The game introduces to the series the concept of real-time near instantaneous travel between different areas, planets and other worlds within gameplay scenes via a system of inter-dimensional portals.
The player navigates Ratchet and Rivet through diverse environments across a multitude of levels, defeating enemies with an array of varied weapons and gadgets, and traversing obstacles to complete key mission objectives. Additionally, the game has a playable female Lombax named Rivet, as well as a robot similar to Clank, Kit. He is accompanied by his robotic friend and sidekick Clank, who is hung on his back.
It retains elements of previous Ratchet & Clank games, such as strafing, gunplay, collection of bolts, automatic weapon and health upgrades, manual Raritanium weapon upgrading and gadgets. The game shares many gameplay similarities with Ratchet & Clank (2016) and other entries in the series.
Ratchet uses a "Rift Tether" to quickly warp between areas