Despite featuring dimensional travel and multiverse counterparts for the series’ characters, the Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart story is fairly straightforward. Ratchet and Clank find themselves getting sucked into a new dimension, with two versions of the evil Dr. Nefarious teaming up to conquer the multiverse. The duo eventually takes them down, though, getting plenty of assistance from their new allies Rivet and Kit.
The story ends on a cheerful note, with Rivet and Kit becoming partners and the four heroes celebrating their victory. However, Insomniac Games makes it clear where its heroes are going after Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, as their dialogue teases an exciting new path. For nearly two decades now, fans have wondered where the Lombaxes have gone, and it seems like they will finally be getting their answer in the next Ratchet and Clank game.
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At several points during Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart’s main story, Rivet and Ratchet talk about meeting the other Lombaxes. While Ratchet is worried at first, he eventually overcomes his fears and shares his excitement to meet his family. Rivet, on the other hand, is excited from the get-go. Having no real family or friends outside of the rebellion, she is eager to discover where exactly the Lombaxes went. Eventually, both find themselves on the same page, having a clear idea of what they want to do once they have fixed the current problem.
Ratchet and Clank developer Insomniac Games is not subtle about this plot development, either, as it serves as the game’s big cliffhanger ending. Once Emperor Nefarious is dealt with, Ratchet and Rivet talk about making “a pit stop” before she returns home. The implication is that they are going to the Lombax dimension, something that is furthered by the art shown in the credits. The final piece shows Ratchet, Rivet, Clank, and Kit entering into a new dimension, confirming that it is finally time for gamers to meet the other Lombaxes.
With Lombaxes like Alister Azimuth and Angela Cross being the only other members of the race to feature in the games, seeing several members of the race together would be a huge change of pace for the series. However, the Lorbs confirm that there is one specific Lombax Ratchet and Rivet will likely meet in the next game. Going by the name Mags, this Lombax can be heard talking in each of the Lorbs.
Collected by Ratchet on his visit to the planet Savali, the Lorbs provide some backstory on the Lombax race. In these collectibles, Mags talks about how he mapped several dimensions for his people. While this results in some fun references to games like Sly Cooper and LittleBigPlanet, the final entries take a darker turn. Mags was ordered to map dimensions so that he could find a place for the Lombaxes to hide out, and having found that place, he joins the others as they leave. He also explains why some Lombaxes were left behind, as the race was scattered across different dimensions. He does not give an explanation for why the Lombaxes never returned, though, with Insomniac keeping this detail secret for the time being.
The logs end on a somewhat hopeful note, though, as Mags believes that the lost Lombaxes will find their new home one day. With gamers having wondered if all the other Lombaxes were wiped out, this answer is as close to a “no” as possible. Though there is a chance that the heroes find a destroyed dimension when they get there, it seems unlikely due to all the buildup that is coming beforehand. Either way, this teaser is a huge deal for series veterans, as seeing what a Lombax dimension looks like will be thrilling. From the architecture and enemies to existing characters like Mags, there is a lot to look forward to in the next game. While it is unclear when a Ratchet and Clank sequel will come, it will be satisfying to see Ratchet and Rivet rewarded with a proper home.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is available now on PS5.