Tryhard is a sports RPG about managing an underdog rugby club in New Zealand

Grapefruit Games recently revealed Tryhard, a sports RPG about managing an underdog rugby club in New Zealand.

"You were just a tourist visiting New Zealand - but now you're managing an underdog rugby club somehow. Everyone expects you to fail. You've never even played rugby before! But you'll prove them wrong, challenge the champs, and win the Ramphorlie Shield."

Writing in an announcement on Steam they give a little more detail on their thought process for this one, titled "A Sportslike Manifesto". Basically, they want to refresh the entire sports genre with it as other traditional sports games "gnore too many aspects of sports, and thus, have stagnated and offer little to gamers today". Definitely has my curiosity piqued here.

Check out the reveal trailer:

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Feature Highlight:

TACTICAL TURN-BASED AUTO SPORTS

• Fresh blend of tactical RPG, auto battler, and sports genres.
• Build the perfect squad from 15+ recruitable characters and dozens of skills inspired by real-life rugby.
• Rugby knowledge is OPTIONAL. It’s OK, many rugby players don’t know anything about rugby either.

MANAGE A SPORTS CLUB

• Search for club sponsors and fundraise for new equipment.
• You’ll need to recruit a secretary, treasurer, and patron too.
• File paperwork and argue with the bank! The possibilities are endless.

LIVE IN VIRTUAL NEW ZEALAND

• Even if you lose, the story mode continues, just like real-life.
• Explore an authentic 3D recreation of the biggest city in New Zealand!
• Keep your day job, pay the rent, feed your dog, go on dates… but definitely DO NOT fall in love.

No release date has been announced for it yet. You can follow the developer on Bluesky.