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Rifter

92%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
stability
95% User Score Based on 186 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindowsLinuxLinux
Buy Nowfrom $11.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$11.99

About

Rifter is a single-player platformer game known for its sensational mechanics and ingenious graphics, set in a neon-lit 80’s inspired world. As you dash, swing, and smash your way through over 90 levels, unlock 30 upgrades, and discover different endings to unravel the mysteries of Rifter's world. The game is infused with a hypnotic synthwave soundtrack that enhances the challenging obstacles and boss battles, providing an immersive and thrilling experience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
Rifter screenshot
+2

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 187 reviews
gameplay40 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • Incredible movement mechanics that feel fluid and rewarding, making it easy to learn but hard to master.
  • Vibrant visuals and an engaging synthwave soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a captivating atmosphere.
  • Challenging yet fair gameplay with a solid difficulty curve, offering plenty of replayability through collectibles and optional challenges.
  • Controls can be clunky at times, leading to frustrating moments where actions do not register as intended, especially during critical gameplay sections.
  • Some levels may feel overly precise, requiring near-perfect execution that can lead to frustration rather than enjoyment.
  • Graphical bugs and performance issues have been reported, affecting the overall playability for some users.
  • gameplay
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in Rifter is highly praised for its fluid mechanics, particularly the grappling hook, which serves both traversal and combat purposes. Players appreciate the game's progressive difficulty, tight controls, and the satisfying challenge of mastering its mechanics, making it an engaging experience for fans of fast-paced platformers. The vibrant visuals and synthwave soundtrack further enhance the overall enjoyment, although some players note that certain precision elements can be challenging when competing on leaderboards.

    • “It starts off in a nice easy way allowing you to grasp the basics quickly, and progressively it will get harder while also putting in new mechanics for you to learn and master.”
    • “Rifter is a phenomenal blend of breakneck speed, vibrant visual and musical style, and challenging yet very fun and accessible gameplay.”
    • “This game combines great visuals, fast-paced and easy to learn but hard to master gameplay and a good synthwave soundtrack into one awesome experience, highly recommended!”
    • “While it's just one bad thing, it's a major problem because it can apply to every aspect of gameplay.”
    • “It is pretty easy to learn the main mechanics (but it takes some time to master) and the well-made storyline introduces them at a good rhythm.”
    • “The mechanics get more intense as you progress, and then there's tons of hidden things, secret routes to complete a level, leaderboard support, and collectibles that earn you upgrades (which make speedrunning even better).”
  • music
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its energetic synthwave soundtrack, which complements the fast-paced gameplay and vibrant visuals. Many players enjoy the 80s-themed tracks, noting that they enhance the overall atmosphere and momentum of the game, although some express a desire for a larger variety of songs. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

    • “Rifter is a phenomenal blend of breakneck speed, vibrant visual and musical style, and challenging yet very fun and accessible gameplay.”
    • “The soundtrack is a perfect match to the visuals of the game as well.”
    • “This game combines great visuals, fast-paced and easy to learn but hard to master gameplay and a good synthwave soundtrack into one awesome experience, highly recommended!”
    • “I wish that there were more songs in the OST.”
    • “You can blast as much synthwave music as you like, but that can only distract me so much from the fact that you're asking too much of me.”
    • “All in all, it's a great game, but for a while now, ever since I applied windowed mode, the screen has been black. The music still plays and I can still interact with things, but my screen is always black.”
  • graphics
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics are widely praised for their vibrant, 80s-inspired aesthetic, which stands out and complements the gameplay effectively. While many players appreciate the clean visuals and unique art style, some have noted a graphical bug that has yet to be addressed by the developers. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a fitting synthwave soundtrack creates an engaging and polished experience, though a lack of environmental variety has been mentioned as a minor drawback.

    • “The sense of speed and momentum physics are unmatched, the level design is tight, the controls free flowing, and the graphics, performance, progression, and soundtrack are all perfect.”
    • “This game combines great visuals, fast-paced and easy to learn but hard to master gameplay, and a good synthwave soundtrack into one awesome experience, highly recommended!”
    • “Well made platformer with amazing graphics and great audio.”
    • “Obviously, the game has a very stylish aesthetic, although I feel that variety in environments is lacking; I got to the second planet and the environment is essentially a color swap.”
    • “Sure, the 80's aesthetic is nothing nobody has ever seen, but it feels so refreshing in this game's case.”
    • “I'm not going to comment much on the graphics and the audio, you can see for yourself that they are amazing.”
  • story
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game is generally regarded as decent, featuring a simple yet engaging narrative that unfolds as players complete levels and collect "story shards" to unlock deeper lore. While the primary focus is on speedrunning mechanics, the inclusion of charming dialogue and interesting story elements adds personality and depth to the experience. Overall, players appreciate the well-structured storyline that complements the gameplay, making it worth exploring despite its simplicity.

    • “The story, while simple, fits very well.”
    • “So, the best way I can give a comparison for 'Rifter' is that it's like a combination of N or N+ and speedrunners with the addition of a story worth investing in.”
    • “The lore and some of the big story beats are hidden behind 'story shards' that you need to collect so you can get access to some of the more esoteric bits.”
    • “The story seems simple at first glance: you complete the levels, you destroy the tower, rinse and repeat until credits roll.”
    • “The real story comes from what you find out during your campaign of collecting all the shinies to get all the upgrades, as well as some key points throughout the game.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through various modes of play, allowing players to revisit previous planets for collectibles. Reviewers highlight the engaging level design and exciting boss fights as key factors that enhance the overall replay value.

    • “Lots of replayability with different modes of play; you can go back to previous planets and collect lots of goodies.”
    • “Lots of replay value, awesome level design, great boss fights.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game excels in optimization, featuring unmatched speed and momentum physics, tight level design, and fluid controls. Graphics, performance, and soundtrack are all highly praised, while the difficulty curve is well-balanced, making it accessible for a wide range of players. Overall, it delivers a polished and engaging experience.

    • “The sense of speed and momentum physics are unmatched, the level design is tight, the controls are free-flowing, and the graphics, performance, progression, and soundtrack are all perfect.”
    • “This game is fast-paced and has the right level of challenge with an optimized difficulty curve, making it accessible for most people to jump in and play.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized as fun and fast-paced, enhanced by a great soundtrack that contributes to an engaging experience. Reviewers highly recommend it for its vibrant and immersive environment.

    • “A fun, fast, atmospheric platformer with a great soundtrack. Highly recommend.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While the game has received high praise with a 10/10 rating, multiple users have noted the presence of glitches and bugs that require attention for improved stability.

    • “10/10 game but has some glitches and bugs that need to be sorted out.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through its engaging level design and optional challenges that encourage players to push their limits, fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection to the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the depth and variety these challenges bring, enhancing their emotional investment in the game.

  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Rifter is praised for its stunning visuals and straightforward gameplay, complemented by a sharp and wicked sense of humor that enhances the overall experience.

    • “Rifter is a gorgeous game with deceptively simple mechanics and a wicked sense of humor.”

80%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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