Rugby Challenge (video game)
A rugby union game with extensive modes and customization.
Sidhe developed this rugby union game, which Tru Blu Entertainment published. It first launched in New Zealand on 26 August 2011, then in Australia and South Africa in early September. Outside North America, it was called Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge. The PlayStation Vita version came out on 27 June 2012.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Sidhe
- Publisher
- Tru Blu Entertainment
- Genre
- Sports/Rugby Union
- Modes
- Single-player, Multiplayer
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3
- Xbox 360
- Microsoft Windows
- PlayStation Vita
Facts from the source article.
Features
Rugby Challenge builds on Sidhe's earlier Rugby League titles. It includes Single Match Mode, Competition Mode, and a multi-year Franchise Mode that spans up to 13 seasons, allowing players to choose a club and an international side while pursuing a legacy and competing in a World Championship. The game features 98 teams, 31 stadiums, and 11 competitions, along with a Tutorial Mode that covers drills such as running between cones and practicing kicks. Players can create or customize players, teams, and competitions using extensive tools. An in-game currency called Rugby Money is earned by completing activities like tutorials or online play and can be spent in the Rugby Store to unlock rewards. The game includes 94 licensed or unlicensed teams plus 4 miscellaneous teams, and 31 stadiums from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Europe. Due to the rival title Rugby World Cup 2011, official strips, emblems, stadiums, and player likenesses for England, South Africa, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy are absent, though players from those nations appear via Top 14, Aviva Premiership, and RaboDirect Pro12 licenses. Jonah Lomu contributed his likeness and expertise, and the European version bears his name on the cover. The stadium count comprises 14 from New Zealand, 6 from Australia, 5 from South Africa, and 6 from Europe.
Reception
Rugby Challenge received mixed to positive reviews. On Metacritic, the PlayStation 3 version scored 64 out of 100, while the Xbox 360 version achieved 73 out of 100. GameSpot rated the game 65 out of 100, noting that inconsistent presentation and licensing issues hindered it, but enjoyable gameplay and a wealth of modes gave it lasting appeal beyond the World Cup.
Sequels
Rugby Challenge 2 was announced on 20 March 2013 for a midyear 2013 release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. It was titled Rugby Challenge 2: The Lions Tour Edition in most regions, Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge 2 in France, and All Blacks Rugby Challenge 2 in New Zealand. Rugby Challenge 3, developed by Wicked Witch Software, released on 14 April 2016 in New Zealand and 22 April 2016 in Australia, with a Microsoft Windows version on 24 June 2016. Rugby Challenge 4, developed by Sidhe, was released on 4 August 2020.
More in PlayStation Vita Game Library of the 2010s
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