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Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart — 2025 Review
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Overview
When Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart launched in 2021, it was hailed as a showcase of what the PlayStation 5 could do—blistering fast loading, stunning visuals, and a Pixar-level polish.
Now, in 2025, I finally sat down to see if it lives up to the reputation. Short answer: it mostly does, with a few caveats. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, Rift Apart remains one of the best 3D platformer-shooters available, but expectations should be adjusted for today’s gaming landscape.
Visuals & Performance
Rating: 9.5/10
Insomniac’s visuals have aged extremely well. Character models, lighting, and particle effects feel like they belong in an animated feature film.
The Performance RT mode (60 fps with ray-tracing) remains the sweet spot—delivering silky frame rates without sacrificing much graphical fidelity.
Standouts:
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Dimensional rifts look spectacular and still feel impressive even after years of SSD innovations in other games.
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Environments are diverse and richly detailed—from neon-drenched cyber cities to lush alien jungles.
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Facial animations are still among the best in the business.
Gameplay & Combat
Rating: 9/10
Rift Apart delivers the series’ signature blend of chaotic third-person shooting, platforming, and exploration.
Combat
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Weapons Variety: 20+ imaginative weapons. The Topiary Sprinkler and Negatron Collider were personal favorites.
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Weapon Feedback: Satisfying, with the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers enhancing the experience.
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Upgrade System: Encourages experimentation without punishing mistakes.
Traversal
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Rift tethering adds a fluid dimension to movement, even if it’s used more as a set-piece mechanic than a constant tool.
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Wall-running, hover boots, and gliding keep platforming dynamic.
Criticism:
While the rift mechanic was hyped as a game-changer, it’s more limited than expected. You’re not dynamically shifting entire levels—it’s mostly scripted transitions or shortcuts.
Story & Characters
Rating: 8.5/10
The narrative strikes a balance between fun and heartfelt.
Plot Summary
Ratchet and Clank must stop Dr. Nefarious from using the Dimensionator to conquer multiple realities. Their journey introduces Rivet, a new Lombax resistance fighter from an alternate dimension, and Kit, a robot with a past.
Character Highlights
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Rivet: Excellent new character with genuine emotional depth.
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Clank: Continues to ground the story with his wit and wisdom.
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Dr. Nefarious & Emperor Nefarious: Delightfully over-the-top villains.
Tone
Family-friendly but layered enough for adults. Some deeper emotional themes around loneliness, friendship, and identity give the plot more weight than expected.
Audio & Soundtrack
Rating: 8/10
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Voice Acting: Top-tier. Every character feels alive.
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Sound Design: Weapon sounds and environmental effects are immersive.
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Music: Solid orchestral score, though it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
Image suggestion:
Screenshot of a quieter moment with ambient sounds (e.g., Rivet looking over a sunset vista).
Longevity & Replay Value
Main Story: ~12–15 hours
100% Completion: ~20–25 hours
Replay Incentives:
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Challenge Mode (New Game+) with weapon upgrades carrying over.
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Collectibles scattered across beautifully designed planets.
Criticism:
For those looking for a deep RPG or a sprawling open world, Rift Apart may feel a bit short.
How It Holds Up in 2025
Aspect | 2021 Release | 2025 Replay |
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Visual Fidelity | Excellent | Still excellent |
Gameplay Innovation | High | Moderate (slightly dated mechanics) |
Story & Characters | Strong | Still strong |
Replay Value | Good | Good |
Next-Gen "Wow Factor" | Incredible | Less groundbreaking, but still impressive |
Final Verdict
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart remains a must-play for PlayStation 5 owners, especially those who love vibrant action-platformers with a heartfelt story and polished gameplay.
While some aspects like the rift mechanics no longer feel revolutionary, the overall package holds up impressively. If you haven’t experienced it yet, now’s still a great time.
Overall Score: 8.8/10
TL;DR
✅ Stunning visuals that still impress
✅ Fun, varied combat with great weapon design
✅ Rivet and Kit are fantastic new additions
✅ Excellent DualSense implementation
➖ Rift mechanic is more scripted than revolutionary
➖ Some may find the campaign a bit short
Should you play it in 2025?
Absolutely—especially if you enjoy story-driven action games with tight gameplay and Pixar-like presentation.
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