Riftstorm

Overview

Riftstorm is a multiplayer roguelite shooter that blends fast-paced action, strategic looting, and cooperative gameplay for up to three players. Featuring randomized missions, unique characters, and a variety of upgrades, the game delivers an experience reminiscent of classics like Alien Shooter with a modern twist. Players explore procedurally generated levels, taking on challenging enemies and collecting loot to customize their builds. In the recent alpha playtest, the game has garnered attention for its engaging mechanics and innovative use of Web3, while sparking debates about its NFT integration.

Gameplay

The game starts by selecting one of seven unique characters, each offering a distinct playstyle to suit various combat strategies. Whether you prefer a soldier armed with assault rifles and grenades or a sniper deploying turrets for tactical advantage, the game provides a solid foundation for creative approaches to battles. 

Jumping into a mission in Riftstorm is where the real excitement begins. Missions can be access through Rifts, offer a thrilling mix of challenges, environments, and objectives.  Each Rift introduces Mythics, supernatural enemies that keep players on their toes, as well as hidden rewards for the adventurous. Players can select missions based on their Combat Power (CP), with higher CP missions offering greater challenges and rewards.

Before jumping into battle customizing your loadout is equally important, allowing you to equip primary and secondary weapons that fit your strategy. The game even indicates when teammates use the same weapon, encouraging synergy during co-op play. As you progress, you’ll unlock blueprints that allow you to craft higher-rarity weapons, significantly boosting your performance and giving you an edge in every match. 

The cooperative multiplayer mode is where Riftstorm truly shines, letting players team up for the most challenging content. Whether you form a party with friends or join a public lobby, the focus on synergy and strategy elevates the experience. By choosing complementary Weavers and coordinating loadouts, teams can tackle tougher missions, creating unforgettable gaming moments. Playing with friends adds an extra layer of reassurance, as better communication makes planning and executing strategies much smoother and more effective.

Adding to the roguelite mechanics are Lythograms, collectible upgrades found in missions that offer temporary boosts to shape your build in real time. These upgrades push players to adapt their strategies, enhancing strengths or compensating for weaknesses to meet the evolving demands of each mission.

While Riftstorm delivers a polished and engaging experience, it’s not without its shortcomings. The repetitive mission structure and limited variety in power-ups can hinder its long-term replayability. Still, Riftstorm offers a compelling blend of action, strategy, and cooperative play, making it an exciting prospect for roguelite enthusiasts.

Review

Riftstorm delivers a polished, fast-paced roguelite experience, particularly impressive given its alpha status. The combat mechanics are fluid, and the characters and enemies are thoughtfully designed, creating engaging and immersive battles. However, the environmental design falls short, often feeling uninspired and failing to match the energy of the action. While the randomized levels and cooperative mechanics lay a strong foundation for replayability, the limited content variety becomes apparent after just a few hours, making the experience feel repetitive.

On the bright side, the progression system is intuitive, making it accessible for newcomers while still rewarding for seasoned players. Yet, despite its polished execution, Riftstorm struggles to carve out a unique identity, leaning heavily on familiar elements from genre staples like Alien Shooter and Hades. While it’s a well-crafted game, it risks being seen as a derivative entry in an increasingly crowded field. The potential is there, but it’s clear that more innovation and variety will be needed to make Riftstorm stand out in the long run.