![]() Rivet and Clank are attempting to find someone known as The Fixer, who turns out to be this giant mech surrounded by scaffolding. Insomniac showcased a brief glimpse of it in the State of Play, but it’s part of a much larger story beat. Take a lengthy rail-grinding section in RIvet’s chapter I saw. It’s that sense of driving everything to be more impactful that lends the increased scope a sense of not making everything bigger just for the sake of it. They feel inspired by superheroic quicktime events in Spidey’s outings, and they elevate the thrill of what could be a typical combat section. These brief, show-stopping moments, like when Ratchet is tumbling through the air from one parade float to the next, offer chances for not only the gorgeous animation work to shine through, but for more personality to be displayed alongside behind-the-back shooting and platfoming sections. My Rift Apart demonstration didn’t really include quicktime events, but did offer familiar moments where gameplay would seamlessly transition into a brief cinematic and back into gameplay, all without loading, and all while keeping the tension and pace up. ![]() ![]() But you should have no problem catching up to speed while playing, especially with Rivet playing such a pivotal role and being brand new to everyone. That’s not to belittle the full plot here in fact, the scenes I’ve watched so far feel more emotionally nuanced than anything in the franchise yet. But Rift Apart’s setup makes the core drama pretty clear - Nefarious bad, Ratchet and Clank good. Yes, Nefarious is a long-running villain, and the Dimensionator causing all of Rift Apart’s pandemonium was first teased all the way back in 2013’s Into the Nexus. They’re heroes renowned throughout the galaxy, and the parade thrown in their honor playfully references past moments in their career. If the duo is relatively new to you, the Ratchet-focused section I saw acts as an amusing introduction to not only these characters but the series’ tone. Well, fear not: Insomniac emphasized again and again that they view Rift Apart as a standalone adventure, one meant to be “timeless” in its enjoyment. Rift Apart: Ratchet Newcomers WelcomeDespite the franchise’s long history, it’s very possible many out there have never played a Ratchet and Clank game, or, given the lack of much availability beyond some entries via PS Now, only played the 2016 R&C remake/reboot. And while the franchise has been part of Insomniac’s DNA for much longer, it’s hard not to feel some of the impact of a couple Spider-Man games under their belt influencing the more cinematic take on the action I witnessed here. The expanse of what Ratchet can do on PS5 became clear in the State of Play, from the bustling density of Nefarious City to the meticulous detail of Ratchet’s fur. ![]() ![]() A Web of InfluenceSomething really striking about both sections of gameplay I saw came from the sheer scale of what Insomniac is pulling off. And, most importantly as someone who’s been playing this series since 2002, Rift Apart looks to be the most nuanced on an emotional level, with Ratchet and Clank’s friendship and their own personal histories coming into play alongside the fascinating depiction of Rivet, who, somewhat unsurprisingly thanks to the studio’s track record, is an endearing, funny, and welcome addition to the core cast. 6 Images The scale and spectacle is clearly, um, ratcheted up right from the first dimensional jump in what seems like clear lessons learned from Insomniac’s work on Marvel’s Spider-Man. ![]()
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