Updated review – This title has a NZ $14 update on psn which has SBW and the 2013 squads, players, teams and other updates. It was also patched with an AI enhanced option and other tweaks. This is because the game is well-made and -supported. Ignore Jared above too… They don't run ahead of you, they just expect the ball earlier and are running on to the ball so they can go forward and not get smashed. There is a depth of passing button too. Button mashers throw only flat interceptable passes. Firstly, if it is tackle one or two, they RIGHTLY expect you not to throw three skip balls across the park with zero momentum so they are not set deep. Secondly bro, they are running lines and plays, you cannot wait forever to pass and they won't wait for you (they cannot stop on a dime as it is not JLR and thank God for that… we have moved on, this is waaay better)… nor can you just run endless sweeping back-line plays as that is NOT league!! In fact not one part of Jared's review rings true and riles me up… he was just overwhelmed by his OWN coordination issues (kick function and all buttons are perfect layout, but need MASTERY) and learning curve mastery deficiencies…I am not sure he understands how league is played. You can create a game full of highlights, but it cannot be one long highlights reel!! Earn it!! I hate dudes who post reviews saying “rookie is too hard” when it is utter cake… Or that “you get intercepted the whole time and cannot catch them if they do”… nonsense!! Think smarter, react quicker. After months of play, I can beat (and you likely will too) Veteran level and sometimes by a lot (while also losing to them too)… any average gamer would thrash rookie by 50 points every game after a day or two… yet guy above says intercepted all the time, bad buttons et cetera as he does not know how to pass or understand the momentum and flow of league and tactics. Nor does he seem to think a new game should be LEARNED before you find it second nature. Come on bro!! Be fair!! You ask why the game has a two-button combo for punt: Because it is otherwise a grubber. In fact, though difficult initially, the button layout is PERFECT and designed to accommodate the level of control people like myself want. Apparently some would like the rugby challenge kicking buttons i.e. some people are five.
This game takes 50+ games to master control of (in truth, probably longer – tap backs from bombs, consistently diffusing bombs and kicking with pressure and accuracy, pulling out of kicking and effective non-cheeser user-tackling and shoulder charges on attack and defence, those things will take time… and, even then, execution and discipline remains in total flux and dependent on you i,e. the basis of any fantastic sports game (Maddens, PES, Fifa et cetera). This ensures longevity. So RLL2 has longevity and great gameplay – personally, these are the two most important things to me.
Quite simply, the best rugby or league video game made yet… With only small tweaks required (and very few with game-play, which is great news!!) to have more or less a perfect simulation of the great game… It really does play very well and realistically (to a point), and this is reflected in the time it takes to get the controls down even if, like me, you had owned the previous installment. And while the franchise mode is a tad light in terms of not allowing price setting etc for merch and food… It is still fun and having Thurston and Hayne in my second-year Warriors team (and winning the NRL with them)… Was special. You can even throw created teams into the career mode and created players show up in the player market to be purchased (i.e. you can play yourself in career mode).
You will score tries that will make you celebrate in ways and with emotion that no other game – not JLR, not ET's rugby league, nor any recent code game (all blacks rugby challenge) has managed to allow gamers to do. Things like intercepts, tackling and kicks are accurate and varied (there are four tackle buttons and you can hold them down, which is a critical part of controlling speed of the ruck, which I suspect Jared didn't do as he wouldn't have been user tackling). Then there's the passing, that you always wanted sorted – all have been. More or less (oh, there are eight different passes and you can select flat or deep for each one.. such control takes time to grasp with accuracy, but once you do…).
Most of your complaints end up getting directed at yourself! Lol! Which is the way it should be. It is a magnificent risk/reward game – much like the real sort it emulates. You cannot fake momentum or go wide without going forward. The defence moves forward as it is smart and trying to cut down space and time – this is not rugby where you might kick at any given moment so they do not slide or hold back in RLL2!! Use this against them by punching the weak shoulder or short balling or whatever!! Learn the game before you criticise a simulation of it which is more than impressive. The Ai plays a helluva game on veteran and basically cheats on legend, so meaning mastery of the highest two levels on any regular basis would be a pipe dream. I was happy on the 4th of 5! No other sports game is HARD on highest level after 100 games that I have ever owned… so after 450 games plus, that I am happy on level 4 of 5 is evidence of how good this game truly is.
They are making the Don Bradman cricket game next (Big Ant Studios) and I suspect the quality of that title will make people revisit this title in turn… and the likes of Jared will hang their head in shame. The best league game yet… not perfect, but damn near close! It is a challenge though (if you play non-kiddie levels)… so if you are not patient or skilled, look away now. Hehe… You will only not be good enough, but in a Freudian act of subconscious self-preservation of dignity and confidence you will accuse the game of having the faults you yourself possess. Bah Humbug!!