Yes, you can play Rift Apart without playing previous games.
Wondering if you can jump straight into the latest Ratchet & Clank adventure? The good news is that Rift Apart is designed to be accessible to newcomers. You don’t need prior knowledge of the series to enjoy this dimension-hopping story.
While there are returning characters and references, the narrative introduces everything you need to know. So, if you’re asking can you play rift apart without playing previous games, the answer is a resounding yes. You’ll still have a great experience.
Can You Play Rift Apart Without Playing Previous Games?
So, you’re itching to jump into the vibrant world of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, but you’re wondering if you need to be a seasoned veteran of the series? That’s a totally fair question! The short answer is: absolutely, you can dive right into Rift Apart without having played any of the previous Ratchet & Clank games. It’s designed to be a great starting point, even if you’re a complete newbie to the franchise. However, understanding the game’s nuances and appreciating the returning characters may be slightly enhanced if you have some background knowledge of the series’ past. Let’s dig into why Rift Apart works well as a standalone adventure and explore the benefits of having prior series experience.
A Fresh Start, Designed for Everyone
Insomniac Games, the folks who created Ratchet & Clank, did a fantastic job making Rift Apart accessible to everyone. They knew that many people might be picking up a Ratchet & Clank game for the very first time. Here’s how they made sure you don’t need to be a series expert to enjoy it:
Simplified Narrative Introduction
The game starts with a fun, fast-paced intro that quickly lays out who Ratchet and Clank are. They’re heroes, inventors, and pals who travel across space, saving galaxies and foiling bad guys. You’ll get the gist of their relationship and their usual antics within the first few minutes. They even have an exciting celebration parade that turns into a dimensional disaster that sets off the game’s story. No prior knowledge is needed to follow along.
New Characters and Storyline
While familiar faces pop up, the main focus of Rift Apart is on new characters, like Rivet, another lombax from a different dimension. Her introduction and story are completely fresh. You’ll learn about her background and motivation alongside Ratchet and Clank, making it feel like you’re all discovering this world together. The game establishes all key character relationships and conflicts clearly, which means you are not required to know any history.
Gameplay Tutorial Integrated
Rift Apart includes a built-in tutorial system to teach new players the ropes. You’ll learn how to use weapons, traverse the environment, and engage in combat as you play. These tips are woven into the game’s story and aren’t disruptive to the flow. You learn everything needed to play well without needing previous skills. This is unlike some sequels that assume you already know how to play.
Focus on Fun and Exploration
At its heart, Rift Apart is about jumping into exciting worlds, shooting wacky weapons, and exploring cool places. The emphasis is on lighthearted action and fun. This approach makes it easy for newcomers to get into the rhythm of the game without feeling overwhelmed by past stories. The core mechanics are simple to grasp. You can begin having fun without knowing series history.
The Benefits of Knowing the Past
Now, while you can play Rift Apart without playing previous games, there are certain benefits to having experienced past Ratchet & Clank adventures. This is very similar to starting a TV show in the middle. You can enjoy it, but you might miss some background information and some inside jokes if you started from the first season, things you might be aware of.
Deeper Appreciation for Recurring Characters
Characters like Captain Qwark, the sometimes-hero, sometimes-bumbling Captain, make appearances. Knowing his backstory from previous games adds another layer of amusement to his interactions. Understanding how he’s acted in previous games can make his scenes even funnier. You’ll chuckle more at his antics if you know about his past failures and triumphs.
Understanding Series Lore
The Ratchet & Clank universe has a rich history with various factions and villains. While Rift Apart stands on its own, a knowledge of the past lore can provide context for certain events and character motivations. For example, understanding what a Lombax is, which you learn from previous games, can provide additional appreciation for Rivet’s presence in the story. Although this detail is explained in Rift Apart, it’s better understood if you already know it.
Recognizing Easter Eggs and References
The game is full of fun little references to the older games. Some of them might go over your head if you are a new player. Knowing that a specific weapon or item has appeared in another game might trigger a feeling of nostalgia for seasoned fans. If you know a certain character, like the Plumber, from a past game, you might appreciate his appearance even more.
Appreciating Character Development
Ratchet and Clank have grown as characters throughout their adventures. They learn to rely on each other, experience hardships, and improve over time. Seeing them in Rift Apart, aware of their past journeys, adds extra meaning to their actions and decision. However, this added layer doesn’t affect a new player’s enjoyment; it simply provides extra depth for those with knowledge of the older games.
What if You Want More Ratchet & Clank?
If Rift Apart grabs your attention and you want to experience more, you have multiple options. The great news is that you don’t need to play them in any particular order to understand the plot.
Ratchet & Clank (2016)
This PlayStation 4 game is a remake of the original PlayStation 2 game. It tells the story of how Ratchet and Clank first met. Playing this is a great starting point if you want to see how their story begins.
Why it’s a good choice: It’s a solid introduction to the series. It is a great example of what you will find throughout the series and an easy way to get familiar with the main heroes.
Story Connection: It doesn’t directly connect to Rift Apart, but it establishes the characters and their friendship, and shows off a ton of great worlds you’d enjoy exploring.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal, Tools of Destruction, A Crack in Time
These are older games, mostly from the PlayStation 2 and 3 eras, and they tell some of the major story arcs in the Ratchet & Clank universe. While they might feel a little different than modern games, they’re still very enjoyable and worth playing.
Why they’re good choices: They offer more stories of Ratchet and Clank, expand on the universe lore, and include many fun characters and gameplay elements.
Story Connection: These games are not directly linked to the Rift Apart narrative. If you are just interested in Rivet, this might not interest you; but you might enjoy some of the other characters and plots.
Standalone Spin-Offs
Games like Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One or Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault offer different styles of gameplay. These focus more on cooperative or tower defense gameplay instead of the traditional platforming action of the main games.
Why they’re good choices: They introduce different game mechanics while still keeping the same sense of humor and excitement.
Story Connection: These spin-offs don’t heavily connect with the main games’ storylines, but they are fun if you want to expand your Ratchet & Clank experiences.
Key Takeaways
Let’s summarize all the key points so you know for certain if you need to play the other Ratchet & Clank games.
Rift Apart is a great starting point: It’s designed for new players with an easy-to-follow story, built-in tutorials, and focus on fun action.
You don’t need prior knowledge: The game introduces all the key characters and relationships and explains all the necessary background information, allowing you to start from scratch.
Prior games enhance experience: Knowing the series’ history, characters, and events adds depth to the story and unlocks more references.
Playing previous games is optional: You’ll have a blast with Rift Apart whether you are a series veteran or complete newcomer.
Ultimately, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a fantastic game that welcomes players of all experience levels. If you want to explore a fun and exciting world with tons of action, great characters and amazing gameplay, jump into Rift Apart. Then, if you want, you can explore the older Ratchet & Clank adventures. Either way, there’s a lot of fun waiting for you.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Before You Buy
Final Thoughts
You can absolutely enjoy Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart as a standalone experience. The story provides enough context for new players to easily jump in. The game introduces the characters and its universe well, making it simple to understand the narrative.
While previous games add depth, they are not a must for enjoying Rift Apart. Ultimately, can you play rift apart without playing previous games? Yes, you definitely can, and still have a great time with it.
