Navigate the Parade Route is the first mission in Rift Apart. After years of retirement, a parade, known as the Festival of Heroes, is held in honor of Ratchet and Clank, hosted by his former companions Captain Qwark, Skidd McMarx, and Rusty Pete, in the city of Megalopolis, Corson V. The parade was planned by Clank to give Ratchet the Dimensionator, though it was interrupted by Goons-4-Less, hired by Dr. Nefarious, seeking to use the Dimensionator.
This and the following missions are the only missions in which the player can explore Megalopolis in Ratchet's dimension.
Completing this mission will unlock the bronze trophy Rift Apart.
Walkthrough[]
Travel to the Front of the Parade[]
The first mission of the game opens with a tutorial on the control scheme. Upon gaining control of Ratchet, begin the mission by grabbing the OmniWrench, the melee weapon tied to 
, which can be used for a single swing or swung several times for a combo. Grabbing it completes the first objective, and stepping onto the platform leads to the next, the part of the parade.
The first portion is a reenactment of Veldin. Follow the waypoint marker, which can be brought up by pressing 
, to the front. Along the way, break the crates for bolts with the wrench, and when indicated, perform the Wrench Slam on the to activate a platform to the next portion, a reenactment of the Kerwan invasion. Follow the on-screen instructions to throw the wrench and move forward to pick up the Burst Pistol.
After following the on-screen commands to shoot the blarg ships in front, several Goons-4-Less will arrive. Dodge their lasers, and hold 
the full way to use rapid-fire against them and defeat them. While taking the path forward to the Kalebo III reenactment, the platform will be destroyed, forcing Ratchet to land on the grind rail; after completing it, Ratchet will use the Magneboots to proceed forward, and one of the Goons-4-Less is found below. Shoot him quickly and avoid his lasers, then press 
to use the Omniglove's Tethershot and latch onto the Tether Target in front (it does not need to be held down).
The Tether Target will lead Ratchet over to several balloons. After bouncing forward on the first few, one will be blown up, leading Ratchet to the Ardolis reenactment. The Goons-4-Less then send robomutts to attack; these are small enemies that will bite Ratchet in melee range, but can be dispatched easily using the wrench or Burst Pistol (for players who have it, the Pixelizer can defeat them even quicker). Defeat them while dodging the Goons' lasers and then defeat the Goon and proceed forward.
Follow the instructions to glide down to the Great Clock reenactment, where more Goons attack. A Goon dropship will bring in several Goons both with lasers and with swords; the ones with swords should be prioritzed to defeat first. Next, shoot the Goon dropship with the Burst Pistol when indicated. The dropship's lasers only fire across the ground, meaning they can be jumped over while shooting it.
Once the dropship is destroyed, take the platform in front to the final part of the parade. A cutscene commences, leading into the next objective.
Pursue Dr. Nefarious[]
The mission is largely on-rails, and begins with using the grind rails. After taking them to the front, shoot the Goons-4-Less that appear and hit the button to commence a cutscene, after which Ratchet and Clank land in a park in Megalopolis.
Mrs. Zurkon then appears and offers two weapon choices: the Shatterbomb or The Enforcer. The Shatterbomb is a grenade throwing weapon that can toss grenades effectively against both clusters of small enemies and more durable enemies, while the Enforcer is a shotgun weapon that can fire blasts to easily dispatch clusters of enemies in short-to-medium range while still being effective against larger enemies. Both weapons are equally viable choices, though between them, the Shatterbomb is a slightly better purchase at this stage due to its higher versatility from its greater range and effectiveness against more targets. Before purchasing a weapon, it is necessary to watch a preview.
Upon choosing a weapon, more Goons-4-Less arrive, appearing throughout the park. Hide behind the tree pots where possible for cover; if using the Shatterbomb, it is possible to throw it over the pots to hit the Goons from a distance while still being protected. From here, follow a linear path to the train station, where a cutscene commences. After this, use to use the Omniglove to Rift Tether across. Shoot the Goon that appears on the train and Rift Tether up to it, then continue down the linear path, fighting Goons and robomutts as they appear. Further in the train station, sandsharks warp in; much like robomutts, these swarmer enemies that are easily dispatched with the Burst Pistol, Enforcer, or simply the wrench.
When Ratchet and Clank spot Nefarious' ship, Rift Tether to the rift atop the moving crane, then follow a series of Rift Tethers and proceed down the path before fighting more Goons. Use the Tethershot to latch onto the taxi, and after landing, another Mrs. Zurkon vendor is found; by now, both the Shatterbomb and Enforcer are affordable, though the vendor can also refill ammo and health. The next area has a larger set of Goons and robomutts, but also three spots to Rift Tether to to jump around battle. Either make use of points of cover from which to throw Shatterbombs, or zip between the points of cover and use the Enforcer to take the enemies out; either way will effectively avoid the fire coming from the Goons.
Once all enemies are dispatched, head forward to defeat Dr. Nefarious.
Defeat Dr. Nefarious[]
Nefarious' mech fires lasers that deal great damage, but are telegraphed and can be avoided with double jumps (as indicated on-screen) or by using cover. The Burst Pistol is the best weapon against him, though the Shatterbomb is equally viable. Horny toads will appear from rifts whenever Nefarious backs out of battle; these are swarmer enemies with medium-range attacks, and should be dispatched quickly with the Enforcer.
When Nefarious returns, he will use missiles, which can also deal great damage but are telegraphed by reticules on the floor. Avoid them and continue using the Burst Pistol; if they prove challenging to avoid, a Rift Tether to the top-left or top-right corners can be used in a pinch. After Nefarious loses more health, he will leave again, this time summoning sandsharks and amoeboids. Both of these are swarmer enemies that should be dispatched with the Enforcer before they overwhelm Ratchet.
Dr. Nefarious returns with a mix of missiles and lasers. The same strategies apply as before in order to avoid damage while firing. After depleting his HP, a cutscene commences, and Ratchet and Clank are taken through a series of rifts in a mostly on-rails section followed by a cutscene leading into the next mission, "Find Clank".