Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart can't possibly have much to see, right? After all, it's not like it's an online multiplayer title, a methodical strategy game, or an RPG. It's a single-player adventure that shows most of its strengths in a single sitting. Plus, the Ratchet and Clank franchise has been around for nearly twenty years. Gamers know what they can expect from these platforming shooters.
Actually, that's not the case. Rift Apart has several nuts and bolts (sorry) that can easily throw players off their guard. This applies to both series veterans and newcomers. Everyone who plays this latest entry might stumble and overlook some of its key aspects, but that's okay. Mistakes are how one naturally improves at everything, gaming included.
10 Expecting A Sequel To The Remake
2016's Ratchet & Clank was the last game released in the series. It retold and tweaked the events of the 2002 original, detailing the duo's first meeting and essentially starting from scratch. Any games after this would logically follow this new status quo, right?
Wrong. Through various clues and references, it quickly becomes clear that Rift Apart goes back to the old continuity. Ratchet and Clank are seasoned heroes who've saved the galaxy time and time again. Unfortunately, that means some of the dumber plot threads from the PS3 titles rear their ugly head. It's a double-edged sword.
9 Expecting The Humor Of The Old Games
The first few Ratchet & Clank titles poked fun at the rampant commercialism across the galaxy. Everyone was out to make a quick buck, and they rarely cared about who got hurt along the way. The writers repeatedly took shots at this profit mindset, making for plenty of cynical jabs and gallows humor.
As the series went on, these slowly gave way to lighter gags and more wholesome characterization. Even Ratchet himself is a far friendlier hero than the mischievous (occasionally selfish) punk he started as. Maybe the creators thought the "bite" of older games was too mean-spirited for kiddies. Rift Apart may return to the previous timeline, but fans shouldn't expect it to be any less of a family affair.
8 Spending Too Long On Puzzles
Puzzles in Insomniac games have always been hit-or-miss. Sometimes, they're a harmless little challenge. Other times, they're a painful pace-breaker. That's why the developer's recent titles -- such as 2016's Ratchet & Clank and 2018's Spider-Man -- have included an option to skip these puzzles.
Rift Apart's brainteasers can surprise players with their complexity. The multi-leveled challenges can seem overwhelming, and some gamers could spend hours trying to solve them. However, it's not worth the hassle. The puzzles don't provide any extra experience or weapons; they just lead to a PSN trophy. If one proves too difficult, better to save your sanity and skip it.
7 Using The Glove Of Doom On Aerial Adversaries
Among the numerous returning weapons in Rift Apart is the Glove of Doom. This gadget spawns swarms of robotic minions that eat away at an enemy's health. It's a great way of crippling larger foes and getting groups of mooks off Ratchet's back. Don't get too comfortable, though.
The Agents of Doom have a glaring flaw: they can't reach airborne adversaries. If a bad guy is flying around the arena or even floating above the ground, the little kamikaze robots can't reach him. It's easy to rely on such a helpful tool, but it's not an all-purpose solution. Many players will likely learn that through a few wasted Agents.
6 Treating Mr. Fungi Like Mr. Zurkon
One of the weapons summons a sentient mushroom named Mr. Fungi. He fires projectiles at enemies to aid the heroes, evening the odds somewhat. At first glance, this conjures images of Mr. Zurkon, a similar weapon-based ally from previous titles, but they have a key difference.
Mr. Zurkon actively moves around the area, following Ratchet into combat and zeroing in on enemies. Mr. Fungi, on the other hand, largely remains in one spot. He's more akin to a stationary turret than a mobile ally. To achieve the maximum effect, players must deploy Mr. Fungi in a place where he can actually reach the bad guys.
5 Stop And Shoot
Series veterans know this well, but Rift Apart may be the first Ratchet & Clank title for many gamers (especially since next-gen consoles are currently strapped for games). As such, they may see the arsenal of oversized weapons and think they can simply annihilate anything in their way, but these guns can't do all the work.
Ratchet and Rivet must fight literal armies of baddies in this game. Not only do they charge the lombaxes with melee attacks, but they also rain fire with seemingly endless ammunition. Even ducking behind cover only offers momentary respite. Much like with the recent Doom titles, the answer is to keep moving. Strafing and jumping around the arena makes the player a moving target, which is thankfully more difficult to hit.
4 Pressing The Buttons Too Hard
The PlayStation 5 is still new to the market. As such, gamers might not be used to the ways it distinguishes itself from previous generations. This particularly shows in the DualSense controller, specifically the adaptive triggers. Ratchet and Rivet's weapons may fire in radically different ways depending on whether players push the buttons all the way down or only halfway.
The gameplay involves a greater degree of subtlety than every other Ratchet & Clank title. In the old days, gamers just pressed a button, and Ratchet performed the corresponding action. That's no longer the only way to play. It might also throw some people off.
3 Ignoring The Extra Stuff
The main appeal of Rift Apart is chaotic combat and light platforming. Players gain experience by killing enemies; they use this experience to level up their guns and kill more enemies. Why bother with anything else?
Well, seeking out these extra challenges potentially yields additional items and other bonuses. For instance, the Pocket Dimensions provide new armor pieces for anyone who can conquer their obstacles. This grants an enticing incentive to an otherwise inconsequential hassle. Plus, these challenge rooms are the only worthwhile platforming in the game.
2 Only Using The Quick Swap
This might seem counterproductive. After all, the point of button shortcuts is to prevent the pain of going into a menu. Limiting oneself to four weapons, though, causes players to miss out on the dozen others at their disposal. Not using them means they don't get better.
Eventually, Ratchet and Rivet need to switch between multiple guns for different scenarios. Four simply isn't enough. Plus, time stops when players go into the weapon wheel, so enemies can't get any free shots off. This eliminates any potential downside to slowing down and picking the right gun.
1 Stop Playing After Story Mode
After completing the main story and side activities, one would assume the game's over. That's not the case with Rift Apart. This single-player adventure comes with a Challenge Mode, which is essentially New Game Plus. Not only do players keep the weapons, armor, and bolts they've collected thus far, but this replay multiplies the bolts earned depending on how well they perform. Now, what's all this for?
It's quickly revealed that Challenge Mode raises the level cap on all weapons. Ratchet and Rivet can now further improve them through Omega upgrades. That's right. The guns were secretly nerfed in the base game. Anyone wondering just how destructive these tools can get just has to play this mode. See what else this title has to offer.