Release Date: January 5, 2016
A sequel to Hardware: Online Arena - a PlayStation 2 game. It is a multiplayer action racing game developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. The gameplay is based on online duels between the players who control different, armed vehicles. The game offers a wide variety of vehicles that fall into several main categories - each machine has its own different strong and weak spots.
Hardware: Rivals for PS4 is a multiplayer-focused action game that belongs to a genre known as vehicular combat. The game is a spiritual heir to Hardware: Online Arena released in 2002 on Playstation 2. The older game was one of the first online-only games for that console. Hardware: Rivals was developed by one of the internal teams of Sony Computer Entertainment, comprised of both the older game's fans, and its developers.
The gameplay mechanics are similar to those in the first, installment and other similar games such as Twisted Metal series. Dynamic multiplayer clashes between players sitting behind the wheels of armed vehicles is the essence of the gameplay. The game offers a large number of vehicles divided into categories. Each category has its strong and weak sides - that requires the player to switch between different tactics. For instance, quick and agile rovers are capable of moving swiftly across the map, but these vehicles are more vulnerable in open combat against better-armored vehicles. Conversely, heavy tanks are substantially more durable and have much more firepower, but their mobility is greatly reduced.
Hardware: Rivals for PS4 features an upgrade system, which is a common mechanism in online games. During the game, the player's vehicles earn experience which can be spent on a multiplicity of upgrades available. The player gradually unlocks the upgrades when progressing in the gameplay.
As an online-oriented game, Hardware: Rivals for PS4 offers a diversity of game modes which come with many maps. The player can seek a solitary challenge, or one requiring a teamwork. Apart from that, there are plenty of in-game events being organized regularly. These offer different kinds of challenges, which often stand out with some original, unusual rules.
In of graphics, Hardware: Rivals follows into the footsteps of the original game, but the sequel has a more cartoonish stylistics. Of course, the biggest difference between the two installments lies in the graphics quality. The second installment fully utilizes the console's technological capabilities.
Platforms:
PlayStation 4
Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
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System Requirements for Hardware: Rivals Video Game:
PlayStation 4
s:
PlayStation Network
Game Ratings for Hardware: Rivals Video Game.
Pure Playstation: 6 / 10 by Chris Harding
Hardware: Rivals isn't the best game in the world, but it's certainly not terrible. There's a good selection of maps to play on, as well as some classic game modes that make up the bulk of multiplayer games. The combat is sketchy at times, but with a bit of practice (and a lot of patience) you'll find yourself racking up the points.
Destructoid: 6 / 10 by Chris Carter
Hardware: Rivals has a good core concept and engine, but it needs some work around the edges. A lot of little things added up for me the more I played it in an increasingly annoying fashion, most of which can be fixed with proper updates.
PlayStation LifeStyle: 5.5 / 10 by Ben Tarrant
It's colorful and quite ridiculous; it's simple, accessible and well populated. Hardware: Rivals has most of the ingredients present to cook up a fantastic arcade experience, but it's missing a vital ingredient: fun. The sluggish pace that permeates everything from movement and destruction to respawning and leveling up constantly holds it back. Even unlocks are few in number and, being mostly cosmetic, carry little to no incentive in the first place. If someone hooked Hardware: Rivals up to an espresso drip, then we'd certainly have an entirely different game. Alas, there's a solid mound of squandered potential here, below a deceptively enticing facade.
Average score from votes.