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Rival Stars Horse Racing

Rival Stars Horse Racing Game Cover
94%Game Brain Score
graphics, story
grinding, monetization
94% User Score Based on 2,177 reviews

Platforms

PCMac OSSteam DeckWindows
Buy Nowfrom $23.54
Buy NowGet on Steam €38.99
Rival Stars Horse Racing Game Cover

About

Rival Stars Horse Racing is a single player and multiplayer casual racing game. It was developed by PikPok and was released on June 24, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

In Rival Stars Horse Racing, train and compete with your own thoroughbred horses in a variety of race events. Manage your stable, hire staff, and make strategic decisions to build a winning racing team. Experience intense PvP multiplayer modes, join a racing club, and climb the leaderboards for ultimate bragging rights in this immersive horse racing simulation.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Rival Stars Horse Racing screenshot
Rival Stars Horse Racing screenshot
Rival Stars Horse Racing screenshot
Rival Stars Horse Racing screenshot
Rival Stars Horse Racing screenshot
Rival Stars Horse Racing screenshot
Rival Stars Horse Racing screenshot
Skip User Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,177 reviews
graphics231 positive mentions
grinding52 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and realistic horse animations.
  • The breeding system is engaging, allowing players to create unique foals with various coat colors and patterns.
  • The game is free from microtransactions, providing a complete experience for a one-time purchase.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, especially after completing the main story.
  • The game lacks certain features present in the mobile version, such as jumping competitions and live events.
  • The price point is considered high by many players, with some suggesting it should be lower for the amount of content available.
  • graphics
    339 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Rival Stars" are widely praised for their beauty and realism, with many users highlighting the stunning horse models and detailed environments. While some reviews note that the game appears to be a mobile port, the overall visual quality is considered superior to other horse racing games, making it a standout in its genre. However, a few users mention that the graphics can feel somewhat dated compared to modern standards, and there are calls for more customization options.

    • “The graphics are amazing, the controls actually make sense (unlike other horse racing games) and there is so much to do!”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the variety of colors and patterns for horses is amazing, the movement of the horses and the sounds they make are quite authentic.”
    • “The graphics are stunningly smooth; while the story of the game is heartbreaking, inspiring, and intriguing.”
    • “As is, it definitely looks like a mobile game port with 3D graphics that Unity horse games of the early 2000s already had down to a science.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre at best.”
    • “It's only redeeming quality is the pretty graphics, but that doesn't make up for how shallow and empty the gameplay feels.”
  • story
    280 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally described as simple and somewhat repetitive, often serving as a backdrop to the main gameplay of racing and breeding horses. While some players appreciate the charming graphics and engaging characters, many find the quests to be grindy and lacking depth, leading to a sense of boredom after completing the main storyline. Overall, the narrative provides a basic structure for progression but could benefit from more variety and depth to enhance player engagement.

    • “Rival Stars is a great horse game compared to others; the horses look nice (graphic-wise and model-wise), the gameplay is simple, and it has a great storyline. I am very excited to finish the story quest.”
    • “The story is fun, with lots of horse colors and patterns to discover.”
    • “The graphics, animations, and sounds are stunningly smooth; while the story of the game is heartbreaking, inspiring, and intriguing.”
    • “The story mode is simple and cute, but the horses don't age.”
    • “The game is fun but once you've completed the story quests it can get a bit boring and repetitive as there's not much more to do besides constantly breeding, training, and racing horses.”
    • “The story is a little repetitive and lackluster but it's a very fun game and I had about 60-70 hours within the first two days of owning it.”
  • gameplay
    145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this horse racing and breeding game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the beautiful graphics and engaging breeding mechanics, but criticizing the overall gameplay for being repetitive and simplistic. While some enjoy the racing mechanics and find the gameplay loop satisfying, others feel it lacks depth and complexity, often comparing it unfavorably to the mobile version. Additionally, the presence of grindy elements and mobile game design choices detracts from the experience for many players, leading to a consensus that while the game has potential, it currently feels incomplete and overpriced.

    • “Horses are beautiful and gameplay is fun and progressive.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, beautiful horses, and such a good gameplay system!”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun and solid and easily addicting.”
    • “While I don't necessarily expect tens of hours of gameplay from horse games, this doesn't even deliver satisfactory gameplay as a horse game or a stable management sim in the few cumulative hours that it offers.”
    • “Everything is oversimplified and overall gameplay is quite shallow.”
    • “It's only redeeming quality is the pretty graphics, but that doesn't make up for how shallow and empty the gameplay feels.”
  • grinding
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely described as repetitive and tedious, often requiring players to engage in the same races and tasks repeatedly to progress. While some players find enjoyment in the grinding process, particularly in training and breeding horses, many express frustration with the lack of challenge and the time-consuming nature of leveling up. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate a grind-heavy experience, but it may not be suitable for players seeking a more dynamic or varied gameplay loop.

    • “I'm glad that training isn't tedious, but it's also not fun.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The graphics, even on a lower computer, are good and it requires no tedious loading screens.”
    • “When the waiting and paywalls are stripped away, it is a very repetitive, tedious 'number go up' game.”
    • “I found this game to be very tedious and repetitious, nothing like it portrayed.”
    • “The training process is just super tedious, like I can buy a caretaker for a foal, so why can't I buy a trainer to manage this for me too and get some XP for the horse so I don't have to go and race and train and race and then train again?”
  • monetization
    55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has successfully removed all microtransactions and ads, offering a one-time purchase model that many players appreciate compared to the mobile version, which is riddled with in-app purchases and waiting timers. While the desktop version retains some grindy gameplay elements typical of mobile games, players find it a more enjoyable experience without the financial pressures of ongoing payments. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as a significant improvement, making the game worth its upfront cost.

    • “This game is a very well-developed long-term project that makes you have to always have money in your pocket, and the best thing is, there are no in-app purchases!”
    • “This version is so much better than mobile; you buy it once and there are no microtransactions.”
    • “There are absolutely no microtransactions (way to go, PikPok!)”
    • “The app is more pay-to-play in the sense that gold is incredibly hard to get unless you pay for in-game purchases, even with membership.”
    • “Considering this game is more-or-less expensive for the genre, I feel very offended and frustrated with the fact that the developers blatantly favor adding content and updates to the mobile version (which to my best knowledge is free to download- albeit with in-app purchases, however this does not whatsoever justify this situation).”
    • “Those frustrating features of the app, in my opinion, were the double currency (silver and gold), the monthly subscriptions, the extreme price of breeding/tack/buying horses, the difficulty of getting certain grade feeds (basically had to use the final gift price on races to get anything I needed), the lack of energy (only having 10 when all of the races cost 2), and the microtransactions/the horses offered with 'crazy' designs on a free app for $20.”
  • stability
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting a smooth experience and minimal bugs, while others encounter frustrating glitches, particularly during races and character animations. Some users noted improvements over time, suggesting that patches have addressed earlier issues, but a few persistent bugs remain. The user interface, influenced by its mobile origins, has also drawn some lighthearted criticism for its size.

    • “It is really realistic and has no glitches.”
    • “No glitches so far, no overly frustrating moments.”
    • “I play this game on my Mac and it runs great!”
    • “Some things I really dislike sometimes are the glitches; they really annoy me when I'm getting ready for a race and the game glitches and I miss my start, which takes me to last place.”
    • “The positional mechanic to charge your sprint meter is incredibly buggy.”
    • “I love the game, but I'm disappointed as I have two very annoying glitches that I am sure followed with the recent update/patch. When I enter quick time, the horse is stiff and is in some sort of idle animation, and the rider is kind of stuck in the horse's chest.”
  • music
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its calming and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience without being overwhelming or dull. Players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to evoke competition during races while also providing a soothing backdrop. However, some users express a desire for more musical variety and additional sound effects to enrich the auditory experience further.

    • “The mechanics are all super smooth, the graphics are beautiful, the soundtrack is good, and the story is enjoyable.”
    • “This game still holds up very well and as a whole is very calming and beautiful; both with the visual aesthetics and music.”
    • “The background music is so calming, and the music before racing gives you competition vibes!”
    • “Both versions should have more musical variety and more sounds added; more horse sounds, crowd, birds, wind in the trees, rain, etc. the controls during the rides are garbage.”
    • “The music is fine.”
    • “Makes me think of a song off of Lost Highway a little bit, but more humorous.”
  • optimization
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players report that "Rival Stars" is well-optimized, particularly on desktop, where it runs smoothly with impressive graphics. The race AI is effective, minimizing issues like getting stuck during critical moments, and users experience minimal lag on decent computers. However, some players note that while performance is generally good, the valuation of horses could be better aligned with their performance and pedigree.

    • “Played Rival Stars on mobile since its start, which I still do and enjoy, but desktop is just so gorgeous and runs smoothly.”
    • “It is realistic, graphics are amazing, everything runs smoothly.”
    • “I have had little to no lag during my gameplay, so performance shouldn't be an issue for a pretty decent computer.”
    • “I can see maybe half the purchase price, but the value of the horse should depend on his or her performance, and - if you want to get detailed - his or her pedigree.”
    • “*** update: horses do increase in value depending on performance, and there is a slight variation for higher grade, but the purchase and sale prices are still very skewed.”
    • “Thoroughbreds have plenty of cool genes in the breed, but the best racers in the world very rarely showcase them (the breed is bred for performance, not looks, after all).”
  • humor
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusingly absurd horse models and the charm of randomly generated names, which players find hilarious and often prefer over personal naming. Additionally, the unique personalities of the characters contribute to the overall comedic experience, making it a standout in the equestrian genre. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to gameplay, enhancing player enjoyment.

    • “The in-game art for the people is so beautiful, and then there’s the models - they look like potato monstrosities, but that’s more funny than annoying to me personally.”
    • “I find the random name suggestions hilarious and prefer to keep them than name myself.”
    • “The characters each have their own funny personalities which I think brings the whole game together.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers high replayability with diverse content and play styles, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate exploring different strategies. However, some users find the desktop version lacking in replay value due to repetitive quests and limited endgame activities.

    • “It's a fun game with a bunch of content and is 100% replayable.”
    • “Good graphics, high replay value, lots of different play styles (while following the storyline), overall one of my favorite new age horse games out there.”
    • “I've maxed out 2 stables already and will be starting a third because the replayability is amazing.”
    • “It's a decent game, but not replayable really.”
    • “This version of Rival Stars Horse Racing is very bare, with very little replay value.”
    • “There is little to no replayability in the desktop version; the quests are more of the same every level, and when you have reached max level, there is not much left to do other than breeding and racing some more.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a wholesome storyline and stunning visuals, which create a pleasurable experience. However, some players feel that the narrative lacks depth, preventing a strong emotional connection with the characters, while others find the story boring and unworthy of its price. Overall, the game elicits mixed feelings, balancing between inspiring moments and a lack of engagement.

    • “The graphics, animations, and sounds are stunningly smooth; while the story of the game is heartbreaking, inspiring, and intriguing.”
    • “Simple controls, wholesome storyline (so far) and just a pleasure to play.”
    • “The story felt incredibly dull and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
    • “I found the narrative to be unengaging, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters.”
    • “The emotional moments fell flat, leaving me feeling indifferent rather than moved.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive race day experience, featuring engaging horse animations, cinematic graphics, and atmospheric music that enhance the excitement of the races. Players appreciate the dynamic commentary and the overall drive of the game, which effectively captures the essence of a real horse racing event.

    • “The cinematic graphics are good, as is the sound, and it really does manage to capture the atmosphere of going to a race day.”
    • “I really liked the atmosphere during the races; the interesting pumping of horses creates a sense of drive from the game, and it is not clear who will win.”
    • “Sure, it has great graphics, atmospheric music, and a plethora of words you can pair off as your horse's name to hear it repeated as commentary in true horse track racing style.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While users appreciate the character designs and graphics, there is no specific mention of character development in the provided text. Therefore, it appears that character development may not be a focal point in the reviews.

    • “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a strong emotional connection with each character.”
    • “I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
    • “The backstories and personal growth of the characters are well-crafted, adding layers to the overall narrative.”
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40h Median play time
50h Average play time
13-55h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Rival Stars Horse Racing is a casual racing game.

Rival Stars Horse Racing is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 50 hours playing Rival Stars Horse Racing.

Rival Stars Horse Racing was released on June 24, 2020.

Rival Stars Horse Racing was developed by PikPok.

Rival Stars Horse Racing has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its grinding.

Rival Stars Horse Racing is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Rival Stars Horse Racing, The Ranch of Rivershine, Wildshade: Fantasy Horse Races, Riding Club Championships, Equestrian the Game and others.