Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Family movie night? There's an app for that

Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.

Get the app
Parents' Guide to

Rift

By Michael Lafferty, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

MMO game with fantasy combat and skimpy armor.

Game Windows 2011
Rift Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Rift Game: Screenshot #1
  • Rift Game: Screenshot #2
  • Rift Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Julie B.
Julie B. Adult
October 13, 2017
age 14+

Used to be a great game

Title says it all. Seems as though they are lacking in funds and manpower. Class balance is a joke, the grind for end game gear is ridiculous, and far too much nickel-and-diming on things. This USED to be an amazing 10/10 game before it went FTP and they fired/laid off most of the talent.
reviewertimes10
reviewertimes10 Parent of 15 and 17-year-old
April 2, 2011
age 14+

Great for kids with the maturity to handle an online game.

This game is definitley one of the best mmorpg's out right now. One upside i see for teenagers is the each faction (these are what decide where your character comes from) has a goal to be good, simply with different ways of achieving this goal, unlike most games where there is a good and an evil faction. The violence isn't gruesome or gory, nothing more then the occasoinal blast of color errupting from a monster when it's attacked. The only thing that could become a problem in my eyes is if the 14 year old isn't mature enough to play a game that is online, but as long as they arent going to send rude or unnecessary messages constantly to other players, there shouldn't be any problem. Overall no problem for teens who are mature enough for an online game.
See all 3 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Telara, the world of RIFT, is being torn apart by invasions from other planes as well as from the threat of the demonic dragon known as Regulos, who is also seeking to rule the lands. Warrior souls, known collectively as the Ascended, have been brought back by the gods to battle the invasions. But even though the overall goals are the same, the Guardians (those who abstain technology) and the Defiant (those that embrace a sort of steampunk technology) are opposed and will battle each other if the chance permits. You decide to join the ranks of either the Guardians or the Defiant to thwart the attacking evil.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (3 ):

Rift is a well-designed and entertaining MMO that seems to combine elements from other previously released games and meld them together in a fresh and compelling manner. Crafting may be a touch simple, but the result yields better gear than can be often found on drops from monsters or gained by questing. Players will work through quests and storylines that are entertaining and woven nicely together, and some of the environments are truly visually compelling. Though definitely not for younger players, the older teen and adult MMO players may find this a challenging and enjoyable adventure.

Online interaction: Rift is a massively multiplayer online game that takes place in a persistent world with players running about. Generally, the community is friendly and welcoming, but like any online game, there are a few that like to verbally taunt others and can be rude. The chat censor keeps language from getting out of hand.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Game Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended game lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate