Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes Vs. Villains, released on June 30, 2026, by Ubisoft and developed by Behaviour Interactive, is a digital adaptation that transforms the classic property-trading game into a team-based party experience. Available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC for £24.99, it introduces new mechanics while retaining the core Monopoly loop of rolling dice, buying properties, and paying rent.
Team-Based Gameplay and Influence Points
Unlike traditional Monopoly where players compete individually, Heroes Vs. Villains requires players to form teams of 2 vs. 2 or 3 vs. 3. Human players can fill slots, with AI teammates taking over any empty positions. Victory is determined not by bankrupting opponents but by accumulating influence points after passing Go a set number of times. The maximum of eight rounds takes just over an hour, though shorter games can feel more reliant on chance than strategy.
Each turn involves rolling animated dice, moving, and deciding whether to buy unowned properties. If a property is owned but has no buildings, players can acquire it by paying double face value. Once an outpost or base (the Star Wars equivalents of houses and hotels) is placed, rent must be paid in credits. The game provides ample opportunities to earn credits through landing on owned properties or Chance cards, such as finishing second in a Hutt beauty pageant.
Star Wars Theming and Voice Acting
The game features narration by Anthony Daniels, the original C-3PO, alongside other voice actors from the franchise. Locations like Mayfair and Park Lane become the Jedi Temple and Senate Building on Coruscant, while Old Kent Road and Whitechapel Road are replaced by a Hermit’s Hut and Cave of Evil on Dagobah. Collecting a full color set grants planetary dominance, allowing upgrades to outposts and bases, with holographic planet images hovering above owned properties.
Special abilities add a tactical layer: Rey can pick a fight with a random Dark Side player, stealing 300 credits if she wins, while Darth Vader can call a stormtrooper to commandeer a property. However, these abilities have multi-turn cooldowns, and the AI tends to use them as soon as available, reducing strategic depth. The game also includes Canto Bight squares where players bet on dice rolls, and jail sentences encase characters in carbonite, a visual treat for fans.
Solo Play Drawbacks and Multiplayer Appeal
Playing solo forces players to watch AI-controlled characters take their turns, which can consume up to 75% of playtime. The AI makes predictable choices—always buying properties and using abilities immediately—making solo sessions tedious. With local human players, the game shines, as banter and shared enjoyment of Star Wars details enhance the experience. The reviewer notes that while the game moves faster than traditional Monopoly, it sacrifices strategic depth for speed and chance.
The game does not include John Williams' iconic score, likely due to licensing costs, but compensates with polished presentation and countless Star Wars references. The review gives a score of 6/10, praising the fun with friends but criticizing the lack of interactivity in solo mode and overreliance on dice rolls, especially in shorter games.
