Trials of the Rift is a top-down, competitive couch co-op party game. Two teams of two local Players each control wizard apprentices completing a series of challenges to earn the rank of master. The team which completes every room of their dungeon first is the winner, but players must also contend with the Rift, a magical entity separating the two teams from each other.

Trials of the Rift requires four dual-stick game controllers to play. Move and aim using the thumbsticks and cast spells using the bumpers and triggers.