Rugby 18

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
41

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 7 out of 11
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  1. PlayStation Universe
    Oct 24, 2017
    65
    Poorly presented, and lacking in mode variety, Rugby 18 is salvaged by the fact that it’s actually a pretty decent representation of rugby union on the pitch. It may not be the definitive version of the sport that the PS4 needs, but it’s easily the best available.
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Dec 15, 2017
    50
    Congratulating Rugby 18 for its base functionality is like cheering for FIFA because they remembered to include the ball. [Christmas 2017, p.83]
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  3. Gameblog.fr
    Oct 30, 2017
    50
    Rugby 2018 is lacking the depth to reach the level of the best sports games.
  5. PlayStation Country
    Oct 26, 2017
    50
    Whilst a change of developer has produced something much improved and playable, Rugby 18's rendition of the sport lacks a flow and cohesion which I find problematic. Set plays are focused whilst the open play is unbalanced and frustrating. There's a foundation there but the lack of modes and teams make the price tough to justify. There's fun to be had but, those wanting something more robust might await a drop or hold back a year.
  6. SpazioGames
    Nov 6, 2017
    45
    Rugby 18 is a game with lots of issues: a bad AI, crappy dynamics based on button mashing, a broken commentary system, insufficient animation and so on. In a nutshell: this is not going to be your next rugby game.
  7. The Games Machine
    Nov 24, 2017
    40
    "Terrifying" is the right word to tell something about Rugby 18. The game is very far from what actually happens on the pitch, and it's not fun at all.
  8. Everyeye.it
    Nov 7, 2017
    40
    Weak play from all points of view.
  9. Push Square
    Oct 23, 2017
    40
    Though Eko Software has tried to give virtual rugby a breath of life – and in some ways, with a revamped control and camera system, it has – the lack of modes and dismal presentation leave a bad taste in the mouth. At full-price, Bigben is demanding an obscene amount of money for a game that feels years behind where it should be.
  10. The Digital Fix
    Jan 8, 2018
    30
    Rugby 18 is a broken mess of a game and a dreadful representation of a beloved British sport.
  11. Critical Hit
    Oct 30, 2017
    30
    The game is severely hobbled with cripplingly poor gameplay and pervasive glitches. The exclusion of bigger competitions and some international teams leaves players with a wafer-thin, ultimately disappointing experience.
  12. GamesRadar+
    Oct 24, 2017
    20
    Rugby 18 is a dire simulation of the sport, with a paper-thin selection of modes, and relentlessly poor presentation.

User Reviews

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User Score
3.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 9 out of 13
  1. andyr29
    Oct 27, 2017
    1
    I have played many rugby games in my time, ranging from jonah lomu rugby on psone, to rugby 08 on ps2, to rugby challenge on ps3, and nowI have played many rugby games in my time, ranging from jonah lomu rugby on psone, to rugby 08 on ps2, to rugby challenge on ps3, and now this. Honestly, Rugby 18 is one of the worst and makes me want to return to the ps2 so i can play rugby 08 again.
    Ok graphics aside, the gameplay is dreadful, most of all when attacking. The attacking line is always flat, meaning that passing down the attacking line to a winger is a rarity. Your AI teammates seem to run around with no sense at all. They seem to be attracted to the ball, which means they often run sideways or towards the ball carrier, instead of running straight. Overall, attacking gameplay is a complete mess, with no structure at all to the attacking line. Defence wise, a little messy and unstructured, however better then attacking..
    Secondly, the referee doesn't seem to understand the advantage rule, which for any rugby fans they'll know its an important part of the game. Example, the ref will call advantage, the opposition will get the ball off me, but instead of the ref calling a penalty, he will either keep on saying advantage or sometimes "advantage over".
    Thirdly, the opposition AI seems to make very bizarre choices most of the time. They will be running towards the try line, ball in hand, clear space in front of them, but instead of continuing their run and scoring a try, they will either pass it back to someone metres away, or kick the ball.
    Overall, i give it 1 out of 10 and the only reason it got 1, is because the licences for the teams are ok, however no licenced stadiums. The developers need to provide a big update soon, over wise one will be deleting it, as its really not worth the 5 gb it takes from my hard drive. Not to mention the £40 I paid for it.    … Full Review »
  2. Janniealoe1
    Jan 26, 2018
    1
    How poor can this get, I payed R990.00 for a game that you cant even call a rugby game. Rucking rucking and rucking. Please do not evenHow poor can this get, I payed R990.00 for a game that you cant even call a rugby game. Rucking rucking and rucking. Please do not even consider this game. There is no game flow , the graphics is the worst I ever seen. This is poor. Please refund every body.… Full Review »
  3. beaslera
    Nov 1, 2017
    6
    *This review is for the xbox one version of the game.
    Lots of mixed feelings about this game. It is really exciting to finally have a    *This review is for the xbox one version of the game.
    Lots of mixed feelings about this game. It is really exciting to finally have a licensed Rugby game again, but this game has some pretty obvious bugs and flaws that can and hopefully will be corrected. While it has issues, I think the game deserves more than a real review and not just being called "rubbish" based on what others say.

    The good:
    -Many teams to choose from - including six nations.
    -Textures are smooth and flow well.
    -All kicking: penalties, conversion as well kicking on the run, is very well done and intuitive.
    -Set pieces and mauls work well, are fun, and can be challenging.
    -The game modes are exceptionally fun. Career mode could be fantastic except for one bug.

    The Bad:
    -Commentator voice over is often trigger erroneously. It is most obvious during scrums, where the announce will declare that one team has won the scrum, but the scrum is not even halfway over yet.
    -Penalties seem to be inconsistent. Offsides is especially bad, you can sometimes tackle players from an offsides position, penalty free. Obstruction is never called. Knock-ons are OK though.
    -High tackles in or around the opposing try area should result in a penalty try, but does now.
    -The computer AI never grounds the ball in their own try area unless tackled.
    -If the player is called for offsides and the computer AI kicks for touch, there is a very high chance that one of the AI players will be called for intentional offsides after.
    -Your friendly AI players do not get back onside quick enough, and often have trouble doing so when a ruck is formed(sometimes they circle the ruck).
    -If you throw the ball weak-side from a scrum, the opposing AI will often be retreating and ignore the advancing opposition, leaving room for a huge break away. EVERY TIME.
    -Speed stats seem inconsistent. Locks and Props sprint down wingers?
    -This is a big one: The career mode doesn't seem to save your team. This is a mode-breaking bug in my opinion and reduces my rating by at least a point.
    -The tackling hit boxes are wonky. You can be near an opposing player, facing their direction, hit the tackle button and your player just fumbles about inexplicably.
    -Players can sometimes ignore the ball on the ground
    -Players can sometimes back-peddle when an opposing player runs past with the ball, instead of turning and chasing.
    -Rucking can be inconsistent. You can have a ruck advantage based on the colored bar, send your scrum half in to get the ball, and by the time he gets there if the opposing team sends another rucker then you will be forced to sit there and not retrieve the ball until the opposing player retrieves the ball.

    So as you can see there are some problems, and several bugs/defects in the game. These bugs are not necessarily game breaking and don't turn the game into an unplayable piece of junk, but they definitely deserve some scrutiny. They can also be fixed with updates and patches, which is an important distinction.

    When on offense, attacking can sometimes be frustrating, but I think this has become an early echo chamber for people dissatisfied with the game and possibly do not understand high level rugby tactics. When attacking, you need to crash the ball out of the ruck a few times, in order to pull defenders away from the outside. In professional rugby, the tackle is almost instantaneous. Secondly, the attacking line is often flatter than you would see in lower division rugby, which sort of mirrors the pros. You can get the ball down the line with regular quick passes and switches. But there are some issues here: tackling being inconsistent on the defensive side of the ball, and tacklers sometimes 'teleporting' to your location.

    in all, most of the bugs detract from the overall 'flow' and 'smoothness' of the game. The only major bug found so far is the lack of persistence in career mode. The game itself is still fun and satisfying and with a few patches could easily be a 7 or 8 out of 10.    … Full Review »
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