Of all the words one could use to describe the PlayStation 5’s launch window, “sparse” was perhaps the most fitting. While the hardware promised a generational leap, the software lineup was a trickle rather than a flood. In this landscape of potential, one game arrived not just as a compelling adventure, but as a definitive statement. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, developed by Insomniac Games, was more than a triumphant return for the beloved Lombax and his robotic pal; it was, and remains, the PS5’s most complete and dazzling technical showcase, a masterclass in demonstrating how new hardware can fundamentally elevate the player experience.
The most immediate and jaw-dropping of its technical feats is, of course, its namesake: the rifts. The concept of near-instantaneous dimensional hopping is the central pillar of the entire experience, and it is here that the PS5’s custom SSD performs nothing short of magic. Previous generations teased this idea with cleverly disguised loading corridors or lengthy elevator rides. Rift Apart obliterates this convention. With a squeeze of the L2 button, Ratchet or Rivet will fire a rift, and in the span of a single, unbroken second, the entire world is replaced. One moment you’re battling Nefarious troopers on a rain-slicked metropolis of Corson V, the next you’re soaring through the vibrant, alien skies of Sargasso. There is no load screen, no perceptible hitch, no drop in frame rate. It is a seamless transition that feels less like a video game loading assets and more like a portal actually opening before your eyes. This isn’t just a party trick; it’s a fundamental reimagining of pacing and level design, enabling a cinematic fluidity that was previously impossible.
But the SSD’s wizardry extends far beyond the rifts. The entire game is built upon this foundation of instant access to data. The breakneck set-pieces, a hallmark of the series, are supercharged. You might be grinding a rail, only for it to dynamically collapse, the game loading a new gameplay segment—a hoverboot sequence, a flight section—without a single pause. The camera will cut to a dramatic angle, and in that cut, an entirely new environment is ready to go. This constant, fluid shifting of locales and gameplay styles creates a breathtaking pace that keeps players perpetually on the edge of their seats, never being pulled out of the immersion by a loading screen.
Complementing the raw speed is a visual spectacle that pushes the boundaries of current-gen fidelity. Rift Apart is a vibrant, living cartoon come to life. It leverages the PS5’s horsepower to deliver a stunning 4K resolution at a buttery-smooth 60 frames per second in its Fidelity Mode (with optional ray tracing), or a dynamic 4K at a targeted 60fps with even higher performance in its Performance Mode. The choice itself is a luxury of power, but either way, the result is pristine. The image is incredibly sharp, textures are phenomenally detailed, from the individual hairs on Ratchet’s fur to the scuff marks on Clank’s metallic chassis. The particle effects are a delirious explosion of color and light, especially during combat with the game’s inventive arsenal, where the screen often becomes a beautiful, chaotic fireworks display.
Then there is ray tracing. While many games use it subtly for more realistic reflections, Rift Apart implements it with playful, audacious flair. Yes, you see perfect, real-time reflections in the polished floors of Nefarious City or the puddles of Corson V, which is impressive enough. But Insomniac goes further, using ray tracing to create stunning refractive surfaces on crystals and glass, making entire alien caves shimmer with an otherworldly glow. This isn’t just about realism; it’s about enhancing the game’s core aesthetic, making its fantastical worlds feel more tangible and alive.
The technical showcase extends beyond the visual to the tactile, thanks to the revolutionary DualSense controller. Rift Apart provides the most comprehensive and immersive implementation of the DualSense’s features to date. The adaptive triggers are a game-changer. When using a weapon like the Enforcer, a slight pull on L2 fires one barrel, but a harder, full pull fires both. The Burst Pistol fires single shots with a light tap but switches to automatic fire when fully depressed. This isn’t a gimmick; it creates a tangible, physical connection to the arsenal, making every weapon feel uniquely satisfying to operate.
Similarly, the haptic feedback is a constant, informative presence. You feel the distinct thrum of your hoverboots gliding across different surfaces—a smooth grate versus a rocky path. You feel the subtle patter of rain, the heavy thud of a large enemy’s footsteps, and the unique resistance of each weapon’s firing mechanism. It adds a layer of sensory depth that grounds you in the world, making the act of simply moving through these environments a joy.
Beneath all this technology lies a heart of gold. The adventure of Ratchet and the introduction of the fierce, charismatic Lombax resistance fighter, Rivet, is emotionally resonant and brilliantly written. The gameplay is the series’ polished third-person shooting and platforming at its absolute best. But it is the seamless marriage of this stellar core game with the raw power of the PS5 that makes Rchet & Clank: Rift Apart so seminal.
It is a game that doesn’t just use the PS5’s features; it is about them. The rifts are the narrative catalyst and the central gameplay mechanic, made possible by the SSD. The visual splendor is amplified by the GPU, and the immersive feel is crafted by the DualSense. It is a holistic, top-to-bottom demonstration of a console’s philosophy, proving that hardware and software, when designed in concert, can create something truly magical. Two years on, it still stands as the high-water mark for what the PlayStation 5 can achieve—a breathtaking, joyful, and utterly complete technical showcase that also happens to be a fantastic game.
