RIFT Review for PC - Cheat Code Central

System: PC
Dev: Trion World Network
Pub: Trion World Network
Release: March 1, 2011
Players: MMO
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p

And speaking of quests, RIFT has a very well-crafted questing system. Quests are spread out among tiny little camps and settlements, each naturally leading to the next. I was able to finish every quest in most of the areas I visited, and once I moved on to the next area, the content was at the perfect level for me to take part in it. Many MMOs overwhelm beginner players with tons of quests, but RIFT is able to keep its content exceptionally well-balanced. You won't feel like you'll run out of things to do, yet you'll never feel like your quest log is impossibly burdened by tons of quests you'll probably never finish. I am very impressed by how smoothly this content flows together. The only complaint you could possibly make is that, for the most part, you'll need to complete every quest in each area before you move on. However, completionists who hate to over-level content before they finish will weep giant tears of joy over RIFT's exceptional quest flow.

RIFT Screenshot

I admit that I only had time to complete one dungeon in RIFT (the Iron Tomb), but I had a lot of fun exploring it with some friends from my newly formed guild. The dungeon quests were bestowed by NPCs who were actually inside of the instance (similar to the way dungeon quests are bestowed in post-Cataclysm WoW) making it incredibly easy for all the group members to stay focused on the same objectives. The final boss in the Iron Tomb, Ragnoth the Despoiler, had a few tricks up his sleeve, requiring some strategy and memorization in order to defeat him. If the other dungeons follow a similar formula, yet vary and expand on it, dungeon-running in RIFT promises to be an enjoyable experience.

If you're into the whole visual aspect, then there's no doubt that RIFT will satisfy your eyeballs. (Unless, of course, your computer isn't up to par.) The game world is beautiful, packed full of little details that make you say "Woah." For example, in the Stonefield area you'll find the decaying skeleton of a fallen titan warrior. This corpse is so large that your character is basically a mouse compared to this thing. The first time I saw it, I had just climbed over the top of a hill and had begun descending into a valley, giving me a full, distant view of this enormous corpse. I had to stop what I was doing so I could just stare at this thing because it was so visually stunning. Telara is a world full of things that are really fun to look at.

If you are craving an alternative to World of Warcraft but find yourself unable to give up WoW's gameplay style, then RIFT is pretty much your dream come true. And for anyone else who enjoys MMOs, you'll probably find quite a few things to love as well. Here's wishing for a long and healthy life for RIFT.

By Josh Wirtanen
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.8

Graphics
Bright, highly-detailed landscapes filled with breathtaking scenery make this an absolutely gorgeous game. You'll definitely want a high-end graphics card for this one.

4.1

Control
If you like WoW's control scheme, you'll feel right at home with Rift. If you feel that Rift could have improved on some things over WoW, then you'll be slightly disappointed.

3.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Great voice acting, with the standard MMORPG-type music and sound fx. I'm pretty sure they stole the "coin" sound directly from World of Warcraft.

4.4

Play Value
Quests are streamlined to have a flow that is smoother, tighter, and more intuitive than any I've seen in an MMORPG before RIFT. In highly populated areas, rift world events can be incredible experiences, but these can be slightly burdensome in areas with fewer players in them. The exceptional storyline and intriguing lore make even the less interesting parts of the game enjoyable.

4.3

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Massive Dynamic Battles: Invasions unfold zone-wide, creating epic conflicts that bring you into the story! Save the world now alongside hundreds of other players, or fight later to reclaim lands from invading hordes.

Eight Primal Forces: Creatures from the Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Life, and Death planes battle for control of the world of Telara! Two warring factions - the Guardians and the Defiant - face off against each other and fight extra-planar creatures as they seek to save the world.

Build Your Class: No other game lets you build your class the way RIFT does. Specialize in a single class or pick and choose abilities from many to create a character uniquely suited to your play style - and have fun while you experiment!

Choose Your Role: Each character can have up to four different roles, so you can choose different classes for every situation! You might have one for PvP and another for raids; or perhaps you want a high-damage or high-defense build. The choice is yours to mix and match as you see fit!

PvP Combat: Battle others in exhilarating Player vs. Player combat! Earn PvP ranks, titles, loot, and unique Souls to further enhance your character. Head to cross-server Warfronts and fight others in world PvP.