Watch 15 Minutes of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Gameplay

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart looks incredible. As evidenced during April’s PlayStation State of Play broadcast, the latest entry in Insomniac Games’ long-running action platform series is in line to be the PlayStation 5’s next showpiece game.

The power of the PS5’s super-fast SSD is here for all to see, with sections of levels and even entire worlds loading in the blink of an eye. All of this plays into the game’s core mechanic, in which characters use a device called a Rift Tether to warp between these areas. It’s so fast, it has to be seen to be believed.

Fluid animations complement what appears to be Ratchet & Clank’s tried and tested gameplay formula — smash crates with a melee weapon, use ridiculous gadgets, repeat — all set amongst visually stunning worlds that seem full of life. Once again, the plucky Lombax and his robotic friend push us towards the videogame equivalent of a Pixar movie.

If you’ve seen the trailers, you’ll know that Rift Apart is a two Lombax show. This latest gameplay demo (above) also gives us our first in depth look at Rivet — another adventurer in the mold of Rachet who players will take control of at certain points of the game. The two appear to have very similar skill sets, but only time will tell if they play any differently.

The new demo also confirms that Rift Apart will take our heroes to some of the series’ classic locales, albeit with an alternative dimension twist. The video also shows off some classic Ratchet & Clank weapons, as well as another off the wall entry themed around a garden sprinkler. These gadgets will also take advantage of the PS5’s adaptive triggers, allowing for alternative firing modes. 

The aforementioned Rift Tether is undoubtedly the star of the show though. It’s a vehicle that shows off the game’s biggest feature, all of it rendered in glorious 4K. As is commonplace in modern games, players will have the choice between a locked 30fps mode with all the bells and raytraced whistles, as well as a 60fps performance mode which will mean a hit on resolution. 

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All of this means that Ratchet & Clank has quietly become a staple PlayStation franchise once again, something that seemed unlikely even given the critical reception of the 2016 game. It makes sense that Insomniac (and presumably PlayStation) want to make Rift Apart a stand alone story and an easy jumping on point for new players. Although, it is technically a sequel to Into the Nexus. 

Whether you’re a new fan or a series veteran, there’s a lot to be excited about here. Already one of our most anticipated games, we can’t wait until Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart launches on June 11th for PlayStation 5.