This game looked like a mix of some WoW elements and Warhammer to me. Combat is no where even remotely as responsive as WoW. Graphics are Warhammer carbon copies, in the beta event I was in you could almost think you were in WAR on Chaos side. The world feels very cramped, small and linear (like WAR again). Graphics are decent like WAR, animations are average. Content and quests are basically WoW-like, but WoW 6 years ago at release.
Not really impressed so far.

EDIT: technically, I had no problem. No significant lag, smooth frame rate (Phenom II 940 @ 3.5GHZ + HD 6870), no crashes.

 

-----signature-----

Is this one of those Age of Conan repeats, where everything is just nifty up to level 20 (the part they let you see/test) and then it gets horrific immediately afterwards (which, of course, is why they don't let anyone beta past that level)?

 

-----signature-----

It's a WoW alternative.

The big thing they are trying to push to set the game apart is:
- RIFTs - aka dynamic world content
- Graphics Engine
- Polish from launch

The last part is huge. Most MMOs in their first year don't have all the advanced features, like dual spec and the like, many that WoW didn't have at day 1. Trion is trying to start with WoW as their basis and build rather than something subpar to WoW that will "one day if you are loyal" will be better.

Will they deliever? Hard to say. So far we've only had a few beta previews, which have been very fun. I love betas, which is actually the topic of my next article.

 

-----signature-----

My performance was also extremely good. All settings to Ultra and was smooth as butter (averaged 45 fps) even when we participated in a GM-ran event. It was a massive rift invasion and I was in a full Raid (40 folks) with a few extra groups nearby. The game is a mix of WoW/War/AIon/EQ2. The only new feature I have seen is AoE looting (which I fricken love btw). The rest is their take on the best features of the games mentioned. It is extremely stable, runs very well, and has decent character progression options. It is NOT WoW but then again, do we need another? Not going to kill WoW either, just provide another option. It may end up sucking, it may not, too early to tell for me but it has my attention and I will be watching.

 

-----signature-----

I've always wanted to play an MMO that lets you dual class (kind of like guild wars).

That could be new enough for me

 

-----signature-----

I really liked the game and IMHO, it's one of the best MMO's since WoW's release, which isn't saying much, but still.

I think it's better than Aion, Conan, WAR and even Lotro.

Graphics were similar to Conan/Vanguard but it doesn't seem to have zones, seems open like WoW or War.

Combat was responsive and not clunky like Lotro or WAR.

The rifts that spawn are similar to War's public quests.

 

-----signature-----

The world is pretty darn big. We covered a single region from 1-20, the map in its entirety is pretty large for its initial incarnation.

 

-----signature-----

My article is up.

RIFT: The Closed Beta Experience

 

-----signature-----

It's not really a fully open beta, is it? Like, they don't accept everyone who wants to try?

I registered an account but the process seemed to stop there.

 

-----signature-----

I predict a failure. Normally you see a lot of praise and crap like that. I barely see any... only complains. Most people compare the game to WoW and War. The thing when you look at what they want from Rift, why not just go play WoW, it already got everything they want. I havent played the game but looking at the pictures one could easily confuse that game with WAR.

 

-----signature-----