The official Rugby World Cup 2011 game was developed by HB Studios and published by 505 Games, and released just in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011. The last Rubgy game from EA, Rugby 08, was also developed by HB Studios.

It is disappointing to realise that there are only 5 game modes: The World Cup Tournament, Place-Kick Shootout, Online Play, International Tests and Warm-up Tour.

This is a let down considering that Rugby 08 also included 6 Nations, Super 14 and Tri-Nations modes.

After selecting which tournament you want to embark on, you are faced with the challenge of selecting which team you want to lead to lifting the William Webb Ellis Trophy. This is where you realise that only 10 of the 20 teams are licensed. No Wallabies and no New Zealand; really shocking for an officially licensed product.

Gameplay

The gameplay is good from the start but it’s really similar to that of Rugby 08. The button allocation has been kept the same as the previous version. The breakdowns are really good, but after a while you will win most of the rucks with a few quick taps of the X button.

If you press this button too much you will most likely concede a penalty, and conceding too many penalties will lead to a player being sent to the sin-bin for a 10 minute rest. There is a gauge to let you know when you are close to conceding a penalty.

There are a lot of attacking options as you can pick up the ball from the ruck with your scrumhalf, feed the ball to a heavy-built forward, or let the ball move down the line to your wings. Set-play options are also available and after selecting a certain play, you will have to wait for everyone to get into position before you can execute the play. There are only 8 plays available and only 4 to choose from when playing a game.

Scoring a try is done by either simply putting the ball down in the in goal area or pulling off a really extravagant swan dive. Scoring a try and kicking the ball down field shares a button, so don’t be embarrassed when you go for a swan dive to score a try and end up kicking the ball into the crowd. This only happens when you are not close enough to the goal line, but it does happen.

Playing on easy and medium difficulties, you won’t really be challenged. The gap between medium and hard is very big and don’t expect to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy on your first try. On hard you are starved of possession and when controlling the ball, the opponent defence is very tight.

Visuals

The graphics are smooth but nothing to write home about. The visuals are exactly the same as that of Rugby 08, only in HD quality this time around.

The player likeliness misses the mark and most of the close up shots are from the back of the players. The player appearances can’t be edited so this is something that you will need to live with.

The stadiums are really looking good and some of the more popular stadiums are really close to the real thing. As for crowd movement, they will jump to their feet when you break the line, but that is as far as it goes.

Sound

The in-game sound is really life-like, because it is an actual recording of a game between England and Australia. However, this really gets repetitive after playing your fourth or fifth game.

There is only excitement to be heard when you break the defence of the opposition or when you score a try. As you jot the ball down for a try the whistle blows and the crowd just keeps quiet.

The sound in the menu is really disappointing as “The World In Union” is being played over and over and over again. No other tracks are available and you’re not given the option to add any of your own tracks.

I think this is the first game I have played that only uses two sound clips. There is some sound when you make a tackle or kick the ball, but nothing more than a thumping sound.

Online Play

Playing online is the most fun you will have with this title. The gameplay is as quick as your internet connection allows and if you find someone to play against, the load times are long and boring.

This aside and all other gameplay options taken into account, the online mode will give you the most satisfaction out of Rugby World Cup 2011.

There is no leader board to track your progress and finding an opponent may prove to be difficult.

Conclusion

It’s really disappointed to have to wait four years for a rugby title to hit the market; and then they actually have the audacity to call this the “Official Rugby World Cup 2011” game.

This is really Rugby 08 re-launched with HD quality graphics and visuals, fewer tournaments, fewer teams and fewer players. Less isn’t always more, especially when it comes to games in the sporting genre.

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