Rugby World Cup 2011

 Xbox 360
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. Gamestyle
    Oct 11, 2011
    70
    Rugby World Cup 2011 is a decent attempt at bringing the sport back to games consoles and despite being light on features and a bit weak in the graphics department, it actually plays a fine game of Rugby. Hopefully HB Studios have done enough to get another stab at a Rugby game and not just in four years time for the next World Cup, it would be nice to see this base engine built up over the next few years and to see the sport better represented in the gaming world.
  2. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    Sep 19, 2011
    62
    Not perfect. But it's a welcome way to fill time between real games once the tournament kicks off Down Under. [Nov 2011, p.107]
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  3. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 14, 2011
    60
    A frustrating affair. [Issue#77, p.91]
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  5. Eurogamer
    Oct 12, 2011
    60
    The absence of any tutorial mode makes it an uphill battle for newcomers, while committed rugby fans will probably be put off by its lack of depth. New Zealand games don't even begin with the Haka, and where's the fun in that?
  6. Guardian
    Sep 26, 2011
    60
    As it stands there's just too little on offer here to justify the cost for a full-priced, boxed retail release.
  7. MondoXbox
    Sep 18, 2011
    60
    Rugby World Cup 2011 sports a solid gameplay foundation, but it's dragged down by a mediocre technical production ad the lack of content, limited only to the World Cup teams and competitions.
  8. Telegraph
    Aug 30, 2011
    60
    The most disappointing aspect of Rugby World Cup, however, is just how threadbare it is in terms of modes.
  9. Thunderbolt
    Aug 22, 2011
    60
    For fans of the sport, RWC 2011 is worth the price of admission, if not the wait. It's a game full of promise, but lacks the polish to appeal to a wider audience.
  10. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Sep 18, 2011
    50
    Fails to convert its potential. [Oct 2011, p.101]
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  11. Gamekult
    Sep 8, 2011
    50
    Quotation forthcoming.
  12. IGN AU
    Aug 22, 2011
    50
    Rugby World Cup 2011 feels almost like the "lite" version of a more fully-featured game - as though you should get this for a pittance before paying an additional fee to unlock the rest, like so many iPhone games. Only in this case there's nothing more to get - other than a refund.
  13. GameSpot
    Aug 27, 2011
    45
    Limited licences, stripped features, and disappointing presentation make Rugby World Cup 2011 disappointing to even the most ardent fans of the sport.
  14. GameWatcher
    Oct 20, 2011
    40
    In a year that has seen plenty of top-notch sports games, this is arguably the worst of the lot.
  15. Metro GameCentral
    Sep 5, 2011
    40
    The excitement and flow of rugby is there, but the numerous technical and budgetary limitations see the game's aim go wide.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 7 out of 13
  1. scs5
    May 2, 2014
    7
    This game, like its older versions, focus on the basics of rugby and make it an enjoyable experience for the rugby fan. I'd rather playThis game, like its older versions, focus on the basics of rugby and make it an enjoyable experience for the rugby fan. I'd rather play something realistic and strategy based compared to the likes of Jonah Lomu Rugby which is completely off the basis of rugby.

    If your looking for a stable game with controlled variables - buy this one.    … Full Review »
  2. burnmp3s
    Sep 20, 2011
    3
    Overall a very disappointing game. I've played all of HB Studios Rugby games (formerly under the EA label) starting in 2004, they have allOverall a very disappointing game. I've played all of HB Studios Rugby games (formerly under the EA label) starting in 2004, they have all been more or less the same game with minor improvements. Rugby 2008 was probably the most complete and full featured, including a full multi-season team management mode that you would expect from a modern sports game. Rugby World Cup 2011 is almost exactly the same game when it comes to gameplay (they slightly improved the mechanics for binding players in a ruck), minus nearly all of the features including such basics as a tutorial for beginners. As someone who already has Rugby 2008, there is literally no reason for me to play this game other than to use my Xbox 360 rather than my PS2. I understand that the developers self published the game and had trouble paying for the licensing, but they've taken a 4 year old game and re-released it with LESS features while still asking for full price for it. There is not a lot of choice in Rugby games out there, and I don't expect big new features or state-of-the-art graphics, but at the bare minimum they should at least make some improvement after 4 years rather than taking a step backward.… Full Review »
  3. moyletra
    Sep 17, 2011
    7
    I've waited for 5 years for a Rugby Union game on Xbox360. It has the developers who did the original EA titles, but not the $ in development.I've waited for 5 years for a Rugby Union game on Xbox360. It has the developers who did the original EA titles, but not the $ in development. It lacks polish and the cutting edge of say EA's Madden or FIFA series - but they've gone through 20+ iterations from PS1 and early PC days to now. It's not a huge evolution on Rugby 2006 or 2008, but these guys need the opportunity to build on what they have. If anything given the limited content it should have been released at a lower price point (but maybe the RWC license costs are high). Rather than just the RWC tournament there should have been an opportunity to play a Road to the World Cup and attempt to qualify lower tier nations to the pool stages? Or perhaps included Sevens as well? maybe next time?

    Anyway I've had a great time playing with/against my 8 year old son, and it's teaching a lot about the rules and mechanics of the real game. The controls are pretty intuitive after a couple of matches. Like Rugby 2006/8 the players do tend to bunch but hey that's what mini rugby players do as well. I haven't played online as I don't have a Gold account.

    In summary it's a passable "simulation" of rugby union, graphics are OK, the atmosphere is good and the player mechanics/animations are passable.

    Developers - we need more rugby games.    … Full Review »
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