Rotor Rivals - Gameplay Review

Title: Rotor Rivals

Creator: AM Games
Players: 2–6
Playtime: approx. 45 minutes
Ages: 8+
Genre: Tactical card game / Competitive action game
Tags: Helicopters, bluffing, sabotage, player interaction

Rotor Rivals is an explosive board game in which helicopter pilots dominate the skies. A clever mix of strategy, bluffing and direct action makes this game ideal for those who love interaction, conflict and surprising twists. Designed for 2 to 6 players, with a strong focus on card tactics and collecting crucial tokens. 

- In the box (as seen in the collage):
- 6 game boards with helicopter platforms (numbered 1 to 6)
- 24 colorful Rotor Rivals tokens
- 18 unique cards (Bonus, Shield, Reset, Error, Thanks, Stealing)
- 6 pilot ID cards + 2 special Attack Pilot IDs
- 8 pilot tokens (with feet)
- 1 colored die
- Compact, sturdy box with striking illustrations

Game concept in brief

Each player takes on the role of a pilot with one goal: to be the last one still in the air. By moving across boards, collecting tokens and cleverly deploying cards, you can eliminate or defend others. The power of the game lies in the two-layer cards: each card has a Card Action and a Token Action. Players must always choose how to use their cards. Do you go for direct sabotage? Or do you choose tokens that you need to become an attack pilot?

Cards Make the Game

The cards are the heart of Rotor Rivals. Some examples:
Card Action: Stealing - Steal tokens or a card from your opponent.
Token Action: Reset - Make a player surrender all of their tokens.
Card & Token Action: Shield - Defend yourself from attacks or steal a token yourself. 

🎮 Gameplay

➡ The youngest player starts.

➡ Choose a helipad, place your figure on it and take a token or a Delete Rivals token.

➡ Tokens are collected while playing and placed on your ID card (maximum 3 tokens).

➡ Collect 3 identical tokens → Keep them for points and draw a Rotor Rivals card.

➡ Collected Delete Rivals Tokens are kept next to the ID. 

➡ Cards are played when collected, attack or defend. 

➡ +1 on a token: may only be used directly if it comes from a helipad (not from an exchange or steal action).

➡ You may have a maximum of 3 cards in your hand.

➡ Play in turns clockwise. 

Clear the helipads and play the right cards. Players move their pilots across the six mini boards to collect the tokens and the Delete Rivals Tokens and play the right hand. Gather three matching tokens to clear them out keep them and earn powerful Rotor Rivals cards.

Players fight with the cards, tokens and the dice to hire Attack Pilots and maintain that advantage.
Attacks, counterattacks, and strategic defenses come into full play.

The Cards Drive It All

Each card has 2 possible actions:

Card Action: force a player to skip a turn (Error), steal a card (Stealing) or block an attack (Shield).

Token Action: steal tokens (Stealing), swap (Error), reset someone (Reset) all their tokens back on the board! or take 2 extra tokens (Bonus).

👉 You can only have 3 cards in your hand at a time! 

Cards are not just tactical—they're vital. Smart card play is what turns the tide.

🔥 Attack Pilots

➡ Collect the 3 right Attack Pilot tokens to hire an Attack Pilot.
➡ The hired Attack Pilot, can (try) eliminate other players
➡ You win by being the only one left in the sky. or has the most amount of tokens sets. 

🔥 First Impressions

Rotor Rivals immediately sets the tone: it's fast-paced, tactical, and a little bit chaotic, in a good way.
The box art explodes with energy. Inside you'll find mini boards, colorful tokens, and sharp-looking character cards, all pointing toward a highly interactive gameplay experience.

🧠 Player Interaction

What makes Rotor Rivals sing is the player-to-player dynamic. This is not a passive game.
You'll trade, sabotage, steal, and block others constantly. Play too nice, and no one becomes an Attack Pilot. Play too dirty, and you'll become everyone's next target.

💡 For publishers

Rotor Rivals is designed with replayability, excitement and accessible strategy in mind. It has:
A unique style of play that combines action and collecting.
A compact format that is easy to produce.
A lot of room for expansions (new maps, pilots, scenarios).
A thematically strong concept that appeals to children and adults.
With its artwork, solid components and light-hearted playing time (± 30 minutes), this game is extremely suitable for families, young adults and casual gamers.

✅ Why publishers should take notice:

• Visually striking and shelf-friendly.

• Quick to learn, endlessly replayable.

• Great mix of luck, strategy, and bluff.

• Easy to expand with more cards, roles, or boards.

• Perfect mid-weight game for casual & core gamers.