Rivality (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Rivality is a fantasy board game designed by Lucie Mercier and published by Nostromo Éditions. It was released in 2023 and is designed for 1-4 players, with the best experience being with 2 players. The game has a playing time of around 20 minutes and is suitable for ages 10 and up. Rivality is a tile placement game with area majority and influence mechanics, where players compete to control territories and gain points.

Game Components of Rivality

Terrain tiles

Magician and golem figures

Magic spell tokens

Shield tokens

Player boards (if applicable)

How To Setup Rivality

To set up Rivality, each player starts by drawing a set of terrain tiles and placing their magician and golems on their starting tiles. The game area is formed by placing these terrain tiles, which will become the battleground for the magicians’ golem armies. The mana fountain, the central source of magic, is the focal point around which players will build their strategies.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players take turns placing one of two terrain tiles from their hand, positioning their magician and a golem on the new tile.

Magic Spells: Activate magic spells on the placed tile to send golems to adjacent tiles 1-3 spaces away.

Shield Mechanics: Some tiles have shields that block golems; a tile with 1 shield requires 2 golems to attack.

Golem Limit: Only 5 golems can be on a tile; excess golems from opposing players are removed.

Entrenched Tiles: Tiles with 5 golems from one player gain an additional shield.

Game End: The game ends when all players have played all their tiles or one player has used all their golems. The player controlling the most valuable areas wins.

Player Experience

In Rivality, players embark on a strategic journey to control the area around the mana fountain. Each turn requires careful planning, as the placement of tiles and the activation of magic spells can significantly impact the game’s outcome. The game offers a dynamic and competitive environment, especially in multiplayer mode, where players must balance defense and offense to outmaneuver their opponents.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The combination of tile placement and magic spells offers a rich strategic experience.

Replayability: Random tile draws and variable player strategies ensure high replayability.

Solo Mode: The solo mode against the evil sorcerer Suramun provides a unique and challenging puzzle-like experience.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above, making it a great family game.

Cons

Short Playtime: The game’s 20-minute playtime might feel too short for some players.

Luck Factor: The random draw of tiles can introduce an element of luck that might affect strategy.

Limited Complexity: The game’s complexity is rated as medium to low, which might not appeal to hardcore strategy gamers.

Personal Thoughts on Rivality

Rivality is an excellent choice for those who enjoy strategic planning and area control games. It is particularly suitable for families or casual gamers looking for a game that is easy to learn but still offers depth and replayability. The solo mode adds an extra layer of complexity and challenge, making it a great option for those who enjoy solo gaming experiences. However, players seeking highly complex or long-duration games might find Rivality a bit lacking.

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