Rugby 2004

Rugby 2004 Description

Rugby has always struggled to make its presence felt in video games, despite releases featuring the game's most popular players. Electronic Arts is one of the few developers that has taken the time and effort to produce a series of respectable Rugby titles. If any of you already own a rugby game, it's most likely one of EA's, and following in tradition with the company's sports updates, players can now look forward to Rugby 2004 for PlayStation 2. First of all, rugby games are notoriously difficult to develop, and like its predecessors, Rugby 2004 features a very complex game engine. But fortunately this attribute isn't passed down to the player, and game controls are surprisingly simple thanks to a new and intuitive interface, making tackles, running, scrums and the like enjoyable, not frustrating. But most EA gamers don't buy updates just for enhanced gameplay, they want to see better graphics and updated season statistics, and Rugby 2004 offers just that. It offers 20 international teams, all of the Super teams and even some domestic teams, including the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks. With updated statistics, up and coming star players and a choice of 65 venues including Twickenham, Murrayfield and Ellis Park, Rugby 2004 is unarguably the most extensive rugby game in its league. There's newly recorded commentary, some spectacular motion-captured animations and some very nice second-generation visuals that include weather effects and pitch effects. EA hasn't disappointed with its latest virtual incarnation of this rough and tumble sport.

Groundbreaking Gameplay: Rugby 2004 offers an all-new control system that is intuitive and friendly. Hard-hitting gameplay gives you control of rugby's unique features, including tackles, scrums, tries, lineouts, and kicks. The new, deeper control system keeps Rugby easy to pick up and play but gives greater depth for experts. An all-new co-op multiplayer mode will allow players to team up with a companion.

Player AI: Every player encompasses individual attributes, playing style, varying form, injuries, and special moves. Players play better on their home pitch than they do on away pitches because of crowd support. All new highly detailed motion capture for bone-crunching tackles, scrums, lineouts, kicking, and passing adds to the realism of the action.

Take Your Team to the Top: Win games and achieve objectives by scoring a certain number of points, maintaining possession for 85% of the game, winning every scrum in a game, and you will be awarded trade and maintenance points. With these points you can buy/sell/trade any player in the game and build an all-star team.

Customize your players: The player editor lets you change every element of each player on your team including height, weight, look, and playing attributes. The user can also create players using the player editor that they can also buy/sell/trade. After you customize your players and teams, you can pursue your career from local leagues all the way to the World Cup.

Immersive Environments: Over 67 detailed stadiums from around the world, including RWC stadiums. Realistic pitch types, (normal, hard, soggy, muddy), pitch wear, and weather conditions. Enjoy dynamic crowds that support the home team.

Play with the Best: Choose from the 62 teams and 1500 licensed players. From the World Cup teams to the European Domestic Leagues, Rugby 2004 provides for the most authentic selection of the world's top teams, players, and environments.

World-Class Presentation: New in-game audio captured at actual rugby games reflects the crowd emotion. Enjoy play-by-play commentary from the BBC's John Inverdame and Channel 7's Gordon Bray. Roaming camera angles, intelligent commentary, and TV style presentation are all part of the authentic package.