Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – Elevating the PC Gaming Experience

From the darkest reaches of the interstellar voids to the most advanced gaming rigs on Earth, the much-anticipated Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart has landed on PC. Nixxes Software, founded in 1999 and now part of PlayStation Studios, has optimized this action-packed 3D platformer for smooth PC performance by adding Ultrawide display support, as well as support for a wide range of control schemes. 

Newcomers to the Ratchet and Clank franchise will appreciate its storyline, an engaging entry point into the game’s vibrant world. For those already familiar with the series, the PC version offers a fresh and enhanced perspective on this beloved franchise. Here are some highlights of what we’ll get to enjoy. 

Looking Smooth 

Navigating the world of PC gaming brings its unique complexities. Unlike consoles, which have a standardized hardware configuration, PCs are a melting pot of diverse components and configurations. This vast ecosystem covers a huge spectrum, from modest setups running on integrated graphics to high-end gaming rigs with powerful GPUs. Bridging the gap between these extremes and delivering a uniformly engaging gaming experience can be an immense challenge. 

To tackle this challenge, the team focused on scalability. They integrated a wide range of graphics settings and presets that players can adjust according to their system’s capabilities. This means that whether you’re playing on an entry-level laptop or a top-of-the-line gaming desktop, you can tweak Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart to run optimally on your PC. 

Wide, Wide, Ultrawide 

One of the standout features of the PC version of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is support for ultra-wide monitor resolutions, providing an expanded canvas for players to explore this richly detailed game universe. Owners of 21:9 and 32:9 widescreen displays will enjoy a panoramic view that extends beyond what is typically seen on standard 16:9 TVs and displays, offering a more enveloping gaming experience. But the development team at Nixxes Software didn’t stop there. They pushed the boundaries even further to support triple monitor setups, allowing for an awe-inspiring ultra-panoramic 48:9 aspect ratio. This takes the wide-view experience to a whole new level, delivering an unprecedented level of immersion that completely surrounds you with the game’s vibrant universe. 

Adapting a game to these ultra-wide dimensions involves more than just stretching the existing content. Both gameplay and cutscenes have been meticulously re-engineered to fit these panoramic views. The team carefully adjusted camera angles, character movements, and environmental details to ensure that the gameplay experience remains balanced and engaging, no matter the display setup. 

Controls Your Way 

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart embraces the versatility that the PC platform brings to the table. No matter how you prefer to control your gaming adventures, Nixxes Software has you covered. Whether you’re executing quick, successive jumps or aiming for exact hits, the tactile feel and precision of fully-customizable keyboard and mouse controls heighten the sense of engagement. 

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart also supports PlayStation DualSense controllers (a wired connection is required for the full range DualSense features). This means that you can bring the adaptive trigger effects and haptic feedback directly from the PS5 console version to your PC. Whatever your preferred way to control the game, Nixxes Software has worked hard to make sure you’ll be able to enjoy the play. 

A Helping Hand 

Nixxes Software collaborated closely with Intel to get Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart working with maximum visual fidelity and performance, ensuring it runs optimally on a broad range of PC hardware. The game supports Intel Arc GPUs and has been optimized to take advantage of everything they have to offer. This includes the integration of Intel X^e Super Sampling (X^eSS). This AI-powered technology enhances graphics performance without compromising visual quality by intelligently upscaling lower-resolution images in real time, resulting in smoother frame rates and higher fidelity visuals. The integration of X^eSS into Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart translates to sharper images, smoother gameplay, and a more immersive gaming experience. 

In addition, the development team has added support for XGTAO as a selectable quality option for ambient occlusion. Ambient occlusion is a shading method that improves the realism of the lighting and shadows in a game, enhancing the depth and dimensionality of the game’s vibrant environments. With the addition of XeGTAO, players are given another layer of customization to optimize their visual experience according to their hardware and personal preferences. The successful partnership demonstrates how Intel collaborates with developers to harness the full potential of PC hardware and deliver optimized, high-quality gaming experiences. 

Get Ready for Adventure 

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart preserves the narrative depth and charm of the series and leverages the versatility of the PC platform to bring the best possible experience to PC gamers. The combination of Intel X^eSS optimizations and ultra-wide monitor compatibility takes the game to new visual heights. 

Whether you’re a newcomer or a longtime fan, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC offers a compelling and immersive experience. The result is a testament to the development team’s skill and this unique franchise’s enduring appeal. Get ready for a fresh adventure with your favorite Lombax and his robotic companion with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, out now on PC. 

Buy Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on Steam.