The Riftbreaker

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,072 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
The Riftbreaker Game Cover
A fantastic game for any base-building fans, The Riftbreaker’s tight combination of action-RPG and tower-defense elements produce an addictively fun experience well worth the inevitable hours you’ll lose to it.
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"The Riftbreaker" is a base-building survival game where you play as Captain Ashley S. Nowak, an elite scientist/commando in a powerful Mecha-suit. Your mission on the distant planet of Galatea 37 is to build up a base capable of creating a two-way rift back to Earth, using various machines for resource extraction, construction, and combat against hostile inhabitants. This task requires the development of a complex chain of mines, refineries, powerplants, and research facilities.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,072 reviews
gameplay431 positive mentions
grinding197 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fantastic blend of base building, tower defense, and action RPG elements, providing a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
  • Stunning graphics and smooth performance, even during intense battles with large enemy swarms.
  • The developers are actively engaged with the community, providing regular updates and improvements, which enhances the overall experience.
  • The game can become repetitive after a while, with a lack of variety in missions and enemy types.
  • There are several game-breaking bugs that can hinder progress, such as issues with saving and mission triggers.
  • The dialogue and voice acting can be cringe-worthy and detract from the overall immersion of the game.
  • gameplay1,007 mentions

    The gameplay of "Riftbreaker" is characterized by a highly addictive loop that combines base building, tower defense, and action RPG elements, offering players a satisfying experience as they explore diverse biomes and manage resources. While the mechanics are generally intuitive and engaging, some players noted a lack of guidance for newcomers and repetitive gameplay as they progress, which can detract from long-term enjoyment. Overall, the game is praised for its stunning visuals and solid mechanics, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre, despite some areas needing polish and depth.

    • “The gameplay is highly addictive and there is always something to tweak in your bases.”
    • “This game weaves together the intricate elements of resource management, tower defense, and survival mechanics into a masterpiece that stands out in its genre.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, satisfying, and leaves you with plenty to do if you want to beat the game.”
    • “One thing for the developer would be to give more guidance in the first part of the game; I found myself a little confused at parts when learning the game mechanics.”
    • “The moment you find out 99% of gameplay involves standing still holding spacebar to mine painfully slowly, you either admit to yourself that you just wasted your cash, or you lie to yourself that it's what makes the game fun.”
    • “The gameplay loop is surprisingly repetitive for a factory-lite: you'll be doing the same things in the last hour of the campaign as in the first.”
  • story919 mentions

    The story in "The Riftbreaker" is generally described as simple and somewhat generic, focusing on a mission to colonize a new planet while battling alien life forms. While some players appreciate the engaging banter between the protagonist, Ashley, and her mech companion, Mr. Riggs, many criticize the narrative for being thin and repetitive, with numerous bugs affecting mission progression. Overall, the story serves primarily as a framework for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative, leading to mixed feelings about its depth and execution.

    • “The story is well written and quite exciting.”
    • “The story of survival, innovation, and humanity's quest for expansion is beautifully told through the game's missions and dialogue.”
    • “The fully voiced story and banter between your character and the mech you use are engaging enough to keep you interested in the story.”
    • “The story mode is relatively thin until the end game where you ultimately build the rift station back to Earth.”
    • “I would classify it as an attempt at a story, but to me it seems somewhere down the line, the devs lost interest or were pressed for money and just wanted to be done and release the game.”
    • “The campaign is a one long continuous mission where you go around the planet building bases to gather resources.”
  • graphics706 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, vibrant colors, and impressive detail, often described as "gorgeous" and "amazing." Players appreciate the game's ability to maintain smooth performance even during intense battles, although some have noted occasional performance issues when many objects are on screen. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the immersive experience of the gameplay.

    • “The graphics are vibrant, detailed, and alive with energy, bringing the alien world to life in a way that feels almost tangible.”
    • “It boasts fantastic visuals with a fully realized 3D destruction system on all objects the player interacts with, from alien flora to giant alien fauna.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and will make you want to stare at your screen for hours with incredible sound quality to match.”
    • “For whatever reason, even though this game has very pretty graphics, it feels like a constant chore to play.”
    • “Pretty graphics but they also feel a little overwhelming with particle effects, flashy lasers, and explosions, making it rather hard to see anything at all in combat.”
    • “The graphics are detailed, but rather hard to distinguish when there's a lot going on onscreen.”
  • optimization219 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and impressive graphics, even during intense gameplay scenarios with numerous enemies. However, many users report significant performance issues, particularly when building large bases or facing large hordes, leading to stuttering and lag, especially on less powerful systems. Overall, while there are commendable aspects of optimization, many players feel that further improvements are necessary to enhance the gaming experience.

    • “The game is basically bug-free (except the bugs you kill) and it's very optimized (I mean very optimized).”
    • “Amazingly optimized, smooth gameplay.”
    • “The graphic is absolutely amazing and the engine makes the game look brilliant while also letting it run smoothly.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized (that's directly from the developers), full of bloom effects and dynamic lighting you can't turn off, and is almost entirely dependent on single-core CPU performance.”
    • “Sadly, it falls apart at performance, where the game slows to a crawl unless you have a bleeding-edge, top-tier machine, even though the game came out two years ago and isn't exactly full of stunning graphics.”
    • “Mid game when there are tons of baddies and buildings on the map, the performance just absolutely tanks.”
  • grinding215 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant point of contention, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive. While some appreciate the mix of automation and farming, others criticize the resource gathering and upgrading mechanics as overly time-consuming and lacking in engagement. Overall, the grinding aspect can detract from the enjoyment, making the gameplay feel like a chore rather than a rewarding experience.

    • “Did not blow my socks off, but horde combat is cool, the tech tree has decent progression, mission and guidance are appropriate, it's not too tedious, and the length is reasonable.”
    • “Building and resource management is also not tedious like so many other similar games.”
    • “There's just enough different production mechanics to keep it interesting, but not tedious.”
    • “Having a gloomy cave with a whole bunch of bioluminescent flora and crystals is 15/10 on its own, but sadly the experience is ruined by a very tedious mining mechanic and there are some enemies that are really annoying to fight.”
    • “The gameplay loop is incredibly repetitive and gets tedious very quickly.”
    • “It's just so annoyingly tedious.”
  • replayability141 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits a mixed level of replayability. While many players appreciate the variety offered through different game modes, procedural generation, and modding support, some express concerns about the depth and long-term engagement after completing the campaign. The survival mode and customizable options provide additional replay value, but opinions vary on whether these elements are sufficient to sustain interest over time.

    • “There's enough replayability to approach the game in very different ways; there's survival mode that is much more brutal (and I have failed on!), and the fantastically designed campaign game which lets you play how you want.”
    • “The depth of this game lends much replayability.”
    • “The randomly generated maps increase the game's replay value.”
    • “This game really had enormous potential, it sits exactly where I wanted in a blending of genres, and the fundamental systems are fantastic, but in the end they are just shallow and quickly grow boring with zero replayability.”
    • “The replay value, however, is lacking once you have completed the campaign.”
    • “So once you do the campaign once I don't see much replayability; sure, the maps are procedurally generated but you're limited to a set number of maps each time, with lots of missions being rinse and repeat, dealing with the same dialogue over and over.”
  • stability110 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that can disrupt gameplay. While some users praise its overall performance and graphics, they also note that the game can feel unpolished and buggy, particularly during intense moments or when saving. Overall, while the game runs well for some, the prevalence of glitches and stability issues has led many to recommend caution before purchasing.

    • “The game is basically bug-free (except the bugs you kill) and it's very optimized (I mean very optimized).”
    • “Runs great, the game is beautiful, and with base building, combat, tower defense.”
    • “Looks great, runs great, not one crash, tech trees are huge, weapons are awesome, base building is easy/fun, love the variety of towers and resource production.”
    • “Starts with some freezes that last for a few seconds, and progresses into being completely frozen and requires a restart.”
    • “The game is extremely buggy; it just crashes all the time.”
    • “It's a decent game but a buggy mess that crashes on startup 4 out of 5 times after making you watch intros you cannot skip.”
  • music97 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as compelling and well-suited to the gameplay, while others find it repetitive or generic. Some players highlight specific tracks as memorable and enjoyable, contributing positively to the overall experience, while a few express disappointment, stating that the music does not fit the game's theme or becomes tiresome over time. Overall, the sound design, including sound effects and voice acting, is generally regarded as solid, enhancing the game's immersive qualities.

    • “In my opinion, it is one of the best soundtracks I have encountered in my almost 40 years of gaming.”
    • “The soundtrack is solid, with a nice ambient vibe that fits into that sweet niche of unobtrusive enough to be there and provide a nice tone without overstaying its welcome despite the several-hour-long gameplay sessions I had.”
    • “The excellent graphics accompanied by a superb memorable soundtrack makes playing this both a visual and audio treat.”
    • “The music doesn't fit the game's theme.”
    • “Music unfortunately is where this game airballs for me; it gets repetitive before the refund button becomes unavailable. I'm so sorry, the music is very bad.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't great; it does the job for a couple of hours but then it gets far too repetitive.”
  • humor40 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted through the witty banter between the main character, Ashley, and her AI companion, Mr. Riggs, which adds a comedic layer to the gameplay experience. Players find the dialogue amusing, with many noting the humor in the game's mechanics and design choices, such as the absurd limitations on colonization and the intentionally cheesy voice acting. Overall, the game is described as funny and entertaining, appealing to those who enjoy lighthearted humor alongside action and strategy elements.

    • “The story is interesting enough and the exchanges between your character (Ashley) and the exosuit (Mr. Riggs) can be funny at times.”
    • “Mr. Riggs is hilarious and his banter with Ashley is great, just a really great overall game.”
    • “The tension between Ashley and Mr. Riggs is pretty funny; you have an environmental conservationist and a mech built to survive, both with very different views on how the job should get done.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and engaging environmental details that enhance gameplay. Players appreciate the balance between relaxing and intense moments, with many noting that the atmospheric elements contribute significantly to the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating, well-optimized, and integral to its appeal.

    • “Absolutely stunning atmosphere and graphics, especially with ray tracing enabled.”
    • “Everything else just adds to the immersion and atmosphere.”
    • “Lovely atmosphere, addicting gameplay loop, and wonderful visuals.”
    • “I actually think the game would be better without any of the voice dialog - making the atmosphere more dense.”
    • “The atmosphere is almost like she knows that everything she says and does will be recorded and audited when she returns to Earth.”
    • “Others are blanketed in thick, toxic atmosphere and you’ll have to refine toxic sludge into flammable gas to use in a gas power plant.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed sentiment regarding monetization in the game. While some players appreciate the absence of traditional monetization methods like loot boxes and microtransactions, others criticize the presence of in-game ads and the necessity to purchase DLC for full completion, suggesting a shift towards exploitative practices. Overall, the game is seen as a potential cash grab despite initial positive impressions.

    • “It's been a while since I've put a lot of effort into a game or even given a positive review, but wow, this was a game I was hoping for that didn't disappoint. A huge bonus: no loot boxes, no battle pass, no pay-to-win, just jump in and play.”
    • “Now it's here after 7 years waiting for a game like that; all my expectations came true. Even better, it's on PC and has no in-game purchases.”
    • “Bug-free release, no microtransactions.”
    • “There is also the very slimy business practice of in-game ads for their shovelled out mid-tier DLC, and then altering the base game so if you want to fully complete it you have to buy them.”
    • “This game was good at one point, but now... it's just an overly difficult cash grab engine.”
    • “I may be wrong, but based on normal small-studio trends, I suspect that they did this so they can cash grab some 'horse armor' DLC ASAP.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotional engagement and frustration in the game, highlighting the heartbreak of watching their bases get destroyed and the repetitive nature of gameplay. While some enjoy the thrill of combat and the sense of power it brings, many feel that the story and music fail to evoke genuine emotional depth, leading to a disconnect from the game's narrative stakes. Overall, the emotional impact is undermined by technical issues and a lack of serious storytelling.

    • “It's so heartbreaking to see your base being destroyed and there is nothing you can do about it.”
    • “Touching upon the story narrative and voice acting, I liked what they wanted to do but it was very clunky.”
    • “Story, writing, and voice acting weren't really taken seriously; it doesn't feel like the life-and-death situation we are faced with is real.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in this game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that characters feel shallow and the story does not offer the complexity found in other titles. While there are some positive remarks about character design and initial build-up, overall, the game fails to deliver a compelling narrative or engaging character arcs.

    • “Character design and backstory: 8/10”
    • “The first quarter and half were a slow burn consisting of good build up with adequate character development.”
    • “If you want character development like in The Last of Us or the storyline of Final Fantasy VII, go elsewhere.”
    • “There is, however, no actual character development, and the characters feel quite shallow.”
    • “The robot and main character design feel a little 90's for some reason.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

25hMedian play time
75hAverage play time
10-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 74 analyzed playthroughs

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