There have been horses in games forever. No mainstream title has put the same level of focus on them as Rival Stars Horse Racing. For racing fans, this game was a dream come true when it was first released.
Not only does the game put the spotlight very directly on the horses, but it does so at every stage of their development, allowing players to settle into life on a scenic—but also highly productive—ranch.
If you are looking for some horse-related excitement, don’t forget that there are other ways to get it. The Kentucky Derby will be coming up soon. Now is a great time to start researching horses, figure out how to bet on horse racing, and make plans for how you want to enjoy the two most exciting minutes in sports.
So, the Rival Stars Horse Racing VR Edition has recently been released. Is it worth your money?
Rival Stars Horse Racing: Overview
Rival Stars Horse Racing is a sim. It replicates the experience of owning a tranquil horse ranch. As the owner and operator, you breed championship-ready horses and develop your skills as a racer. The story begins when your character inherits a rundown ranch.
As with so many other simulation games, your objective is to bring the family business back to its former glory—and have lots of horse-related fun doing it.
Not only does the game allow you to experience horse breeding in a way that no other video game title has before but it also features a well-defined racing mechanic that empowers your well-bred steeds to run, jump, and race toward the finish line.
There are numerous tracks, all of which are inspired by famous venues that will be immediately recognizable to fans of racing.
What is Rival Star Horse Racing VR?
As the name suggests, Rival Star Horse Racing VR is a virtual reality port of the base game. You can play it on your computer using a VR headset. It features the same basic mechanics of the original title, with additional VR-specific features introduced as well. It is also available on Meta and Quest.
Interesting Race Mechanics
The VR does produce a potentially more satisfying race experience. Where the base game has you controlling your horse with old-fashioned button mashing, the VR model gives you a more life-like experience. Move your hands up and down the way you might manipulate reins to make your horse move.
It’s something of a novel experience, not so different from what Wii players might remember, but it does add a bit of depth to the game.
More Immersive
The best benefit of any VR game is that it puts you more directly in the setting. When you look up, you see the sky. When you raise your hand, it appears on the screen. For many people who love video games, this is the dream.
However, once you get inside, you quickly find that the experience does not fully live up to your expectations. The limitations of VR make it so that the immersive potential of the game is often diminished by the glitchy reality.
The Limitations of VR
Virtual reality games very literally put your head in the game, using a combination of physical cues and other sensory details to increase the immersion factor of the experience. They do so well, but imperfectly.
Games that are ported into VR are generally at least slightly less smooth than their original base platform counterparts. They often suffer graphically. There are also just slightly awkward mechanics that you have to get used to.
For example, in Rival Stars Horse Racing, your hand floats disembodied in the air when you move to feed your horses.
The way you move around a virtual reality game is also a little different. Where the original title allows you to meander around the property manually, the VR edition has your rancher doing quite a bit of teleportation, moving directly from one task or area of the map to the next.
You get used to this gameplay component relatively quickly, but it does dimension the desired immersive effect. Panoramic views are given with one hand, and the ability to walk is taken with the other.
Some people also just experience motion sickness or sensory discomfort when using VR. The ultimate consensus? Well, unfortunately, there is none. Some people love VR. Some people hate it. Pretty much everyone agrees it’s not quite where it could be yet.
Is Rival Stars Horse Racing Worth Your Money?
That really depends. If you already have the game and love it, you might not see the VR port as an improved experience. Simply a different way to enjoy a game that you’ve seen before. How much is that worth to you?
Like many VR ports, Rival Stars doesn’t mechanically live up to its base game counterpart. If you are hoping to experience the title for the first time, you are probably better off sticking with the PC. However, for those who don’t mind sacrificing a bit of smoothness for the sake of experiencing one of their favorite titles in a new way, the VR version could be worth your time.
Will you be trying out the VR version of Rival Stars? What are your thoughts on the VR in general? Still a novelty or the future of gaming? Let us know in the comment section below.
