Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartis an incredible testament to what developers can achieve if they set their expectations high and stick to their guns. Contrary to popular opinion,visual fidelityneed not be sacrificed on the altar of better gameplay. We can have both, and Rift Apart is the perfect example of that.
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Players starting out on their adventure with Ratchet & Clank might be overwhelmed by the various different types ofcollectibles, knick-knacks, and do-dads the game throws at you right out of the gate. Here is everything we wish we knew before starting out.
10Use Every Weapon
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart encourages switching between weapons on the go. It’s awesome to have a favorite weapon that you always want to return to in order to deal massive damage, but chances are, you’ve already upgraded it to max level by using it a ton.
Weapons in this game can only be upgraded by dealing damage to enemies, and if you have something sitting in your backpack, the longer you keep it there, the harder it will be to whip it out down the road. Don’t be a part of weapon brutality. Weapons have rights too.
9Smash. Smash. Smash
LikeLinkof old, you’ll want to hone your battle instincts to recognize every breakable artifact in the game right from the beginning. Bolts are going to be your bread and butter for upgrades and all sorts of useful purchases, and the most surefire way to get them is to smash everything within striking distance.
Pots, pans, baskets, crates, and Grandma’s back. If it can break, break it, it’s going to be worth it. Without enough Bolts, you’ll find yourself severely underpowered in later levels on higher difficulties, so don’t be afraid to let your inner maniac out every chance you get.
8Arena Challenges Are Raritanium Motherloads
If you’re finding yourself low on resources like Raritanium and bolts, Arena Challenges can be an excellent way to top up your wallet in as little time as possible. Depending on the difficulty, they can be a breeze to tackle, and the juicy rewards are more than worth it.
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If you haven’t cleared them before, your first time bulldozing through an Arena will net you the most rewards. The second time, a little bit less, but nothing to sneeze at. The third time? Don’t bother. Unlike most things in life, two times the charm.
7Wrench Doesn’t Give XP
Ratchet’s trusty wrench is going to be with you from the start of your journey till the end of it. Your primary melee weapon for most of the game, but it is crucial to know that using it on enemies is ill-advised nine times out of ten.
While it can be a good way to save on some ammo if you’re running low, using it as a primary damage-dealing weapon is going to prevent you from earning experience (XP) you would’ve otherwise gained by taking out enemies the regular way. Old-fashioned is not the way to go here.
6Turn On Photo Mode In Cutscenes
Ratchet & Clank is a gorgeous game. There is no shame in succumbing to the eye candy and taking a break to take some pictures. But what most players rarely realize is that you can pause the game at any point during the cutscenes to get a quick photoshoot in.
While this may not be a worthy piece of trivia to some players, having the option to appreciate the visual masterpiece that is Ratchet & Clank: Rifts Apart is one thing we want everyone to know and experience.
5Priotize Gold Upgrades
While upgrading weapons in the game, you’ll see a UI with blue and orange nodes that you can pick from. Always prioritize gold upgrades, as they provide the most bang for your buck.
Most players won’t end up maxing out every weapon with every upgrade before they’re ready to end the game. And even if they are, knowing which upgrades provide the most drastic improvement is good knowledge to have.
4Explore, Discover, And Collect
While it may seem obvious, Ratchet & Clank: Rifts Apart rewards exploration above all else. The game is chock-full of collectibles hidden away in every corner of every map. It’d be a shame and a half to not find everything the game has to offer.
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And it’s not even that hard! Every time you come close to a collectible on the map, its icon will appear on the map. Checking the map regularly will show you every single item that you missed so long as you’ve visited every corner of the map.
3Pin Items On The Map
While we’re on the topic of map icons, finding items indicated on the map can be as easy as marking them with a pin. When you exit out of the map, you’ll see a dotted line in the overworld leading you towards items marked on the map.
It’s an easy way to discover hidden collectibles in hard-to-find places. While it may be more rewarding to simply explore the map without these markers, having the option to turn on the switch before you get really frustrated finding something is a nice one to have.
2Skip Puzzles As Needed
While it may not appear so at first glance, you can simply skip puzzles during the Glitch/Clank puzzle-solving sections at any point during the process. The developers know that some players are only here for the Doom-esque shooter looter action. And they give you the tools to get back to it.
Even if you appreciate the puzzle-solving sections, playingNew Game+will have you going through the same sections you already solved the first time around. Having the option to skip the tedium is one feature worth celebrating.
1Revisit Cleared Levels
In Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, visiting old maps you’ve already cleared is the intended form of gameplay. Therewillbe collectibles you missed the first time around, as the game is designed so that you don’t have the ability to collect everything on the first go.
Revisiting these levels allows you to not only truly clear them, collecting every piece of every type of bolt, but you will also be rewarded by getting a ton of money for defeating the enemies. Maybe not as much as you did on the first go, but if you’re only a little bit away from a massive upgrade, this can be quite useful.
