*****POSSIBLE METAPLOT SPOILERS ALERT*****
My post will discuss some metaplot topics and reveal information that you may not want to know.






After reading through this thread, let me see if I can offer some insight on what is written:

First off, the explanation of why satellites can't get to space has been mentioned in a few books.  The majority of the population of Earth do not know what is preventing leaving the atmosphere.  The main book offered theories, but I believe that was set that way because they weren't sure where they were going with it.  In Mutants in Orbit, they explain that a series of killer satellites are in orbit and containing the "earth menace" is  the one thing that all space stations collaborate on.

Yes, there is no GPS for the majority of the populace.  Advanced tech centers like Atlantis have means to compensate for it.  ARCHIE 3 does have GPS capability.  It was listed in one of the early Rifter books as official campaign material  I think it was written by Wayne or Bill.  The CS and NGR have the means of communicating long distances, but nothing intercontinental.

On the topic of power levels and role playing Rifts in general.  Well, there is no way around, there isn't an equal power level.  Some classes are far more powerful than others.  Some species are far more powerful than others, etc.  In RIFTS, you can argue why play a human when you can an Atlantean.  To that, I say why play an Atlantean, when you can play an Altess.  The beauty of RIFTS is that you can experience a whole gamut of options.  A good story will take the party composition into consideration when dealing out adversaries.  And just because you're playing a dragon, doesn't mean life is easy.  There are non combat oriented elements that will work against you.  sometimes, you'll be happy to have the human scholar to speak on your behalf.

As far as human populations go, yes there are only 10s of millions of humans left on North America, but there are millions of other mortal humanoids as well.  Part of the concept of role playing RIFTS is that humanity is not alone and we no longer are the dominant species on the planet.  

Is RIFTS worth picking up?  To that I offer this. In my experience RIFTS seem to be most enjoyed by the straight up hack and slasher who love the possible gonzo/super powered world and the hardcore roleplayer who is more into role playing the struggle of RIFTS life.

Just my $.02