Overview – developed and published by PikPok, Rival Stars Horse Racing: Desktop Edition is a Horse rearing and racing simulator, where you are tasked with rebuilding your family’s legacy. Take the keys of a rundown ranch and work with a colorful cast of characters, raising horses and becoming a legend in the sport of Equestrianism. This version of Rival Stars Horse Racing is available exclusively on Steam, with a link to the game at the bottom of the review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank the rep for PikPok who provided the copy of Rival Stars Horse Racing: Desktop Edition used for this piece, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting with the story. Please be aware that this paid for version of the game is different from the Mobile release, so the experience here will be different. This is due to the omission of micro-transactions in this release, that the mobile version relies on. I will also be referring to this title as simply Rival Stars during this review for the sake of brevity, and I will be focusing on the core gameplay mechanics.
Story – in the past your family was legendary in the sport of horse racing, with your grandfather retiring at the top. However, a tragedy befell your family leaving the racing legacy in tatters. Many years later, you received a letter from a man named Francis Kwan, who was there during the glory days of the ranch. He believes that the ranch can be restored, alongside the horse racing legacy and he is asking you to come back to the ranch to help.
Gameplay – Rival Stars is a mix of horse rearing/management and racing sim, with the objective of the game being to restore the legacy and prestige of the family ranch. Start off by rechristening your ranch, creating your legacy horse and learning how to race. This game has a pseudo RPG system to it, with a prestige system where players will complete missions to increase their level. These missions make up the story mode for Rival Stars.
As this release is about horse racing, the main focus of the story mode is to become a champion in the sport. This means that players will need to create a stable of horses on their ranch, training them and making them the best they can be. To do this, players will need to earn experience by racing on the various race courses, with several leagues is different locations. At the start of a race, the player can choose a horse from their stable to use.
Each of the horses will be given odds based on their capabilities, with players having the ability to bet on their position at the end of the race. At the end of a race, the player will earn money based on performance at the end of the race. There are three types of race that players can challenge to make their mark on the world of Equestrianism;
- Flat Racing – the traditional style of racing where a pack of horses race around the flat course, with jockeys trying to push their steed to the front of the pack. Each of the races will have varying lengths, offering a different challenge each time. The sprint meter for a horse will build up during the race, with the final stretch being the optimal time to use all the built up energy.
- Cross Country – take on a timed challenge, where the objective is to reach the goal while jumping over gates. If gates are missed or the target time is passed, the player will receive a penalty to their score at the end of the race. Jumps are automatic, so focus on speed and control of the steed.
- Steeple Chase – the newest addition to the title, where the player races along a flat course, with gates that need to be jumped over. The rider must time their jumps precisely to keep their pace, allowing them to sprint further if the jumps are perfect. But do not fret, as the horse will jump automatically if players miss timing, at the penalty of regaining sprint power.
All of the race types have the player in the saddle, controlling the horse with simple controls that are easy to pick up. When a flat track race starts, the player can get a boost at the start of a race, with a well-timed sprint out of the gate. This will give the racer a chance to get ahead of the pack and settle into a good rhythm. The sprint at the end of a flat race uses a rhythm timing, where timing sprints right keep them at a consistent speed.
When a race has been completed, the player will be given rewards for their performance. The main resource that will be earned is gold, which is used for upgrades and entry fees into races. Then there are the resources, which consist of feed and equipment that are used to train your horse at the ranch (explained further below). Last we have the experience points, which will increase the level of the active horse, allowing players to improve their skills.
Back at the ranch, there are many facilities that can be used and improved. The first is the stables, where the player can breed, raise and customize the horses that the players have access to. At the start, the player has a limited number of slots to keep horses and foals. New slots can be added to the stable over time, with upgrades being unlocked during progress. When breeding a new horse, players will need to pick a stud and a mare to sire a new foal.
When a horse is bred, the new foal will be given a grade based on the lineage of their parents. There is a percentage for the grade that may occur, the grade will affect the starting stats that the horse will have. After successful breeding, the new foal will be put in a foal stall, where the baby can be raised to boost their abilities. This can be skipped if the player wishes to, but the bonuses will be lost when raising the foal goes right to adulthood.
Secondly we have the training menu, where the skills of each horse can be raised. As the horses level up, they will be able to be made stronger and faster. This means that the more players level the horses, the more powerful they can become. However, there is a limit to the number of levels that can be gained at a time. Which is due to the capabilities of the training facility, with a need for them to be upgraded using a tier system to set the maximum level for training.
Then there is the Homestead, which is where all of the resources that have been earned from racing and completing goals are kept. There is also a payout system, which lets players earn passive income over time, starting out at a nominal amount and increasing as they are upgraded. All of the facilities can be improved, using the money earned in races and the resources from completing goals. As the player works through story mode, more resources can unlock.
Last to discuss is the community and casual play. There is a market where players can buy horses and resources with a rotating stock, allowing players to spend their hard earned money. Then we have the free roam, where players can select a horse and freely ride around an area, practicing their cross country skills. There is also the option for quick race, letting players jump straight into races with a pool of money that they can bet on themselves with.
Players can also enjoy betting party, where a group can take turns picking horses and betting on simulated races. Each of the players will be able to pick their own horse, place a bet over the course of several races. The player with the most money at the end wins. Last to cover is the multiplayer mode, where players can challenge others from across the world. Sadly, I was not able to get a consistent match to fully test this mode out.
Now with the core gameplay covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.
Controls – this is a pretty simple title in terms of controls, with the thumbstick moving the horse left and right and A/B controlling speed when using a controller. Then there is the mouse and keyboard support, which gives you multiple ways to play the game. The game also works comfortably on handheld PC systems like the Steam Deck and other options on the market, making for a satisfying experience that can be played anywhere.
Difficulty – there is no real challenge with this release, as the challenge comes from raising the horses in your stable to be the best they can be. The racing is mostly automatic, with the option to take yourself out of that entirely by hiring a jockey. There is also no real failure state to the game, as players will be able to just wait to get additional funds to continue racing. This makes the game a relaxed experience, providing a cosy time for horse rearing and racing fans.
Presentation – visually this title looks nice on PC and is pleasant to the eye, with the different horses and patterns, alongside well drawn human portrait art. The motion of the different horses is also pleasing to the eye, with motion capture of horses that allows for smooth animations that work perfectly. The game performs well on desktop and portable PCs, offering an experience with no lag. There is some good sound present too, with voices and audio that fit the game well.
Final Thoughts – I had been aware of this game on mobile, with people I know being fans of the pocket release so when I saw this I wanted to try it out. I was expecting a vastly different experience to what I got, as the mobile version has in app purchases. This version of the game doesn’t and it made for a solid and well-rounded experience, as I could take my time and not feel pressured. There is an element of grind to the game, but it is enjoyable as I can play while I wait.
If you are a fan of horse racing or rearing horses, this game is for you, the story mode has a lot of meat on the hoof and is very satisfying to play. The progression for story mode has a bit of a checklist feel to it, but if players just want to race alone or against others then they can. I can recommend this to everyone, the game is fun and perfect for those who want to play a horse racing game. the only downside to the game is the cost of entry.
In the end, I give Rival Stars Horse Racing: Desktop Edition a final score of 4.5/5. This is a very good horse racing game, with a solid and robust horse rearing simulator, alongside a story mode that keeps players invested throughout the experience. There is a lot of content on offer for an average price, without the in app purchases of the mobile version. If you want to try this title out for yourself, a link to the game will be below.
Link to Steam version (HERE)
W.Kohaku Media 