Leave it to EA Sports to cover a variety of sporting activities ranging from PGA golf to NCAA football and, of course, rugby. If you support the All Blacks or the Wallabies, Rugby 08 for the PS 2 was the best version of the year and a perfect introduction to the game for those who are new to rugby.
When EA Sports launched Rugby 06, the overall presentation wasn't poor at all, but the gameplay aspects were a little complicated for those who weren't familiar with the game's rules. It didn't want to offer beginners a crash course in the rules and controls, but the 06 edition feels right at home for those who are well-versed in the sport. Rugby 08 has a guide as well, and while it is short and only briefly focuses on the fundamentals like throwing or how to make a good lineout throw-in, it is the controls and difficulty setting choices that make this version comfortable for both returning and new players. This is undoubtedly a tiny part of what contributes to Rugby 08 being one of the best games in the franchise so far. The sensors, of course, are the second.
The basic controls allow you to make short passes and dive on a loose ball, whilst the more complicated attacking and defensive movements are responsive and simple to understand. The latest control features will also teach you how to tie a ruck or collapse a scrum in no time. You can now, for example, push the scrum upfield by pressing the left analog stick in a certain direction, and you can also wheel the scrum by pressing the same analog stick at a 90-degree angle. Taking complete control of these particular set pieces has a significant impact on the gaming style. Even the current kicking meter feels more accurate and easier to score than the previous year's model.
The Authentic Defense Formations feature, which allows you to change your defensive scheme on the fly, is a new addition to the game. This works wonderfully when you're up against teams that make reasonable defensive shifts, or against dominant teams like France or South Africa. Being willing to make fast improvements to your defense and attack will be the difference between being trampled by teams like the Brumbies or gaining the upper hand when things are about to get messy for your side. This year's game pits you against some tough enemies, thanks to a small boost in the AI. The good news is that no matter what difficulty setting you chose, your competitor is always capable of making reasonable errors and behaving in the manner in which you would like your favorite team to play.
Once again, you can easily hop into the action in the game's exhibition mode or go straight to the Rugby World Cup, which does an excellent job of recreating the World Cup matches in their entirety. There's also a Tournament mode that you can configure as you choose, but the best addition is Challenge Mode, a game mode that allows you to replay World Cup matches or reverse the course of history by completing a series of goals. The challenges are based on previous World Cups, such as the 1995 Pool A match between South Africa and Australia. You have the ability to alter the outcome of the 2003 Pool A series between Argentina and Ireland (a classic match with surprising results). This is not only a fun way to get away from Tournament and Rugby World Cup mode, but it's also a demanding good time.
Another notable improvement is in the graphics. Visually, Rugby 08 is a huge improvement over previous games in the series, and you can tell from looking at the character models and how they run. Also, the clipping issues from previous games are less evident in this game. The overall appearance is also much slicker this year, with the stadiums looking authentic and the crowds looking decent.
There is a selection of fun music in the game that does not come from well-known musicians, but it is not negative at all. What doesn't always fit is the two-man analyst squad, which continuously repeats itself during their coverage and isn't really able to point out the defense or offense's flaws. Maybe I'm being picky because all of the broadcast matches I've watched have analysts that are much more animated than this, so why do we get this droll commentary? At the very least, the stadium acoustics are great, and World Cup games feature national anthems.
EA Sports offers a rugby game that enthusiasts – and those just looking to pursue a new sport that does not include the NBA or NFL name – will be able to dig their teeth into and enjoy. Rugby 08 is an excellent addition to the franchise and an upgrade that elevates it to the status of a genuinely entertaining rugby title for the PlayStation 2.
