Up until a couple of months ago, the PS5 felt like a myth. I live in the States and every day I’d check the big box stores online sites, restock updates, Twitter accounts, etc and nothing. It finally came down to being prepared, acting quickly and a little luck when the link and selection refreshed. Also, a friend texting RIGHT when it went live. Well, that didn’t hurt either.
The brand new Ratchet & Clank game Rift Apart dropped recently and well this is the game I bought my PS5 to play. I similarly bought my PS4 to play the Ratchet & Clank reboot in 2016. And my PS3, PS2, etc. This is the series that does all the heavy lifting when it comes to convincing me I always need to own the next PlayStation.
For almost two decades, Ratchet & Clank have been constant. I love the PS2 offerings: Going Commando and Up Your Arsenal. The PS3’s games are really, REALLY good as well: Tools of Destruction, A Crack in Time & Into the Nexus. The smaller adventure Quest for Booty was dope, the PSP titles Size Matters & Secret Agent Clank rocked and the PS4 reimagined, Ratchet and Clank polished what came before.
Ratchet & Clank are gaming gold. Every single title. Don’t be put off by the fuzzy and kid friendly looks, they hide some of the most fun in 3rd person action platforming available on console. The series has always had a level of polish and game play perfection that makes it feel not only a competent shooter but also incredibly fun no matter your age.
However, the common sentiment I am hearing is that Insomniac should rebuild and alternate everything around the core mechanics as a means to update the game, while maintaining nothing even close to the core gameplay that we love. I’d be surprised if anyone who loves the series would want Insomniac to fundamentally change it. IMO, that would be nuts.
Insomniac has their formulas of wacky gadgets in big spaces down to a science ever since A Crack in Time, possibly the greatest game in the series. They’ve stopped trying to fiddle with the formula since the last few PS2 games overdosed on combat, so instead they introduce one or two touches to liven it up. New theme. New weapons, New techniques, etc.
I’m impressed by how much the DualSense controllers add to the game. I was prepared for some superior graphics, but the controllers and sound of Rift Apart on the PS5 has been the surprise stars so far. Rift Apart is also backed by a sweeping score composed by the iconic musician Mark Mothersbaugh. The co-founder of DEVO succeeded in making the music enjoyable to listen to over and over again. I haven’t tired of hearing it yet.
As the 17th Ratchet & Clank title, Rift Apart is a fun adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome. I don’t want to get spoilery: The graphics are mind blowing, the characters are memorable and amusing and it felt great to be back again with old friends. The long running series still feels fresh, interesting and exciting and is a definitive next-gen experience. Don’t you hate it when great things are consistently great.
–Dagobot
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