I marveled at the wool on a sheep, and audibly said “wow” when I saw the sheer scale of a Godzilla-sized robot that looms over one of the levels. Don’t be surprised if you stop dead in your tracks to inspect the detail on the most trivial of things. While retaining the same colorful cartoon look we’ve come to expect from each installment in this series, the level of detail in Rift Apart is through the roof in jaw-dropping ways.
Yes, this plays into the duality of dimensions concept, and keeps the gameplay flowing in a consistent way, but it also feels like a missed opportunity to change things up and truly create a new character. The duo shares the same weapons, upgrades, armors, and experience points earned – a solution that reduces confusion and keeps the focus on making progress that, again, strips each character of individuality. She doesn’t have any distinguishing features that set her apart.
She is playable for half of the adventure, but is sadly a carbon copy of Ratchet on the battlefield. As her tale unfolds, Insomniac delivers satisfying answers as to who she is and what happened to her. Rivet energizes the story and is brought to life through a number of mysteries that give her a unique pulse. Ratchet also appears to have a double in the other existence, and her name is Rivet, a new character who breathes fresh life into this series. In the other dimension, Skid is a skilled resistance fighter named Phantom. For instance, in the reality fans know, we have Skid McMarx, a burnout surfer who didn’t do much. Since events have unfolded in different ways in each reality, the characters could be radically different. The always amusing Doctor Nefarious thinks he has a better shot at conquering the alternate dimension. Through a nicely penned story, we quickly learn Ratchet and Clank are bouncing between two specific dimensions, both holding the same planets and characters. Portals are also placed in combat areas to allow for quicker environmental traversal, a touch that sounds small, but adds another layer of strategy to the mix.
#RATCHET AND CLANK RIFT APART RIVET SERIES#
Insomniac sometimes uses these quick transitions for exciting gameplay sequences, like riding an out-of-control beast at breakneck speeds through a series of dimensional rifts.
These transitional moments are as magical and fun as they sound, often wowing you with just how different the next world is compared to the one you are currently standing in. The transition between locations happens in a flash, and Ratchet is suddenly standing in an entirely different world or reality. As he battles his way across an alien world, a window into another reality may appear in front of him, and he can bravely leap through it. One of the coolest technological feats in Rift Apart is how Ratchet travels between dimensions. When coupled with this series’ tried-and-true gameplay, the experience absolutely sizzles, creating a fun rollercoaster ride from start to finish. It checks all of the next-gen boxes, dazzling with its power, speed, sound, and control. The heavy doses of nostalgia are handled with care but are only half of what make this sequel a must-play for PlayStation 5’s early adopters. Insomniac Games made a sequel for longtime fans that hits the right classic notes, feeling like a glorious reunion, even though these characters never left our side.
From the second I took control of the fuzzy Lombax again, my muscle memory kicked in, and I was flipping through the air and smashing boxes like I had never stopped. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a sequel that clings tightly to its storied heritage, never once betraying the foundation that was laid in 2002.
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