The Riftbreaker looked interesting ever since I added it to my Steam wishlist a couple of years ago. I finally managed to play it and I can say it’s really fun. It mixes base-building, survival, and action RPG elements. You play as an elite scientist and commando in a high-tech Mecha-Suit that can travel through dimensions. The main premise is to build a base, gather resources, and defend against the dangerous wildlife of an alien planet.
I’ve played the game with all the currently released DLCs, that is:
- The Riftbreaker: Metal Terror
- The Riftbreaker: Into The Dark
- The Riftbreaker: Heart of the Swamp
I will recommend the Metal Terror DLC the most, other ones felt a little big buggy, but the pricing is alright for what you get with them.
The base game offers a fun and quite varied gameplay. You explore different areas, collect and process resources, build and upgrade your base, and fight off waves of enemies. The top-down shooter mechanics mixed with resource management and tower defense elements make for a really dynamic game.
Building your base is easy and fast, thanks to the smooth mechanics. You place factories, storage units, and energy generators strategically to keep resources flowing and making sure your base can handle attacks. The game keeps you busy as you balance expanding your base and defending it..
Combat in The Riftbreaker is fast-paced and exciting. You hack and slash through hordes of alien creatures using a variety of weapons and abilities that you can upgrade and customize. The Mecha-Suit feels powerful, and the combat is satisfying. Exploration is also a big part of the game as you scan the environment, collect samples, and unlock new technologies.
One of the game’s biggest strengths is how it mixes different genres toghther. The mix of base-building, tower defense, and action RPG elements works really well. Each part of the game complements the others.
The maps in The Riftbreaker are randomly generated, which means no two playthroughs are the same. This adds a lot of replay value to the game, as you always find new challenges and strategies in each session.
The game has an extensive research tree that lets you unlock new technologies, weapons, and upgrades. This system provides a deep sense of progression and keeps you engaged as you work towards unlocking powerful new abilities and equipment.
One downside of The Riftbreaker is the repetitive nature of scanning objects and environments. While exploring is generally fun, having to scan everything can get tedious over time. A smoother scanning process would make the game a bit better.
The game’s story is pretty straightforward and I think it lacks some depth. You are sent to an alien planet to prepare it for colonization, facing hostile creatures along the way. While the story serves its purpose, it doesn’t offer much in terms of character development or complex plot twists.
Different biomes in the game offer unique challenges and resources. You can share resources between biomes, which adds extra strategy. Some outposts can be specialized for certain resources, while others can become full-fledged bases.
The Riftbreaker supports mods, and the developers have added several improvements based on community feedback. Features like better energy distribution and the ability to repair destroyed buildings instead of rebuilding them from scratch are great additions that enhance the gameplay experience.
One big issue is the lack of promised co-op mode though, but the devs said again that it will come this year.
The Riftbreaker: The Riftbreaker is a fantastic game that combines multiple genres into a fun experience. The base-building and resource management are deep and rewarding, the combat is fast-paced and satisfying, and the random maps ensure that each playthrough offers something new. – Tom Henry
