Rugby 22, developed by Eko Software and published by Nacon, sets out to deliver an authentic and modern rugby union experience for fans craving a serious simulation of the sport. Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, Rugby 18 and Rugby 20, this entry attempts to refine the foundation while expanding on gameplay depth, team management, and on-field realism. It doesn’t radically reinvent the formula but instead focuses on gradual improvements, particularly in player control, tactical options, and match flow. For those familiar with rugby, the game captures much of the sport’s physical and strategic essence, but it also struggles with uneven polish, missing licenses, and dated visuals that prevent it from reaching the level of more established sports franchises.
The heart of Rugby 22 lies in its on-field mechanics, where Eko Software has clearly put the most attention. The flow of the game feels more dynamic than in previous titles, with improved animations that better represent the physicality of tackles, scrums, and rucks. The updated control system gives players greater freedom to manage attacks, with quick passes, offloads, and set plays that resemble real-life rugby tactics. Timing and decision-making are crucial—mistimed passes or poor positioning often lead to turnovers or penalties, emphasizing precision over button-mashing. The new ruck and maul systems add a layer of tactical nuance, requiring you to balance aggression and restraint to maintain possession. While the game can sometimes struggle with responsiveness in chaotic sequences, its overall pace and structure feel closer to an actual rugby match than previous iterations ever achieved.
AI behavior represents another notable step forward. Opponents are smarter and more opportunistic, adapting to your playstyle and exploiting defensive gaps. They pressure you into mistakes rather than waiting passively, making matches feel less predictable. On the defensive side, the improved tackling system gives you a satisfying sense of control, allowing well-timed hits that can stop a fast break or turn momentum in your favor. However, occasional inconsistencies remain—player switching can be sluggish, and the AI sometimes fails to adapt to repeated tactics, particularly during set pieces. Still, these moments are minor blemishes in what is otherwise a more fluid and engaging rugby experience than any other available on the market today.
In terms of presentation, Rugby 22 shows modest progress but doesn’t quite achieve the level of immersion that modern sports fans expect. The visuals are serviceable, with solid player models and stadiums that evoke the atmosphere of professional rugby, but textures and lighting remain dated. The character animations, though improved, still occasionally appear stiff or robotic, especially during close contact situations like scrums and rucks. Stadium crowds and sound design add some energy to matches, though repetitive crowd noises and commentary can make the experience feel flat over time. The commentary team, while enthusiastic, often recycles lines, reducing the sense of realism during extended play sessions. The overall presentation is functional but lacks the polish and spectacle found in more mainstream sports titles.
Where Rugby 22 makes up for its visual shortcomings is in its depth of gameplay modes. The Career mode allows you to manage a club, recruit players, and build a squad capable of competing across multiple seasons. Managing finances, scouting talent, and upgrading facilities gives the experience a strategic layer that complements the on-field action. However, the inclusion of a card-based player recruitment system feels out of place, introducing an artificial sense of randomness to team building. League and quick match modes offer more straightforward play for those who want immediate competition, while online multiplayer provides opportunities for competitive play against real opponents, though matchmaking and connection stability can vary.
Licensing continues to be one of Rugby 22’s weakest areas. While the game includes several officially licensed leagues—such as the French Top 14, Pro D2, and United Rugby Championship—many national teams, including rugby powerhouses like England and South Africa, are unlicensed. This results in generic team names and inaccurate kits, which detracts from the authenticity of the experience. For a sport so steeped in tradition and national pride, these omissions are hard to overlook. Despite this, the inclusion of a team editor helps soften the blow, allowing dedicated fans to manually recreate authentic rosters and uniforms. It’s a workaround that adds value, but one that highlights how much better the game could feel with comprehensive licensing.
The user interface is straightforward, though navigating menus and managing team settings can sometimes feel clunky. Tutorials are adequate but not particularly inviting for newcomers unfamiliar with rugby’s complex rules. This steep learning curve may intimidate players who are curious about the sport but lack prior experience. Once the mechanics are understood, however, the payoff is significant—few games reward precision and tactical foresight as effectively as Rugby 22 does. Matches can swing dramatically in momentum, mirroring the emotional highs and lows of the real sport, and that unpredictability is one of the game’s greatest strengths.
Ultimately, Rugby 22 feels like a sincere but imperfect effort to deliver a complete rugby simulation. It refines core mechanics, improves realism on the field, and deepens strategic options, but it also carries the baggage of underwhelming presentation and limited licensing. Fans of the sport who have been starved for a proper rugby experience will likely find enough here to appreciate—the thrill of a last-minute try, the satisfaction of a well-timed tackle, the strategy behind every set piece. For casual players or those expecting the visual and production values of a FIFA or NBA 2K title, Rugby 22 may fall short. Still, it stands as one of the most polished and playable rugby games currently available, offering a solid if unpolished foundation that shows Eko Software’s understanding of the sport and its potential for future growth.
Rating: 8/10
