RIVE

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. IGN Italia
    Sep 15, 2016
    90
    Furious and reckless action, tricky jumps and a crazy amount of bullets: if you're an hardcore enthusiast who loved the 16-Bit era and if you're in for a real challenge, do yourself a favor and give a chance to Rive... You won't regret it.
  2. 4P.de
    Sep 16, 2016
    85
    Rive is as tough as it gets. But while the mixture of platforming and twinstick-action is very challenging and can push you over the edge, it has its heart in the right place.
  3. Digitally Downloaded
    Jun 4, 2017
    80
    Rive is excellently made, and I had a great time flying through space alongside Roughshot. It’s clear that the developers behind it were passionate about making the best experience possible. Rive holds its ground among the best 2D shooters available on PSN – it’s a title which I would readily recommend to anyone with a free afternoon and an affinity for twitch gameplay.
  5. DarkStation
    Nov 25, 2016
    80
    Two Tribes were always known for their tight gameplay and responsive controls and in those areas the game succeeds in flying colors. But the new things they invested in for their final game such as voice acting and an actual plot just feels average in comparison. The game is 15$ on PSN, so if you want a 5-6 hours long game that will push you to your absolute limits in terms of sheer skill, then RIVE is definitely worth checking out.
  6. IGN Sweden
    Nov 22, 2016
    80
    Rive is a fun and challenging game. The game design can be frustrating sometimes, but reward makes it worth it.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Sep 23, 2016
    80
    Those overwhelmed by Rive's unapologetic difficulty can’t say they weren’t warned.
  8. GameSpot
    Sep 16, 2016
    80
    Rive is demanding, but it pushes the kind of near-thoughtless play that shoot-em-ups strive to achieve. When faced with an onslaught of enemies and environmental hazards, you'll have to think fast or die. Rive also doesn't run all that long, but what's here is excellent, top-notch action, and the game delivers some of the most memorable moments in a shoot-em-up in years.
  9. Vandal
    Sep 13, 2016
    80
    RIVE is a great 2D shoot 'em up, which is challenging and fun. It's a little bit short, but intense nonetheless.
  10. COGconnected
    Sep 24, 2016
    78
    It is so well-designed that its mechanics alone merit a look. It’s just a shame that the moment to moment experiences are so thrilling and yet so unable to affect.
  11. Everyeye.it
    Sep 19, 2016
    78
    RIVE is an old-fashioned shooter. Brutal by vocation and well capable of entertain hardcore gamers, it loses some of its appeal during the last missions.
  12. PlaySense
    Oct 4, 2016
    75
    RIVE is challenging, funny and chaotic. Unfortunately, it's also a bit short and its weapons derivative.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 5 out of 22
  1. sityoazzdown
    Sep 5, 2019
    8
    extraordinary action packed twitch based twin stick shooter. Good but mostly unfair platforming sections. 110% trial and error game. It'sextraordinary action packed twitch based twin stick shooter. Good but mostly unfair platforming sections. 110% trial and error game. It's challenging and sometimes unfair, but they have generous checkpoints and that alone counters the negatives for me.
    Pros: Challenging, generous checkpoints, action packed and a lot of explosions, fun.
    Cons: About an 4 hour game ( but that's usual for this genre), 110% trial and error game.
    Very challenging and fun-action packed twitch based shooter, wish this will become a franchise, but sadly wont.    … Full Review »
  2. BackupSidekick
    Sep 27, 2016
    9
    I am a very big fan of twin stick shooters and this was a big hit for me.
    Pros: Very Challenging, the handling was very smooth and    I am a very big fan of twin stick shooters and this was a big hit for me.
    Pros: Very Challenging, the handling was very smooth and responsive, the character designs were interesting
    Cons: some areas were incredibly difficult (I found it thoroughly enjoying, but for other players may be a problem) end boss seemed non-intuitive for how to defeat, main character seemed fun at beginning but lost appeal throughout the game.

    I play games for visual appeal, handling, and a good challenge. story line isn't as important to me. Expect a typical arcade style game play.    … Full Review »
  3. GayKlingon
    Sep 26, 2016
    9
    Fed up with space shooters giving you a helping hand well fret no more this game has one setting HARD
    the difficulty curve was designed by a    Fed up with space shooters giving you a helping hand well fret no more this game has one setting HARD
    the difficulty curve was designed by a sadist ...but you come back for more it has an addictive quality that edges off the frustration you feel when you die for the tenth time in a row by a millisecond
    the levels are well designed and the game is fast and furious and worthy of replaying dont worry if you cant hack it you get an easy mode offered to you at a cost hands out the best shooter ive played in a while    … Full Review »
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