Chrono Core Timeline

The unstable heart of dimensions that threatens to unravel the galaxy's very existence.

The Dimensionator is a powerful dimensional artifact central to the dimensional-hopping events of the Ratchet & Clank franchise. Created by the advanced Lombax civilization, it serves as a conduit for dimensional energy, capable of opening rifts between realities. However, its misuse causes instability in the dimensional fabric, and stabilization is achieved through other means. Often sought after by villains seeking to reshape reality to their advantage, the Dimensionator represents a fragile balance between dimensions that must be protected by the galaxy's heroes.

Quick Facts

First major appearance: Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction (2007)

Lore & Background

The history of the Dimensionator is tied directly to the Lombaxes, a highly advanced civilization that created it. First appearing in Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction, it was used by the Lombaxes to escape their dimension. Throughout the galaxy's conflicts, various factions have attempted to harness its power for conquest or revenge. However, the most significant threats arise when the Dimensionator is destabilized, causing rifts that pull characters from different dimensions into a chaotic collision of events, requiring immediate intervention to restore order. At the end of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, the Dimensionator remains in the hands of Ratchet and Clank, with no explicit confirmation of permanent containment.

Reader's Guide

The Chrono Core acts as the narrative engine for stories involving time travel and dimensional rifts. It is not merely a weapon but a fundamental part of the universe's structure that can be exploited. When activated or damaged, it creates unstable portals known as Rifts, which allow characters to jump between different versions of reality. This mechanic introduces gameplay and storytelling elements where past, present, and future intersect unpredictably. Villains often seek the Core to rewrite history in their favor, creating alternate timelines where they rule supreme. Heroes must navigate these fractured realities, collecting components or stabilizing the energy flow to prevent a total collapse of existence. Ultimately, securing the Chrono Core is about preserving the integrity of the timeline itself, ensuring that the galaxy's history remains intact for all its inhabitants.

Did You Know?

The Dimensionator first appeared in Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction (2007), not Rift Apart.
At the end of Rift Apart, the Dimensionator is in Ratchet and Clank's possession, not secured in a fixed location.