Mean Machines Sega
1st February 1996
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Machine: Sega Mega Drive (EU Version)
Published in Mean Machines Sega #40
Australian Rugby League
Not content with providing you 'orrible lot with the latest Fifa, these nice people at EA have gone and made another upgrade, but this time to their first rugby game, Rugby World Cup. However, for this latest creation, they've gone and based it around the Australian version of our Rugby League, so all the players are wearing hats with corks on, the cheerleaders are Kangaroos, and the National Anthems are sung by Rolf Harris and his digeridoo choir.
Don't be fooled - this isn't a version of Aussie (no) rules football, the poor man's rugby. This is the rugby that Will Carling doesn't play - the one were you roll the ball between your legs once you have been tackled. The game is still similar to the original in terms of the viewpoint and the player animations, but obviously the teams and rules are all different. Play modes incorporate the standard friendly games and also national cups and inter-state championships. Although the teams may seem fairly alien to most of you, all the players are in fact called Bruce and have girlfriends called Sheila. Allegedly.
Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport
The 'Origin' option is a head to head of the states from down under. Apparently, it's regarded with high aplomb when played, so you can expect to see lots of patriotic bickering and celebration when "your half" wins.
Basically, it's the North versus South, Left versus Right, as the cream of the crop from the New South Wales rugby league take on the best of Queensland's top division in a three match series of gruelling encounters.Put another shrimp on the barbee. That's what I say.
Marcus
Rugby wouldn't be my choice for the console treatment (very few sports would) but Electronic Arts have got away with the impossible and made this halfway playable. It's smooth, well animated, visually detailed and sensibly constructed. Even little details like the bobbing heads of chattering crowd members are presented, giving the game a very polished appearance.
On the downside, it can get a little frustrating when passes don't work, as Steve said, but practice should make perfect as far as the controls are concerned.Overall this isn't as inhospitable as it could have been, and is well worth a look if you're after something different.
Steve
When it comes to rugby, I find League to be more exciting than Union, and the same can be said for this. I didn't particularly like the first EA rugger games but this is a little better.
For a start, the ball hardly even goes out of play as after every five tackles you lose possession. The computer does try to kick to touch, but often fails.This, and a considerate ref, keeps the game flowing. It is, however, really difficult to master the passing controls, which means you are always going too far backwards and getting tackled, losing precious ground.
But overall, it is quite satisfying to see a five player passing move come off for a try, so this is likely to appeal to rugby fans.
Verdict
Quite well presented, but nothing new.
Animation 83%
Players are a little jerky, but generally good.
Music 79%
Not all that important for a game like this. OK for the fussy.
Good kicking noises and winces from the players.
Playability 81%
Tough to master, but worth persevering with.
Lastability 82%
Loads of different touraments to play in.
Overall 81%
The other half of rugby has been successfully ported over to console by the EA team.
