Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart splits most of the gameplay between two playable characters; Ratchet and Rivet. While fans are familiar with the former, Rivet is brand new. The two play identically, which is logical considering they are alternate dimension counterparts.
Subtle differences help the two stand out, in addition to the obvious aesthetic and personality changes. If you did not pay close attention to the game or engage with the side quests, then you might have missed some of these. If you did all there is to do in the PS5 exclusive, then you probably already noticed most of the entries.
8 Ratchet Has A Wrench, Rivet Has A Hammer
Melee attacks remain useful throughout the game. It is good to know it still works despite the unique weaponry available to the player. If you abandoned melee attacks early on, then you might have missed the fact that Ratchet uses his trademark wrench while Rivet utilizes a hammer. It is functionally identical but showcases a difference in the way the two grew up. Rivet always had to fight for survival, while Ratchet is a tinkerer. Everything else from the jump attack to the idle animation remains the same.
7 The Hud For Each Is Different
Ratchet and Rivet share weapons, upgrades, and currency. This helps make every bit of progress matter and never makes you feel like you are doing the same tasks twice. The only way the two differ in this respect is the actual hud. Ratchet’s colors reflect his fur, while Rivet’s reflect her purple scheme.
Even though they are mostly the same, subtle changes like this go a long way towards making the two feel different. The game creates a solid balance between simultaneously making the two Lombaxes familiar and unique at the same time.
6 Rivet Has More Accessories
Rivet and Ratchet even have similar clothing. The former definitely accessorizes more, though. Rivet has a scarf, goggles, and several earrings, all of which Ratchet lacks. Ratchet generally has a plainer look compared to the female Lombax. These have no difference in gameplay, but they reflect a more scrappy personality compared to Ratchet’s more overtly friendly and outgoing nature. Despite them being counterparts, their personalities are distinct. The changes come from the different upbringings and from Rivet never having met someone like Clank.
5 Rivet Can Dance
Players control each character in different worlds, switching between them as they travel to different planets. Only Rivet is playable in the Scarstu Debris Field, which is where Zurkie’s Bar is located. Inside the bar is a jukebox. Put a song on and stand next to it. The game will prompt players to press triangle, which starts Rivet dancing. She has several different moves, all of which are wildly entertaining. Since Ratchet is not playable in Zurkie’s bar, he is unable to dance.
4 They Have Different Photo Mode Poses
Like most PS5 exclusives, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart features a deep photo mode to tool around with. You can do more than just move the camera and add filters. Ratchet and Rivet can also pose for the photo to make some unique snapshots. The two have unique poses and facial expressions to use. Each has over ten, and they are all adorable. It is not the most extensive photo mode for a Sony exclusive, but it still offers plenty of amusement.
3 Only Rivet Participates In The Arena
The game is filled with fun side quests. Don’t expect something on the scale of an epic RPG, but they are all interesting diversions to add a couple of hours onto the main story. The arena in Zurkie’s bar is one side quest players come back to several times throughout the course of the adventure.
Anyone who did not take time out of the main story to do these battles and challenges, would not know that only Rivet participates in these encounters. Many players recommend doing these because they provide valuable goodies to buy and upgrade weapons.
2 They Have Different Color Noses
This is a small change that is easy to ignore because of how similar the two Lombaxes’ noses are. Lombaxes are fictional creatures, but they resemble cats in several ways. Their noses are just like a feline’s nose. Like cats, the noses look different on different animals. Ratchet has a brown nose while Rivet’s is purple, each of them reflecting the color scheme of the character.
1 Rivet’s Arm Always Shows, Even When Wearing Armor
The yellow metallic prosthetic on Rivet’s arm is immediately noticeable. She lost it in an encounter with one of Emperor Nefarious’s robots, an event expanded upon during the course of the story. If players did not change the armor sets, then they would not notice that her prosthetic always shows when wearing different armor sets. The arm is reminiscent of Venom Snake’s red arm from The Phantom Pain. Such injuries are a running motif throughout the game. Clank also loses his arm early in the campaign.
