Rive (video game)
Rive is a platforming shoot-em-up game created by the Dutch video game company Two Tribes for PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux and Nintendo Switch, and is the first major release by the company after the company's downsizing and closure of their primary development team in late 2013.[2] The game was unveiled on July 29, 2014, after a long time of quiet development of the game that originated as a 3D shooter for the Nintendo DS in 2005.[3] The game uses the same engine as Toki Tori 2+ and was developed by a three-man core team.[4]
Rive | |
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Developer(s) | Two Tribes |
Publisher(s) | Two Tribes Publishing B.V. |
Engine | Proprietary internal engine |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, OS X, Linux |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Platform, shoot 'em up |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
Rive is a classic 2D side-scrolling platformer mixed with shooting elements, with the ability to shoot in full 360 degrees around the player character who gains the ability to "alter the behavior of their robotic enemies by collecting and uploading hacks".[5] The game features a mission system and high scores for players to come back to after completing the game's story.
Development
Rive was originally confirmed to be in development for the Wii U since September 2014,[6] and a demo version was even included in the Wii U eShop's promotional "Nindies@Home" campaign in June 2015.[7] Although the title was originally intended to release in September 2016 on the Wii U alongside other platforms, in an interview with Nintendo Life in July 2016, Two Tribes co-founder Collin van Ginkel expressed scepticism regarding the game's release for the console due to technical difficulties maintaining the title's optimal performance. Van Ginkel added if the Wii U build fails to reach expectations, they would move the title to the upcoming Nintendo Switch, then known as "NX".[8]
In February 2017, Two Tribes confirmed Rive for Nintendo Switch, dropping the Wii U version. The Switch version was developed in collaboration with Engine Software.[9] It includes an exclusive Copilot Mode, which allows two players to control the same ship co-operatively using each Joy-Con,[10] as well as improved performance over the PlayStation 4 version running 60 frames per second at 1080p.[11] The Nintendo Switch version was released on November 17, 2017 worldwide, with 48 additional achievements and HD Rumble support, under the title Rive: Ultimate Edition.[12]
Release
In September 2016, Two Tribes teamed up with IndieBox, a monthly subscription box service, to offer a custom-designed, physical version of Rive. This limited collector’s edition included a DRM-free game disc, the official soundtrack on CD, an instruction manual and Steam key, as well as various collectible items.[13]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
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GameRankings | (PC) 72% [14] (PS4) 71% [15] (Switch) 85% [16] |
Metacritic | (PC) 73/100 [17] (PS4) 75/100 [18] (Switch) 82/100 [19] |
References
- "Switch release date announced".
- "We're Rebooting!".
- "Game history".
- "Two Tribes Announces Rive for Early 2015 Release".
- "Game description".
- Whitehead, Thomas (25 September 2014). "Two Tribes Confirms That RIVE is Definitely Coming to Wii U". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- McFerran, Damien (15 June 2015). "Nindies@Home E3 Promotion Offers Wii U eShop Demos With 15 Percent Off The Final Game". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- Whitehead, Thomas (25 July 2016). "Exclusive: RIVE Delayed for Wii U and Could Switch to NX, Two Tribes Tells Us Why". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- Whitehead, Thomas (27 February 2017). "RIVE is Coming to the Nintendo Switch This Year With an 'Exclusive Expansion'". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- Whitehead, Thomas (21 July 2017). "Feature: RIVE Adds Copilot Mode as Two Tribes Tell Us About Upcoming Nintendo Switch Version". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- Whitehead, Thomas (22 September 2017). "RIVE is Confirmed to Hit 1080p and 60fps on Switch, Runs 'Smoother Than PS4 Version'". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- McFerran, Damien (2 November 2017). "RIVE: Ultimate Edition Is Coming This Month With New Features And Improvements". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- "RIVE | IndieBox". www.theindiebox.com. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- "Rive GameRankings PC". Retrieved 2018-09-09.
- "Rive GameRankings PS4". Retrieved 2018-09-09.
- "Rive Ultimate Edition GameRankings Switch". Retrieved 2018-09-09.
- "Rive Metacritic PC". Retrieved 2018-09-09.
- "Rive Metacritic PS4". Retrieved 2018-09-09.
- "Rive Ultimate Edition Metacritic Switch". Retrieved 2018-09-09.