If you're planning on jumping into Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, check out these need-to-know tips first.
Ratchet & Clank is one of the most enduring platforming series the PlayStation has to offer. Now, it's coming to the PlayStation 5, which is big news for the furry Lombax Ratchet and his robot friend Clank. Though the series has had 16 entries (yes, you read that correctly), this is one of its biggest yet.
But if you've managed to miss all the other entries and still want to play this next-gen adventure, don't worry. You can do so with ease, if you read ahead and take in what we've got for you here. In honor of Ratchet & Clank touching down on a next-gen console, here's what you need to know before trying out the game, whether it's been a while or whether you're a Ratchet super-fan.
Who are Ratchet & Clank?
This is an important one, and it'll definitely be on the proverbial test. Ratchet is a young Lombax, from a race of furry creatures that also have a penchant for adventure. His partner is Clank, a tiny robot sidekick who tends to ride around on Ratchet's back, almost like a backpack. If you want to check out their origin story, carve out some time to play the original Ratchet & Clank from 2002, but it's not absolutely necessary. Ratchet is brave yet brash, and Clank is his British-accented serious foil, and the two happen to complement each other perfectly.
Who are Ratchet & Clank up against?
That would be Dr. Nefarious, who first made his appearance in Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal in 2004. He's, well, exactly what his name implies. More than just a jerk, he's a megalomaniacal supervillain who wants to turn all forms of organic life in the world into robots. He's pretty incompetent, but he's a bit of a thorn in Ratchet & Clank's side.
In Rift Apart, Dr. Nefarious utilizes a dimensional collapse in spacetime thanks to a malfunctioning machine known as a Dimensionator, created by the Lomax. It rips open portals into other dimensions, including one to a world ruled by Nefarious's alternate universe counterpart, Emperor Nefarious. You can guess where this is going, right?
Source: Insomniac Games
Where does Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart pick up?
Our dynamic duo has saved the world countless times over by the time we meet them in Rift Apart. Ratchet is missing his Lombax race, which were sent to another dimension in exile by Emperor Tachyon. The Dimensionator is a possibility to help Ratchet find his people, but it isn't working. Cue Dr. Nefarious as he slides in to try and use it for his own evil purposes, thus starting up another frustrating foil for our favorite best friend duo to take care of.
Who is Rivet?
Rivet is a new playable character in Rift Apart. This female Lombax is an important part of Clank's journey to reunite with Ratchet after the two are separated. Rivet is the perfect counterpart to Ratchet, as the pair are similar in very many ways. She has a bionic arm, and works to fight against Emperor Nefarious at every turn, as she's trying to work toward a better world while residing in her own dimension.
Source: Insomniac Games
Do you need to play any of the past games first?
The short answer is no. The long answer? Yes, you could, but only if you're heavily invested in the Ratchet & Clank lore. The story isn't so deep as such that you need to have been there throughout every adventure and every single moment between these two friends. All you really need to know is that they're two peas in a pod, have saved the universe time and time again, and they're about to have their latest brush with one of their oldest rivals. In the end, this is a platform like all the rest in the series, and you'll be able to pick up all the details as you play. But if you get to the end and you realize you need more Ratchet & Clank in your life, yes -- you should absolutely play the other entries.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a PlayStation 5 exclusive and is set to debut on June 11.
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Want more of everyone's favorite furry-and-metal team? Jump on over into the official SteelSeries Discord to discuss the long-running game series with like-minded folks.
