Rival Knights 1.0.0.0

Rival Knights is an exciting jousting simulation game that allows you to become a knight of the realm. Step into the saddle and experience the adrenaline rush as you charge towards your rival on your trusty steed.

The objective of Rival Knights is simple yet brutal: knock your opponent off their horse. This genre of mobile gaming has been surprisingly overlooked, with only a few comparable rivals available in app stores, such as the excellent Joust Legend.

The game offers both a single-player campaign and online events. In single-player mode, you progress through the game by taking on increasingly tough opponents, working your way through different leagues and challenging some of the most noble knights in the land.

Online events allow you to compete against players from around the world, giving you the chance to win prizes such as in-game items and currency, as well as earn a spot on the leaderboard. An interesting feature is the ability to recruit teammates from your Facebook friends or other players, who can earn rewards for you, allowing you to continue playing the game.

In Rival Knights, each match requires you to pay a 'seal', which serves as the in-game currency. While you can easily recoup seals by winning matches, it can be frustrating when you run out.

The game features a shop where you can purchase armor, lances, horses, and other items, all of which can be upgraded using coins won in the game. This provides motivation to keep playing, although some players may find the repetitive nature of the game tiresome, as it mainly involves charging at opponents on horseback.

The game mechanics in Rival Knights are threefold. Firstly, you must tap as soon as the countdown reaches 'Go' to start the race. Secondly, you need to maintain acceleration by tapping when the moving indicator in the speed gauge reaches the green area. Finally, when you are level with your rival knight, you must swipe and tap on the shrinking target to strike with your lance. This part of the battle process can be challenging, and getting it wrong can result in being sent flying off your horse.

Rival Knights offers a training level at the start of the game to help you practice the battle mechanics. However, once completed, there is no way to go back and try again, which can be a disadvantage as it may take a few rounds to get the hang of it. Training rounds can be unlocked later in the game.

The overall look and feel of Rival Knights is excellent, immersing you in the medieval times. The 3D knights and horses are realistic and move authentically. The slow-motion ragdoll effects when a knight is dismounted are visually stunning, especially when it happens to your opponent. The backgrounds are lavish, with weather and time of day changing between events.

The sound effects in Rival Knights are lifelike, and the harp music that plays in the menu screens adds to the immersive experience of the dark ages.

While jousting as a sport can be repetitive, Gameloft has attempted to liven it up with upgrades, online modes, boosts, and more. However, some players may still find virtual jousting monotonous. Nevertheless, the game's concept and exceptional presentation make Rival Knights worth checking out, especially if you've never experienced jousting before.