Over the last generation or so, Sony has gotten a lot better at channeling its history into nostalgia, inducing promotional material, on a level that’s comparable to Nintendo. With the release ofRatchet and Clank: Rift Aparton the PS5 this week, the iconic PlayStation duo have received their own walk down memory lane. TheRatchet and ClankFranchise Evolution Videopacks a lot of intricate details into a 45 second video, which is remarkable considering half of that time is technically dedicated to a more traditional pre-launch trailer for the latest installment.
TheRatchet and Clankfranchise has always been one of the technical showpieces for every PlayStation console since its inception, so in many ways, the action that takes place on the various screens feels like the secondary focus of the trailer. What’s arguably more interesting is the developments that happen around the games away from the various screens, some of which could even point to exciting announcements of what’s to come for the franchise, postRatchet and Clank: Rift Apart.
RELATED:Rift Apart Isn’t the First Time Ratchet and Clank Have Been Separated
Ratchet and Clank’s Evolution on PlayStation
Front and center during the video, is a showcase of some pivotal moments from theRatchet and Clankfranchise. Of note is the fact that only the first installment on each platform is represented in action, as a way of emphasizing how Insomniac Games' development has progressed over time. Despite the franchise having featured on both thePSP and PS Vitain the hands of other developers, the original PlayStation games draw the most interesting comparison. WithRatchet and Clank: Rift Apartset to take its titular heroes on a journey across the multiverse, it could be worth keeping an eye out for the enemies and planets deliberately featured within the video.
Of almost equal importance to the action that’s happening on screen is the decor of the room changes as time rolls by. What starts off as a CRT TV sat upon a wooden cabinet for example, quickly morphs into a HDTV, before finally becoming a modern 4K capable display surrounded by modern looking shelves. The mysterious room owner behind the scenes could be viewed as a metaphor for theRatchet and Clankseries itself, growing and developing their style and personality as each new piece of technology comes along. Observant viewers will also be able to note the plant grow and thrive over the course of the video, as a funny nod to this motif.
Above all else though the video demonstrates Insomniac Games' enduring commitment to the franchise through all of this time, especially compared to other PlayStationgames likeJak and Daxter, which has been absent for far too long.
More excitingly, throughout each time period, the assortment ofRatchet and Clankthemed collectibles that can be spotted within the room is steadily added to and replaced. Besides offering an overview of what must be some seriously valuable old school memorabilia at this point, there’s two pieces in particular that remain a constant presence.
From the outset, toy replicas of the Gravity Boots fromGoing Commando, as well as the Infecto Bomb weapon fromUp Your Arsenal, can be spotted and followed across the life of the room. The inclusion of these gadgets seems a little suspicious on Sony’s part considering their obscure roles within the franchise, with the latter gun especially only being accessible after upgrading the Infector. With the latest game revisiting characters and settings from the past, there’s a slim chance that both items might be set to joinRatchet and Clank: Rift Apart’s weapon arsenal.
Ratchet and Clank 20th Anniversary Plans
WithRatchet and Clank: Rift Apartmarking the first entry of the series on the PS5, it makes sense to a certain extent to celebrate the anniversary with marketing like this. However that doesn’t stop such an elaborate celebration video, that examines the history oftheRatchet and Clankfranchise, from seeming a little unusual. Considering next year will mark the franchise’s 20th anniversary, a bigger argument can be made for this being just a prelude of bigger things to come.
There’s some evidence hidden within the video, that points toInsomniac Games having grander plans in mind. For most of the video, the firstRatchet and Clankinstallment of each PlayStation era is showcased, to obviously demonstrate how far the hardware and technology has come. That is until the PS5 shows up, where the box for every mainline game in the franchise can be seen in front of the console itself.
As it stands right now, even factoring in services like PS Now, a vast majority ofRatchet and Clankgames aren’t compatible with the console, or even the PS4 before it. Such blatant positioning looks a lot like teasing, and suggests that a comprehensive collection could be potentially in the cards for next year’s anniversary.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apartlaunches June 11 on PS5.
MORE:All Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart Pre-Order Bonuses and Special Editions
