Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Review - 7 Ups & 1 Down

2. SUBLIME Gameplay Loops (Clank Puzzles, Collectibles & Tank Sections)

I'm taking a moment to recognise just how proficient and perfect Insomniac's "game feel" has become.

We're talking about a genuine veteran studio who are masters of their craft at this point, turning in multiple games across the last few years that feel exemplary to play. Animation priority, responsiveness, control schemes - every part of the experience from Spider-Man to Ratchet has been spot on.

In Rift Apart then, you have their finest platforming and shooting as the majority of what you're doing, but Clank also gets enjoyable Lemmings-inspired puzzle areas. New character "Glitch" lets you play the innards of a computer program wiping out viruses, as neat missile barrage-fuelled tank sections pop up a handful of times too.

Replayability-wise I'll get to the New Game Plus "Challenge Mode", but it must be said how addictively more-ish all of these environments are; how enjoyable searching for armour power-ups and upgrade parts can be, and how inviting the package truly is.