Rugby Challenge
| Rugby Challenge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sidhe |
| Publisher(s) | Tru Blu Entertainment |
| Distributor(s) | Mad Catz (North American Xbox 360 version) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Vita |
| Release date(s) | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows NA 20 October 2011[4] PlayStation Vita 27 June 2012[5] |
| Genre(s) | Sports/Rugby Union |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Rugby Challenge is a Rugby video game, developed by Sidhe and published by Tru Blu Entertainment.[6]
Rugby Challenge was released on 26 August 2011 in New Zealand for consoles and was released on 2 September for Australia and 8 September for South Africa. The release date for Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge (rest of the world, excluding US/Canada) was 14 October. All NA versions except for PlayStation Vita were released 20 October, Tru Blu handled the PC and PS3 versions with Mad Catz handling the Xbox 360 version. The PlayStation Vita version was released on 27 June 2012. In game Commentary is provided by Grant Nisbett and Justin Marshall.[7]
The game is titled All Blacks Rugby Challenge in New Zealand, Wallabies Rugby Challenge in Australia and Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge in the rest of the world.
Features
Rugby Challenge is based on Sidhe's previous Rugby League games. Features include:[8][9]
Game modes
- Single Match Mode
- Competition Mode
- Multi-year Franchise Mode
Amongst other things, Rugby Challenge will feature 98 teams, 31 stadia, and 11 competitions as well as extensive Tutorial Mode options available for players new to the sport. The tutorial helps get you up to scratch and various skills, such as running between cones, practicing kicks, and many other drills can be completed. Apart from single and multi-player options, you'll also be able to play up to 13 seasons and attempt a legacy in Franchise Mode. Franchise mode will include both international and representative teams. You will be able to choose a club and an international side to play as during the years. There is a World Championship in Franchise Mode.
Extensive customisation
- Create and/or customise players, teams, and competitions, using the extensive customisation tools to shape the game to your own preferences.
In-Game Rugby Store
- Rugby Challenge also features Rugby Money, which players can use to obtain unlockables. These rewards come from completing various activities, whether running through the tutorials or playing online, and can be spent in the Rugby Store. This is not an online function, but rather an in-game unlockable system.
Licences
Rugby Challenge will feature 94 licensed/unlicensed teams, an additional 4 miscellaneous teams, and 31 stadiums from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Europe.[10][11] Due to rival game, Rugby World Cup 2011, the official strip/emblem/stadium/player likenesses of England, South Africa and France, and the official strip/emblem/stadium of Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy will not be included within the game. However, due to Top 14, Aviva Premiership and RaboDirect Pro12 licenses the players of these countries will be included within the game (England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy). Rugby legend Jonah Lomu has also lent his likeness and expertise to the game, the European game will feature him on the cover, and the game will be called Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge.
International
Competitions
- Tri-Nations
- Quad Nations (Tri-Nations plus Argentina. Unlicensed)
- Bledisloe Cup (In game Holders: New Zealand)
- Six Nations (Unlicensed)[12]
- World Cup (Unlicensed)
International teams
Licensed
Unlicensed
Domestic
Competitions
- ITM Cup
- Ranfurly Shield
- Rugby 15 Super Rugby
- Aviva Premiership
- Top 14
- Pro 12
- Euro Challenge Cup (Heineken Cup)
Teams
ITM Cup
Super Rugby
New South Wales Waratahs- Queensland Reds
- ACT Brumbies
- Western Force
- Melbourne Rebels
Crusaders- Blues
- Chiefs
- Hurricanes
- Highlanders
Bulls (Unlicensed)- Cheetahs (Unlicensed)
- Lions (Unlicensed)
- Sharks (Unlicensed)
- Stormers (Unlicensed)
Unlicensed teams are named after their respective regions (e.g. Stormers is 'Cape Town')
Aviva Premiership
Bath Rugby- Gloucester Rugby
- Exeter Chiefs
- Harlequins
- Leicester Tigers
- London Irish
- London Wasps
- Newcastle Falcons
- Northampton Saints
- Sale Sharks
- Saracens
- Worcester Warriors
- Leeds Carnegie (Relegated in 2010/2011 season)
Top 14
SU Agen- Aviron Bayonnais
- Biarritz Olympique
- CS Bourgoin-Jallieu
- CA Brive
- Castres Olympique
- ASM Clermont Auvergne
- Stade Rochelais
- Montpellier Hérault RC
- USA Perpignan
- Racing Métro
- Stade Français Paris
- RC Toulonnais
- Stade Toulousain
- LOU Rugby
- Union Bordeaux Bègles
LOU Rugby and Union Bordeaux Bègles are included in the Top 14, having been promoted from Pro D2 in 2010/2011 season.
Rabodirect Pro 12
Miscellaneous teams
- Team Lomu (A team composed solely of Jonah Lomu)
- Lomu All Stars (World XV selected by Jonah Lomu)
- Sidhe Staff Team 1 and Sidhe Staff Team 2 (Teams with an average 3 rating, where all players have in every ability a rating of 0 except Discipline, 100).
Stadiums
"Rugby Challenge" features 14 New Zealand stadiums, 6 Australian stadiums, 5 South African stadiums and 6 European stadiums.
Licensed stadiums
| Country | Stadium |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Eden Park |
| New Zealand | Rotorua International Stadium |
| New Zealand | AMI Stadium |
| New Zealand | Growers Stadium |
| New Zealand | McLean Park |
| New Zealand | FMG Stadium |
| New Zealand | North Harbour Stadium |
| New Zealand | Toll Stadium |
| New Zealand | Forsyth Barr Stadium |
| New Zealand | Rugby Park Stadium |
| New Zealand | Yarrow Stadium |
| New Zealand | Trafalgar Park |
| New Zealand | Waikato Stadium |
| New Zealand | Westpac Stadium |
| Australia | Sydney Football Stadium |
| Australia | ANZ Stadium |
| Australia | Canberra Stadium |
| Australia | Suncorp Stadium |
| Australia | AAMI Park |
| Australia | NIB Stadium |
Unlicensed stadiums
| Country | Stadium | In-Game Name |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Kings Park Stadium | Durban Park Stadium |
| South Africa | Loftus Versfeld | Pretoria Stadium |
| South Africa | Ellis Park | Joburg Stadium |
| South Africa | Newlands | Cape Town Stadium |
| South Africa | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein Stadium |
 Ireland | Croke Park | Dublin Stadium |
| England | Twickenham Stadium | South-West London Stadium |
 Italy | Stadio Flaminio | Stadio Colosseo |
| France | Stade de France | LNR Stadium |
 Scotland | Murrayfield | Roseburn Park |
 Wales | Millennium Stadium | Castle Park |
Reception
| Reception | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby Challenge received mixed to positive reviews by critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the PS3 version of the game received a 64/100 rating, while the Xbox 360 was better reviewed, with a 73/100 rating. GameSpot commented that "inconsistent presentation and licensing issues trip up Rugby Challenge's run for the try line, but enjoyable gameplay and a wealth of modes give it a decent chance at life beyond the World Cup," giving the game a 65 over 100.
Sequel
Rugby Challenge 2 was announced on 20 March 2013, the sequel is set for release midyear 2013 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. It is going to be Rugby Challenge 2: The Lions Tour Edition in most regions, apart from France were it be known as Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge 2, and New Zealand, where it is to be called All Blacks Rugby Challenge 2.[19]
References
- ↑ : milla (25 August 2011). "Rugby Challenge » Rugby Challenge Releases Early in NZ". Rugbychallengegame.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 : milla (24 August 2011). "Rugby Challenge » Initial Release Date Announcement". Rugbychallengegame.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ↑ : milla (21 September 2011). "Rugby Challenge » Further Release Dates Announced". Rugbychallengegame.com. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ↑ : milla (9 October 2011). "Rugby Challenge » North American Date Set". Rugbychallengegame.com. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ↑ :milla. "Rugby Challenge coming to PS Vita".
- ↑ Gamasutra - Announcement Press Release
- ↑ "Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge, The Game of Many Names - Voodoo Extreme". Ve3d.ign.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ↑ "All Blacks Rugby Challenge Game - Info". Facebook. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ↑ "All Blacks Rugby Challenge Hands On Preview". NZGamer.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ↑ "Game developer swaps league for union - Video". 3 News. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ↑ "All Blacks Rugby Challenge Game - Info". Facebook. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ↑ "Preview: Jonah Lomu's Rugby Challenge: Exactly what rugby fans have been waiting for Gameplay Preview". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ↑ "Rugby Challenge for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits and more - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-11-31. Check date values in:
|accessdate=(help) - ↑ "Rugby Challenge for PlayStation 3 Reviews, Ratings, Credits and more - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-11-31. Check date values in:
|accessdate=(help) - ↑ gamesmaster
- ↑ gamespot
- ↑ ign
- ↑ playstation3magazine
- ↑ http://rugbychallengegame.com/
External links
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