Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart sees the duo coming out of retirement to fight Doctor Nefarious, though things quickly go awry at the start of the game’s story. Before long, they find themselves trapped in a new dimension, with counterparts existing for NPCs and Ratchet himself. The dimension is also ruled by a version of Dr. Nefarious, and he is perhaps the most different of all the stand-ins.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart makes a big point about the original Dr. Nefarious being a failure, something that has proven true on many occasions. While this inability to succeed has joined with his many appearances in the series to make him somewhat endearing, the new version of Nefarious is anything but. Defined by the fact that he never loses, as Rivet always fails to bring him down in their dimension, he is an arrogant foe with a completely different personality. As such, it is a lot of fun to see Emperor and Dr. Nefarious interact with one another.
Comparing Dr. And Emperor Nefarious’s Character Designs
With Dr. and Emperor Nefarious essentially being the same character, the two having a similar look makes sense. Both Nefariouses boast a glass dome on top of their head, with a device that likely serves as their brain seen inside. Both are lanky, with long arms and legs attached to their chest. They also boast two cape-like spikes on their backs, and the Nefariouses share a similar skeletal face. However, there is still quite a bit that is visually different about the ruler of Nefarious City.
For starters, gamers should instantly notice the size difference, as Emperor Nefarious is noticeably taller than the Doctor. The Emperor also boasts a more regal outfit than the one Ratchet and Clank fans are accustomed to, as the shoulders and collar give him a fancier look. This detail is fitting of his personality, and the most noticeable change is the use of an orange and white color palette. On the new version of Nefarious, the signature colors of purple and green are nowhere to be seen.
Comparing Dr. And Emperor Nefarious’s Personalities
In terms of personality, there is virtually nothing similar about the two Nefariouses beyond their hatred for Lombaxes and obsession with winning. While Dr. Nefarious consistently fails and is desperate for a single victory, Emperor Nefarious’s dominance is clear from the get-go. Constantly defeating the heroic Rivet and her Resistance allies, the Emperor goes off planet simply so he can conquer more worlds. When he does return, he proves that he is far more of a threat than Doctor Nefarious.
These never-ending victories have made Emperor Nefarious arrogant, something that shows in every bit of dialogue he has. Never doubting his chances of winning until the last possible second, the Emperor is cruel and cocky. As for Doctor Nefarious, the opposite is true. As soon as he realizes that there is a better version of himself in this new universe, he essentially becomes a servant. Throughout their scenes together, developer Insomniac Games makes sure to show that the Doctor is afraid of the bigger and badder Nefarious, as he is constantly cowering below him or correcting himself when he speaks out of turn. While the two do share some very brief moments of camaraderie, such as their evil laughter after a bad joke is made on Sargasso, Emperor Nefarious clearly thinks little of the original.
While Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart’s voice acting is strong across the board, with Jennifer Hale’s performance as Rivet being especially memorable, Robin Atkin Downes also deserves some praise for his portrayal of Emperor Nefarious. The accent is a great fit for the character, and he makes the villain’s snootiness work throughout all his scenes. This new direction is also a great contrast to the grating voice of Dr. Nefarious, with Armin Shimerman delivering as always. Both voices are perfect for the characters and their story arcs, and this huge difference in the way they sound ensures that both takes on Nefarious work. While it remains to be seen if they will ever cross paths again, there is a lot to like about this first encounter.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is available now on PS5.