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Beta Review: Rift = Win
I've been playing through the betas and I am really enjoying it. The game feels fresh and new, but also incorporates aspects of MMOs that I like and that I am used to. People say that it's a next-gen, old school game, and I agree with that. It definitely plays like an older MMO, but with many improvements.
By far my favorite part of the game is the "almost" class-less design brought by the inventive soul system. Yes there are still classes (Warrior, Mage, Rogue, Cleric), but those classes don't take on the usual stereotypes. However, you still see the classic healer, dps, and tanking roles. Also, with the soul system you are able to essentially create your own classes. Put three DPS souls together and roll with that, or mix support with offense in any combination that you want. You can be a healing mage, tanking rogue, or casting warrior, to name a few of the strange yet possible combinations.
The graphics are very good, and I like the art direction. The graphics engine is also nice because it allows for the game to run on lower-end PCs, but still look good on newer PCs.
Leveling in the game is very enjoyable because there is not one set direction that you must go. You can go around closing Rifts and defeating Invasions, PvPing, Quest Hub hoping, or any combination of the three to gain levels and gear.
The Rifts and Invasions are dynamic events (the first we have seen in any MMO) that can happen anywhere and at anytime. Each encounter is slightly different even if the goal is the same. Once the game is released and players are spread out a little more over the world, hopefully we will be able to see more towns and outposts being taken over, followed by the fun of getting to reclaim them! I am also enjoying Trion's Mass Invasion events that bring the community together in all out warfare. These, however, are causing some problems with the servers lagging and glitching, but keep in mind that this is a beta and these "mass invasions" are intended as stress tests.
I'm a PvP guy so naturally Rift's PvP system intrigues me. I really enjoy open world PvP and can not wait until I can go into enemy territory and destroy/take over their towns. Open world PvP brings a sense of uncertainty, you could say, to the game. The places that you are usually safe from being attacked by a rogue mob in, may not be safe from PKers, but by no means is it stressful. I've played games where the idea that you could be killed at any moment actually was a turn off for me.
I find the quests, hidden "easter eggs," collectibles, and storyline very interesting. I know most people don't read quest text, as I normally don't, but if you choose to there are some good reads. The secret treasures and events that pop up add another layer on the game following the idea of dynamic events that I haven't seen any where else, including the collectibles that you can find around the game world. The storyline may have the typical two factions, but it is actually different. The reason for the division is differing spiritual beliefs. The Guardians trust in the gods to help them save the world, and the Defiant reject the gods, instead relying on technology. I also haven't seen this idea expressed in any other previous games. Regulos (who is not a dragon I might add! Which is exciting since most games have dragons as being the culprits of all the terrible things happening.) has pretty much destroyed the world and taken over, and you (following the classic hero-esque tale) are ressurected and sent back in time to stop him.
Character customization in Rift may not be the best I've seen, but it is better than some games. I haven't gotten very far in the game, as end game isn't available to test, but it does seem that you will be able to get some customization out of your gear. I know that you can dye it, and I also know that there are multiple ways that you can get it, including questing, PvPing, defeating Rifts/Invasions, and crafting, but we will see what happens at endgame.
I haven't really gotten into the crafting system yet and I haven't been using the AH but they both appear to be solid. I am hoping that crafted gear will actually be useful and sellable for a profit. Some games have decent crafting systems, but the rest of the gear available makes crafting next to useless.
Lastly, the GMs and Devs for Rift/Trion are completely amazing. They are fixing every problem and listening to what the playerbase, their customers, is saying. Many gaming companys ignore what the common folk say, but if you think about it, they are providing us with a service, and we expect certain things from that service. A business can't prosper without paying attention to their customers, and Trion is doing very well with this.
Overall Rift is a very well thought out, solid AAA next-gen MMO that is definitely worth your time as it is worth mine. Whether you are waiting for the next big thing in MMO gaming, looking for a new game because you are tired of your old one, or trying to get into MMOs for the first time, Rift would be perfect for you.
Posts I thought were useful:
Originally posted by XasapisFrom the beta 6 notes:
• Expect additional PvP takeover areas across Telara. There are differently-themed, cool-looking wardstones clearly displayed as PvP targets, down to the faction inscriptions on the side. You can see examples of these PvP objectives in Scarlet Gorge.
Basically you can expect warstones in every quest hub and multiple in major NPC encampments. I have not witnessed a wardstone been taken by players on my server (although NPCs do it all the time), but you can see on youtube videos of world bosses that were summoned when one side took all the zone wardstones of the other side in one area. You'll find these wardstones in contested areas.
Originally posted by BACONXHey, This will keep me going for a while. It's new and entertaining. Whether it lacks innovation or uniqueness, no matter, I think it will be fun to play initially. I think sometimes we just have to dive in and have some fun. Will this game be meaningful in the long list of games we have all experienced? No idea but I have nothing else to play besides games which are no longer original. Not unoriginal because they are bad but because they have already been played. I'm just as guilty as others, I tend to get too philosophical before purchasing and playing a game. It is a decision tree which can trick you into circles of thought. It can hamper reality, break your ability to have fun. Just my opinion.
Originally posted by DeathTouchcrafting isnt as simplistic as people make it out to be. yes its go to node mine/gather. thats the simple. then you have to goto a workbench/forge/loom to begin crafting. you start with simple recipes, if you do the dailies you get some more recipes. if you get rep you get more recipes. if you pvp i think you get more recipes. now here is the fun part. there are things you can add when you craft to make the item have more of a specific stat, the higher skill you are the high mat you can add for a higher stat. then you can enchant the item with a rune. Twinking Items will be much fun later and selling them even more profitable. it isnt the boring grind that is EQ2 crafting time sink, but it is far from "simple."
Comments
I played most of the day, to give it one more shot. I can honestly say, I got a headache from it. It s new , yes, it s solid performance wise, but I just can t get to like it. Chaotic mess everywhere, and even when there were less active areas, I was still bored to tears. I tried at least, but I can t agree with th OP in many areas.
Aye I'm loving Rift so much that I'm trying not to play beta too much since my toon is going poof soon.
I agree. I found myself waiting for the next beta like it was Christmas and i was 10 yrs old again
The lvl 30+ content is AWESOME!
Lewk- Healer of Legacy Gareth
McDee- Spiritmaster of Maelstrom Percival
Murgu- Skald of Mordred
I agree with the OP i have grown to really like this game , at first i was not going to buy the game but have now bought it and am really enjoying the game.
I started beta 5 and kind of enjoyed RIFT.. Then took a break since I didn't have time with Beta 6.
I were kind of uncertain if I'd buy it or not - getting a char just out of tutorial - but now in Beta 7 after being through an invasion at level 10 I'm absolutely hooked.
I love the game, and I think it has a lot going for itself. Will it appeal to everyone? No, not at all, but I think many may be sucked in and I sure as heck am. ^^
I have to agree with the OP.
I tend to think that the impressive number of OB servers being full is a good sign as well that more people share in that opinion. I've been in since Beta 2 and it's been a whole lot of fun coming up with different soul combinations that synergize with each other to create something unique.
How long will it keep my attention? No way of knowing these days. But the outlook is good.
How is the Crafting?
I've just started beta7 so I was going try it, but server keeps dis. Are they doing a stress test?
Crafting seems pretty vanilla
three gathering, a few crafts.
Nothing awesome. just basic themepark stuff.
Playing: Nothing
Looking forward to: Nothing
Hey, This will keep me going for a while. It's new and entertaining. Whether it lacks innovation or uniqueness, no matter, I think it will be fun to play initially. I think sometimes we just have to dive in and have some fun. Will this game be meaningful in the long list of games we have all experienced? No idea but I have nothing else to play besides games which are no longer original. Not unoriginal because they are bad but because they have already been played. I'm just as guilty as others, I tend to get too philosophical before purchasing and playing a game. It is a decision tree which can trick you into circles of thought. It can hamper reality, break your ability to have fun. Just my opinion.
I think you pretty much just summed up a lot of people's internal conflict over this game haha
Rift probably won't be one of those games that you remember for ever (Runescape
), but hey if it's fun while you play it what's wrong with that?
Also, I'm glad to see some Rift supporters for a change :P
거북이는 목을 내밀 때 안 움직입니다
Did I kill any of you yesterday? I'm in Whitefall EU server.
I've been trying to quest in Droughtlands, which is deep into Defiant territory (I'm Guardian). That means that I'm constantly getting intercepted by roaming Defiants. I've died multiple times of course, but not without a fight.
Crafting is not that great. Pretty simplistic. Was pretty disappointed with it actually, but it's really one of the only things I didn't like about the game. It's funny, I don't really consider myself a "carebear" but I only seem to play games (long-term) that have a crazy intense crafting system :P Hopefully they can flesh out the crafting a bit more later on. What is pretty cool about it though is that you can salvage (I think that is the term) whatever you make and get some materials back. So if I make Iron Greaves of Whatever that takes two Iron Bars, I can salvage it and maybe get one Iron bar back. Lessens the time I need to spend harvesting...ie like Fallen Earth. But it doesn't take me 55 seconds to salvage something.
I bought it .I looked over it but with beta of any sort I usually check the basic things if its pretty polished like this one has been I do not play why would anyone really less you wanna be sick of the game in under a month,Having said that I look forward to playing it come release,
It might be simple, but if it actually works then it could be pretty awesome lol. We will see by endgame if crafting is useful. I would love to be able to make epic gear for profit and to wear myself and be able to say.. yeah i made that.
crafting isnt as simplistic as people make it out to be. yes its go to node mine/gather. thats the simple. then you have to goto a workbench/forge/loom to begin crafting. you start with simple recipes, if you do the dailies you get some more recipes. if you get rep you get more recipes. if you pvp i think you get more recipes. now here is the fun part. there are things you can add when you craft to make the item have more of a specific stat, the higher skill you are the high mat you can add for a higher stat. then you can enchant the item with a rune. Twinking Items will be much fun later and selling them even more profitable. it isnt the boring grind that is EQ2 crafting time sink, but it is far from "simple."
Dynamic events are not new to MMORPG genre.
Tabula Rasa had Outposts which were basically fortified NPC run quest hubs with access to crafting stations and a dropship ( a fast travel option ). At times randomly they were attacked by waves of Bane ( the AI controlled alien race ) and if player failed to defend it, it usually was taken over by them. In that case you obviously were losing access to that Outpost and its utilities. You could reclaim it by assaulting it with a group of friends, however it was slightly more difficult then defence but even more fun. It was one of the most fun features of TR.
One curious question about Rift PvP, you say you can go into the enemy race territory and take over / destroy their towns. How does it work ? Do you actually take over it and fight against NPCs or players as well ? How does that game mechanic work ?
From the beta 6 notes:
• Expect additional PvP takeover areas across Telara. There are differently-themed, cool-looking wardstones clearly displayed as PvP targets, down to the faction inscriptions on the side. You can see examples of these PvP objectives in Scarlet Gorge.
Basically you can expect warstones in every quest hub and multiple in major NPC encampments. I have not witnessed a wardstone been taken by players on my server (although NPCs do it all the time), but you can see on youtube videos of world bosses that were summoned when one side took all the zone wardstones of the other side in one area. You'll find these wardstones in contested areas.
Never heard of Tabula Rasa, but it sounds more like playing a war strategy game against a computer imo. Constantly changing, yes, but you can expect more enemies to be comming and if you don't stop them then you can expect them to take over.