RIFT

About

RIFT is a multiplayer role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by gamigo US Inc. and was released on March 1, 2011. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Rift" is a free-to-play, massively multiplayer fantasy role-playing game with co-op and PvP modes. Create your character from two factions, three races, and a variety of Souls, each with unique abilities and traits. The game boasts impressive graphics, engaging story, and innovative mechanics, allowing you to mix and match abilities and change character builds at any time. Every armor or costume piece you acquire can be used across all your characters, making for a customizable and unique gameplay experience.

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74%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,371 reviews

story248 positive mentions

grinding215 negative mentions

Rift offers a unique and flexible class system that allows players to mix and match abilities from different specializations, providing a high level of customization.
The game features dynamic events, known as rifts, that create a lively and engaging world, encouraging player cooperation.
Despite its age, Rift still has beautiful graphics and a rich fantasy setting that many players find enjoyable.

The game has a significantly low player population, making it difficult to find groups for dungeons and other activities.
Rift has been criticized for its aggressive monetization strategy, with many essential features locked behind paywalls, leading to a pay-to-win perception.
The lack of new content and updates since the transition to free-to-play has left the game feeling stagnant and abandoned.

story
909 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The story in Rift is generally well-received, featuring a rich lore that revolves around the conflict between two factions, the Guardians and the Defiants, as they battle against supernatural threats. While many players appreciate the engaging quest lines and dynamic events, some criticize the narrative for being disjointed or lacking depth, with repetitive quest structures that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a solid storyline that can be enjoyed solo or with friends, though it may not be as immersive or compelling as some other MMORPGs.
- “The story of Telara was one of defeat, but the gods of that realm, together with a last stubborn corps of tech-wielding Defiants, made one final hail mary and turned back time.”
- “The storyline is immersive, with rich backstory and lore, plus the ability to find artifacts of the Rift universe throughout your character's travels.”
- “Rift tells the story of two factions, Guardians and Defiants, attempting to save their world in their own different ways from the supernatural dragons that have come to enslave/destroy it.”
- “The game does not have that much to do like Guild Wars 2, which is a plus for playing with people. Also, the zones are made for people in Discord, meaning most of the quests are not voice acted, and you go from zone to zone with a friend or friends clearing quest hubs just chilling on your way to level cap with a very little bit of voice acted story thrown in for some spice, but not enough to get in the way of people playing together like some more modern MMORPGs.”
- “The story exists, it's okay, but the quests seem sparse and like an afterthought. The storyline lacks depth and originality compared to other MMORPG titles.”
- “The story itself has a lot of mini-events and short animations, and the quests are very well written if you ever read them. However, most common questing methods that most players use is going straight for quest objectives and never reading a single quest.”
graphics
665 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
40%
9%
The graphics of Rift are generally praised for their quality, especially considering the game's age, with many players noting that they hold up well even in 2023. While some reviews mention that the visuals can feel outdated or less polished compared to newer titles, others highlight the game's impressive art style and attention to detail, particularly in character models and environments. Overall, players appreciate the aesthetic appeal and immersive world-building, though there are calls for updates to enhance the graphics further.
- “Graphics at 4K, everything at max actually looks very decent considering how old the game is (animations & VFX as well).”
- “The level of detail and attention to graphic design is truly impressive and adds significantly to the immersive experience.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and while you do a lot of grinding, the game keeps you fairly interested with the random monsters that come out of nowhere and attack you.”
- “Coming back to this game in 2023, its graphics haven't aged well at all.”
- “Far too outdated for me, it's definitely 2013; shame they didn't reinvent the engine/graphics when Glyph passed it on to Gamigo though.”
- “The graphics are dated, but the FPS is horrible, which doesn't make any sense (very, very bad game optimization).”
gameplay
506 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The gameplay of Rift is characterized by its blend of classic MMORPG mechanics and innovative features, such as the unique rift and invasion systems that encourage player cooperation. While many players appreciate the deep customization options and engaging combat mechanics, some criticize the repetitive nature of quests and the impact of monetization on gameplay balance. Overall, Rift offers a solid, if somewhat dated, MMORPG experience that appeals to fans of the genre, particularly those who enjoy a nostalgic feel reminiscent of earlier titles like World of Warcraft.
- “The gameplay is surprisingly fun.”
- “Rift offers unique mechanics and immersive world-building that make it a worthy contender in the MMORPG genre.”
- “The gameplay in Rift is incredibly engaging and addictive.”
- “The gameplay is so boring it had me tearing off my skin and eating it just so I could feel something.”
- “The gameplay feels clunky, the aesthetic is not pleasing, even the music makes me want to kill myself.”
- “After going free-to-play, the game went downhill fast, especially in gameplay quality; it's not even worth installing it anymore even if they give you free stuff, all good stuff is behind a very tall pay-to-win cash wall.”
grinding
224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
3%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game elicits mixed reactions from players. While some appreciate the rewarding nature of grinding and find it a nostalgic element reminiscent of older MMOs, others criticize it for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly at higher levels. Overall, players suggest that while grinding is a significant part of the experience, it can be enjoyable if balanced with engaging content and social interactions.
- “Not too grindy but rewarding at the same time.”
- “Leveling up in this game is not grindy at all.”
- “Free, fair, and not grindy.”
- “The game is alright at first but it gets super grindy and boring later.”
- “The last 10 levels are absolutely brutal for grinding though.”
- “I left because the grind to max level was boring and tedious.”
monetization
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
55%
36%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as aggressive and predatory, featuring numerous microtransactions that often create paywalls for essential gameplay elements. While some players appreciate the free-to-play model, concerns about pay-to-win mechanics and the overwhelming presence of in-game purchases have led to a perception of the game as a cash grab, particularly following its transition to a free-to-play format under new management. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as detrimental to the game's enjoyment and community engagement.
- “It's free, and while yes you can make in-game purchases for both cosmetic and gameplay purposes, they don't overtly disrupt the flow of the game.”
- “Nonetheless, it is an amazing game that is free to play with in-game purchases that do not affect actual combat performance, keeping it from being a pay-to-win game, which is refreshing.”
- “The in-game purchases are also well managed.”
- “Unfortunately, the game is on death row right now, with no new content and horribly monetized to try and squeeze every penny they can from it. Free players cannot post anything on the auction house, there are only three bag slots in the inventory, and they sell everything for premium currency. There are both microtransactions and a subscription.”
- “These days it's known for one thing: pay-to-win and hyper-aggressive monetization.”
- “The monetization is just all over the place and feels as haphazardly tacked-on as one would expect from a subscription-to-free-to-play panic conversion, and there hasn't been any effort to remedy or change the business model at all, especially now with Gamigo at the helm.”
optimization
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
50%
27%
The optimization of the game has been a significant point of contention among users, with many reporting persistent technical issues, server instability, and poor performance, particularly in high-player areas. While some players note improvements with recent updates and the new engine, others still experience severe frame rate drops and lag, indicating that the game remains poorly optimized overall. Despite some positive remarks about graphics and performance on certain systems, the consensus leans towards a need for substantial optimization efforts from the developers.
- “The graphics are nicely optimized compared to what it used to be.”
- “The new engine really helped improve this game's performance and I think it is in a really good spot currently.”
- “Never been this addicted to an MMO since WoW. Quests are so fun and great to do, the game is optimized well for any PC to run, and running max settings is a treat to the eyes; there are no lag issues and server worlds seem to be stable.”
- “Technical issues, server instability, and performance problems have been persistent concerns, affecting the overall gameplay experience.”
- “The single core framework that the game was played on for so long had even the best computers struggling because it was poorly optimized.”
- “This game is very poorly optimized; it takes a lot of power to run decent settings at reasonable fps.”
music
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its nostalgic and immersive qualities, while others find it forgettable or repetitive. Many appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the beautiful environments, although some feel it lacks the fantasy quality expected in an MMORPG. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the gameplay experience, it does not stand out as a highlight for all players.
- “The graphics and sound design in Rift are also top-notch, with beautiful environments, stunning visual effects, and a rich musical score that helps to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Rift’s soundtrack is splendid.”
- “Everything about this game is pretty, and combined with the background music, sometimes you will find yourself just lost in the world looking around, checking the place out.”
- “The music is really bad these days.”
- “The music is completely forgettable too.”
- “The music gets repetitive, but is pleasant enough the first few times.”
stability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
4%
86%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly during loading and login processes. While some users note that the game runs well on older systems and has enjoyable elements, the overall experience is marred by unresolved issues and a lack of timely support from developers. Consequently, many players advise against recommending the game, especially for newcomers, due to its persistent instability and frustrating technical problems.
- “Runs great on older computers and you can run it in 4K, too.”
- “It runs great and is a great stress reliever.”
- “Zero to no glitches (wow was 7-10 glitches a day).”
- “All troubleshooting guides have not worked to fix the load problem, and support tickets go unanswered.”
- “Every time I update or press play in Glyph, the game just glitches out and closes the app.”
- “Wont even run, I have a good computer so it's not that, it just freezes on the Glyph screen, and I have to go into task manager just to close it!”
humor
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often described as quirky and engaging, with players enjoying the funny dialogue from NPCs and amusing quest lines. While some find the humor to be a highlight, others note that it can become inconsistent or grating over time. Overall, the game features a mix of lighthearted moments and humorous bugs that contribute to its charm, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics.
- “Quests, seasonal events, and crafting are enjoyable, and there is subtle humor sprinkled through the game.”
- “Lord Arak's raid is probably the better of the two, especially with the hilarious dialogue that Lord Arak bombards you with.”
- “The game is quirky and funny, and gives you a handful of 'what-to-do' constantly, and this is why I love and hate the game.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
37%
13%
The atmosphere in Rift is generally praised for its immersive visuals and sound effects, creating a captivating world with unique locations and engaging global events. However, some players feel that the game's atmosphere can become stale over time, with comparisons to other MMOs highlighting areas where it falls short. Overall, while many appreciate the game's distinct fantasy setting and vibrant environments, there are mixed feelings about its long-term appeal and the presence of a hostile player environment.
- “I got so immersed in the world and atmosphere right away.”
- “A well thought out universe, epic cut-scenes and atmospheric locations.”
- “The biggest reason to try this game out, in my opinion, is the atmosphere.”
- “I was hooked for the first three days, but the world is pretty much dead and the atmosphere too.”
- “The animations, story, writing, and overall atmosphere of the game are probably the most generic I've seen in years.”
- “I just don't seem to like the atmosphere (music, terrain, nature) in the game, something that original WoW had.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, with many players noting its engaging content and features that keep them coming back, even years after release. However, some users feel that replayability diminishes after reaching the level cap and playing through all character options, suggesting a need for more playable races or varied experiences. Ratings for replay value range from 8 to 10 out of 10, indicating a generally positive reception despite some concerns.
- “But where this game shines is its replayability.”
- “Even seven years later, this game still has lots of replayability and lots of new features.”
- “The gameplay does favor World of Warcraft, but by throwing random world events into the mix, it really gives the game its replayability.”
- “Now the only sad part is that replayability isn't very high once you get to the cap and play all of the toons.”
- “I just don't think it really has any replayability past one or two toons.”
- “Not a whole lot of replayability in my opinion.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
27%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, with some experiencing deep feelings of frustration and disappointment due to issues like account recovery and pay-to-win mechanics. Despite these challenges, there are moments of joy and nostalgia, highlighting the game's potential for emotional engagement through its vast activities and community. Overall, the emotional responses range from tears of joy to frustration, reflecting a complex relationship with the game's design and policies.
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “Oh god, I don't even know where to start with this game... I cried tears of blood after the first few minutes of playing.”
- “Hard to navigate sometimes but a good wholesome game.”
- “It is basically Guild Wars 2 but with terrible spawn points and really boring storylines.”
- “Very boring story, confusing UI, and horrible launcher.”
- “Anywho, long and exceptionally boring story aside, Trion refused to give me back my old account because I didn't have the CD code or remember my old password.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development in the game is praised for its variety and interesting combinations, with many users highlighting the impressive character design and customization options. However, some critics feel that the overall character development lacks depth and originality, comparing it unfavorably to other MMORPGs and describing it as a basic experience. While the graphics and events are well-received, the game is seen as not offering anything particularly unique in terms of character progression.
- “The lore is great, the character designs are great.”
- “Great character design system - one of the best I have seen in an MMO.”
- “Very optimized for any hardware, many events to partake in, and lots of character development.”
- “More combinations and ability to build interesting characters - where WoW is really linear and character development is boring.”
- “If you're looking for something new that other MMORPGs or RPGs don't have, go somewhere else. This is just a plain old ordinary RPG; it has nothing special about it. It's basically a cheap, crappy remake of WoW without a monthly fee, worse graphics, and bad character development. Character customization is pretty bad. If you're looking for a good MMORPG or RPG that's different from every other RPG or MMORPG out there, this is not the game for you. Overall, it's not bad, but to be honest, it's not great either; it's just the same old same old. I would advise against getting this game.”