Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a 2021 third-person shooter platform video game created by Insomniac Games and released by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 5. It is the ninth main game in the Ratchet & Clank series and follows Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (2013). A version for Windows computers, made by Nixxes Software, was released on July 26, 2023. This marked the first time the series was available on a computer that is not a PlayStation console. Critics gave the game good reviews, especially praising its graphics, fighting actions, and technology improvements. By June 2023, the game had sold over 3.97 million copies.
Gameplay
The game has many similarities to Ratchet & Clank (2016) and other games in the series. It includes features from earlier games, such as side-to-side movement, shooting, collecting bolts, automatic upgrades for weapons and health, manual upgrades for Raritanium weapons, and using gadgets. The main character is Ratchet, who is joined by his robotic friend Clank, who stays on his back. The game also includes a playable female Lombax named Rivet and a robot named Kit, who is similar to Clank. Players control Ratchet and Rivet as they explore different environments across many levels. They defeat enemies using a variety of weapons and gadgets and overcome obstacles to complete mission goals.
The game introduces a new feature: real-time travel between different areas, planets, and worlds through inter-dimensional portals. To use this, players use a new tool called the "Rift Tether," which pulls them through portals to move quickly between locations. The game includes planets from earlier games but with a dimensional twist, shown through alternate versions of those worlds, as well as new planets not seen before. The game adds improved movement options, such as dashing and wall running. It also includes both new weapons and weapons from previous games.
The game offers accessibility options, such as a high-contrast mode and settings to simplify movement, adjust camera sensitivity, and assist with flight, to help all players enjoy the game and complete the story.
Plot
After the events of Into the Nexus, Ratchet and Clank are honored as heroes during a parade on Corson V, organized by Captain Quark, Skid McMarx, and Rusty Pete. Clank explains that he has fixed the Dimensionator, a tool that can create openings to other dimensions, allowing Ratchet to search for the Lombax race and his missing family. However, Doctor Nefarious attacks the parade and tries to steal the Dimensionator. During the fight, Ratchet accidentally shoots the device, causing random dimensional rifts to form. Ratchet, Clank, and Dr. Nefarious are transported to an alternate universe, where the Dimensionator explodes, damaging space and time and separating the three. Clank wakes up alone and missing his right arm. He is found by a female Lombax named Rivet. Meanwhile, Dr. Nefarious ends up in a throne room and is mistaken for Emperor Nefarious, an alternate version of himself who rules the galaxy. Ratchet, now alone, begins searching for Clank.
While searching, Ratchet sees Rivet escaping with Clank. He meets Phantom, an alternate version of Skid, who gives him an electronic helper named Glitch to help him get a ship. Rivet takes Clank to her hideout on Sargasso, where she interrogates him because she distrusts robots. They discover a dimensional anomaly on the planet, and Clank investigates it, meeting a prophet named Gary, who asks for his help to fix other anomalies and prevent a Dimensional Cataclysm. Rivet learns the truth by viewing Clank’s memories and repairs his communicator so they can contact Ratchet and plan to rebuild the Dimensionator.
Ratchet searches for the Dimensionator’s blueprint and teams up with Kit, a robot apprentice of Gary. Kit warns Ratchet that she is a warbot built by the emperor and might lose control, but Ratchet believes they can work well together. They travel to Cordelion to build a new Dimensionator, while Rivet and Clank go to Blizar Prime to collect Phase Quartz to power it. After the Dimensionator is destroyed, they seek the Fixer on Torren IV, who repairs the Quartz after overcoming self-doubt. Ratchet and Rivet meet in the Scarstu Debris Field, where Kit joins Rivet’s team. They complete the Dimensionator, but Dr. Nefarious steals it. Dr. Nefarious is defeated, but Emperor Nefarious arrives, defeats Ratchet and Rivet, and takes the Dimensionator to eliminate Captain Quantum and destroy the resistance.
Rivet chases the emperor, who uses the Dimensionator to block her. Rivet tells Kit about losing her arm in a warbot attack, and Kit realizes she was responsible. Ratchet tries to warn Quantum on Ardolis but fails as the emperor banishes Quantum through a rift. The emperor celebrates conquering the galaxy but feels unfulfilled until he plans to use the Dimensionator to conquer all dimensions. Ratchet and Rivet, using a device Quantum planted on the emperor, learn he needs the Dimensional Map. They intercept him, rescue Gary, who reveals the map is hidden in an anomaly. Ratchet and Clank recover the map but are banished through a rift. Kit transforms into her warbot form to stop the emperor, but she is also banished.
Rivet goes to Viceron to free Ratchet, Clank, and the resistance from prison. Kit, feeling guilty about Rivet’s injury, leaves the group. As the resistance regroups, the emperor invades other dimensions, including Ratchet and Clank’s home. They pursue him through rifts, destroy his power suit, and defeat the emperor with help from Dr. Nefarious, who grew tired of how Emperor Nefarious treated him. Clank uses the Dimensionator to repair the dimensions. Rivet and Kit reconcile, and before returning home, Ratchet asks if they want to make "one stop" first.
During the credits, citizens of Nefarious City dismantle the emperor’s regime, Dr. Nefarious reunites with Lawrence, who is now a father, and Gary shares his findings with his father, the Plumber. With the Dimensionator restored, Ratchet, Clank, Rivet, and Kit repair damage, build a new arm for Clank, and prepare for future adventures.
Development
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was created by Insomniac Games and is only available for the PlayStation 5. In earlier games of the Ratchet & Clank series, a secondary team in North Carolina led development. However, for Rift Apart, the entire team from both studios worked together. The game has its own complete story, designed to interest both longtime fans of the series and new players. It follows the events of the 2013 game Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus and the 2016 remake of the first Ratchet & Clank game. The game was directed by Marcus Smith, the creative director, and Mike Daly, the game director.
Insomniac Games received early access to PlayStation 5 development tools and began planning the game soon after. Marcus Smith explained that the team faced a challenge: making the game appealing to both long-time fans and new players who had not played previous games. Early ideas for Rift Apart came from discussions about the possibilities of next-generation hardware improvements. Mike Daly said the team knew the game would be exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and wanted to use its features to create something new. He added that the team wanted to improve the gaming experience by using the PlayStation 5’s advanced hardware, such as its custom solid-state drive (SSD). Marcus Smith noted that the SSD made it possible to include features like traveling between dimensions, allowing players to move quickly between different worlds. He described the SSD as "screamingly fast," enabling the game to create detailed environments and instantly transport players between locations. The team was inspired by the 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life when designing the game’s concept of exploring alternate dimensions. Marcus Smith said the team asked, "What would a different dimension of Ratchet and Clank be like? And what would Ratchet’s life be like if he didn’t have Clank?"
To improve the game’s movement mechanics, Insomniac Games used lessons from previous titles like Sunset Overdrive and Spider-Man. Marcus Smith explained that the team combined abilities such as hook shots, Phantom Dashes, wall running, and rift tethers to create a smooth and connected gameplay experience.
The idea for the character Rivet came from exploring alternate universes in the game. Lead writer Lauren Mee and lead animator Lindsay Thompson wanted a new character with their own perspective and survival instincts in a darker universe. Lindsay Thompson described Rivet as having a strong, confident personality but not being cynical or cruel. Marcus Smith said the team aimed to show depth in characters like Rivet, avoiding a simple "opposite" version of other characters. Lauren Mee emphasized that Rivet’s experiences did not make her lose hope, even in a difficult world. After creating Rivet, the studio held auditions to find the right voice actor. Jennifer Hale, who previously voiced Commander Shepard in Mass Effect, was chosen. Jim Ward, who had voiced Captain Qwark since the series began, could not return due to health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19. He was replaced by Scott Whyte, who passed away in 2025.
After a launch-day update, Rift Apart includes a 4K-resolution mode running at 30 frames per second and two 60 frames per second modes called "Performance" and "Performance Ray-Tracing," which use lower resolution. The game supports HDR and uses the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, Tempest Engine, and ray tracing hardware for advanced features like haptic feedback, 3D audio, and real-time ray tracing. The PlayStation 5’s improved hardware allows the game to include more NPCs, enemies, visual effects, and objects than earlier games. These changes also help reduce loading times when moving between worlds.
Rift Apart reached the "gold" production stage on May 13, 2021, meaning physical copies were ready for manufacturing. Further updates would be added through software patches.
The game’s original score was composed mainly by Mark Mothersbaugh and Wataru Hokoyama. Mothersbaugh, known for his work in Hotel Transylvania, The Lego Movie, Thor: Ragnarok, and The Croods: A New Age, was contacted early in development. Insomniac Games wanted a retro-futuristic sound, which influenced their choice of composer. Mothersbaugh used experimental sounds, including synthesizers and orchestral beats, to create a cinematic score that matched the studio’s vision.
Release
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was announced during the PlayStation 5 reveal stream on June 11, 2020. At Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on August 27, 2020, Insomniac Games showed a 7-minute gameplay demo of the game. On February 11, 2021, Insomniac Games introduced several pre-order editions for the game. The standard edition includes an improved version of the Carbonox armor from Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, as well as the Pixelizer weapon from Ratchet & Clank (2016). The digital deluxe edition includes five armor sets, a sticker pack for the new Photo Mode, 20 Raritanium for weapon upgrades, and a digital soundtrack and artbook. During Sony’s State of Play presentation on April 29, 2021, a 16-minute gameplay trailer was released. Rift Apart was released for the PlayStation 5 on June 11, 2021. On May 30, 2023, a Windows version of the game, developed by Nixxes Software, was announced for release on July 26. This version includes support for ultra-wide screens and ray tracing.
Reception
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregator website Metacritic. Another review aggregator, OpenCritic, stated that the game received "mighty" approval, with 93% of critics recommending it.
IGN's Jonathon Dornbush praised the game's visuals, noting that the animations and detailed character models allowed "the entire cast to be more expressive than ever." He also said the game's story met the standards of animated movies, comparing it favorably to Pixar in its ability to tell emotional stories while keeping comedy strong.
Kyle Orland of Ars Technica enjoyed the game's combat, stating that the core gameplay of shooting and dodging enemy attacks was well-designed. He mentioned that enemy variety could have been improved but noted that enemies were used effectively in different combinations. Orland criticized the use of rifts in gameplay, saying they were not used enough for much of the game.
Chris Carter of Destructoid praised the game's presentation, calling it "playable Pixar." He highlighted the voice acting and soundtrack, and noted that the new hardware reduced loading times. He also said the game used the DualSense controller effectively.
Game Informer's Andrew Reiner commended the game's visuals and environment designs, saying the game "steals your eye with its stunning vistas" and makes players care about the characters. He praised the Rift Tether feature, stating it improved the gameplay experience by showing how different each new world was compared to the previous one.
Ryan Gilliam of Polygon gave a glowing review, saying Rift Apart was an impressive game that made good use of PlayStation 5 hardware. He added that it was a strong entry in the franchise, offering new weapons, creative writing, and new environments to explore.
GameSpot's Steve Watts gave a positive review, praising the game's visuals, creative weapons, and smooth controls. He said the game was "flashy and technically impressive without feeling self-important."
In the United Kingdom, Rift Apart was the second-largest launch for the Ratchet & Clank series, behind a 2016 remake. It was also the second-largest physical launch for a PlayStation 5 game, behind Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Sales remained strong in the second and third weeks after release. In Japan, Rift Apart was the third-best-selling retail game during its first week, behind Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Game Builder Garage, with 14,663 physical units sold. In the United States, it was the best-selling video game during the month of its release.
By July 2021, Rift Apart had sold over 1.1 million units. In December 2023, Insomniac Games suffered a ransomware attack that leaked private data. The leaks revealed that in June 2020, Rift Apart was projected to sell 2.2 million units and generate $73 million in revenue on an $81 million budget. By February 2022, the game had sold over 2.7 million copies and made $145 million in net sales. By June 2023, the game had sold over 3.97 million units.