Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Overview

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart represents a triumphant evolution of Insomniac Games' beloved action platformer series, now available on PC for the first time. This dimension-spanning adventure follows our heroic Lombax and his robot companion as they face their greatest challenge yet: stopping the evil Emperor Nefarious from conquering multiple realities. The game masterfully blends frenetic third-person combat, inventive platforming sequences, and mind-bending dimensional puzzles while introducing Rivet, a resistance fighter from another dimension who becomes a playable character with her own compelling storyline.

What truly sets Rift Apart apart is its seamless dimensional shifting mechanic, allowing players to instantly transition between wildly different worlds with virtually no loading screens. This technological marvel isn't just for show—it fundamentally transforms gameplay by enabling mid-combat tactical positioning, environmental puzzle solving, and exploration across breathtakingly diverse landscapes. The PC version elevates this experience further with support for ultra-wide displays, unlocked framerates, and enhanced ray-tracing capabilities that make the already gorgeous game truly shine.

What Weapons and Gadgets Can You Wield?

Rift Apart continues the series' tradition of outlandish weaponry with an arsenal that balances returning favorites and creative new additions. The weapon progression system rewards experimentation and strategic deployment across different enemy types and combat scenarios.

• Topiary Sprinkler turns enemies into decorative shrubs
• Shatterbomb delivers devastating area-of-effect damage
• Burst Pistol offers rapid-fire precision targeting
• Negatron Collider fires powerful beams through multiple foes
• Mr. Fungi deploys mushroom allies to distract enemies

Beyond weapons, movement mechanics receive significant enhancements through the Phantom Dash and Rift Tether abilities. The former allows for quick evasive maneuvers during combat, while the latter enables players to instantly pull themselves through spatial tears in the environment, creating exhilarating platforming sequences that would be impossible in conventional 3D space. These traversal options combine with wall-running, rail-grinding, and hoverboot segments to deliver consistently varied gameplay that never grows stale.

Visual and Technical Excellence

Rift Apart stands as a technical showcase that pushes the boundaries of real-time rendering. The PC version builds upon this foundation with expanded graphical options including NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac's proprietary Temporal Injection technology. Players can fine-tune their experience across various hardware configurations, from high-end gaming rigs to portable PC gaming devices.

The game's art direction deserves special mention, with each dimension featuring distinct visual identities while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Character models display incredible detail, from the fur physics on Ratchet and Rivet to the metallic reflections on Clank's chassis. Environmental design shines through densely populated alien cities, lush jungle planets, and industrial complexes—each brought to life with meticulous attention to ambient details and lighting.

For players with compatible hardware, the DualSense controller integration adds another dimension to the experience. Adaptive triggers provide variable resistance based on weapon selection—the double-barreled Enforcer requires a half-pull for single shots and full compression for both barrels—while haptic feedback communicates everything from footsteps on different surfaces to dimensional rifts opening nearby.

Storytelling and Character Development

Rift Apart weaves a compelling narrative that respects the franchise's legacy while remaining accessible to newcomers. The introduction of Rivet provides a fresh perspective on the established universe, with her parallel-dimension backstory cleverly mirroring and contrasting with Ratchet's experiences. The relationship dynamics between all main characters evolve meaningfully throughout the adventure, addressing long-standing questions fans have had about Ratchet's origins and connection to other Lombaxes.

The writing balances humor and heart effectively, delivering genuine emotional moments amidst the characteristic witty dialogue and slapstick comedy. Cutscenes are directed with cinematic flair, while in-game character interactions maintain the narrative momentum during gameplay. Voice performances across the cast bring authentic depth to each character, with particular praise due for Jennifer Hale's portrayal of Rivet.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart delivers a masterclass in action platforming that successfully translates the PlayStation exclusive to PC with enhanced features and customization options. The dimension-hopping mechanics, diverse weapon systems, and fluid traversal options create a gameplay experience that feels consistently fresh across the 15-20 hour campaign. While the core adventure remains relatively linear compared to open-world titles, the density of gameplay variety and visual spectacle more than compensates. For both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise, Rift Apart represents the pinnacle of polished, accessible action gaming with enough depth to satisfy more experienced players seeking combat challenges and collectible hunting. This interdimensional adventure proves that sometimes the most innovative experiences come not from reinventing the wheel, but from perfecting it.