Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart PC | Rivet

Gaming

We played Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC on 3 devices

Because we can

Published

September 11, 2023

GadgetMatch

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC has been out for over a month as of writing. Performance Reviews are out and we encourage you to check those out for a more by-the-numbers detailed look.

For our part, we played the game on three (3) different devices to find out how it runs, what the experience is like, and to make a recommendation on whether you should pick it up or not.

Before we share what those devices are, here are the system requirements and some reminders to run Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart for PC.

System requirements

	Minimum	Recommended	High	Amazing Ray Tracing	Ultimate Ray Tracing
Avg Performance	720p @ 30 FPS	1080p @ 60 FPS	1440p @ 60 FPS (4K @ 30 FPS)	1440p @ 60 FPS (4K @ 30 FPS)	4K @ 60 FPS
Graphics Preset	Very Low	Medium	High	High Ray Tracing High*	High Ray Tracing Very High*
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
CPU	Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 3100	Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i5-11400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600	Intel Core i5-11600K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X	Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
RAM	8 GB	16GB	16 GB	16 GB	32 GB
OS	Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)	Windows10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)	Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)	Windows10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)	Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher)
Storage	75 GB HDD space (SSD Recommended)	75GB SSD space	75 GB SSD space	75GB SSD space	75 GB SSD space

Sony PlayStation also made sure to note that while it will indeed run in the minimum requirements, they still encourage players to play, at least, on an SSD to best experience the fluid dimension-hopping feature.

We were also reminded to update our GPU’s drivers. Outdated ones could cause issues.

The 3 devices

Naturally, we played on devices that meet the requirements as indicated above. The three devices are as follows, listed with the relevant specs:

Steam Deck

AMD APU
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
APU power: 4-15W
16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*)

ROG Flow X13 (2021)

AMD Ryzen 9 5900Hs with Radeon Graphics 3.30Hz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop GPU, 4GB GDDR6 VRAM
On board LPDDR4X RAM 4266MHz 16GB x 2 Dual channel
1TB M.2 2230 PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD
With ROG XG Mobile (eGPU+)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 16GB GDDR6 (150w)

ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023)

File Photo: Zepyhrus G14 (2020)

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS Mobile Processor (8-core/16-thread, 16MB L3 cache, up to 5.2 GHz max boost)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
ROG Boost: 2030MHz* at 125W (1980MHz Boost Clock+50MHz OC, 100W+25W Dynamic Boost)
16GB DDR5 on board
1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD

Experience per device

Just by looking at the specs, you can kind of picture already, at the very least, the graphical fidelity and general performance that each of the devices offered. Yes, to keep things simple, Steam Deck is on Medium, ROG Flow X13 is on High (with some caveats), and ROG Zephyrus G14 on Ultimate Ray Tracing.

For the most part, each device was automatically on the most ideal graphical settings as you fire up the game. We didn’t have to bother too much with tweaking things here and there. But that’s just us. The beauty of playing on PC is that you can make adjustments to your heart’s content. But we just wanted to play right away and stuck with the mostly vanilla settings.

Steam Deck

As a Steam Deck verified title, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC ran pretty well. Only a few things really stood out. This being a AAA title, you can expect to play for about two hours max if you’re unplugged.

You won’t enjoy the mind-bending visuals present when you play on the PS5. The graphics look closer to a late cycle PS3 game. It still looks fantastic which is a testament to the game’s overall art style. In the simplest terms, it’s like watching a video in 540p as opposed to the 4K, ultra-fine detail on its mother console.

The dimension-hopping didn’t feel as seamless as it did on the PS5 and that was to be expected. Still, the game ran mostly with just minor hiccups, never crashed, but we did have to force close it once when we missed a platform and it seemed like Ratchet was just falling endlessly into the void.

ROG Flow X13 (2021)

On the ROG Flow X13, the game was automatically on High settings even without the ROG XG Mobile plugged in. But the experience was rather dicey. There were plenty of graphical glitches when we played. Do note that we also did this unplugged. During that session, the laptop struggled to play on High. The game ran better when we switched to Medium later on.

Later on, in much more optimal conditions and with the ROG XG Mobile plugged in, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC ran exactly like how we expected it to. We even dated to bump it up to High Ray Tracing and enjoyed an experience that’s incredibly close to the one on the PS5.

In case you’re curious, we played using a GameSir G7 Wired Controller. It felt just like a regular Xbox controller but wired. If you’re used to the PS5 Dual Sense controller, it might take a few hours to get used to the feel. But the longer adjustment will be the face buttons, especially since both feature an “X” but on a different button placement.

ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023)

This is a review device that came in later and is the reason why we waited a little bit longer before publishing. And well, it was worth the wait. Playing on the latest Zephyrus G14 felt like a one-to-one recreation of the PS5 experience.

To truly match the console-like feel, we hooked up the laptop to a 55-inch 4K TV for good measure. Save for the controller, this was the closest we got to how we experienced the game back when it first came out. Graphically and performance-wise, there was hardly any difference.

It’s a shame we didn’t have an ultra-wide gaming monitor during the review period to see how well the game translates visually on that kind of display.

Should you play Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC?

This seems like an easy enough question to answer, but there are plenty of things to consider. First of all, do you already own a machine that can run the game and where in the graphical and performance settings does your machine fall?

At Medium, it feels like you’re getting only about 50-60% of what the game has to offer. It’s a visual marvel as much as it is a virtual adventure worthy of pouring over 20 hours on. When it first came out, many reviewers called it a “Pixar movie that you can play.” You won’t get that experience if you’re only playing on the Medium to High range.

But if you’re only in it for the story and gameplay – both of which are very much worth your time, then by all means jump right in. We do, however, recommend that you hold out for a sale to get the most bang for your buck.

Gaming

Life is Strange: Reunion now available on consoles and PC

Max and Chloe return for an emotional finale

Published

March 27, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia and Square Enix have officially launched Life is Strange: Reunion, the latest entry in the narrative adventure series. Developed by Deck Nine Games, the title is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. A physical PlayStation 5 edition is also available across Southeast Asia.

The launch comes with an official trailer, marking the return of one of the franchise’s most beloved storylines.

A long-awaited reunion

Set 11 years after the original events, Life is Strange: Reunion brings back Max Caulfield and Chloe Price as they reunite to solve a new timeline-spanning mystery. This time, the stakes center on a devastating inferno threatening Caledon University–Max’s workplace as a photography teacher.

Returning from a trip, Max discovers the campus engulfed in flames, with lives lost across the university. She survives only by using her Rewind ability, a power that allows her to reverse time.

The situation takes an unexpected turn with Chloe’s sudden arrival–an outcome tied to the timeline-merging events of Life is Strange: Double Exposure. Now dealing with fractured memories and an unstable sense of reality, Chloe once again finds herself relying on Max.

Dual perspectives, new gameplay dynamics

For the first time in the series, players can take control of both Max and Chloe, switching perspectives as the story unfolds.

Max’s Rewind power lets players revisit decisions, reshape conversations, and manipulate environments to solve complex, time-based puzzles. Meanwhile, Chloe brings her signature Backtalk ability, allowing her to push conversations in her favor and access situations Max cannot.

This dual-character approach expands both narrative depth and gameplay variety, offering different ways to uncover clues and influence outcomes.

A character-driven finale

Life is Strange: Reunion continues the series’ focus on grounded, emotional storytelling, with choices that carry meaningful consequences. The game builds toward a dramatic climax that aims to close out Max and Chloe’s journey.

As the final chapter in their story, Reunion positions itself as both a continuation and a conclusion–tying together years of narrative threads while delivering a new mystery shaped by time, loss, and choice.

Gaming

Nintendo will make it cheaper to buy digital games than physical

Physical releases will have the same price.

Published

March 26, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The days of lining up for a newly released game are well and truly over. Though some games still experience shortages in brick-and-mortar stores, such as the widely successful Pokémon Pokopia, gamers can get their titles digitally. Now, Nintendo is making digital releases more enticing by offering a tempting discount on the eShop.

Starting in May, Nintendo will start charging different prices for the physical and digital releases of first-party games. While physical releases will still have the same prices going forward, digital releases via the eShop will enjoy a discount.

The discount, of course, will likely depend on the title itself. Nintendo has already given the upcoming Yoshi and the Mysterious Book as the first example. The new platformer will cost US$ 70 from retailers. However, it will cost only US$ 60 on the digital eShop.

The company says that the new pricing scheme “simply reflects the different costs associated with producing and distributing each format.” With the prices of chips skyrocketing, it’s no surprise that the physical release is more expensive than the digital one.

To be more technical about it, Nintendo has started skipping a physical game card for a while now. The physical release of Pokémon Pokopia, for example, has only a game-key card or a code to download the game. In this format, physical releases are just pretty cases you can display on your shelf.

Also, digital releases do carry the added risk of getting delisted on the whims of the developers, the publishers, or Nintendo itself. It is, however, still a cheaper option, especially in a world where getting any discount is a welcome thought.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo sues the United States

Gaming

Razer Blade 16 (2026) packs more cores, faster memory

Razer’s thinnest gaming laptop yet

Published

March 26, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Razer has officially unveiled the 2026 version of its Blade 16, doubling down on what it does best: squeezing high-end performance into an ultra-slim chassis.

This year’s refresh focuses on meaningful internal upgrades. That includes a new Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, faster LPDDR5X memory, and NVIDIA’s latest RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs — all while keeping the Blade 16 as the thinnest gaming laptop in Razer’s lineup.

Performance gets a serious bump

At the core of the new Blade 16 is the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, featuring 16 cores and up to 4.9GHz boost clock. Razer claims a 33% increase in core count versus the previous generation, translating to stronger performance across gaming, content creation, and AI workloads.

There’s also an integrated NPU capable of up to 50 TOPS, enabling faster on-device AI tasks like image generation and live translation.

Memory gets a notable upgrade too. The Blade 16 now supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM, which Razer positions as the fastest available in a laptop today. The result: quicker responsiveness for heavy multitasking, creative apps, and AI-assisted workflows.

On the graphics side, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 Series (Blackwell architecture) brings DLSS 4 and enhanced AI capabilities for both gaming and creator use cases.

Display and design stay premium

Razer isn’t fixing what isn’t broken. The Blade 16 retains its signature CNC-milled aluminum chassis, measuring just 14.9mm thick and weighing around 2.14kg.

The display remains a highlight. You get a 16-inch QHD+ OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, now brighter and certified for VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000. It supports full DCI-P3 coverage, Calman calibration, and NVIDIA G-SYNC, making it just as suited for creators as it is for competitive gaming.

Battery life and efficiency improve

Despite the performance gains, Razer is also pushing efficiency. Thanks to Intel’s newer architecture and system-level optimizations, the Blade 16 can hit up to 13 hours of productivity use and up to 15 hours of video playback under ideal conditions.

That’s a notable improvement for a machine in this class, especially given its slim form factor.

Connectivity and audio step up

The 2026 Blade 16 gets a future-ready connectivity suite, including Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. There’s also a full set of ports, from USB-A to HDMI 2.1 and an SD card reader.

Audio gets an upgrade too. The six-speaker system now supports THX Spatial Audio+ with virtual 7.1.4 surround, aiming to deliver more immersive sound both on speakers and headphones.

Price and availability

The Razer Blade 16 configured with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB VRAM) and 32GB LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM is priced at US$3,499.99 / €3,599.99 MSRP.

It is available now, exclusively via Razer.com and select RazerStores worldwide.

Still the Blade, just sharper

At a glance, the 2026 Blade 16 doesn’t reinvent the formula. But under the hood, it pushes performance, memory speed, and efficiency forward in ways that matter.

It’s still the same idea: a no-compromise gaming laptop that looks like it belongs in a minimalist workspace — just faster, smarter, and a bit more future-proof this time around.