Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains Review: A Chaotic Cantina Game

Monopoly has seen countless digital iterations, but Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains—developed by Behaviour and published by Ubisoft—attempts something distinctly different. It is an experimental take on the classic board game formula that trades traditional bankruptcy mechanics for a race to accumulate influence. While it offers a fun, visually authentic experience for a game night, its wildly lopsided character balance holds it back from being a staple title.

A New Way to Play the Galaxy

At its core, the game still feels like Monopoly: you roll dice, move around the board, and acquire property. However, the addition of team-based mechanics and character-specific abilities shifts the dynamic significantly. Players organize into teams of two or three, choosing between Heroes and Villains, with each character possessing unique active or passive abilities—ranging from stealing credits to sending opponents to jail.

The flow of the game is governed by GO Events, which represent major moments from the Star Wars franchise. The game ends once all eight of these events have been exhausted. Because these events are tied to who crosses the GO space, there is a surprising amount of strategy involved in manipulating movement to secure rewards. When you land on an enemy space, the game shifts to a battle mechanic where players roll dice to determine who gains control of the location or credits. It is a refreshing departure from the standard board game rules, even if the RNG-heavy nature of the dice rolls can be frustrating.

The Balance Issues

Unfortunately, the game suffers from poor balancing. Some character abilities are objectively more powerful than others, leading to situations where you feel at a distinct disadvantage if your opponents have chosen a stronger team composition. Being sent to jail repeatedly or watching an opponent use an ability that feels like a guaranteed win can turn a fun session into a demoralizing one. While you can win with any character, the gap between the "best" and "worst" picks is staggering.

Visuals and Atmosphere

Where the game succeeds is in its presentation. The setup takes place on a Dejarik device in a Cantina, and the locations and events are pulled directly from the films. For fans of the franchise, seeing these iconic moments rendered as game board events is a real treat. It succeeds as a party game that you can pick up for an evening, though it likely won't hold your attention for hundreds of hours due to the aforementioned balance issues.