Battle for Control of the Galaxy in Funko Games’ Star Wars Rivals

It’s up to you to decide who gains control over the galaxy in Funko Games’ new Star Wars Rivals Game. Ally yourself with the Light Side or the Dark Side of the Force and battle it out to gain territory across familiar locales. Players will need to forge strategies that make use of each of their characters’ unique abilities. The game also features a “gacha” element, allowing you to expand your roster of playable characters through purchases of mystery boxes. Here’s a closer look at the game, plus my thoughts after playing it!

Star Wars Rivals – Premier Sets, Booster Packs, and Their Functions

Similar to Funko Games’ popular Disney Kingdomania Game, Star Wars Rivals offers two ways to acquire the game pieces used to play, a Premier Set and Booster Packs. Let’s break them down.

Star Wars Rivals – Premier Set ($19.99)

You can purchase a Premier Set, which includes everything you would need to play, including exclusive characters and special locations, but the included pieces are predetermined. You can still expand your options with Booster Packs, however.

The Premier Set includes:

• 4 Character Cards
• 4 Character Movers
• 2 Character Tokens
• 14 Action Cards
• 12 Location Cards
• Exclusive Prism Die
• 12 Influence Loss Tokens
• 3 Location Markers
• High Ground Marker
• Instructions

Star Wars Rivals – Booster Pack ($4.99 each)

If you are relying solely on Booster Packs to play, you will need to buy two of them, a Light Side version and a Dark Side version. Alternatively, Booster Packs can be used to add your character options after purchasing the Premier Set.

Each Booster Pack includes:

• 1 Character Card
• 1 Character Mover
• 2 Character Tokens
• 5 Action Cards
• 2 Location Cards
• Die
• 6 Influence Loss Tokens
• 3 Location Markers
• High Ground Marker
• Instructions

These booster packs offer additional characters and locations not found in the Premier Set. However, you won’t know what’s inside your pack until you open it. 

Here’s a peek at the Light Side Booster Pack:

And here’s a better look a the Dark Side Boster Pack:

Playing Star Wars Rivals

The rules were fairly easy to learn and understand. And the gameplay has enough variables provided by the many different characters and their abilities to keep you on your toes throughout the play session. Intended for two players aged 7 and up (one representing each side of the Force), a standard play session will last about 20 minutes.

Basic Gameplay Concepts

The gameplay is broken into rounds consisting of a series of actions taken in a specific order. Every turn, the Light Side and the Dark Side alternate between having the “High Ground,” which allows them to act first. Players take turns deploying their characters to the three location cards currently set in between them face-up or in the Bacta Tank to remove damage taken during the earlier rounds. After both sides have deployed all three of their characters, whoever has the high ground rolls the die, which indicates which of the three location cards players can obtain (multiple numbers are on some sides).

You can alter your characters’ and your opponents’ Influence Values (the big number on their character card) by playing action cards. Action cards have a wide variety of other uses as well, like moving an opposing character or an ally to another location after being placed, allowing you to draw more action cards and such. I found making the best use of my action cards to be the most challenging and engaging aspect of Star Wars Rivals. 

After the action cards have been played, whichever player’s character (or characters – you can have more than one in a single location) has the highest Influence Value deployed at an obtainable location gets that location card.

Rounds are played until every location card (not pictured) in the deck is claimed by either player. After which, the number values listed on each player’s location cards (they vary) are added up, and the side with the highest score wins.

My Experience

I would not call Star Wars Rivals a “pick up and play” game, but it is pretty close. The pre-game setup is easy, and once you get in the rhythm of the different phases of each round (which only took a round or two out of many), playing progresses smoothly, allowing you to focus more on strategy rather than rules. Because it was my first time playing, my gaming session lasted about 35 to 40 minutes rather than 20, which is estimated to be the typical amount of time, but I didn’t notice because I was absorbed in playing. Star Wars fans and strategy enthusiasts alike will enjoy this game.

Even beyond the actual gameplay, I was impressed with the quality of the figures that serve as character movers in the game. I liked the half-cartoony/half-realistic art style; the sculpting and painting jobs looked clean and well done. I especially appreciated the use of translucent plastic to give the appearance that the powers of the Force are being used, like on Yoda and Emperor Palpatine.

Where to Buy

Currently, only the Premier Set is available and sold exclusively through Walmart. You can find them online and in select stores (more Walmart locations will get stock in June).

But later this year, both the Premier Set and Booster Packs will be available to retailers everywhere.

Even More Star Wars Merchandise

If you are looking for even more galactic goodies to celebrate Star Wars Month with, check out our merchandise guide:

New Star Wars Month Merchandise – A Galaxy of Goods!

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Let’s Hear from You

Would you be interested in playing Star Wars Rivals? Would you side with Light Side or the Dark Side? And are there character movers you would especially want to have in your roster? Let us know in the comments below!

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