Rift Full Review Thread (Performance plus Gameplay Review)

[Stevenxowens792]

Rift Review

Thread will include:

1. Peformance Results

a. High Power

b. Battery (unplugged on the go)

2. Gameplay

3. Verdict (opinions from a non-MMO guy)

System: I7-2630qm, Nvidia 555mGT 1.5 @ 750/900 (unless stated otherwise), 4GB, 60+64GB SSD, 1366x768

Driver Level 275.33 WHQL (Nvidia Control Panel Set to Performance settings with AA/AF set as application controlled)

Intro: I picked up rift on the steam sale for $14.99. It took forever to download but I was finally able to get it installed.

1. Performance: Compared to other machines which struggle, the M14x shines on this game. The details in this game are gorgeous for an MMO. The colors and plants are nice. This game is GPU rather than CPU intensive. It barely even utilizes the multicore CPU. GPU overclocking makes a large difference.

Game Settings:

Vanilla Ultra: -- **With Edge Smoothing**Feel free to look it up but many machines struggle with this setting at higher resolutions (1080p)

30-42FPS (in Meridian, the FPS has dropped into the mid 20s but apparently this is a common issue and its not sure whether a resolution

will be provided)

Screenshots here: Check out the shadows and colors. Just amazing! The picture of my companion Faerie beneath the tree is a neat example of the shadows and details.

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/8440/rift2011071221403277.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/114/rift2011071300413602.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5417/rift2011071600133109.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9586/rift2011071600135250.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8927/rift2011071600353911.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/9025/rift2011071600375027.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3627/rift2011071600452166.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/1613/rift2011071600462959.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9852/rift2011071600512883.jpg

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4323/rift2011071601020369.jpg

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/269/rift2011071601023207.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2459/rift2011071601223651.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1276/rift2011071601265390.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9049/rift2011071615253658.jpg

Battery: - Setup (customer power profile GAMING ON BATTERY with 80 percent cpu (1.6ghz) and GPU set at balanced.) GPU clocks set at 490/800 to provide longer gaming on battery and cooler temps. 62c max while gaming. I can game for over an hour this way.

Game Settings:

Medium (with object detail set to max, High detail objects enabled and shadows set to all rather than environment only, SSAO set to off and no AA/Af)

25-45 fps

Screenshots here:

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1078/rift2011071813340247.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6418/rift2011071813340736.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/3654/rift2011071813341898.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1531/rift2011071813444932.jpg

**Note: You can play rift on the Intel HD 3000 if you set the game to use low textures only and then custom set the view distance accordingly. I was able to hit 40fps without issue and you can play even longer on the go.**

Gameplay:

As a veteran RPG gamer (Ultima 3 and 4 back in the 80s, Baldurs Gate 1 and 2, Icewind Dale, NWN 1 and 2, Dragons Age, and many others)

I can say I am having a lot of fun with this game. Tackled my first big dungeon over the weekend at around 1am in the morning. Like most MMO's it has crafting, quests, the RIFT are very cool, the combat is easy to follow. (click this button/click this button) I am only level 22 right now. Traveling is on foot, mount or portals. 4 major classes Cleric, Mage, Fighter, Thief. 8 sub-classes within each major class. You combine up to 3 sub-classes to make your character eventually. Lots and lots to do in this game. I have only gone to 2 parts of the map so far and their is much much more to hit. Running around following Rifts with a large party is lots of fun.

Verdict:

I don't consider myself a MMO gamer. I like lots of online FPS games but most MMO's just haven't really peaked my interest for long.

I have tried Conan Online when it first came out, Champions Online, DC online, DDO (wife and I played for a while), and now Rift. I think this will be the first MMO that I stick with for a while. Theirs just so much to do and the 1.3 patch with the new items and quests is a lot of fun.

If you want to try the game I believe they are running a free week.

Amazon has the game on download for 9.99 basic and 12.99 limited edition with mount and satchel.

Here is a quick vid (very informal) about a minute long to give you an idea of what it looks like inside. Watch in 1080p!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuSWd1dVO34

Thanks for Reading.

Best Wishes,

StevenX

Edited July 18, 2011 by Stevenxowens792