Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the kind of game that makes you feel like a kid again, even if you have not touched a PlayStation in years. It is loud, colorful, and relentlessly fun, a summer blockbuster that actually delivers on its promises. The game follows the lombax Ratchet and his robot buddy Clank as they chase a villain across collapsing dimensions, and it looks absolutely stunning while doing it.
The story opens with a parade. Ratchet and Clank are celebrating their latest victory, but the festivities are cut short when Dr. Nefarious, the series’ long-running villain, crashes the party. He steals the Dimensionator, a device that can punch holes between realities, and in the chaos, our heroes are separated. Ratchet ends up in a parallel dimension, while Clank lands in the hands of a new lombax named Rivet, who has been fighting Nefarious on her own for years.
Trailer, via PlayStation.
The Dimensionator and the Multiverse
The setup is simple, but it does exactly what a platformer needs to do: it gets you moving. The Dimensionator allows the team at Insomniac Games to build levels that shift and change mid-run. One moment you are sprinting across a neon-lit city street, the next you are falling through a portal into a crystal cavern. The transitions are seamless. There is no loading screen, no stutter, just a smooth slide from one world to the next.
This is the technical marvel of Rift Apart. The PlayStation 5’s SSD is the star of the show, and the game uses it to create a sense of speed that the older consoles simply could not manage. Levels are dense with enemies and objects, and the rifts open and close in real time. It is a spectacle, but it is also a gameplay mechanic. You will use rifts to solve puzzles, dodge attacks, and reposition mid-combat.
The combat itself is classic Ratchet & Clank. You have a wrench for melee, a blaster for range, and a growing arsenal of ridiculous weapons. The RYNO, a fan favorite, returns in a new form, and there are new toys like the Shatterbomb and the Lightning Rod. Each weapon levels up with use, unlocking new modes and increasing damage. The feedback is immediate. Enemies explode into bolts and gears, and the screen fills with particle effects.
Rivet and the New Lombax
The real addition here is Rivet. She is a new playable character, a lombax from another dimension, and she shares the spotlight with Ratchet throughout the campaign. Her personality is different. She is more cynical, more guarded, but she has the same knack for witty banter and the same love for big guns. Her sections play almost identically to Ratchet’s, but the change in voice and perspective keeps things fresh.
Her story is also the emotional core of the game. She has been fighting Nefarious alone for years, and she does not trust anyone. Meeting Clank changes that. Their partnership grows over the course of the adventure, and the game handles it with a light touch. There is no heavy-handed romance, just two lonely characters who find a friend.
The stakes are cosmic, but the heart is small.
Ratchet and Rivet are not saving the galaxy because they are destined heroes. They are doing it because they are the only ones who can, and they would rather do it together. The game’s themes of connection and trust come through in the gameplay itself, not in speeches. The writing trusts the player to feel the bond forming.
Sargasso and Cordelion
The planets you visit are varied and memorable. There is Sargasso, a swampy jungle filled with dinosaur-like creatures, and there is Cordelion, a crystalline city that shatters and reforms around you. Each world has its own visual identity, and each one hides collectibles and side quests. The main path is linear, but the levels are wide enough to encourage exploration.
The puzzles are mostly physics-based. You will use a device to create rifts, then toss a ball through them to hit distant targets. You will ride rails and grind on magnetic tracks. The pacing is strong. A combat arena gives way to a traversal section, which gives way to a puzzle, and then the boss arrives. The game rarely lets you get bored.
One level stands out. It is a prison planet called Zordoom, and the entire sequence is built around a daring escape. The level designer clearly had fun with it, and the game’s willingness to commit to a bit is part of its charm.
Performance and Presentation
On the technical side, the PS5 version of Rift Apart is a showcase. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second in performance mode, and the ray tracing in fidelity mode is gorgeous. The character models are expressive, and the animation is top-notch. Ratchet’s ears twitch, Rivet’s tail flicks, and the enemies have a rubbery, cartoonish quality that suits the tone.
The voice acting is excellent. James Arnold Taylor returns as Ratchet, and he brings the same energy he has had for two decades. Jennifer Hale voices Rivet, and she gives the character a gruff warmth that fits perfectly. Armin Shimerman is back as Dr. Nefarious, and he is as delightfully hammy as ever. The script is full of jokes, and most of them land.
| Feature | Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5) | Ratchet & Clank (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Playable Characters | Ratchet and Rivet | Ratchet only |
| Dimension Rifts | Core mechanic | Absent |
| Performance Target | 60 FPS on PS5 | 30 FPS on PS4 |
| Story Focus | Multiverse and new characters | Remake of original tale |
The table above shows how far the series has come. The 2016 remake was a solid game, but it was safe. Rift Apart is a leap forward. The rifts are not just a gimmick; they are woven into every part of the design, from combat to traversal to storytelling. The result is a game that feels modern and essential, not like a nostalgia trip. The game is also available on PC, so players who do not own a PS5 can experience the same technical showcase.
The audio is just as strong. The soundtrack is a mix of orchestral swells and electronic beats, and it shifts with the action. The sound effects are punchy. Weapons have weight, explosions have bass, and the clatter of bolts is satisfying. The game is a full sensory experience, and it is easy to lose hours in it without noticing.
The Grind and Replay Value
The campaign runs about ten to twelve hours, which is a good length for this genre. It does not overstay its welcome, and it ends on a high note. After the credits, there is a challenge mode that lets you replay the game with all your weapons and upgrades. It is a nice touch for completionists.
There are also collectibles. Golden bolts, armor pieces, and pocket dimensions hide in every level. Finding them all requires careful exploration, and the game rewards you with cosmetic unlocks and a few extra weapons. It is not a huge grind, but it adds replay value for those who want it.
The game is not perfect. The difficulty is on the easy side, even on the harder settings. Boss fights are more about spectacle than challenge, and you will rarely feel threatened. The story is also predictable. If you have played a Ratchet & Clank game before, you know how this one ends. But that is not a flaw. It is a comfort.
A Score of 9.1
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a triumph. It is a technical showcase, a polished platformer, and a heartfelt story about friendship. It does not reinvent the wheel, but it does not need to. It takes a formula that has worked for twenty years and polishes it to a mirror shine.
The game is a reminder that big-budget games can still be joyful. It is not grim or gritty. It is bright and silly and full of heart. It is the kind of game that you finish and immediately want to play again, just to see the worlds one more time.
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