FIFA 20, The Surge 2, Rugby Champions – Should You Buy Them?

We’re heading into a busy period for game releases, and from big-name sequels to smaller indie titles, there are some interesting games hitting the shelves and digital stores this season. We’ve got our hands on the biggest new games and put them through the ringer to give you everything you need to know about the current releases in one handy feature:

FIFA 20

Available on: Xbox One, PS4, PC

What is it? At this point, you know to expect with FIFA – a solid football sim that’ll keep you entertained for (at least) another year.

Is it any good though? It’s a slight improvement on the best football franchise out there, with a few tighter animations and controls around player movement, edging the series a tiny bit closer to the real thing. But FIFA 20 also adds a few new modes to the formula, which is a nice change that the franchise that, quite arguably, it has been needing. The most exciting new addition, Volta, is essentially a 5-a-side mode akin to the FIFA Street titles of yesteryear, which provides a bit of a faster, more frantic experience that friends on a couch will find the most fun with.

How much does it cost? Find the best price here.

The Surge 2

Available on: Xbox One, PS4, PC

What is it? The sequel to 2017’s Dark Souls-inspired action game, albeit with cybernetically-enhanced lunatics, a dynamic limb-targeting system, and gory combat.

Is it any good? It’s a tightly-tuned game with all the grotesque finishers and brutal combat the series has become known for. The core gameplay loop hasn’t changed too much, so expect a lot of the same, but the environments have seen a huge upgrade with far bigger and varied locales fleshing out the game world and lore of The Surge universe. If you’re a fan of the first game, you’ll get that augmented itch-scratch you’ve been waiting for.

How much does it cost? Find the best price here.

Rugby Champions

Available on: PC (Steam)

What is it? Developed the studio behind the Rugby Union Manager games, Rugby Champions is a new rugby sim which takes you out of the manager’s chair and back onto the field like other rugby games on the market, with the aim to give you a fun, fluid, and customisable rugby experience.

Is it any good? While Rugby Champions doesn’t have licenses or player likenesses, it’s still an extremely enjoyable experience, because the core focus here is on the gameplay, and it’s delivered with an affordable budget in mind. It’s immediately addictive and incredibly fun, and easily the smoothest rugby game currently on the market, where passing feels responsive and the AI is challenging yet varied enough to exploit. Gameplay flows fantastically, and the way the teammate AI allows for some really superb supporting-lines and tries is great. There are some unpolished animations and rough edges to it (particularly in the tackle sequences), and the lack of presentation details might be a deterrent for some, but for those looking for a pure, dynamic rugby experience from a gameplay perspective, this will scratch an itch. And, furthermore, Rugby Champions is designed to be a platform for future improvement and successors, and for less than R120, it’s well worth the money.

How much does it cost? R115

Will you be picking up any of the above gamest? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.