Rival Books of Aster

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Rival Books of Aster is a multiplayer casual turn-based strategy game with a historical theme. It was developed by Games by Stitch and was released on March 25, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Rival Books of Aster is a strategy deck building game that features over 140 hand illustrated spells that you can use to build custom decks and go head to head against other players. Each spell is also a page in a living story book that translates itself and reveals its secrets as you play the game.

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72%

Audience ScoreBased on 50 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

The game features a unique art style and aesthetic that stands out from other card games, drawing inspiration from medieval manuscripts and esoteric themes.
Gameplay mechanics, particularly the combo system, encourage strategic thinking and planning, making for an engaging deck-building experience.
The game has a rich lore and interesting narrative elements that enhance the overall experience for players who enjoy storytelling in games.

The game suffers from performance issues, including sluggish animations and slow gameplay, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
There is a significant lack of players, leading to a reliance on AI opponents, which can become repetitive and diminish the multiplayer experience.
The monetization model is heavily criticized, with many essential cards and features locked behind paywalls, making it feel less like a free-to-play game.

gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
80%
10%
The gameplay is characterized by a deep deck-building system and a unique combo mechanic that encourages strategic play, reminiscent of popular card games like Hearthstone. However, some players have criticized the game for sluggish performance and a lack of originality, feeling it closely resembles existing titles without offering enough innovation. Overall, while the mechanics and art style are praised, the execution and pacing have left some players disappointed.
- “Gameplay strategy is often centered around setting up combos, which I love.”
- “The mechanics are easy to learn, the spells are unique, and the art and style is amazing.”
- “There are so many different synergies that can be made, and the unique mechanic of placement of your units is very important.”
- “The mechanics of the game were Hearthstone-like and weren't very well thought out.”
- “I was thoroughly disappointed to find out that this game, despite its unique look, is just another Hearthstone clone, a very blatant one, too, with that I mean its gameplay is exactly like Hearthstone.”
- “Can not recommend in this state in any way, and unless they overhaul the entire gameplay before leaving early access.”
graphics
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique and impressive art style that draws inspiration from medieval and ancient themes, earning praise for its creativity and aesthetic appeal. However, some users note that while the artwork is fantastic, the overall visual experience is marred by performance issues and slow animations. Despite these drawbacks, the distinct visual direction stands out in a market saturated with more conventional cartoonish styles.
- “This game has an amazing art style 10/10 but it was never finished.”
- “Okay, that's a little bit unfair since the team is obviously working hard on that and yesterday's lags are gone tomorrow, but still: performance and effects just complement the awesome artwork in the game, so keep it up!”
- “Also, the aesthetic and character design is phenomenal - they are honestly the most memorable cards I've ever seen.”
- “The game visuals and the game itself are incredibly shallow... think of them as the cabinet dress theme on a poker machine at the casino.”
- “The game isn't as modern as other strategy games, but it pushes to a parchment-styled game, with art styles that relate to ancient Egypt.”
- “Its strongest selling point is its bizarre artwork - it all looks like something from an ancient medieval manuscript, and a lot of the creatures are freaky demonic beasts.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
57%
29%
The music in the game is praised for its beauty and uniqueness, standing out alongside the impressive graphics and user interface. While it enhances the overall experience, it can also evoke a sense of eeriness in certain contexts, adding depth to the game's atmosphere.
- “Beautiful music.”
- “The art stands apart from other card games and so does the music.”
- “It can be enjoyable in many situations, but you can also creep yourself out with the visual aspects; even the music can be sometimes beguiling.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The game features a classic magical card game narrative with a compelling storyline and engaging mechanics, complemented by a rich background that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the unlockable story elements tied to each card, adding depth to the gameplay.
- “It's a classic magical card game with a great solomonic storyline and great mechanics.”
- “I appreciate the unlockable story that goes along with each and every card.”
- “I play Shadowverse mainly, and if you know anything about that game, the last expansion ruined it for me like it did for others. On my quest to find a new digital CCG, Gwent just didn't interest me, Hearthstone I just don't really enjoy, and while I enjoyed Elder Scrolls CCG, I just can't get myself into it.”
- “-story”
- “Love the game background and story.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the improvements in performance and effects that enhance the artwork, others criticize the slow animations and gameplay speed, particularly noting that it feels like a poorly optimized mobile port for PC.
- “The performance and effects just complement the awesome artwork in the game, so keep it up!”
- “The team is obviously working hard on optimization, and yesterday's lags are gone today.”
- “Performance issues, slow animation, and gameplay speed.”
- “It is a mobile port with really poor optimization for PC.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a cash grab, leading to a lack of players and rendering the game unplayable.
- “This game feels like a dead mobile cash grab scam with no players.”
- “The monetization system is overly aggressive and ruins the gameplay experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many paywalls that hinder progress without spending money.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that acquiring full sets of cards can be costly and time-consuming, often resulting in disappointment from receiving low-quality items. This grind is further exacerbated by frequent expansions, which can make it difficult for new players to catch up.
- “I hate grinding for packs of random cards and getting garbage. It can cost a ton of cash to acquire full or mostly full sets. I have most every card in Duelyst and had what there was in Hearthstone before I quit, only to be compounded by expansions, which suppress new players.”
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and frustrating. It often feels like I'm just wasting my time for minimal rewards.”
- “I find the grinding aspect to be tedious and unfulfilling. It takes away from the enjoyment of the game when I have to spend so much time just to progress.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its distinct character and immersive qualities, setting it apart from others in the genre.
- “It's atmospheric, it has character and distinguishes itself.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers praise the character development for its exceptional aesthetic and design, highlighting the memorable qualities of the characters as standout elements of the game.
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”
- “Each character's backstory is rich and engaging, making their growth throughout the game feel meaningful.”
- “The way characters evolve based on player choices adds a unique layer of immersion and replayability.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Rival Books of Aster is a casual turn-based strategy game with historical theme.

Rival Books of Aster is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

Rival Books of Aster was released on March 25, 2024.

Rival Books of Aster was developed by Games by Stitch.

Rival Books of Aster has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its gameplay.

Rival Books of Aster is a multiplayer game.

Similar games include Causa, Voices of the Dusk, Chroma: Bloom And Blight, Infinity Wars: Animated Trading Card Game, Fable Fortune, The Lost Glitches and others.

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