Rugby 15: What We Want

It’s been a while since the last rugby game was released, and with Rugby 15 on its way to current and next-gen consoles, we’ve rounded up some of the key features we’d like to see in HB Studios upcoming release.

Rugby 15 South African cover

Player likenesses

Obviously not every player in the game can be specifically modeled and animated, but hopefully we’ll see the most distinguishable players feature their identifiable appearance, along with their running and kicking style, such as Habana’s hunched-over sprinting or Morne Steyn’s relaxed kicking form.

Rugby Challenge 2 featured great player details to make the in-game players resemble their real-life counterparts.

Dynamic Tackles

One thing that definitely needs some attention is the tackling animations. What we’ve seen so far in previous rugby games is not bad, but everyone would like to see some nice variation and unpredictability in the animations and movements. The Euphoria engine (Red Dead Redemption, Backbreaker) would do wonders for this, as well as sidestepping.

Backbreaker utilised the Euphoria engine to generate unique and physics-based tackles for every instance.

Sidestepping

Momentum plays a big role in the sport of rugby, and this applies to the general play of the game, as well as the fancy footwork and sidesteps from many of the world’s greatest backs (and sometimes forwards). The stepping mechanic needs to be more dynamic and fluid, as opposed to a pre-canned animation that we saw in previous Rugby iterations. Imagine FIFA 14’s momentum and weight, with Madden or Backbreaker’s stepping system.

Rugby League Live 2

No more “star” players

A complete removal of the “Star Players” feature would be a welcomed removal in the genre. While there are those moments that will scream for individual brilliance, the team chemistry and tactics will play a greater role than one player’s (often overrated) ability. For example: while Habana is extremely fast, space needs to be created to unleash him. Rugby Challenge 2 focused more on player stats than that of star players, and that aspect worked well for Sidhe’s game.

Interceptions

These are the moments of individual brilliance we refer to in the previous point; as one’s tact and reading of the pass can result in a game changing interception. Interceptions play an important part of today’s game and it would be awesome to see it implemented effectively into the game.

Rugby League Live 2 did implement interceptions well, although they can still be improved upon.

Rugby League Live 2

Holding-up of the ball

Many tries can be saved from holding-up the ball over the in-goal area. The ability to possibility tackle an opponent over the try line and then enter a quick button-mashing sequence in order to hold-up the ball, could add a new dimension to the defending (as well as attacking) element of the gameplay.

This mechanic has featured in Rugby League Live 2 and Rugby Challenge, however some more depth in the way you make the last-ditch tackle could add a lot to the defensive role of the player.

Backline moves on-the-fly

Rugby 08 and Rugby World Cup 2011′s set-plays were a huge step in the right direction, but while they were effective, you never seemed to have enough time executing them from general play. A quick move initiation mechanic would be a great leap for the next rugby game.

We’re not talking about the elaborate moves from the set-pieces (those can function on their own), but the ability to call a move, such as a switch for example, whereby (during play) you could tap the D-pad, allowing for your outside play to cut in and recieve an inside pass. This would add a tremendous amount of diversity and tactics to the way your backline (and forwards) move.

Rugby World Cup 2011’s backline moves worked, but took too long to execute.

Chip Kicks

While Rugby Challenge allows any player to chip the ball over the defenders, the weight and depth of your chipping options was incredibly limited.

Rugby League Live 2’s chip-kick is one of the best in the genre, and Rugby 15 could take a note out of its book.

Bounce of the ball

Strangely, Rugby 05 has more realistic ball physics than newer rugby games. In most games, the ball seems to always bounce like a soccer ball – straight and predictable. We all know this is not the case in regards to a rugby ball.

Hopefully we’ll see a better weight and physics to the ball in Rugby 15, whereby a lucky (or unlucky) bounce of the ball could result in a try, or tactical kicking being negatively or positively affected by the bounce.

Strangely, Rugby 05 still has some of the best ball physics in the rugby genre.

Rugby 15 is currently in development for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita and PC, and will be released on 14 November 2014.

Check out the full box art below, as well as a trailer for the game and a developer diary on the commentary talent to feature in Rugby 15.