Rugby League 2 (Preview)

Chris Stead, GamePro Australia

12/07/2005 10:39:42

Rugby League is back in a big way in 2005. The competition is as even as it's ever been, ruining many a punters office tipping results and providing some much needed success for the teams that populate Rugby League's struggling heartlands (go Souths!). It's a year that's set to get bigger and bigger too with the announcement of a follow-up to 2003's well received Rugby League videogame. And from the looks of things, it's going to be a bigger hit than a Hoppa elbow to the melon.

Developer's Sidhe Interactive are certainly making improvements in all the right areas. The surprise announcement has been the inclusion of online multiplayer, complete with player statistics and rankings. A surprise because of the relatively small audience the sport has globally, but given the passion with which fans lapped up the original game (it holds pre-order records at EB stores) its inclusion can only be a good thing.

There has also been a lot of focus on the gameplay, refining it to make it a more realistic simulation of the sport. You'll now be able to execute ball stripping and shoulder barges as well as being able to make 40-20 kicks, dive on or kick the loose ball, contest the high ball and pass specifically to a playmaker. Plus, there will be a mighty Franchise Mode to dig your studs into. Bigger than the Penrith forward pack, it will be a multi-year mode that incorporates everything from player contract management, injuries and judiciary hearings right through to mid season representative games - mmm...Franchise Mode.

Naturally, all the major teams will be on hand, including international sides, the English SuperLeague, City vs. Country, State of Origin and of course, our own NRL - with the little fellas running around over 40 accurately modelled stadiums no less. And it's going to look good too, really good. The New Zealand based development team got the lads from Weta Digital (of Lord of the Rings fame) on board for motion-capturing, modelling and animations work. With all their powers they couldn't do anything for Shane Webke's head, but hey, Sonny Bill and Billy 'see ya' Slater are looking the goods.

In fact, this is looking a very sexy sequel in ever respect. The presentation and commentary (from channel nine guru Andrew Voss) are looking slick, the graphics in general appear far improved, the Franchise Mode is wicked and the gameplay improvements have really got us salivating in anticipation. It's a real shame that the game isn't going to be on Xbox or GameCube, but let's face it League fans, what more could you want? Well, besides a bit more biff...