The rugby game franchise is back with its latest release – and with that here is our Rugby 22 review.
The game will be available worldwide on the 27th January 2022 (TODAY!), but we’ve had it in our hands on a beta code for a few weeks now.
RUCK are happy to report that the office has actually had a lot of fun playing the game, something I cannot say about previous instalments. As passionate rugby fans, we forgive the missing licences for a game you can actually enjoy after years of hardship.
Main Image credit: Jessica Wells from Loadout’s Rugby 22 review
Also, the improvement since we first played the game back in October is staggering, which hopefully is a good sign moving forward.
RUGBY 22 REVIEW:
THE GOOD:
- Passing – Shifting the ball from left to right feels like a breeze
- Tackling – Feels very realistic, with hard-hitting challenges giving off that true feeling of impact
- My Squad – In this mode, you create your squad in the colours of your choice! Very much like Ultimate Team on Fifa.
- Game modes – Single and multiplayer (online and local)
- Placekicking – All kicking: penalties, conversion as well kicking on the run, is very well done and intuitive
THE OK:
- Defending – It’s difficult to track the opposition, and you cannot rely on your AI teammate to make tackles, or even set up in a correct defensive line.
- Graphics – Compared side-by-side of the fantastic-looking sports games put out by the likes of EA every year, it feels a little lacklustre but it doesn’t take away from the gameplay.
- Updated commentary – In the previous game it stuttered and didn’t line up with the action. Much better here as Nick Mullins and Ben Kay return.
THE BAD:
- England and the Gallagher Premiership aren’t licensed. It’s a shame, but a small price to pay for depth elsewhere
- Seems like endless rucking at times
CONCLUSION
Does Rugby 22 kick the ball through those goal posts? Not quite, but almost.
If they can get all of the licences for their planned Rugby World 2023 game, we might have a serious successor to the much loved Rugby 08, which was the last game of the EA series, on our hands.
For now, Rugby 22 is as close to the sport as you can get without getting covered in mud, but it would be very difficult for a casual fan to pick up and play due to very complicated controls.