A number of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart accessibility features have been detailed in a new blog post, showing yet another step in PlayStation's efforts to make it easier for more people to enjoy games.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the newest game in the long-running Ratchet & Clank franchise that's making its debut in a few short weeks. In the lead-up to that time, Insomniac's Advanced Senior User Experience Researcher Michele Zorilla has detailed some of the accessibility features that will be available on launch.
The Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Accessibility Features Are Pretty Impressive
Some of the Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart accessibility features are pretty standard for games that include them. The first one we get a look at is visual and contrast options for visually impaired players.
Many newer games (such as The Last of Us 2) have options to highlight enemies or objects to make them easier to see. This new Ratchet & Clank game takes things a step further with the ability to customize colors and what exactly you'll see highlighted while you're playing; a total of ten color choices will be available on launch. Additionally, bosses and regular enemies can be colored differently to make it easier to tell them apart.
A new arrival with this game is options to change the game's speed. You can slow down gameplay to 70%, 50%, or 30% of normal at the push of a designated Shortcut button; pushing the same button again will return the game to normal speed. This feature should be especially helpful to gamers who have to deal with cognitive and/or motor-function issues.
In a similar vein, some players may have issues with holding down buttons for certain situations. You'll be able to change "hold" functions to "toggle" if you feel so inclined; here's one example with The Enforcer weapon as explained in today's blog post from Sony Interactive Entertainment:
The Enforcer
- Default
- Half Press R2 fires a single barrel
- Full Press R2 fires both barrels
- Hold
- Hold Half Press R2 to repeatedly fire a single barrel
- Hold Full Press R2 to repeatedly fire both barrels
- Toggle
- Tap Half R2 to toggle firing from a single barrel
- Tap Full R2 to toggle firing from both barrels
- Tap again to stop firing
These additions are part of Sony's growing efforts to make more accessibility features available to gamers, especially in its flagship releases. You'll be able to enjoy all of these new features (and a ton of great gameplay) when the new Ratchet & Clank game debuts on June 11, 2021. You can pre-purchase Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on Amazon or on the PlayStation Store for $69.99 or your regional equivalent.
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What do you think of the Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart accessibility features showcased today? Do you make use of any accessibility features when you're gaming? Let us know in the comments below!
