So last summer I thought I would delve into different, non-open world multiplayer mobile horse games to review for my website, specifically targeting iOS devices. I thought I could choose one a month and have a bunch to review. I already reviewed the game Wildshade and afterwards, headed straight into the highly-recommended Rival Stars Horse Racing.
Suffice to say… there’s a reason I haven’t done another review since. I’ve been spoiled by this game. Thoroughly.
The main issue many people complain about in horse games is unrealistic elements, and Rival Stars has that in spades. But is it worth the space on your phone? That’s what I’ll be discussing today.
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Overview of Rival Stars
Rival Stars Horse Racing is a 3-D animated horse game centered around rebuilding a horse racing ranch you, the player, inherited from your grandfather. Through the game, Francis Kwan, the farm manager, Trenton “TJ” James, the training manager, and Sophie Martin, the breeding manager, help you rebuild the ranch to its former glory days, all the while battling scorn from your rival, the rich and snarky Richard Calthorpe.
Throughout the game, you can breed horses, level up the facilities, and ride in flat racing, steeplechase, cross-country, and even show-jumping. Every level has new quests and there are seasonal events where you can earn new horses and rewards. The horse breeding is based on real life horse genetics, so for the genetics nerds out there, this is really the game for you.
The graphics are bizarrely fantastic for the horses on this game. Humans are a little more cringey, but most of the time you’re not focusing on the rider anyway. And the races have odds and the ability to hire jockeys like real life!
While this game is fairly clean (save for ONE subplot element… more on that later) I would say this game would be best appreciated by an older crowd due to its complexity of gameplay. While there are teams that you can join, you can also safely play solo without contacting players or players contacting you. I would also say that I’m decently satisfied with the balance between paid elements and satisfying gameplay in the iOS version.
My favorite element? The HORSE DETAIL! LOOK AT THIS! It’s so hard to play any other horse game after this because the rigs for the horses are gorgeous and the coats too. I prefer the Selle Francais model– they’re the most elegant horses in the game. Currently, the available breeds are Thoroughbred, Selle Francais (both of which are the most easily accessible in the game), and then the “special” breeds: Akhal-Tekes, Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Mustangs, Arabians, Anglo-Arabs, Knabstruppers, French Chasers, and most recently, the Friesian. Unless you have gold (which is the “pay to play” currency in the game) it will be pretty difficult to get any horses besides Thoroughbreds and Selle Francais, unless you’re really consistent with the special events.
I don’t really mine though. The horse models are still really nice.
The racing modes are fairly easy to play in, but not SO easy that you feel cheated. And if you need to do a bunch of races fast, you can simply hire jockeys in flat racing (although doing so usually leads to poorer stats in the race). My personal favorite is crosscountry since you level up the highest and get the most consistent amount of cash from it. You have to breed higher level horses to race in certain events– levels go from 1-10 and you unlock them and the races throughout gameplay.
While tricky to figure out at first, you quickly catch on to the control mechanics (show jumping is still really hard but it’s also very new so they’re probably still working out the kinks). You can also join live events in various disciplines to earn special prizes, or, as game plot dictates, race against different in-game rivals.
Currently, I have few issues with the game. It’s a satisfying gameplay that’s only mildly addicting, and the wait times on things like training and breeding force you away from the game, which is nice sometimes.
My ONE issue with the game is the recent inclusion of a gay character. While not a major plot line, there is a subplot that you learn about via dialogue about TJ dating a man named Brandon. Originally this plot line had a female love interest; it was only in the last couple years Rival Stars made this change. While not prominent or graphic, it is something that more conservative players should be aware of going into the game. The other concerning element (again, offhand mentioned in dialogue) is that Sophie, while engaged and eventually married over the course of the storyline, did apparently live with her fiancé before marriage and they have a five-year-old daughter together. Both things are not condemned in the storyline.
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Notes and Tips
- Be careful about whom you choose to breed. Crossbreeds are great but you don’t get as many points for breeding them, and with limited space in your stables it’s better to breed purebreds.
- The cross-country and steeplechase plot lines are the shortest, with the steeplechase plot line still unfinished.
- Just because your horse has the best odds does not always mean he will win.
- If you hire a jockey, you can choose to watch the race like it’s on film, which is really really really cool XD
- Most of the horses besides Thoroughbred and Selle Francais are really expensive, hard to get, and honestly there’s no extreme difference between them. Don’t waste your gold coins on them. If you get a level 2 in some event, I recommend just training them up and selling them.
- You can hire stallions, but you cannot hire mares. Own more mares than stallions in your herd.
- When naming a horse, take note of the checkbox beneath it labeled “commentary friendly”. If you find a name combination that matches, the announcer on the races will use your horse’s name in the races! (one of these combinations can be Potato Platypus)
- If you get low on cash, race in cross country. They’re often the shortest and have the largest cash prizes for your time.
- Save up gold like heck.
- Make use of the Rose Wheel and compete in live events. Sometimes you can get massive gold prizes or even new, higher grade horses.
- Only use the “Care for Foal” feature on foals you’re really invested in, as it uses up a lot of resources.
- Hire jockeys on Three Oaks to gain more bronze items and quickly level up new horses.
- Make use of the “faster training” events as much as you can, these are great for completing the training challenges.
- Sooner or later, you’ll have to upgrade your facilities, so don’t continually spend all your silver on newer horses. This is honestly a great game to learn budgeting practices one.
- There are only 20 levels of storytelling and 25 levels overall in the game.
- Watch out for “offers” when you open the game. These horses are not free, they cost real money. I don’t recommend spending real money on this game.
Due to the content and complexity of this game, I’d say that Rival Stars is best for 14+. It honestly has some of the best animation of any horse game I’ve seen and between the genetics-based breeding and real horse world inspired gameplay, it’s an excellent game for the horse lovers who want to go beyond simple plot and mechanics. They’re also really good about keeping their players in the loop on upcoming updates and features through their blog on https://rivalstarshorseracing.com/.
If you have any more questions or equine mobile game review requests, comment below!