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.
Reviews
- The game is the best rugby management sim currently available, offering a detailed experience for rugby fans.
- Improvements from the previous version include better graphics, a more engaging matchday experience, and a variety of tactical options.
- The game allows for in-depth management of teams, including player recruitment, training, and tactical decisions, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate sports management.
- The 3D match engine is riddled with bugs, leading to unrealistic gameplay where players often behave erratically, such as running back to their own try line.
- The user interface is clunky and not intuitive, making navigation frustrating and hindering the overall experience.
- There are numerous logical errors and a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics, which can make it feel simplistic and unchallenging compared to other management sims.
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they are basic and lack detail compared to older titles, particularly the 2015 version. While some find the visuals acceptable for gameplay, others criticize the 3D engine as one of the worst in sports simulation, highlighting a need for improved immersion and a more polished presentation. Overall, the graphics do not meet the expectations set by other sports games, leaving players wanting more.
“Even on the lowest graphics setting, the games are still enjoyable and good to watch!”
“I'm not expecting the best graphics ever, but it should at least look vaguely like rugby.”
“I know it's not all about graphics, but there needs to be some form of immersion created by the depiction of the games.”
“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.”
“Graphics are poor, team detail poor.”
“Graphics are very basic, menu system is limited.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the rugby game is described as immersive and addictive, particularly during matchdays, but is marred by significant navigation issues, 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.
“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.”
“The only positive thing about the 3D matchday engine is the team call system, which is used - it makes for an interesting dynamic.”
“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.”
“The screenshots are representative of the gameplay, so take a look at those and make your own judgment.”
- 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 that undermine the overall experience. While it offers some innovative features, the persistent issues lead to frustration and a lack of tactical depth, making it difficult for players to remain engaged. Overall, it shows potential but falls short of the stability expected in sports management games.
“The match engine is a bit buggy, with my own players 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 there is not enough tactical fluidity available in the game. After playing about 5 hours, I already lost interest due to these significant flaws. It's a step in the right direction for rugby manager games, 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 of 66, 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 typical sports games.”
“I love how the game pokes fun at itself with quirky animations and hilarious commentary during matches.”
- 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 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, lacking any engaging or memorable elements.”
