Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge - PS3

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Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge (PS3)
Also for: PC, PSVita, Xbox 360
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Sport: Rugby
Media: Blu-Ray Arcade origin:No
Developer: Sidhe Soft. Co.: Home Entertainment Software
Publishers: Alternative Software (GB)
Released: 7 Oct 2011 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 3+
Connectivity: Network Features, Network Players

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Summary

Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge has the exclusive backing of one of the biggest names in the world sport – and it also has a host of game options to choose from.

While most sports games have the camera positioned in a central position above the field things are slightly different here as 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.

The game comes in several modes that include Single Match Mode, Competition Mode, and a multi-year Career Mode, there is also a Tutorial Mode for players who have been brought to rugby union by way of the World Cup.

The game comes with 93 teams including the All Blacks, the Qantas Wallabies, and the USA Eagles. It also has 31 stadiums (including many of those featured in the World Cup in New Zealand) as well as official licenses for major competitions such as the southern hemisphere’s Tri Nations, the Bledisloe Cup, Super Rugby teams, Aviva Premiership Rugby, TOP 14 Orange, RaboDirect PRO12, ITM Cup, and Ranfurly Shield.

Online multiplayer modes are also supported enabling competition in real time with real friends (and foes).

Competitions, Teams and Players can be freely customised using the in-game tools provided. And it’s all polished off with commentary from seasoned rugby commentators Grant Nisbett and Justin Marshall.