Highlights

  • The Ratchet and Clank franchise has achieved major success over its 20-year history, and the release of a new game would be a significant milestone.
  • Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, released in 2021, received high praise from critics and players, breathing new life into the franchise.
  • Despite the busy schedule of developer Insomniac Games, it is unlikely that it would abandon the franchise, meaning a 10th game is probably in the cards.

The Ratchet and Clank franchise has become one of the most successful franchises in gaming, and after 20 years of games under its belt, the next game in the series will be a special one. 2021's Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart was praised by both critics and players, and an anticipated follow-up would signal a major milestone for the franchise.

Since its debut on the PS2 back in 2002, Ratchet and Clank has become one Insomniac's most successful properties, and the beloved franchise has brought forth many great sequels due to its success. The game follows the titular characters Ratchet and Clank, a Lombax who has a talent for mechanics, and his robot partner. The characters have become mascots of PlayStation, and the ability for the franchise to still continue after two decades is a success in itself, but the addition of a new game to the series would be one of its biggest achievements.

RELATED: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart PC Review

The Next Ratchet and Clank Will Be Special for Many Fans

Whatever the next Ratchet and Clank game happens to be, it will be special simply because it will be the 10th mainline game for the franchise. Reaching such a level of popularity is difficult for many games, but Ratchet and Clank has continued to entertain its fans, and it's even being introduced to a new generation of players since Rift Apart launched. Although there have already been plenty of spin-off games in the past, a 10th mainline game is a feat that not many franchises get to boast about achieving.

It will likely be a while until the next Ratchet and Clank is announced, but it feels inevitable. Rift Apart filled the franchise with a new fire, and it's likely that Insomniac will want to fan those flames while they're hot. The developer may be busy with Spider-Man and the highly anticipated Wolverine game, but Ratchet and Clank remains its longest running series. After the wonderful success of Spyro, Insomniac had a lot of pressure on its shoulders, but the studio managed to pull it off with the introduction of its new protagonists and endlessly entertaining gameplay. Ratchet and Clank raised the bar with its action-packed platforming mechanics, and Rift Apart brought the franchise's beloved combat-based platform gaming to its apex.

For fans who have been with these games since the beginning, seeing how far Ratchet and Clank has come is sometimes mind-boggling. The landscape of video games has changed drastically since the long gone days of 2002, and in a world where things evolve seemingly every day, Ratchet and Clank's ability to grow with the constantly changing trends in gaming and still be good is one of the franchise's biggest superpowers. Even though Rift Apart was released back in 2021, the game's PC port arrived this past summer, and that's hopefully a signal from Insomniac that the developer has plans to release another game starring the duo.

With the studio having its hands full due to such a busy schedule, some fans may be worried if they'll ever see a 10th mainline game. Although these concerns are valid, it's unlikely that Insomniac would abandon its longest running franchise just yet. A 10th game is a major possibility, but it could also be the last. It's clear that the studio is looking to branch out into the world of Marvel heroes, and this may turn the 10th Ratchet and Clank game into the franchise's finale. Although it would be sad to say goodbye to such an iconic duo, ending things on a high note with a 10th game would be a worthy send off.