general, graphics are a little bit vintage.”
“Far from the crisp graphics and smooth flow of the Football Manager series, the 3D engine on Rugby Union Team Manager is one of the worst I've ever seen in a sports sim game.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the rugby game is described as immersive and addictive, particularly during matchdays, but is marred by significant navigation difficulties, lack of tutorials, and poor tactical options. While the team call system adds an interesting dynamic, overall gameplay mechanics are frustrating and require substantial improvement to realize their potential. Despite some new additions, many players feel that the gameplay remains lacking and poorly executed.
“Great work by the team at Alternative Software in creating a really immersive rugby game that has just the right balance of on-field and off-field gameplay.”
“The actual matchday gameplay is surprisingly addictive.”
“Gameplay-wise, not much has changed, but there have been attempts to move forward with new additions.”
“Very difficult to navigate, no tutorials or help, tactics is a joke, no way to properly pick a team, finding new players is very hard, gameplay makes no sense at times on why players do certain movements, no way to communicate with players or staff.”
“Gameplay is very poor.”
“Gameplay wise, not much has changed but there have been attempts to move forward with new additions.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is significantly hampered by numerous bugs and glitches, including erratic player behavior and questionable gameplay mechanics, such as illegal passes being counted as valid. While it offers some innovative features and training schemes, these issues detract from the overall experience, making it frustrating for players. Despite its potential, the game falls short of the standards set by more established sports management titles.
“The match engine is a bit buggy; my own players are running back to their try lines and putting the ball down on their own line, which is frustrating.”
“Big glitches in main gameplay; long kicks into opposition try zones should not allow players to touch it down in their own try zone and receive 5 points for themselves. It has some great ideas and brilliant training schemes, but not enough tactical fluidity available in the game. I played about 5 hours and already lost interest due to these significant flaws. It's a step in the right direction for manager games in rugby, but it is still a long way behind football manager games.”
“This chaos leads to an enormous amount of glitches, the most common of which are passes that go about 10 feet forward yet are still counted as legal, and nearly always lead to a try.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its lighthearted take on player attributes, such as Leigh Halfpenny's surprisingly low kicking rating, which adds a comedic element to the overall experience. Despite this, players agree that it remains the best rugby simulation available.
“Some of the attributes are a bit funny; Leigh Halfpenny only has a 66 for kicking, but this is without a doubt the best rugby sim out there!”
“The humor in the character dialogues had me laughing out loud; it's a refreshing change from the usual serious tone of sports games.”
“I love how the game pokes fun at itself with quirky animations and hilarious commentary that keeps the gameplay entertaining.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized as terrible, with users specifically mentioning an annoying beeping sound for menu interactions that can be turned off. Overall, the audio experience is considered sub-par and detracts from the gameplay.
“The music is terrible, and the constant beeping sound for every menu option I click on is really annoying. Thankfully, it can be turned off in the options menu.”
“The music in this game is sub-par and does not enhance the overall experience.”
“I found the music to be quite disappointing and not fitting for the game.”
