Kinect Sports Rivals

 Xbox One
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 148 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 148
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 148
  3. Negative: 67 out of 148
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  1. Mariner24
    May 5, 2014
    10
    I held off on buying this game because of the negative reviews about issues people were having with the kinect not responding well. Many reviews mentioned frustrating glitches. This was not the case for me. I played every sport several times this weekend and never had any problems once I tilted my kinect into the correct position. Great game and a lot of fun.
  2. koyukon
    Apr 18, 2014
    8
    I didn't like it so much at first, but it's really grown on me once I figured it out. The user interface could have been a lot better. A lot of things just arent very obvious at the start. Like multiplayer, level select, shopping and equipping could have been closer. On my first couple of days, it was difficult on some levels like the tracking on shooting was abit shaky, wave racing wasI didn't like it so much at first, but it's really grown on me once I figured it out. The user interface could have been a lot better. A lot of things just arent very obvious at the start. Like multiplayer, level select, shopping and equipping could have been closer. On my first couple of days, it was difficult on some levels like the tracking on shooting was abit shaky, wave racing was difficult, soccer didn't make a lot of sense. But I've since learned to make my movements more readable as well as learned how to play better. Now I really look forward to playing it daily and that's quite surprising. Now I see reviews that were quick to judge the game. You really have to give it a few days, do the story and the game will open up after that and you can play as you please (you could do that anytime, but the amount of tabs open is potentially overwhelming). The tracking is really good 85-90 percent of the time. The theme music is catchy. The graphics are refreshing. I love all the sports, but rock climbing especially. Really this is about a 7/10 game for the things that could have been a lot better.. But since I'm really enjoying it, I'll give it 8/10.… Expand
  3. DirtyLilHamster
    Apr 9, 2014
    10
    This game brings out the kid in everyone. It is very fun and you'd have to be a seriously depressed individual to not find some joy within this game. If you are competent enough to set up the kinect then you won't have any issues with the motion controls. You don't have to teach your friends, family, etc how to play with you as it is as easy as standing in front of your TV and moving likeThis game brings out the kid in everyone. It is very fun and you'd have to be a seriously depressed individual to not find some joy within this game. If you are competent enough to set up the kinect then you won't have any issues with the motion controls. You don't have to teach your friends, family, etc how to play with you as it is as easy as standing in front of your TV and moving like you would normally playing the sport. The career takes you through the basics of the 6 sports: Tennis, Jet Skiing (Wake racing), Soccer, Rock Climbing, Target shooting, and Bowling. The game asks you to choose between 3 groups along the way: Eagle, Viper, or Wolf Pack. I found the Viper team really annoying every time they were on the screen so I choose the Wolf Pack which has a cute blonde. All 6 of the sports within this games have their own merits and work fluidly with your body's movement. There are at least 6 different courses for each of the 6 sports and they get harder in difficulty. Also if you keep playing a level that will get more and more difficult as you level up so dies the difficulty to keep you challenged. I keep playing friends in the different Jet Skiing and rock climbing levels and they always feel different with differing time of day (night). Name 1 game where you are scanned into it as the main character on screen and can move with your actually body... There is nothing else like it! I've played this with people that never liked playing video games in the past yet will ask me if I want to play Kinect Sports Rivals again and again! (Great drinking game but make sure to move the furniture out of the way when playing soccer or you'll be sorry).… Expand
  4. DowntownArtist
    Apr 8, 2014
    10
    This game is amazing. It offers you pure fun and family entertainment. This is the best Kinnect Sports ever made. It includes an amazing face building technology and brand new modes that will make you sweat.

    It's a must have!
  5. HANN1BAL-L3CTER
    Apr 9, 2014
    10
    Kinect Sports Rivals is amazing. There are a few hiccups, but the overall experience is amazing. I highly recommend the game for anyone interested in a fun Kinect game that is great for parties and just overall fun. I thoroughly enjoy the game.
  6. AkimboTitan
    Apr 8, 2014
    9
    This game is great fun in parties or big family groups, and offers all the laughs and fun you can expect when a camera generates an athletic cartoon version of yourself in game! The game types are very good (though i'm not a fan of the shooting), and the beautiful sunny environments, and events happening in the background, always give the spectators some nice scenery to look at. The KinectThis game is great fun in parties or big family groups, and offers all the laughs and fun you can expect when a camera generates an athletic cartoon version of yourself in game! The game types are very good (though i'm not a fan of the shooting), and the beautiful sunny environments, and events happening in the background, always give the spectators some nice scenery to look at. The Kinect actually works very well in this game. It has picked up every movement of mine without fail. A recommendation to younger family audiences, as well as older parties looking for a laugh. Great game.… Expand
  7. ryanyang
    Apr 9, 2014
    9
    This game is fun, and provides some exercise for lazy players. Yeah, you can play this game with your family members and friends. However, I think it costs too much for this game, I was expecting the price of this game is around 35.
  8. simpleandhonest
    Apr 24, 2014
    8
    was a positive experience, almost all games track very well besides soccer. tennis however looks dodgy but tracks the motion well and connects (even with the dodge on screen movements). Shooting, jet skiing, bowling and rock climbing are clearly the stars of the show, make sure your not too close, even if it says you're at the right distance, give yourself another half a metre or a metre,was a positive experience, almost all games track very well besides soccer. tennis however looks dodgy but tracks the motion well and connects (even with the dodge on screen movements). Shooting, jet skiing, bowling and rock climbing are clearly the stars of the show, make sure your not too close, even if it says you're at the right distance, give yourself another half a metre or a metre, as it WILL ruin your experience (probably what a lot of people in this section are going through and not knowing).… Expand
  9. RegTom
    Apr 18, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My kids and I have overwhelmingly enjoyed this game so far. Great break from the zombies and bloodshed in all the new titles. The team elements with Viper/Wolf/Eagle disappear after the tutorial (we hoped they would stay around longer actually) but do provide you with some very good accessory upgrades for multiplayer if you finish the storyline.… Expand
  10. Dyce23
    Apr 17, 2014
    9
    There are some people that need to understand that kinect is here to say and it is aimed at a younger and more casual audience. As soon as they realise that and stop giving games a negative rating just because its not aimed at a core player then more people will just get on with actually playing! Now that's out of the way I can honestly say that I enjoy all types of games. First personThere are some people that need to understand that kinect is here to say and it is aimed at a younger and more casual audience. As soon as they realise that and stop giving games a negative rating just because its not aimed at a core player then more people will just get on with actually playing! Now that's out of the way I can honestly say that I enjoy all types of games. First person shooters a a favor mine and then you get a game like this. It has totally taken me by surprise. Its not perfect but the fun you can have make the imperfections perfectly and allows a great gaming experience to come across. I would highly recommend this game to anyone who just wants to have a laugh and enjoy themselves. Microsoft have set the bar with the use of kinect in this game. Its light-years ahead of what the xbox 360 has to offer. I'm not sayin that the first kinect is rubbish because it is not. The new one is just far better than the original. It picks your movements up very well in this game and enables you to stop moving about and trying to get your body in the right place. You just turn on the game and then start playing. The music, graph is and new champions are help to set the mood of the game. Yes its fun but it really makes you want to WIN for some reason. Lol... I have to say this games works very well for the audience that it is aimed towards and I would strongly recommend it to all of my friends. Happy playing!!!… Expand
  11. Prezident
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    This game is amazing! great game to spend time together and the best active game now) Cool sports and very-very similar avatars! Kinect in this game works amaising!
  12. Cirias
    Feb 19, 2015
    9
    I don't really understand the negative feeling towards this game. I picked this up on sale, but having played it for a while, I would have easily paid full price.

    The game is presented really well. Menus are easy to navigate (using controller or gestures), the voice-overs (David Tennant) are fantastic, and each sport has its own hub, complete with updating challenges and tutorials.    I don't really understand the negative feeling towards this game. I picked this up on sale, but having played it for a while, I would have easily paid full price.

    The game is presented really well. Menus are easy to navigate (using controller or gestures), the voice-overs (David Tennant) are fantastic, and each sport has its own hub, complete with updating challenges and tutorials.

    When you first enter the game, you are subjected to a full body and facial scan by Kinect. It's a really fun and innovate way to ease you into the game and it's fun to see how accurately the game re-creates you as your in-game avatar. I wore glasses when I started the scan, but I removed them for the face scan, thinking the game wouldn't notice. Once the scan was finished, David Tennant then cheerily states: "Oh, you can pop your glasses back on now!"

    This is technology that needs to be pushed and it's a shame the Xbox community aren't as keen on it as Microsoft wanted.

    As for the sports, they are fantastic. So much better than what I expected, having read some reviews.

    Tennis is a particular highlight. You can play just about any stroke and the game will pick it up. It's not just a mini-game where you have to time your shots - the way you move and the way you swing your racket all have an impact. Because your avatar follows your every movement, it makes victory taunts after winning a game particularly fun.

    Rock Climbing is my second favourite. You actually have to reach for the individual hand-holds, and the game picks up your movements with surprising accuracy. Plus, you can grab opponents' legs and fling them off the wall, if you're the competitive sort.

    Jet Skiing is a solid sport, too. It was included in the demo, so I'm not as fresh going into this one.

    Soccer and Bowling are both great, too. The Target Shooting is my only issue with the game. I was expecting to be able to squeeze the trigger of the gun, but instead it's just an aiming game.

    I agree that live multiplayer would have been fun, but on the other hand it means you're never stuck waiting for matchmaking to get into a game. You compete against avatars and stats, which I didn't see any problem with.

    I still thrust my arms into the air in victory and fall to my knees in defeat every time I play. For someone whose generation witnessed the advent of 3D graphics (and had our minds blown), the sheer joy of watching my movements replicated in the game, using a piece of technology that sits in my living room, is more than enough to warrant getting this game.

    Don't believe the negativity. This game is seriously impressive. What a shame that Rare were not recognised for their accomplishment.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best Xbox One Game of 2014
36
#36 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2014
36
#36 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 53 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 53
  3. Negative: 8 out of 53
  1. GamingTrend
    Jul 4, 2014
    30
    Kinect Sports Rivals answers the question “What has Rare been up to?”. Sadly, the game falls short of the mark on almost every category, with the biggest hit being on fun. With three of the six included events ranging from unpleasant to unplayable, you get dragged through dialogue I’d never, ever want to hear again.
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  2. Hyper Magazine
    Jun 7, 2014
    40
    Alright, maybe it won't enslave humanity. But there's no good reason to buy and play Rivals. [Issue#249, p.60]
  3. Telegraph
    May 5, 2014
    50
    Those looking for a breezy party game to show off their new machine will find a game with flaws and frustrations that cannot be ignored.
    Read full review
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