Rivals

About

"Rivals" is a single-player investigative puzzle game with a good plot and sensational soundtrack. As a detective, you'll inspect sources, documents, and audio logs to solve puzzles and piece together the story of Josh and Luke, experiencing a rich, human drama. The game takes place on one screen, with logical deduction similar to "Return of the Obra Dinn" and "Her Story," and offers an NG+ mode, lasting approximately 2-3 hours.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

music16 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Engaging and well-crafted story that immerses players in the rivalry between two fictional musicians, enhanced by a great soundtrack.
Clever puzzle mechanics that require players to piece together clues from various media, providing a satisfying detective experience.
Short playtime makes it accessible and perfect for fans of narrative-driven games, with a good balance of challenge and enjoyment.

The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more depth and complexity in the story.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to place guesses in multiple time slots, can reduce the challenge and intended experience.
Audio quality and voice acting can be inconsistent, and the absence of subtitles may hinder the experience for some players.

music
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
46%
9%
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and ability to enhance the storytelling experience, with many players noting that it provides valuable hints and immerses them in the narrative of the fictional musicians. The soundtrack is described as fantastic, complementing the game's themes and setting, particularly for fans of the late 90s and early 2000s indie/country music scene. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and engagement, making it a standout feature.
- “The best part of the game is the tone, set perfectly by the excellent music.”
- “Fantastic little investigation puzzle game with an amazing soundtrack.”
- “To me, the band references and music tracks were mostly meaningless, but I can see for those interested in 2000's era indie/country music it must have some extra charm.”
- “The music samples and voice recordings made me immersed into the time period and the events, which is the greatest achievement of this game.”
- “The game has two main things going for it: a sudoku-esque system where you deduce clues in various ways ranging from reading diary entries to listening to records and an intriguing, almost bittersweet story about the rivalry between different music currents in the late 90's / early 2000's.”
story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
63%
11%
The game's story revolves around the rivalry between two alternative country musicians, presented through a linear yet engaging narrative that unfolds as players piece together clues from various sources. While the story is not deeply complex, it is emotionally resonant and offers a charming exploration of friendship and competition in the music scene of the late 90s and early 2000s. Overall, it is praised for its well-written narrative and immersive atmosphere, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of detective puzzle games.
- “Both are puzzle games where you pour over letters, interviews, voicemails, and more first-hand sources to learn the story of fictional musicians, in this particular case focusing on the rivalry between two alternative country musicians.”
- “The game has two main things going for it: a sudoku-esque system where you deduce clues in various ways ranging from reading diary entries to listening to records and an intriguing, almost bittersweet story about the rivalry between different music currents in the late 90s / early 2000s.”
- “Wonderful, sensitive, well-written story coupled with interesting insights on the evolution of music in America in the early 00s.”
- “I wish the story had been more complex; you essentially know the major beats from the start and just need to put everything in order.”
- “I appreciated the commitment to full voice acting, but the audio quality was very different from character to character, which took me out of the story a bit.”
- “The story in this one is a bit more linear than in family, but it's still a classic behind-the-music story, and it's no less enjoyable an investigation than its predecessor.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay is centered around a unique mechanic that involves organizing and cross-referencing clues to construct a timeline of events, reminiscent of "Return of the Obra Dinn." Players engage in a relatively short experience, estimated to last around 45 minutes, where they piece together a rivalry between two musicians using a mix of audio and textual clues. The game emphasizes note-taking and connecting details, with a check system that validates progress after five correct answers.
- “A well-executed game whose primary mechanic will be familiar to players of Return of the Obra Dinn -- slot details into a list, with a check happening after five correct answers (instead of Obra Dinn's three correct answers).”
- “The bulk of the gameplay is about cross-referencing dates, making notes, and connecting separate events into a neat timeline.”
- “The game is rather short - I think that the 2-3 hour estimate provided is generous and should only take around 45 minutes of continuous gameplay (not counting new game plus).”
- “The main mechanic is piecing together the timeline of a rivalry between two musicians, using mixed-media clues (audio and textual).”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is highlighted by clever and unexpected elements, such as a fake Reddit post about favorite albums that adds a comedic touch to the gameplay experience.
- “Having to read a fake Reddit post about someone's favorite albums in order to construct a timeline made me laugh.”
- “The witty dialogue and clever puns kept me chuckling throughout the game.”
- “I loved the absurd situations and hilarious character interactions that made every moment enjoyable.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features a story that, while not particularly complex, delivers a surprisingly emotional experience that resonates with players.
- “The story is not super deep but is surprisingly emotional!”
- “I was moved to tears by the character's journey and the choices they had to make.”
- “The emotional depth of the narrative really resonated with me, making the experience unforgettable.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is highly praised for its authenticity, featuring a believable story and well-developed characters that enhance the overall experience.
- “Excellent atmosphere with a very believable story and characters.”