Does Rift live up to the hype? Is Rift a “WoW Killer?” Quite honestly, three days after launch and several days after the “pre-purchase” headstart, it’s too soon to tell.
Rift takes place in a Telara, a world that sits at a junction of the elemental planes. Because of it’s strategic location it’s been assaulted by different elemental forces and it’s people wiped out. The god’s of Telera intervened and resurrected the Guardians (aka your good guys) to fight the invasions. On the other hand, you have the Defiant, who reject the gods and choose technology as their path to fight the invasions.
Graphics
First off, Rift is pretty. Prettier than World of Warcraft has ever been. The visuals are great, the particle effects are beautiful and so far (I’m leisurely playing and only level 15 after several hours of gaming), the character models are great on NPCs, creatures and Player Characters. Texture modeling and detailing looks superb with glinting armor, embossed designs on clothing and deep design on the models.
Sound
The sounds are pretty top-notch to any MMO. There’s not a huge variation between sound effects when it comes to the creature death gurgles and such. Weapon hits and the sounds of battle do sound great, however.
General Game Information
I play on a Player versus Environment (PvE) server and not Player versus Player (PvP) so I can’t speak too much about the second. PvE balance has always been an issue as well as PvP in any MMO. At this time I’m hearing alot about Warfronts being mismatched with too many people on one-side or the other. Just three days after launch there is plenty of balancing that needs to be done on both sides of the game.
Rift is highly accessible. If you’ve played ANY MMO the controls will be familiar. Most of the key functions for opening the map, or your bags, as examples, are directly ported from your major MMOs like WoW or Lord of the Rings Online. There are some really great touches however. My personal favorite is that bringing up the map blocks the screen, like any MMO, but when you move it goes 80% transparent, allowing you to use the map while you move.
Rifts
We have to talk about Rifts. Rifts are “invasions” that randomly spawn across the zones at, or around, a level commensurate to that zone. If a Rift isn’t closed quickly it can expand into a full-blown invasion that can quickly overwhelm parts of the area. The creatures that spawn will ultimately begin to attack areas around the Rift and hamper your ability to complete quests.
Rift allows you, or your group, to quickly join into a “Public Group,” a short-term raid in essence, to combine your efforts and get credit and rewards for sealing the Rift. You can then attack and seal the Rift with the help of everyone who wants to join.
Downside, if no one is around, these Rifts will basically make your life a living Hell until the server spawns “Guardian” forces to help until it seals on it’s own.
Rift is a fun game, I recommend picking it up if you are looking to scratch your itch for a new MMO. Exciting combat, raiding, and lots and lots of loot are always good things to look forward to.
