For the first time in the series, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart introduces a playable character outside of the titular duo. Fortunately, this risk pays off, as Rivet is just as lovable as the Lombax that gamers have been controlling for almost two decades. Voiced perfectly by Jennifer Hale, players fill Rivet's shoes for half of the game, getting plenty of time to learn about what makes her different from Ratchet.
There are some big similarities between the two as well, though, and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart makes sure to highlight these throughout its main story. With both characters set up to have more adventures further down the road, it will be interesting to see where Insomniac takes them next. For now, though, fans can compare the two to get a good idea of what makes the heroic Lombaxes tick.
Comparing Ratchet and Rivet’s Character Designs
Given that Ratchet and Rivet are both members of the Lombax species, it makes sense that the two boast some similar appearances. Both creatures are small with large ears, and they have similar eyes on top of that. They both have tails, too, though Rivet's is noticeably thicker than Ratchet's. On top of this, the two Lombaxes wear an item on top of their head, with a hat and goggles serving as their respective accessories. They share the same noses, too, with Rivet's being pink and Ratchet's being brown.
There are things that help set Rivet apart, though, one of which is her outfit. Boasting a red resistance scarf above a black top, she dresses a bit differently from Ratchet. She also boasts a prosthetic yellow arm, a defining part of her character design that is seen no matter what set of armor she is wearing. She also boasts a tuft of hair on top of her head, making her look a bit more feminine than Ratchet. With earrings worn as well, her design really comes together. Lastly, she uses a hammer as opposed to Ratchet’s wrench. While the two are the same in their functionality, it is a nice detail that helps her stand out. Another great touch sees Rivet getting a different HUD for gameplay, making her gameplay stand out in a more subtle way.
Comparing Ratchet and Rivet’s Personalities
Ratchet and Rivet’s personalities rare where they really stand apart from one another. For starters, Rivet is far less trusting than Ratchet, a trait that shows clearly when comparing their meetings with Clank and Kit. While Ratchet gets along well with Kit almost instantly, Rivet is far less trusting of her robotic companion. Holding Clank prisoner and invading his privacy by looking into his memories, she only comes to trust him after a lot of close calls on Sargasso. However, this makes sense given how nearly everyone she met before that had betrayed her, working for Emperor Nefarious.
This also explains her excitement about finding the Lombaxes and meeting Ratchet. While Ratchet is a bit less enthused about the idea at the start of the game, as he doubts himself and already has family in Clank, Rivet has nobody who she can give that title to. While she has allies in the Resistance like Skidd McMarx, and friends in the Morts, there is nobody who she is truly close with. As such, she is a bit of a lonely character, as her life has seen her on the run with nobody to truly trust besides herself.
Still, with Rivet being Ratchet’s dimensional counterpart, there are some similarities between the pair. The heroes say the same thing after their initial conversation, for example, showing that their overall attitudes are the same. Likewise, when solving a dimensional puzzle with Gary, Clank mentions that one key similarity between the two is that they are both “very quick to take action.” With both Ratchet and Rivet being heroes, this similarity makes a lot of sense. Overall, while the two are clearly meant to be a lot like each other, developer Insomniac Games was wise to give them just enough differences so that they still feel unique.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is available now on PS5.