Rugby League Live 4 is set for a release on July 28th on consoles and on PC at a later date, as revealed by Press Start today.
The announcement is accompanied by a brief gameplay video featuring the likes of Suliasa Vunivalu leaping high to claim a cross-field kick, Josh Dugan, with noticably darker hair, running in for a try and Andrew Fifita showing great strength to force his way over the line.
Gameplay looks pretty decent, but player likeness is, as always, a concern, the players just don’t look like who they are supposed to be. One example is Jason Taumalolo brushing off a couple of generic looking Dragons players, but apart from that it looks to be a well-polished game. In the absence of any other rugby league game, it will provide hours of fun for fans of the thirteen-man code, but will struggle to lure others.
My main gripe with previous rugby league games produced by Big Ant is the terrible AI, in fact I would rate it the worst I have seen in over 20 years of gaming. While it’s hard to see what the AI is like in the video, it will be a make or break feature of the game.
In Rugby League Live 3, players showed no urgency in shutting down attacking raids, they wouldn’t loom up in support when a teammate made a line break and would often stand still instead of diving on a loose ball.
It’s hard to justify spending $100 on the game, but there are places offering the game for less, including The Gamesman which is currently selling it for just $78.
Have you already pre-ordered the game, or are you planning to buy it based on what you can see in the reveal trailer below?
For me personally, I’ll wait a few weeks after the release to decide if I want to fork out top dollar for a game that has a patchy history.
Gonzo
Guest
He's put him in Ward 4.... I hope not Bill, that's a maternity ward.
Scott mccamley red v army
Guest
This game looks good hope they get kogarah oval right this time around and have the famous hill and hope gameplay is way better they need to have offloads even when into a tackle and also have suspensions added if go on report that would be a key feature also I hope to see more chances to try stop a try being scored and if close go to the video more often just like they do on almost every try these days just to put that KFC in there and dam talk about how many forward passes they were in the 3rd one and not getting picked up just hope they have not rushed this one knowing that other rugby league games have always come out around October and hope they update the teams and Jerseys every year and even updated teams every week of the real season to make it feel more real but knowing the history of game won't be buzzing in hope hope also they have added indigenous jerseys and super hero jerseys
Informed Gamer
Guest
You mention the Gamesmen having it for cheaper. You think that's because Sebastian owns HES (the publisher) as well as being a founder of Gamesmen? Set the minimum RRP for others like JB and EB, but then giving kick backs to his own company?
Emcie
Roar Guru
I hope they included the judiciary in the game
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
Pretty sure there was separation there from Burgess. He should be fine to play next week...
At work
Roar Rookie
I think if you go into it not expecting the quality of FIFA, Madden, 2K NBA, etc then you'll get lots of enjoyment as you'll be using players you know featured in local stadiums. I remember I had an old version on the original Xbox and if you got the kickoff just right you would regain possession every time. Tried not to take advantage of it unless the computer cheated me
The Barry
Roar Guru
Jonah Lomu was a classic..."he's digging like a demented mole"
Emcie
Roar Guru
...was that a shoulder charge in the trailer?
Emcie
Roar Guru
The secret is to kick on first, hello 120 nil scoreline!!
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
I'll wait for positive reviews and a PC release.
Gonzo
Guest
This game actually looks good and I am happy to pay the money it costs to promote future titles. Now if only they could remaster Jonah Lomu Rugby from the PS1 then I could die happy.