Rugby 08 (PS2)

The game looks great for a PS2 title, especially when it comes to the cinematic roving of the camera around the stadium, the players, and the green of the field reflected in the bright lights during a night game. The detailing isn’t where it should...

Improved drop goal function ; Additional tweaks to mauls and scrums ; IRB endorsed World Cup

Feels tired on PlayStation2 ; Rucks still feel quite random ; Defensive AI can be ropey at times

Rugby 08 was never going to revolutionise the 15-man code's representation in videogaming, but it wasn't intended to. Instead it throws a sliver of new gameplay to appease fans of the series in the run up to the World Cup.

If you don’t know what rugby is or think of it as a poor-man’s football, this game will teach you what it’s all about, and entertain you. It's a fast-paced sports game, and that translates well in any language.

Winning the World Cup ; All the best players are here ; Superb dual stick controls

Passing can be frustrating ; Occasional choppiness ; No online play

Although I don’t know how many pure Rugby fanatics there are out there, I do know that many of you should give this game a shot. If not just to learn about the sport, then to just enjoy the great mechanics that the game sets before you. If you have...

Deep yet accessible control scheme ; Extensive array of game modes ; Plenty of real-world players and teams

No online multiplayer ; Not much of a step-up from Rugby 06

Rugby 08 is another decent stab by EA Sports at rugby, which will please both newcomers and long-time fans of the sport. On the downside, it doesn't offer anything radically different to fans who may already have the previous entry in the franchise....