RIFT

Absolutely colossal, Rift aims high and hits its mark, proving that theres room to grow within the traditional MMO format.

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"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 814 reviews

graphics42 positive mentions

grinding28 negative mentions

Rift offers a uniquely customizable class system that allows players to mix and match abilities from different classes, providing a diverse gameplay experience.
The game features dynamic events such as rifts and invasions that encourage player cooperation and create a lively world.
Rift has a friendly community and provides a wealth of content, including dungeons, raids, and crafting, making it a solid choice for both new and returning players.

The game has been criticized for its transition to a free-to-play model, which some players feel has led to a pay-to-win environment with intrusive microtransactions.
Many players have reported a decline in the player base, leading to long wait times for group content and a less vibrant community.
The endgame content can feel repetitive and grindy, with some players expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of new content and updates from the developers.

graphics
82 mentions
51 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered decent for its age, with many players appreciating the art style and visual details despite some dated elements. While some reviews highlight that the graphics are better than older titles like EverQuest II and World of Warcraft, they fall short of modern standards seen in games like Final Fantasy XIV. Overall, the visuals are engaging and contribute positively to the gameplay experience, though they may not satisfy players seeking cutting-edge graphics.
- “Stunning graphics and smooth gameplay make for a fantastic MMORPG experience.”
- “The leveling is well paced and moderate in speed, the class customization is excellent, balanced and diverse, the end game content is rich and satisfying and the graphics are shockingly good.”
- “Amazing game, some of the best graphics I've seen in an MMO, or anywhere.”
- “The biggest issue when you're starting out are the graphics and the slightly outdated feel of the game, but I found that I got used to it quickly.”
- “This game is old and it hasn't been upgraded graphically or in terms of gameplay mechanics.”
- “Make sure you have decent single-core CPU performance as this thing can bring your PC to single-digit FPS if you want any kind of decent graphics to look at.”
gameplay
82 mentions
24 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Gameplay in the game is characterized by solid mechanics and a variety of content, including well-designed dungeons and raids that offer unique challenges. However, many players note issues such as clunky controls, dated graphics, and a reliance on pay-to-win elements that detract from the overall experience. While the game provides a decent amount of fun and customization, it suffers from bugs and a lack of meaningful updates, leading to a mixed reception among players.
- “The gameplay feels great, good class design, immersive world.”
- “Solid and flexible gameplay with real challenges for organized teams.”
- “Great story, great mechanics, and a great community.”
- “Unfair mechanical advantages and stuff locked by a paywall are all traps that Rift fell into.”
- “I waited a long time to write this review but after coming back again one last time, all I see is garbage as far as gameplay 'improvements' go and lazy devs with zero common sense.”
- “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.”
story
81 mentions
21 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its depth and engaging elements, while others find it disjointed, bland, and repetitive. Many critiques highlight the lack of variety in quests and the overwhelming amount of text, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, some players enjoy the lore and the unique mechanics, such as the rift system, which adds a communal aspect to gameplay.
- “Great storyline once you can get into it.”
- “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.”
- “This game does a great job in keeping what we all love about MMOs but adding in what we all have wished to have as well like very deep class customization, amazing storyline, and fine-tuned gameplay.”
- “Gamigo has not implemented any actual content or story into the game.”
- “The story was very dull, crafting became incredibly expensive, there was barely any questing content and expert dungeons were so easy that you could complete them without knowing the tactics.”
- “Personally, I felt the story was bland and boring, and didn't do a good job of pulling me into the story.”
grinding
28 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it manageable and in line with typical MMO expectations, while others criticize it for becoming excessively tedious and reminiscent of more grind-heavy Asian MMOs. Many players express frustration over the perceived shift towards a pay-to-win model, although some argue that all content can still be obtained through regular gameplay. Overall, while there is a wealth of activities to engage in, the grind can feel overwhelming, especially at endgame.
- “A huge fk you to all the old players with purchasable gear that we spent months grinding for.”
- “Yet, its publisher seems to get a kick out of making it a tedious grind fest.”
- “Turning what used to be a fairly smooth and natural gear progression into something akin to an Asian MMO's level of grinding.”
optimization
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting severe performance issues and a lack of understanding from developers regarding optimization needs. Many users note that the game struggles even on high-end systems due to its outdated single-core framework, leading to frustratingly low frame rates and demanding hardware requirements for decent graphics. Overall, the consensus is that significant improvements are necessary for a better gaming experience.
- “Make sure you have decent single-core CPU performance as this game can bring your PC to single-digit FPS if you want any kind of decent graphics to look at.”
- “Other than stopping to talk, loot, craft, or gather, the game runs smoothly.”
- “Desperately needs a new game engine since 2012... terrible performance disregarding true computer power.”
- “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.”
monetization
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is primarily based on microtransactions, offering options for XP boosts and cosmetic items, alongside a subscription fee that provides additional benefits. While some players find the microtransactions excessive and detrimental to the experience, others note that they do not impact gameplay balance. Overall, the free-to-play structure with numerous in-game purchases has received mixed reviews, with many considering it average or forgettable.
- “I personally don't mind microtransactions, but even with or without the in-game market, Rift still deserves a try.”
- “You can also choose to pay a subscription fee to get a plethora of benefits like XP boosts, access to your bank from anywhere, etc. None of the microtransactions or subscription benefits affect the gameplay in any way that would give somebody an advantage over another player.”
- “Now it's free with microtransactions.”
- “My only bad note is that it's free to play with in-game purchase options.”
- “Absolutely average (and maybe less given how many microtransactions persist in this game), and entirely forgettable.”
music
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its decent quality and variety, contributing positively to the overall experience. Players appreciate the soundtrack, which enhances the immersive atmosphere, while also highlighting the social dynamics reminiscent of high school cliques within the gaming community.
- “Decent soundtrack.”
- “Tons of content, very varied class system, good graphics, and a great soundtrack.”
- “The music feels like it's high school all over again, where the popular players govern who gets to play based on social cliques rather than gaming ability.”
- “The cool kids are the gatekeepers, and you have to emulate them by reciting popular culture fads and music tastes just to fit in.”
- “The soundtrack is decent, but it doesn't elevate the overall experience.”
replayability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is rated positively, with some users giving it a high score of 10/10 due to its MMO nature, which encourages ongoing engagement. However, others feel that it lacks depth for extended replay, suggesting that it may only be enjoyable for a limited number of playthroughs.
- “Replayability: 10/10. It's an MMO; once you're hooked, you're hooked.”
- “8/10 replay value.”
- “I just don't think it really has any replayability past one or two playthroughs.”
stability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with players reporting persistent bugs and glitches that have remained unaddressed for years, some dating back to its beta phase. Many raids are described as so buggy that players must exploit mechanics to succeed, leading to a frustrating experience for both new and returning players. Overall, the lack of developer responsiveness to constructive feedback and ongoing issues has resulted in a negative perception of the game's stability.
- “Not recommended due to the developers' inability to take constructive criticism, bugs and glitches that remain unfixed for years, and a pay-to-win model. Class balancing feels like it's done by someone playing darts blindfolded.”
- “Almost every single raid that was released was so buggy that you could only defeat bosses by exploiting mechanics.”
- “I would not recommend this game for new or returning players. Beginners will face numerous problems and have to spend a lot of money to navigate a buggy endgame, while returning players will likely be frustrated by how much the game has changed.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is noted for its unique fantasy elements, but it also faces criticism for being overly generic in its animations, story, and writing. Additionally, players feel that the lack of non-interactive NPCs in expansive areas detracts from the immersive experience.
- “Has its own unique fantasy atmosphere.”
- “The animations, story, writing, and overall atmosphere of the game are captivating and immersive.”
- “For such huge-looking places, there should be a lot more non-interactive NPCs roaming around to enhance the atmosphere.”
- “The animations, story, writing, and overall atmosphere of the game are probably the most generic I've seen in years.”
- “For such huge-looking places, there should be a lot more non-interactive NPCs roaming around to give atmosphere.”
character development
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game features a highly praised character design system, regarded as one of the best in the MMO genre. However, some users express frustration over the withholding of in-game character development options, which seems to push players towards paid solutions.
- “Great character design system - one of the best I have seen in an MMO.”
- “The game withholds in-game character development to push paid solutions.”
- “Character development feels shallow and is heavily monetized.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful character growth without spending extra money.”
humor
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent and at times grating, with some attempts at quippiness failing to land effectively. While there are moments of genuine humor, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, leading to a mixed reception among players.
- “The humor in this game is delightfully absurd, with witty dialogue that keeps you chuckling throughout your adventure.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at the clever puns and hilarious character interactions; it's a refreshing take on the genre.”
- “The comedic timing is spot on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining with its quirky humor.”