Attacking Game play features that should be in a decent rugby game.
1) Running moves that should be included:
- Side step > Left and Right on the right analog stick (Madden 10)
- Trucking (Dropping the shoulder) > Forward on the right analog stick (Madden 10)
- Fake kick > Down on the right analog stick
- Spin out of tackle > Rotate right analog stick (Madden 10)
- Dummy pass > L2 (Left trigger) + pass button ( L1 [Left bumper] or R2 [Right bumper] )
- Hand-off > L2 (Left Trigger) + Left or Right on the right analog stick
[All of these moves should depend on the players stats, such as skill, speed and strength]
2) Kicking-meter ( like the one used in Fifa games to determine the power of your shot) that allows the player to determine the power of the kick. The longer you hold down the
kick button the more likely that it will be charged down. Player stats should also play a role in the distance of kicks.
Use the right analog stick for drop goals and kickoffs (Madden 10).
3) Pass-meter ( like the one used in Fifa games) that allows the player to do skip-passes, by holding the pass button down longer. Lob passes by tapping the pass button.
Off-loading in the tackle is a must, since it is such a big part of the game. (Similar to JLR).
4) Set-play creater: Create set-plays by selecting a player and running a line with him thus setting his movement in the set-play. (Similar to the one in Fifa 10)
5) Line-outs > Use the right analog stick [As mentioned by other] (Down on the analog and then Forward on the analog stick to through. The direction the analog stick end
when pressing forward should determine the direction of the through). Being able to select any jumper when competing for opposition ball and move him and the support players [lifters] to the desired location, where you expect the ball to go. Being able to start a maul from a line-out is also important.
6) Scrums: Should be competitive and should be determined by the teams combined scrummaging stats. Using the right analog stick [As mentioned by other]
(Push the analog stick in the direction of your team, hold it until the referee says ingage and then you flick the analog stick in the direction of the opposition. If you flick the stick to early you get blown for early ingagement.)
7) Better AI of players around the ball-carrier. Support player should run different lines and angles and run of the shoulder of the ball-carrier.
8) Each team should have their own style of play as in real life. Teams such as the Crusaders should run the ball more than other teams. Teams such as the Bulls should keep
the ball under the forwards until the opportunity arises to spread the ball. The teams from the Northern hemisphere should play differently to the teams from the
Southern hemisphere. Sliders used in the Fifa games should be used.
9) Improve the ruck and maul situation. Bing able to choose if the player should join the ruck or pick-up-and-go.
I really like the idea for more running moves, the lack of attacking weapons and lack of animations was a real weakness in the previous games.
Building on your suggestions i would like to see the L2 button being a "power button" that modifys the type of moves available, so;
In Attack
*The right stick would be for elusive manouvers;
-Move the stick to the left= Quick step to the left
-Move the stick to the right = Quick step to the right
-Move the stick left then right = Pronounced step to the right (A players left and right legs would be mapped to the stick (like in madden), so the move would be move fluid and specific to the tempo of how you moved the stick than in previous games where there was just one animation)
-Move the stick right then left = Pronounced step to the right
-Move the stick back = Stutter/Goose step
-Move the stick forward = hop/jump (this could be used to jump over fallen players, in conjunction with a sidestep, or to avoid an ankletap from behind)
You would also then be able to produce combos if you had the right timing and a player with a high enough agility/ elusiveness rating, so if you were to push the stick
up, then
right, then
left,
this would happen
*If you then hold down the L2 button, the stick would be for power manouvers;
-Move the stick to the left = quick fend to the left
-Move the stick to the right = quick fend to the right
-Move the stick left then right = Drop the shoulder to the right (like rupeni does at 2:47 in
this clip)
-Move the stick right then left = Drop the shoulder to the left
-Move the stick back = Head down and leg drive (This was seriously lacking from the last couple of games, its a staple move)
-Move the stick forward = Lomu style bunt
If you got good enough at the game, you would eventually be able to string together combinations of both power and evasion moves; steping to the outside and fending for instance.
In Defence
I see there being three main types of tackles; normal tackles, ballwinning tackles and power tackles.
-Normal tackles are just performed by running into the attacker, these would hardly ever turn the ball over.
-Fetcher tackles would turn over the ball, once a fetcher type tackle is performed, the defender gets to their feet and will turnover the ball unless the attacker has support players to ruck the ball. If not performed correctly it has a chance of missing however and you could get penalised for hands on the ground.
-Power tackles would halt the momentum of the attacking team and have a chance of jarring the ball loose. If not performed correctly It has a chance of missing however and you could get penalised for a high tackle.
*The right stick would by default be for fetcher type tackles,
You would have to line the attacker up to tackle them,
-If the attacker is infront of you, you move the stick forward to tackle them.
-If they step to your right, you move the stick to the right to tackle them
ect..
-Move the stick in the opposite direction to the attacker = attempt to put the attacker to ground without leaving your feet and go straight for the ball (If performed properly, its the quickest and most effective way to turn over the ball. If you get the stick direction or timing wrong, or if the player isnt skilled enough, it is an easy tackle to break. You could also get penalised or yellow carded for not releasing)
*If you hold down the L2 button, it would become a power tackle stick.
You would have to line up the attacker much like the fetcher tackle.
If the attacker is directly infront of you, move the stick forward
ect..
If you move the stick in the opposite direction to the attacker = Lift and slam tackle (This tackle is very likely to knock the ball loose or injure the attacker if performed correctly. If the timing or stick direction is off or the player isnt skilled enough, then its an easy tackle to break. If poorly performed it could become a spear tackle, resulting in a penalty or yellow card.)
* In order for these to work properly, the default view would have to be front on, like in Madden. My biggest problem with the rugby series was that the veiws were side on. ITS NOT SOCCER, you cant see holes opening up in a defensive line from the side. The view has to be front on widescreen for attack and defence.