Good news! There's a new rugby game coming out.
Bad news! It's called Rugby Challenge 3.
We're doomed as rugby fans to never ever enjoy another video game that can even hold a candle to games which were released nearly 20 years ago, or at least that's the way it seems after Rugby Challenge, Rugby Challenge 2, and the remarkably forgettable Rugby 15.
It's at the stage where news of a new rugby game is met with a sigh and a roll of the eyes, rather than the hope and optimism we held when we were starved for a rugby game after Rugby 08, but the news that has reached us about Rugby Challenge 3 actually does sound promising, if only for one cool reason.
Be A Pro mode.
That's right, the one idea we've always wanted to see implemented into a rugby game, where you control one player on the pitch and play through a rugby career, is actually happening. While scrum-half, out-half, and number eight will probably the most attractive options, the scrum as a prop or second row could be very interesting, and what about hitting a line as a centre? There's so much potential for this game mode.
There are actually two other reasons to give Rugby Challenge 3 a chance, and they are Sevens mode, which is pretty self explanatory but we imagine will surely be good craic after a few beers, and also the fact that it is being developed by a different developer, Melbourne-based Wicked Witch Software.
New studio, new ideas? We certainly hope so.
Here are some more details that represent pretty much everything we know about the game:
-It features officiall licensed teams including the All Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks, the English national team, and more (hopefully Ireland but don't count on it).
-New game modes inlucde Sevens mode, and Be a Pro mode, which lets you "join a club team as a rookie and control your own destiny over 13 action packed seasons".
-The game has a "Fan App" which lets fans create their own rugby teams and players.
If you are REALLY excited about this new game, the Fan App has already been released on Steam for PC gamers, and although you can't actually sample any gameplay, you can create your own teams and players. It's a bit strange, but at least it's something.
Here is Reddit user barbar84's attempt at creating Paul O'Connell.
What do we think?
Is it time to give rugby games one last chance or will you not even bother?
via Stuff.co.nz