This doesn't seem to be a very popular sport on this forum, judging by the lack of World Cup posts in off topic. Anyway, I picked up the Japanese version today after spotting a very cheap second hand version. On PS2, that is.
I haven't played an earlier version from the same generation, so the only comparison I have is Jonah Lomu on the PS1. Anyway, it's great fun and very easy to get into. The Japanese version is completely in English! A short tutorial will help anyone new to the series and/or the game.
There are three difficulty levels, and immense differences between the teams. Best team are the All Blacks, with 94% - some of the minnows are around the 40 mark. I have tried playing with Russia against Australia, but quit at half time, after getting my arse severely kicked.
A few problems so far - the computer can be a bit slow to give you control of the player nearest the ball, which has meant that I've conceded a few more tries than I should have done. Also, they seem to have simplified the game quite a lot since JL on PS. Previously in a maul, the player with the ball was highlighted and you had to work it to the back, to pass it to one of the wings. Now, whoever binds three players first seems to get the ball automatically, and there doesn't seem to be an option to hold the ball in the ruck and drive forward a few yards. Also, the on-screen prompts have vanished - the PS1 game used to have "triangle - dig in, circle drive" very usefully prompted. I don't even know if those options are available any more.
Worst thing is, the commentary is much worse than before. Former All Black kicker Grant Fox talks you through the tutorial with as much enthusiasm as if you're interrupting his favourite TV programme. He is also the sidekick to a Robertson in the in-game commentary, which is functional enough but totally lacking the humour of the Bill McLaren and Bill Beaumont of the PS1 game. Who can forget McLaren saying "Mercy me, that could have put him in ward 5" after a tackle, only for Beaumont to pipe up with "I hope not, Bill, that's a maternity ward!"? But now the commentary is dryer, with comments on the play and the score only. Perhaps the Europe version will have different commentators.
Anyway, as I said, the games so far have been a lot of fun, but I do feel they have simplified it to make it easier to get into. No idea how it compares to Rugby 06, since I haven't played that, but although the graphics are better than Jonah Lomu, I honestly did prefer that one, not least because of the better commentary.
I haven't played an earlier version from the same generation, so the only comparison I have is Jonah Lomu on the PS1. Anyway, it's great fun and very easy to get into. The Japanese version is completely in English! A short tutorial will help anyone new to the series and/or the game.
There are three difficulty levels, and immense differences between the teams. Best team are the All Blacks, with 94% - some of the minnows are around the 40 mark. I have tried playing with Russia against Australia, but quit at half time, after getting my arse severely kicked.
A few problems so far - the computer can be a bit slow to give you control of the player nearest the ball, which has meant that I've conceded a few more tries than I should have done. Also, they seem to have simplified the game quite a lot since JL on PS. Previously in a maul, the player with the ball was highlighted and you had to work it to the back, to pass it to one of the wings. Now, whoever binds three players first seems to get the ball automatically, and there doesn't seem to be an option to hold the ball in the ruck and drive forward a few yards. Also, the on-screen prompts have vanished - the PS1 game used to have "triangle - dig in, circle drive" very usefully prompted. I don't even know if those options are available any more.
Worst thing is, the commentary is much worse than before. Former All Black kicker Grant Fox talks you through the tutorial with as much enthusiasm as if you're interrupting his favourite TV programme. He is also the sidekick to a Robertson in the in-game commentary, which is functional enough but totally lacking the humour of the Bill McLaren and Bill Beaumont of the PS1 game. Who can forget McLaren saying "Mercy me, that could have put him in ward 5" after a tackle, only for Beaumont to pipe up with "I hope not, Bill, that's a maternity ward!"? But now the commentary is dryer, with comments on the play and the score only. Perhaps the Europe version will have different commentators.
Anyway, as I said, the games so far have been a lot of fun, but I do feel they have simplified it to make it easier to get into. No idea how it compares to Rugby 06, since I haven't played that, but although the graphics are better than Jonah Lomu, I honestly did prefer that one, not least because of the better commentary.
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