Doesn't look like anything special. Pretty unlucky timing for them considering SWTOR and GW2 are ramping up for spring 2011 releases. If it comes out VERY soon it might give people something to do to burn time that isn't WOW.
So this whole rift mechanic, it's like mobs spawn, and attack other mobs, and rinse and repeat. So is this like the MMO version of DoTA? I just saw the "Enter the Rift" video. The people talking just seem so.... uninformed/unexcited/(are these even real ppl). Especially when the guy is talking about mobs spawning on top of him..... at least pretend to be excited.
I got a key but being a bit lazy downloading it, few times I've had to restart Pc and had to fully restart the download Doesnt seem to save what its downloaded so you can finish it later. But as soon as I do ill let you guys know how it plays, but between Cata, and the upcoming GW2/SWTOR releases I think im good for MMORPG's for now.
I was able to get my hands on the first event through a regular key, and I have to say that it's really polished for the beta of a first in a franchise. Its controls and pacing are very similar to WoW, which may or may not be a good thing (good thing in my personal opinion). Using a melee ability will not make you run into melee range of a target to commence the attack, you have actively pursue targets to maintain melee pressure.
There are few base classes, but each class has several talent trees that you can earn through quests (they offer several choices for your second talent tree, known as a soul, but I'm not certain if that is how it's going to be come retail release).
I've only played through the beginning zone up to lvl 6, but I have to be happy with the aesthetics of the game. You don't look like a god-damned moron in a clown suit. If you're a warrior, you're wearing gear that looks like platemail, rather than an ugly texture wrapped around your character's body like a second skin. Really helps with the immersion factor, if you ask me.
The rift system is definitely appears to be a simple take on public quests, but it's not like they screwed up the concept in any way.
I haven't tried any group play yet, which will take some time to get to from what I hear.
Overall, it's nothing new or experimental, but it's definitely a solid experience, and definitely pretty. The developers have taken their notes on what works and doesn't in the big name mmo's, and it shows.