Trion Worlds returns to its roots. The free-to-play MMORPG Rift is getting Prime servers, which are only accessible via a subscription model. Is it worth diving back into the Pay2Play version of Rift in 2018?
With the Prime servers, Trion wants to cater to players who are unhappy with the item shop and prefer a subscription model over purchasable items. Therefore, only cosmetic items and some services, like name changes, can be purchased.
Is this the opportunity to return to Rift or experience it for the first time? What are the reasons for it and what are the arguments against it?
Reasons to Play Rift Prime
Rift Prime is more than just vanilla. The server starts with an older state and will be sustained with new content over the months. Certain quality-of-life features, like group search, are already in place.
However, we experience the old content. In a state where it is still relevant. Veterans feel the nostalgia, similar to the level-stop guilds of World of Warcraft. New players benefit from a regular influx of content.
Diverse Skill System
A unique feature of Rift is the high flexibility of characters. We choose from one of 4 classes, each with numerous skill trees. Up to three of them can be active simultaneously. It is up to us whether we want to skill all three or focus on just one.
The playstyle changes fundamentally depending on the spec. The cleric can access several different healing specs. While one tree focuses on cost-effective heal-over-time spells, another uses shields or group heals.
In raids, this benefits the tactical challenge, as one can experiment a lot. When playing alone or doing instances through group search, the skill system offers variety. If we tire of one playstyle, we can simply change it.
No Pay to Win
No feature divides more than the item shop. There was a huge outcry about this in Rift at the end of 2017. However, Rift Prime is funded through the subscription, making the item shop less important.
If there are purchasable equipment or other important items in the free-to-play variant, the Prime servers mainly offer cosmetic content. There are no items for sale that provide an advantage in the game.
WoW Players Adapt Quickly
Rift shares many parallels with World of Warcraft. The combat system is identical, and the gameplay itself shows numerous similarities.
At its release in 2011, it also introduced some innovations, such as the namesake rifts. These appeared spontaneously in the open world and resembled the events in Guild Wars 2 and the invasions of the Legion in World of Warcraft.
Rift survived for about 2 years in the subscription model and even released its first expansion during that time. It has achieved more than comparable WoW clones of its time. Anyone looking for a distraction until World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth arrives will find it in Rift.
Reasons Against Rift Prime
The MMORPG also has its downsides. Among them, the publisher itself, as Trion Worlds no longer enjoys a good reputation among many players. This is partly due to the MMORPG ArcheAge, which was released in cooperation with a Korean developer that led to serious issues.
In the eyes of many, ArcheAge turned increasingly towards the pay-to-win model after its release, souring the mood.
This also affected Rift..
No Pay to Win – But Limited Lifespan
The death date of the Rift Prime server is already set. Not to the exact day, but the shutdown could occur within a year. The official FAQ from Trion Worlds states:
Will the RIFT Prime server remain online when the end of game progression is reached?
No. The server will go offline shortly thereafter.
What happens to the characters then? The achievements will be transferred to the regular servers. Economically speaking, this is certainly a good idea. The player has paid for their subscription and would probably leave anyway, having seen everything. If there is new content and you return to Rift, you will suddenly be playing on the free-to-play servers, with their item shop.
Poorly Aged Graphics
At release, Rift emphasized a graphically appealing and realistic appearance. The problem with such representations is, however, that they tend to age poorly. The animations are clunky and the environment lacks many details.
Of course, graphics aren’t everything, especially since you have to make some sacrifices with a 7-year-old game. And Rift isn’t ugly. However, for those who value a fantastically looking game, it’s better to steer clear of Rift.
Alternatives to Rift?
If you want to try another game and don’t want to jump straight into the genre leader WoW: Guild Wars 2 offers an excellent leveling phase, The Elder Scrolls Online brings back the feeling of the Elder Scrolls series, and Final Fantasy XIV focuses entirely on the story.
• What you should know if you want to start Guild Wars 2 again
• The Elder Scrolls Online Morrowind: 10 tips for newcomers
• Is it still worth starting fresh with Final Fantasy XIV in 2018?
There is a multitude of high-quality MMORPGs available.
Is Rift Worth It?
It all depends on personal preferences as to when something is worth it. Rift Prime is worth its money. For the subscription, one gets a solid game that, thanks to the skill system and regular content updates, provides a lot of variety.
But one thing is clear: the fun is temporally limited. The server will not exist forever, and then you will be dealing with free-to-play and the controversial cash shop. Anyone looking for an alternative to World of Warcraft until its expansions are released is well advised with Rift. However, those who want to experience something new and lasting should look for another game.
A lot is discussed about pay2win, but it is rarely reported. What is it all about? Pay2Win – the black mark: why cash shops are rarely discussed
