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The Rival Networks (2021) Board Game

ByMichail

The Rival Networks is a card game released in 2021, designed by Heiko Günther and Travis Kinchy. It is published by Formal Ferret Games and falls under the categories of Card Game, Economic, with a theme based on Movies/TV/Radio. The game is designed for 2 players and has a runtime of 30-45 minutes.

Game Components of The Rival Networks

  • House tokens** in different colors for each player
  • Time Slot Boards** with ratings points tokens
  • Pilot Season cards**
  • Show Deck** with Season cards and Season Finale cards
  • Star Cards**, including Starter Stars and Mega-Star cards
  • Ads cards**
  • Network Cards**
  • Awards cards** separated by Season
  • Viewer Tokens**
  • Ratings Tokens**
  • Executive cards** (optional)

    How To Setup The Rival Networks

    To set up the game, each player chooses a house token and places it on the board on the respective blue or yellow side. Ratings points tokens are placed on the 0 spaces of the Time Slot Boards. Pilot Season cards are shuffled and dealt to each player’s 8PM, 9PM, and 10PM slots. The Show Deck is created by stacking the Season cards with a Season Finale card on top of each set. The top three cards of the Show Deck are flipped face-up to create the Show Display. Each player receives a random Starter Star, which is placed in their Green Room, and the Mega-Star cards are placed nearby. Star Cards, Ads cards, and Network Cards are shuffled and revealed in columns. Awards cards are separated by Season, with the Season 3 Award card kept face-down. If playing with Executives, each player draws two and keeps one. Finally, Viewer Tokens and Ratings Tokens are placed within reach.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Turn Structure: A turn consists of up to four actions, with three mandatory actions performed in order and a fourth optional action (Buy / Play Network Cards) that can be taken at any time.
  • Buying and Playing Network Cards: Players can buy up to three Network Cards per turn and play as many as they like, following the card rules.
  • Ending a Season: A player can end a season by taking the Season Finale Card, scoring viewers for leading time slots and awards based on meeting requirements.
  • Game Objective: The goal is to build a television network, recruit stars, add TV shows, sell advertisements, and gain network advantages to maximize viewers.

    Player Experience

    The Rival Networks offers a competitive and strategic experience where players must balance their resources and actions to outmaneuver their opponent. The game is dynamic, with each season presenting new challenges and opportunities. Players need to adeptly manage their stars, advertisements, and network cards to optimize their ratings and viewer count.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth: The game provides a rich strategic experience with multiple paths to victory.
  • Competitive: Designed specifically for two players, it offers a direct competitive experience.
  • Replayability: With random card draws and variable setup, each game can be different.
  • Theme Integration: The game’s theme of managing a TV network is well-integrated into the mechanics.

    Cons

  • Complexity: The game has a moderate to high complexity, which can be daunting for new players.
  • Learning Curve: Understanding the various mechanics and strategies takes time.
  • Limited Player Count: It is specifically designed for two players, limiting its appeal for larger groups.

    Personal Thoughts on The Rival Networks

    The Rival Networks is ideal for fans of strategic board games and those who enjoy competitive, head-to-head gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate theme-driven mechanics and are looking for a game that challenges them to manage resources and make tactical decisions. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those seeking a quick, easy-to-learn game, it offers a deeply engaging experience for those willing to invest the time to master its intricacies.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl