Rivals at War

Card-driven squad tactics with online showdowns

Rivals at War swaps trigger-pulling for strategy, putting you in charge of a squad that fights on your behalf against real opponents. The hook is in the cards: you build a roster from packs purchased with in-game currency, assembling soldiers with distinct abilities, special attacks, and cosmetic tweaks. Choosing the right mix before a match, then upgrading troops and gear over time, is where the competitive edge comes from.

Battles play out automatically, and that passive approach has a double edge. Watching your unit execute a plan can be oddly absorbing, especially as upgrades start to pay off. Yet when a match swings against you, the inability to intervene can feel deflating. The game eases you in with a clear tutorial, then settles into a loop of earning new packs, slotting in special items, and queueing up the next confrontation.

There is more to do during combat than simply stare. Camera tools let you lock onto a particular soldier, switch to an overhead view of the entire map, and zoom to scrutinize key skirmishes. Presentation is sharp across menus and arenas, with decent animation and sound effects that sell each firefight, even if the action moments do not rival top third-person shooters for spectacle.

Progression offers plenty to chase, from leveling your strike force to personalizing your squad, and optional purchases accelerate that journey. Crucially, spending is helpful rather than mandatory, so patient players can still advance. Online pairings generally feel fair, keeping most encounters tense without tipping into one-sided routs. The flip side is that mission types do not vary much, which can make longer sessions feel samey.

If you enjoy tactical card battlers, Rivals at War delivers a satisfying blend of planning, collection, and presentation. Those seeking hands-on gunplay will miss the thrill of direct control, but strategy-minded players will find a compelling, upgrade-rich contest of squads.