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Rivalry

PC (Microsoft Windows), Web browser, Mac, Linux • 2016

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Quick resume

Rivalry is a hotseat game where two players take turns moving their rag-doll character’s limbs and weapons until one is victorious. While the beginning stages of each game captures the strategic essence of swordplay, as damage and limbs are taken, the endgame turns rather Pythonesque.

Global score

91/100

Genres

Casual, Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Early Access, Fighting

Similar games

    Pros

    • Easy to learn, hard to master gameplay
    • Fun and humorous combat with friends
    • Low price and good value
    • Variety of weapons and customization
    • Strong social and party game appeal

    Cons

    • No online multiplayer yet
    • Limited graphics and sound options
    • Hotseat mode requires sharing mouse
    • Can get repetitive without updates
    • No story or single-player content

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Leadership, Status.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players control individual body parts and weapons with turn-based moves, allowing freedom in tactics and positioning."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game is easy to learn but hard to master, requiring skillful manipulation and strategic thinking."

    • Competition
      4

      "Focus on 1v1 matches with strategic combat against another player, emphasizing outsmarting the opponent."

    • Continuation
      2

      "Players report hours of fun and replayability, though some find it gets boring after extended play without updates."

    • Cooperation
      -3

      "Primarily a competitive 1v1 game with minimal cooperative elements; mostly played against friends or self."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Some customization options and weapon variety; players experiment with moves and combos."

    • Domination
      1

      "Competitive but no strong evidence of trash talk or exerting authority; mostly friendly rivalry."

    • Escapism
      3

      "Players enjoy the comedic violence and distraction from real life; described as a fun party game."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players buy and play voluntarily for fun, no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players try new weapon combos and tactics, experimenting with different strategies."

    • Exploration
      -2

      "Limited maps and arenas; focus is on mastering known environments rather than discovering new areas."

    • Expression
      1

      "Some character customization and downloadable skins allow modest self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Cartoonish, exaggerated ragdoll violence and unrealistic physics create a humorous fantasy experience."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Strong social element playing with friends locally; community sharing skins and characters."

    • Growth
      2

      "Players develop skill and strategy over time; learning curve present but accessible."

    • Health
      -5

      "No physical activity involved; purely sedentary gameplay."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused turn-based input; not a background or idle game."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Playing locally with friends encourages social bonding and laughter, though not deeply emotional."

    • Leadership
      -4

      "No leadership or management roles; players act independently in turns."

    • Progression
      1

      "Some progression through unlocking or downloading skins and weapons, but limited."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Casual, humorous gameplay provides lighthearted relaxation rather than intense tension."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Visual gore effects and humorous animations provide sensory and emotional fun."

    • Status
      -3

      "No leaderboards or ranking systems; focus is on casual play rather than social recognition."

    • Story
      -5

      "No narrative or story elements; purely gameplay focused."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Turn-based tactical combat requiring planning and psychological play."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense in outmaneuvering opponent but overall lighthearted and comedic tone."

    • Value
      4

      "Highly praised for low price and entertainment value; considered a good purchase."

    • Violence
      4

      "Enjoyment of cartoonish, exaggerated combat with blood and limb removal."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players try to avoid damage and defeat in turn-based combat, managing health and positioning."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026