When I started playing Rifts in 1990 I played several other sci-fi and fantasy RPG's but none had really held my attention for more then a few games. Kill the monster or blast the storm trooper, repeat. Rifts was something different, even special, and my $25 purchase has given me 24 years of enjoyment.

The original game had it's problems, a poorly designed magic system and a techno-wizard OCC with very few rules comes to mind. The book is, however, still a very good read and even though it has been replaced by the new Ultimate Edition I wanted to buy this book just to read and enjoy the beginning of the story.