Previews// Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge

The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, and you know what that means in the video game industry? Yep, it’s time for the scrum of competing sports titles to battle it out and win the hearts and minds of oval ball-chucking fans.

And while Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge doesn’t exactly have the clout of the World Cup's official license, it does have the exclusive backing of one of the biggest names in the sport.

That would be Jonah Lomu, obviously. The retired rugby legend has allowed for his likeness to be represented in the game, and by association that means this is the only rugby title that has the license to use the New Zealand All Blacks team. All of the players have even been mocapped performing the iconic Haka as well, and it looks just as amazing (and pant-wettingly scary) as it does in real life.

Now most sports games of this kind have the camera positioned in a central position above the field. Here, things are slightly different - the viewpoint swoops around behind the team that has possession of the ball as they aim to push through the defenders. This doesn’t appear to cause many problems in gameplay, and in fact helps you make better judgements about the opposition whilst you have the ball.

It also makes sense given the control scheme. As you make a mad dash for the Try line, you can use the left stick to flitter about the field and, if locked in play, mash X to drive ahead. Holding up on the right stick will let your player fend off incoming muscle tanks trying to take you down, but the inevitability is that you won’t get far without being bulldozed to the ground.

To avoid this, the triggers let you pass to the left or right - handy if you’re being tackled. But, when you’re unable to chuck the ball away from you, both teams are locked into a button-mashing affair to gain possession of the ball. Then the cycle repeats until one player gets that ball to the end of the field and scores a Try.

There’s some other interesting effects too, such as holding the X button down whilst in possession to slow down the action Matrix-style to plan a kick, and controlling scrums by pushing up on both analogue sticks at the right time. Just like watching the real thing, this stop-start play makes scoring and winning that much more satisfying.

I was only able to play a few Quick Match-style rounds, but I’m told there’s more than enough content here to keep rugby fans occupied. Three types of Career mode with 13 seasons and multiple cups, including the Tri, Quad and Six Nations and the inclusion of other licenses such as the Aviva Premiership. Online play can accommodate 4 on 4 matches, with options to filter out players known for rage quitting.

The best part is that as you play the game, you earn Rugby Dollars, which can then be used to purchase bonus features on the disc. Most of these are your typical Making Of documentaries and other fluff, but collect enough points and you’ll get to unlock Team Lomu - with every player on your side being a clone of the mountainous New Zealand star himself.

Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge looks to be a fun alternative to the official Rugby World Cup game, but for those who consider the All Blacks and Jonah Lomu as a real sign of authentic rugby quality (and why not?) it’ll undoubtedly be the first choice.