Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, a new PlayStation 5 exclusive, was officially released on June 11. The game got 89/100 on Metacritic, based on almost 100 reviews. Critics praised Rift Apart for its visuals and the usage of new technologies but said that it’s almost the same old action-adventure when it comes to gameplay.
Rift Apart is the 16th installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and the first game in the franchise since Ratchet & Clank (2016). The game was developed by Insomniac Games and is set to showcase the potential of PlayStation 5.
The title introduces a system of interdimensional portals, as well as a new character, a female Lombax named Rivet. Prior to the release, the studio also said that Rift Apart was developed without crunch, which received praise from fans and other people from the industry.
Opinions about the game
Rift Apart received perfect scores from 15 outlets. VG247, for example, praised the game’s visuals and said that it fully demonstrates what PlayStation 5 might be capable of in the future.
We’ve had showpiece games for new consoles in the past (Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast, The Bouncer on PS2, Ryse on Xbox One, Killzone Shadowfall on PS4… the list goes on) but rarely do they offer the gameplay experience to back up the spectacle. Insomniac has become one of the safest pairs of hands in gaming, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that Rift Apart most definitely isn’t just a superbly lit show pony.
— VG247
Jeff Grubb from GamesBeat rated Rift Apart 5/5 and called it a fun and beautiful adventure, praising its gameplay and many activities. He only pointed out that the shooting part wasn’t perfect, and puzzles were sometimes out of place.
More than anything, I’m left with the impression that the people at Insomniac have a handle on this medium like few other studios. They used their tech to build a slick roller coaster with a nonsense plot that nevertheless features fantastic characters with fulfilling story arcs about learning to accept yourself.
GamesRadar+ gave Rift Apart a perfect score and called it the best installment in the Ratchet & Clank series, praising its visuals, characters, story, and the usage of new technology like the DualSense controller.
The series has always been a marker for what PlayStation exclusives can do with the power of a new console, and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is upholding that tradition. […] The game is also the perfect showcase for the DualSense’s adaptive triggers, giving you nuanced feedback for guns and actions that send signals to your brain you don’t even realize you’re getting.
IGN rated Rift Apart 9/10, saying that is a fantastic showpiece for the console’s power. According to the review, the game will be one of the most memorable adventures of 2021.
That sensation of never slowing down is also thanks to the spectacular load times, which are, as promised, practically nonexistent. Whether you’re jumping through rifts to a new location on the same planet or an entirely different one, or switching characters, I never noticed so much as a hitch, pause, or stutter. Some loads are cleverly hidden behind smart cuts and cutscenes, but for all intents and purposes, Insomniac has delivered a seamless adventure from start to finish.
— IGN
Video Games Chronicle rated Rift Apart 4/5, praising its usage of PS5 technology and controller, as well as charming characters and fun gameplay. The only problem is that, at its core, Rift Apart is almost the same game as 20 years ago.
The capabilities of the PlayStation 5 enhance and improve a pre-existing game series, rather than give us something altogether new. This isn’t a bold reinvention for Ratchet & Clank, but the same relentless, varied, sometimes funny, always charming, fun action game, only with some fancy new tricks and a higher price tag.
— VGC
Push Square rated Rift Apart 8/10, saying that the game has a “jaw-dropping presentation” and showcases the power of the console’s SSD and controller.
In an era where games have been releasing undercooked, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart has been polished to a perfect sheen, like the ray traced metallic casing on Clank’s outer-shell. The music immerses you in each scene; the script is thoughtful and laugh-out-loud funny on occasion; and the game is just pure fun from start to finish – it never pretends to be anything else.
Rift Apart received only four mixed reviews. The Washington Post was one the outlets that rated that game 7/10. According to the review, it’s almost the same adventure but with upgraded visuals and new technologies.
It is hyperkinetic and full of cutesy-looking characters that wear their emotions on their sleeves. If you’ve seen one of the trailers then you basically know what you’re in for: something totally familiar but with next-gen graphics. In other words, from a marketing perspective, it’s a safe bet.