Rift is a 3D MMORPG that takes place in the fantasy universe of Telara. The game features a well-crafted class system, a variety of content, and dynamic gameplay. With similar mechanics and interface with World of Warcraft, Rift may look copied, but it firmly establishes its originality. Rift is a true free-to-play MMORPG, with a variety of PvP, duels, and battleground content.

The fantastical world of Telara has you interacting with different natural elements, with four classes and nine skill trees a player can choose from. With the ability to slip into three skill trees or souls at a time, players enjoy the combinations’ dynamics. Also, the incredible zone-wide events make Rift interesting gameplay.

What the World of Rift Looks Like

Telera – where Rift is set – has six elemental planes, with each having a dragon-god as the ruler. The antagonist of the story, the Dragon of Extinction, has recruited these dragon-deities in his mission to take over Telara. It’s your duty, as the Ascended, to send the Dragon of Extinction back to the abyss. You can already imagine the kind of intrigue you’re set for.

There are two factions you can either join: the Guardians, which are loyalists of the Supreme God of Telera, and once defeated the Dragon of Extinction, or the Defiant, who rely heavily on their innovations in science and tech. Either way, you’re still the Ascended, and the task hasn’t changed one bit. However, the faction you choose will determine the selection of races you can join. As a Guardian, you can be a high elf, Mathosian, or dwarf. While as a Defiant, you get to choose one of Eth, Kelari, and Bahmi.

Rift’s class system is built on souls or skill trees. Players will have to choose a calling: mage, cleric, warrior, or rogue. Each of these callings has nine souls attached to them, making 36 souls in the class system. However, players can only choose three souls at a time. These souls are essentially the skills and powers of the heroes past. There’s the freedom to select any of the souls within your calling and replace them to achieve another playstyle.

Then you come to customization, and there’re lots of options to peruse. You can change your character’s hair type, face, hair color, and a whole lot of other things. The triangle slider allows you to choose the perfect face, rather than just picking from the preset ones. When all of that is done, you slide into the game proper.

My first zone was an area filled with flying dragons with fire-breathing tentacles. Nothing could be more spectacular for a start! I found the controls pretty easy and straightforward, especially as an MMORPG veteran. But I don’t think newcomers will encounter so much difficulty. The small map on the screen shows available quests, making navigation as convenient as possible.

Closing the Rifts

One won’t be wrong to say Rift is more about closing rifts than anything else. By the way, that’s what the storyline is all about. Throughout gameplay, you’ll find rifts spawning all over Telera. These rifts are categorized based on which plane they come from – Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Life, and Death. You’ll have to join forces with other players to wipe out a string of enemies, eliminate the boss, and seal the rift up.

When some of these rifts release invaders, they try to establish a colony in a particular Wardstone. Eventually, if they succeed, they’ll produce more of their kind and gain total control over the zone, creating epic bosses in the process. That’s why it’s important to keep these Invaders in check, squashing them before they spread their wings. Better still, close the rifts. Thankfully, you earn special tokens for doing so, and these are redeemable in the form of rewards. Rift’s rift system allows for dynamic events, be it PvP or multiplayer tasks. What’s important is the intrigue that comes with drilling an enemy to the ground.

There’s More

Rift gives you a variety of PvP experiences. You can either jump into the chaotic scene of open-world PVP or try out different Warfronts encounters. Getting to Level 45 unlocks the Instant Adventure feature that presents yet another enthralling play. Here, you perform a series of raids, running through Telera, exterminating mobs, and completing different tasks. The amazing about these raids is the fact they happen in unexplored areas of the zone, further attesting to Rift’s dynamism.

The Instant Adventure helps you finish a level as the XP gains from combats and quests are tremendous. Rift also features a player housing system where you can build a house anywhere in the instanced area. Build and furnish a home where you can rest from the gore of battles.

There’s also the Cash Shop that has a variety of items on its shelves. Items such as XP boosts, mounts, cosmetics, and dungeon items enhance overall gameplay. But they have an insignificant role in the success of your playthrough. The Shop also offers services like faction switches and realm transfers. For an even faster playthrough, Rift offers a Subscription plan. Subscribers get to enjoy even more XP boosts, bonus items, and other collectibles.

Is it worth it at all?

When Rift was first released, it held the promise of a World of Warcraft experience. It’s been nine years now, and opinions on whether it’s lived up to expectation vary. But there’s no denying that the game bears a semblance of the classic World of Warcraft in so many ways. The user-interface, cash app, and combat are as familiar as ever. However, Rift is not a “copy and paste” game. It’s Rift System, particularly, is outstanding. While Woe fans can argue on whether Rift provides any satisfaction, non-fans will hardly find any taste in it.