Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, the critically acclaimed action-adventure game that was previously exclusive to PlayStation 5, is finally coming to PC on July 26, 2023. The PC port is being handled by Nixxes Software, a studio that has a history of working with Insomniac Games on bringing their PlayStation titles to PC, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Rift Apart is the latest entry in the long-running Ratchet and Clank series, which follows the adventures of a Lombax mechanic named Ratchet and his robotic sidekick Clank as they travel across the galaxy, fighting evil forces and exploring exotic planets. Rift Apart introduces a new dimension-hopping mechanic that allows the duo to seamlessly switch between different worlds using rifts that are created by a mysterious device called the Dimensionator. Along the way, they encounter a new female Lombax named Rivet, who joins them in their quest to stop the evil Emperor Nefarious from conquering all realities.
The PC version of Rift Apart will feature several enhancements and options that will take advantage of the power and flexibility of PC hardware. According to Julian Huijbregts, a community specialist at Nixxes Software, the PC version will support ray-traced reflections and shadows, unlocked frame rates, ultrawide aspect ratios, and various performance-enhancing upscaling technologies such as NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac Games’ Temporal Injection. The game will also support NVIDIA’s latency-reducing Reflex technology and DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing), which is an AI-based anti-aliasing method that improves image quality for players who have spare GPU headroom.
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The PC port of Rift Apart is part of Sony’s ongoing strategy to expand its gaming presence beyond PlayStation consoles and reach more players on other platforms. Sony has previously stated its ambition to release half of its games on PC and mobile by 2025, and has already brought several of its PlayStation exclusives to PC in recent years, such as Horizon Zero Dawn, Days Gone, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, God of War (2018), The Last of Us Part I and II, Ghost of Tsushima, Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls. Sony may also be considering launching its own PlayStation PC launcher in the future, as references to it were spotted in Spider-Man Remastered for PC.
Rift Apart was originally released on PS5 on June 11, 2021, and received critical acclaim for its stunning visuals, smooth gameplay, charming characters, witty humor and creative weapons. The game was designed to showcase the capabilities of the PS5 hardware, especially its ultra-fast SSD that enabled instant loading times and seamless transitions between worlds. The game also made use of the PS5’s DualSense controller features, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. It is unclear whether these features will be replicated or adapted for PC controllers or keyboards.
Rift Apart is currently available for pre-order on Steam and the Epic Games Store for $59.99 USD. Pre-ordering the game will grant players access to five bonus armor sets for Ratchet, Rivet and Clank, as well as a digital art book and a digital soundtrack. The game will also include a photo mode, a challenge mode, a new game plus mode and various accessibility options.
Rift Apart is expected to be one of the most anticipated PC releases of the year, as it will allow more players to experience the interdimensional adventure of Ratchet and Clank on their preferred platform. Whether you are a fan of the series or a newcomer who wants to try it out for the first time, Rift Apart promises to deliver a fun-filled and action-packed experience that will make you feel like you are playing a Pixar movie.
What is Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart?
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a 3D action-adventure game that combines platforming, shooting, puzzle-solving and exploration elements. The game is the sixteenth installment in the Ratchet and Clank series, which started in 2002 on the PlayStation 2. The game is developed by Insomniac Games, the studio behind other popular franchises such as Spyro the Dragon, Resistance, Sunset Overdrive and Marvel’s Spider-Man.
The game follows the titular heroes, Ratchet and Clank, as they travel across different dimensions using rifts that are created by a powerful device called the Dimensionator. The rifts allow them to instantly switch between different worlds, each with its own unique environments, enemies and challenges. Along the way, they meet a new female Lombax named Rivet, who is part of a resistance movement against the evil Emperor Nefarious, a recurring villain who wants to conquer all realities.
The game features a variety of gameplay mechanics that make use of the rifts, such as pulling objects or enemies from other dimensions, using rift tethers to swing across gaps or reach new areas, and using pocket dimensions to access hidden secrets or mini-games. The game also features a large arsenal of creative weapons that can be upgraded and customized, such as the Shatterbomb, which launches explosive projectiles that can bounce off surfaces; the Topiary Sprinkler, which turns enemies into harmless plants; the Ricochet, which fires a metal ball that bounces between targets; and the RYNO 8, which can summon random objects from other games or media.
The game boasts stunning graphics that showcase the power of the PlayStation 5 hardware, such as ray-traced reflections and shadows, dynamic lighting and weather effects, high-resolution textures and models, and detailed animations and facial expressions. The game also makes use of the PS5’s ultra-fast SSD to enable instant loading times and seamless transitions between worlds. The game also supports the PS5’s DualSense controller features, such as adaptive triggers that change resistance depending on the weapon being used, and haptic feedback that provides realistic vibrations and sensations.
The game has received critical acclaim for its gameplay, visuals, story, characters and humor. The game has an average score of 89 out of 100 on Metacritic, making it one of the highest-rated games of 2021. The game has also been praised for its accessibility options, which include various difficulty levels, control schemes, camera settings, audio settings and visual settings.
The game has an estimated playtime of around 13 hours for the main story on normal difficulty, but it can be extended by completing side activities, collecting collectibles, unlocking trophies and playing in challenge mode or new game plus mode. The game also features a photo mode that allows players to capture and share their favorite moments from the game.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is available now on PS5 and is part of the PlayStation Plus Extra game catalog. Its PC port will come out on July 26.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart will be released on PC on July 26, 2023. The game will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store for $59.99 USD. Pre-ordering the game will grant players access to five bonus armor sets for Ratchet, Rivet and Clank, as well as a digital art book and a digital soundtrack.