Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s arrival on PC has been eagerly anticipated by fans of the beloved PlayStation franchise, myself included. After witnessing the success of God of War’s PC release, my excitement grew, and I eagerly counted down the days until I could experience the latest installment of this iconic series on my personal computer. Finally, the day arrived, and I was able to dive into the vibrant world of Ratchet & Clank’s intergalactic adventures.
As a game that was initially touted for its utilization of the “power of the PS5,” I was curious to see how it would perform on a different platform. To my delight, the PC version of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart delivered an exceptional gameplay experience, showcasing the stunning graphics, smooth controls, and immersive storytelling that the franchise is known for. Playing this game on my PC has truly been a treat and a testament to the incredible advancements in gaming technology.
Visuals & Gameplay
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is an outstanding game, with its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and lovable characters. From the moment I started playing, I was captivated by the immersive world and the thrilling adventures that awaited. However, there were a few aspects that fell short of perfection. The villains, while not terrible, lacked the depth and complexity that I had hoped for. Additionally, the game felt a bit shorter than I would have liked.
Despite these minor flaws, I found myself replaying Rift Apart multiple times upon its release, a testament to its overall brilliance. It has quickly earned a place among my favorite titles in the franchise, standing alongside the fantastic A Crack in Time. I can’t help but yearn for a sequel featuring Rivet and Kit, as I miss the days of having multiple Ratchet and Clank games per console. Nevertheless, Rift Apart is a game that I will undoubtedly continue to enjoy for years to come.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC Port Evaluation
When given the opportunity to review the game on PC, I eagerly accepted. After witnessing the success of their Spider-Man duology, Insomniac Games and Nixxes had proven their ability to smoothly transition games from console to PC, even enhancing them with new features. However, I couldn’t help but approach Rift Apart on PC with a hint of doubt, considering the initial release of the Last of Us Part 1. While it wasn’t a complete disaster like its predecessor, the PC version of Rift Apart does encounter some issues during the transition, unlike Spider-Man. As is often the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
The settings menu in this game offers a wide range of options that cater to individual preferences. Whether you prefer playing in a windowed, fullscreen, or exclusive fullscreen mode, you have the flexibility to choose. Additionally, the game allows you to enable and customize HDR, enhancing the visual experience. The Display tab also offers various choices for monitor selection, resolution, and aspect ratio.
From the standard 16:9 to the more unconventional 21:9 or 32:9, the game caters to different screen sizes and preferences. The inclusion of arbitrary resolutions even makes one curious about the possibility of playing this game on an old CRT monitor, reminiscent of the original games. Overall, the settings menu provides players with a plethora of options to optimize their gaming experience.
Upscaling & Performance
There are several options available for enabling upscaling, such as DLSS, AMD FSR 2.1, XeSS, and IGTI. In my case, I have chosen DLSS for my desktop as it provides the best results in terms of both visuals and performance. However, it is important to note that DLSS only works with Nvidia graphics cards. Without an upscaler at maximum settings of 1440p, I typically achieve around 10 to 20 frames per second, depending on the scenery.
However, with DLSS enabled and set to Performance mode, this significantly improves to the mid 40s, resulting in a much better visual experience. Additionally, by reducing the ray tracing settings, I can easily achieve 80 to 90 frames per second. It’s worth mentioning that ray tracing is currently disabled on AMD GPUs, but there is a future patch scheduled to address this issue. Overall, with a RTX 4060 graphics card, you can expect even better results than any of the modes available on the PS5 version.
One major drawback that still exists for the PS5 version of the game is the frequent crashing issue, which needs to be resolved in order for it to be considered the definitive version. Despite playing on the Steam Deck with low settings and 30 fps, the game runs smoothly and maintains its stunning visual appeal, proving that art style holds more importance than sheer graphical power. However, after approximately thirty minutes of gameplay, the game suddenly slows down, freezes, and crashes the entire system, necessitating a reboot.
Even on my desktop, where there is no time limit, occasional crashes occur when entering or exiting a pocket dimension, and even during my recent test for the statistics mentioned earlier. Although the game’s constant autosaves and quick load times allow for immediate resumption from where you left off, this recurring issue is undeniably frustrating.
Control Challenges
One of the main issues with Rift Apart is its controls. The game was specifically designed to utilize the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers, which allowed for a unique gameplay experience. However, when using a PS5 controller or other standard controllers, the force feedback of the triggers is significantly reduced, resulting in a less immersive feel. Additionally, the control scheme for the guns’ fire modes seems to have been modified to cater to standard controllers and mouse and keyboard setups. Instead of the half-pull and full-pull mechanics, the game now registers short and long presses.
While this works fine for most weapons, it becomes problematic for weapons like the Drillhound, where the lock-on function becomes almost impossible to use effectively. Despite these issues, the game still feels comfortable and well-suited to various control methods, such as the Steam Deck’s vibration capabilities and gyro aiming, the seamless experience with the 8-bit do gamepad, and the precise aiming offered by keyboard and mouse controls. Moreover, the game includes a variety of accessibility and customization settings that allow players to adapt the gameplay to their specific needs.
The final problem in the game is primarily due to its creation specifically for the PS5 hardware. The game utilizes the console’s SSD to instantly load new levels, resulting in breathtaking set pieces, platforming sections, and boss fights. Insomniac has always prioritized optimizing their games for the target console, as seen in the original trilogy of PS2 discs where important data was placed near the center for faster access. This optimization continues on the PS5. However, even with an SSD on PC, the loading times are not instant.
While entering a pocket dimension provides a seamless transition, you may still experience a brief wait for the game to load when navigating through certain rifts or hitting crystals. This loading time issue, although not as critical as the crashing problem, does affect the overall snappiness of the game. It’s worth noting that the loading experience may vary depending on your hardware, and running the game on an old HDD may lead to a more comical experience, as it is playable but lacks seamless loading, resulting in stuttering, audio desynchronization, and long periods of silence that might prompt you to consider upgrading your hardware.
Conclusion: A Multidimensional Adventure
In the ever-expanding universe of gaming, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s leap onto PC brings both triumphs and tribulations. As a passionate fan of the franchise, the anticipation was palpable, and the journey was nothing short of exhilarating. The PC transition showcased the remarkable prowess of Insomniac Games and Nixxes, yet encountered stumbling blocks along the way.
The game’s stunning visuals, captivating gameplay, and endearing characters shine brightly, reinforcing its position as a standout title. While imperfections, such as shallow villains and brevity, can’t be overlooked, the allure of replayability remains undeniable.
The PC version, while commendable, isn’t devoid of challenges. Crashes disrupt the galactic odyssey, and control adjustments for various setups introduce a learning curve. The distinct creation for PS5 hardware leaves its mark, impacting loading times on PC.
Amid the complexities, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart retains its charm and potential, offering an enthralling spacefaring escapade that straddles greatness and growth. The journey is a reminder that even among the stars, there’s room for improvement. As the universe expands, so too does the promise of future adventures.
In the grand tapestry of gaming, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s multidimensional adventure leaves a lasting impression, a testament to the interplay of innovation and aspiration that define this beloved franchise.
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