Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge

 Xbox 360
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Oct 20, 2011
    91
    Rugby Challenge is a pleasant surprise in a crowded Fall release season. The game does a great job of both teaching players about the sport of Rugby and giving them a chance to virtually experience the hard-hitting action from the field. The polished presentation, excellent control mechanics, and robust amount of options create one of the best video game representations of a sport that I have seen.
  2. NZGamer
    Aug 30, 2011
    82
    Rugby Challenge is not without its problems. But there is depth behind its flashy veneer. Perhaps most importantly, there doesn't seem to be anything that ruins the game by overbalancing it. It embraces different playing styles, and rewards learning the skills associated with each.
  3. Games Master UK
    Dec 17, 2011
    80
    Just misses the conversion to make it a champion, but still a great rugby game. [Jan 2012, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Eurogamer
    Oct 31, 2011
    80
    But Rugby Challenge is the nucleus of a truly great rugby sim. It's certainly the best rugby game currently available and one can only imagine the heights it could scale if a publisher with enough cash were to throw its weight behind it.
  6. Guardian
    Oct 24, 2011
    80
    At its core, Rugby Challenge is what rugby fans have been waiting for; this is a game made by rugby fans for rugby fans. RWC 2011 is a decent, knockaround sports game but genuine rugby fans will find Rugby Challenge a far more worthwhile investment.
  7. GameShark
    Oct 25, 2011
    75
    I have to stress that this is not a "pick and up and play" game if you're new to rugby. There's a lot of learning involved as rugby, turns out, is a pretty complicated sport. Still, Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge, from the perspective of a novice rugby fan, is a great starter game.
  8. IncGamers
    Oct 12, 2011
    70
    If you're a rugby aficionado then you'll probably be picking Johan Lomu up simply because of the lack of choice. However, while not perfect, this is no rush job and worth a look for those who consider themselves causal fans of the sport. It's by no means perfect but, for a series that has been gone for so long (and one that many presumed dead), there's a lot to be impressed by.
  9. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Sep 18, 2011
    70
    A scrum-ptious morsel for Rugby nuts. [Oct 2011, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. IGN
    Sep 1, 2011
    70
    It's an imperfect experience but if you're going to buy one rugby title this year, regardless of what anyone says, get this one.
  11. Gameplanet
    Aug 31, 2011
    70
    Ultimately, anyone wanting the next level in rugby titles, or just a fun game with a local flavour, could do a lot worse than Rugby Challenge.
  12. GameSpot
    Oct 20, 2011
    65
    Inconsistent presentation and licensing issues trip up Wallabies Rugby Challenge's run for the try line, but enjoyable gameplay and a wealth of modes give it a decent chance at life beyond the World Cup.
  13. PALGN
    Sep 5, 2011
    65
    Wallabies Rugby Challenge provides a consistent rugby experience for fans of the sport but is marred by rudimentary mistakes and a lack of polish.
  14. Digital Spy
    Oct 10, 2011
    60
    And while it's let down by a few fundamental flaws such as poor AI and jerky animations, the sheer number of gameplay modes, teams and customisation options makes it the best rugby video game available today.
  15. Metro GameCentral
    Oct 6, 2011
    60
    Trying to simulate a sport as complex as rugby on a shoestring budget is a thankless task but in multiplayer mode at least this does a better job than any of its rivals.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. EoinM1996
    Nov 4, 2011
    8
    For a first attempt at a union game and a lack of funding, this game is an incredible attempt by sidhe. Beautiful to look at, good gameplayFor a first attempt at a union game and a lack of funding, this game is an incredible attempt by sidhe. Beautiful to look at, good gameplay licenses for all club teams aswell as some international teams and a customisation tool as good as any. The only flaws have to be the career mode which lacks any real depth and seems lazy at best. Hopefully sidhe will push on with a Rugby Challenge 2 and with more funding could make a great game! A VERY solid platform and the best rugby game ever by far. Rugby fans, this is a MUST. Wipes Rugby World Cup 2011 right off the slate!… Full Review »
  2. scs5
    May 2, 2014
    0
    How can this game have such a positive review? If anyone gives it a good review they must never have played rugby in their life.

    You have    How can this game have such a positive review? If anyone gives it a good review they must never have played rugby in their life.

    You have 50+ offloads in a single game ?
    You can pass pinpoint from anywhere?
    You have a slow-mo kicking setup which is awesome but utterly useless if your backline is FULL of forwards?
    Why cant you pass the ball to forwards to drive or pick&go to make safe gains ?
    Scrummages can be won by anyone ? How unrealistic is that?
    Kicking is the most annoying part - it uses no basis but timing on a single scale ?
    Players can run through you and not get tackled ?
    Your backline stands still after you run ? Whats the point of a backline then ?

    I can go on for days about how many BASIC SIMPLE things are wrong with this game. I;ve changed all the settings and it makes the smallest difference. I'd rather burn it than play it.    … Full Review »
  3. tomi
    Jan 27, 2014
    1
    its very unreal and it has the rules of rugby badly stated so it is not a pleasant game to play due to those flaws it has. having theits very unreal and it has the rules of rugby badly stated so it is not a pleasant game to play due to those flaws it has. having the possibility of doing a lot of offloads makes the game boring because you are never tackled and when you are tackled automatically you lose the ball. moreover, some teams are unbeatable like the crusaders, when playing against them they are too hard to tackle and that is why i do not like this game at all, it gets on my nerves in some way when i play the game.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »