Rival Stars Horse Racing is effectively a mobile phone port that replaces microtransactions with a one-off payment. I think this is a fantastic move, and I was always going to love this game. I was obsessed with G1 Jockey as a child, and this has filled a void in my gaming library. Although it is relatively repetitive, and it won’t appeal to everyone, it kept me entertained as I raced over the flats, enjoyed the excitement of the jumps, and relaxed in the free roam mode.
PikPok has published and developed this sports simulation title. I enjoyed it solo, but you can play online and observe your friends racing. I had my review copy before it was released, so I didn’t get to experience this. Instead, I spent hours practising, racing, and breeding the perfect horse. The result is an addictive sports sim title where a pleasant blend of drama, excitement, and relaxing moments takes centre stage.
Rival Stars Horse Racing and the revival of a lost legacy.
Many sim games use the same theme for their plots. This should be boring and off-putting, but it isn’t. Many lovers of this genre don’t need a story at all. Instead, they focus on the action and let the story fade into insignificance. I, however, love a good plot. I want something to get my teeth into, and Rival Stars Horse Racing didn’t disappoint. You have a rundown ranch that is owned by your family. Your reputation is on the line, and you need to prove that you can rebuild and come back stronger. It is simple, but it works extremely well.
Despite the plot, you spend most of your time concentrating on each race, your trainers, and breeding horses. With a central prestige system, graded horses, new races, and challenging events, there is plenty to sink your teeth into. Yet, if I were to be critical, it is a little rinse and repeat. One race is very much like another, and I’d have preferred more variables to make things challenging.
Poor weather, dodgy surfaces, or fatigue management would have made things much more interesting. Had any of these ideas been implemented, the game would have been much better. Instead, you focus on the race day stamina, positioning, and a bit of luck to see you through.
Breed the best horse.
Prestige and an impressive stable are what you need to see you through. Rival Stars Horse Racing has in-game quests that must be completed to progress. Upgrading facilities, completing races, or breeding a certain standard or type of horse are all par for the course. This breaks up the focus on the racing and was a nice management touch.
I’d have liked this element to be more in-depth. It would have been great to hire jockeys to work with you permanently, or apprentices to improve as you went through the latter stages of the game. This would have kept things ticking over while increasing realism.
Thankfully, this idea has been incorporated into the horse breeding system. Each different horse has pros and cons. You must match these to each race type, and breed bigger and better horses. This was tough and is something that takes time, money, and some basic understanding of the core mechanics. However, once you get to grips with it, you’ll enjoy breeding some incredible thoroughbreds or unique combination horses.
Rival Stars Horse Racing is nice to look at.
Rival Stars Horse Racing isn’t a visual masterpiece, but it looks nice regardless. I like the vibrant colours, the smooth animation, and the easy-to-follow camera angle. Moreover, the use of pace adds drama at the end of every race. As you explore your ranch, you can take the time to absorb your surroundings. This was nice as the world is pleasant and has some nice variety.
The audio is as dramatic as you’d expect. The commentary is fast, energetic, and enough to get your heart racing. The music has a pleasant upbeat tone that’ll keep you wanting to race. Although it isn’t amazing, it offers enough variety and works with the theme.
Simple controls.
Mastering the controls was a walk in the park. Timing your movement and retaining stamina was simple. Furthermore, the excellent tutorial helps you along the way. Additionally, the UI is clean and easy to look at. In short, it is easy to play, and anyone who likes horse racing can play it with ease.
Replay value focuses on the breeding system and increasing your prestige. Once you hit the top ranks, the online mode could keep you focused. However, if you lack friends who love this genre, things could become stale. Therefore, replay value depends on your love of the genre and if you wish to breed the perfect horse.
Rival Stars Horse Racing is fun, but not perfect.
I was always going to love Rival Stars Horse Racing. The racing is exciting, and I like the simple plot. Additionally, having the best horse to compete during the toughest races was a joy. I can’t wait to play this online, but this will only add a minor layer of depth. Accordingly, it is fun, but not perfect, and I recommend buying a copy here! Can you become the next big thing? Pick your horse, learn the ropes, and master every course.
