A Rift Apart Review: Powering Through Dimensions on PC
Join Ratchet, Clank, and Rivet on their latest romp through space!
last updated Jan 18, 2024
Despite being more of a weekend getaway than a full-blown odyssey in terms of length, it's jam-packed with all the humor, charm, and bombastic battles the series is known for.
Tearing Through Dimensions
First off, kudos to the developers for squeezing this much action into a game that still manages to feel like a breezy afternoon at the arcade. Swapping between characters and dimensions is smoother than a buttered-up Lombax at a slip-and-slide gala, and the arsenal on offer could make even the most hardened galactic villain sweat bullets of envy. Toss in some cleverly designed levels, a dollop of nostalgia for the long-time fans, and a pinch of that just-one-more-go appeal, and you've got a recipe for a compulsive playground of destruction.
Symphony of the Starship
Get ready to feel your earholes tickled with the cosmic audio delights this game has to offer. Gunfire syncs to your trigger pulls like a symphony conductor gone mad with power, and the weapon effects are so satisfying, you can almost feel the shockwaves. The soundtrack, however, tiptoes the line between dynamic and 'Where's that classic banger?' But let's face it, Hugh Jackman's also seen better musicals. All in, the audio here elevates the high-velocity hi-jinks to a blockbuster level.
Pixel-Perfect Planets
If you thought your grandmom's photo album had crisp shots, wait till you lay eyes on the visual feast that is Rift Apart. This game spills over with eye-popping worlds that have more detail than a conspiracy theorist's blog. With stellar performance on the PC, it's clear the porting wizards cast the right spells. Although, word on the asteroid belt is that you might want to avoid running this on anything less powerful than a V5 Fusion Engine, or you'll get a charming 'slide-show' mode reminiscent of early Flash games. Performance aside, it’s a graphical showcase that sets the bar for future space operas.
An Embarrassment of Riches
We're spoiled for choice with weapons in this high-octane outing. Choosing your tools of mayhem is like picking candy in a store where everything's free and there's no such thing as a tummy ache. That being said, there might be a few too many sweets in the jar, as you might find yourself sticking to old reliable blasters instead of that fancy new gizmo that shoots... well, let's just say it's bonkers. This surplus of munitions is a double-edged sword, but when it cuts right, it becomes a highlight of every firefight.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Insomniac Games, Nixxes Software
Publisher
PlayStation PC LLC
Release Date
July 26, 2023
The Verdict
To sum it up, 'Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart' is a triumphant return to form and a shining jewel in the crown of interdimensional adventuring. Despite being more of a weekend getaway than a full-blown odyssey in terms of length, it's jam-packed with all the humor, charm, and bombastic battles the series is known for. Sure, the game could benefit from a gentle nudge in the difficulty department, and a couple of interdimensional hiccups need ironing out. But when the curtain falls, what we have here is a delightfully polished, albeit brief, escapade that not only tugs on the ol’ nostalgia heartstrings but also welcomes newcomers to a universe brimming with excitement. A must-play for old fans and fresh faces alike.