Rugby 2004 Impressions

We recently had the chance to see an early version of Rugby 2004 in action. It's not every year that EA Sports puts out a rugby game. Indeed, the PC version of Rugby 2004 will be the first EA Sports PC rugby game to reach US shores since Rugby World Cup '95. The game will feature an impressive roster of stadiums and real-world teams--more than 70 different stadiums and more than 60 different rugby teams, including national, international, and local clubs. As we saw, the game will support multiple weather conditions, including heavy wind and rain, as well as variable pitch types; these factors will affect players' running speeds and may also affect the direction of the ball on passes and kicks. In the quick match mode, you'll be able to choose any one of the game's stadiums to play in and any of the settings you prefer; you'll also be able to play the game in multiplayer matches with up to four players, either cooperatively or head-to-head.

According to product manager Darren Montgomery, Rugby 2004's gameplay has been updated to reflect the changing nature of the sport. Whereas in previous years, professional rugby placed more emphasis on elaborate scrums (huddles that include the field forwards of either team), Rugby 2004 will feature streamlined scrums that will be resolved quickly, so that the ball can get out on the field and back into play. The game will, like modern-day rugby, put more emphasis on athleticism--on passing and running the field--than on the slower-paced slugfests of previous years. Rugby 2004 will also feature more-realistic line-out (an out-of-bounds throw-in, similar to a soccer throw-in) plays, so that tossing a ball into play to an available teammate won't automatically cause the ball to "stick" to the receiver; you'll need to put a bit more effort into receiving throw-ins, and as an attacking player, you'll have more of an opportunity to steal the ball. However, as we saw, if you can't quickly and cleanly snatch the ball away from your opponents, other players will leap onto the ball in a pile, often resulting in a scrum.

Visually, Rugby 2004 still seems a bit rough around the edges--the player models could probably stand to look a bit cleaner and more defined, though minute player-model detail might be difficult to implement, since the game includes a custom team-making interface that lets you import your own jersey designs and make your own team. Rugby 2004 is scheduled for release this September.