Box Reviews: Ratchet and Clank

This is a break from my usual structure, as I am reviewing a PS2 game. Ratchet and Clank was the beginning of a franchise, spawning many sequels, and even the recently released Secret Agent Clank for the PSP. I'll get in to that one next time. RaC: ToD (I like abbreviations) was a critical success, gaining many high reviews, raving it for it's spot-on graphics. Unfortunately, I do not have a PS3, because I do not wish to file for a loan. But, I can bring you the original, creatively titled, Ratchet and Clank.

This game starts off by an alien thing (called a blarg), named Chairmen Drek whose planet is overpopulated and polluted, so he decides to build a new one. This mean that he will be destroying almost every planet in the galaxy. Meanwhile, at a robot factory that builds henchmen for Drek malfunctions, and a little robot is produced. He finds the plan, and immediately sets off in search of help. He crashes into the planet Veldin, and Lombax Ratchet finds him. The two immediately set off to find him.

This game is a 3d platformer, so that would normally mean finding Drek and jumping on his head 20 or so times. But Ratchet and Clank isn't a normal platformer. Ratchet's packing heat. So that means while you'll most defiantly be jumping all around, you will also be gunning down hoards of enemies while doing it.

There are an assortment of guns to be found in this game. The one you are first equipped with in the game is the bomb glove. This glove shoots out bombs. The weapon variety goes from a simple machine gun to a gun that turns your enemies into chickens. My favorite weapon goes to the pyrocitor which is basically a flamethrower. While not the most creative, it is the best weapon that I choose to use. There are upgradable versions of these weapons, available on the second play through. But these cost gold bolt, which are just hidden items in the worlds.

All of the worlds are not just levels, but worlds. Every one of the levels is actually a different planet. And you travel there by ship. Over the course of the game you can access many different ships, none of which are customizable.

Speaking of bolts, bolts are the currency found in the game. There are crates littered around the area. Brown wooden crates carry bolts, and crates with a 'G' on them carry ammo for the various weapons. Because the enemies are mostly robots, all of the enemies are bound to carry a few bolts on them.

And don't think that this game is all about jumping and shooting, as there are plenty of gadgets to help you on your way. The first gadget you come across is the Swingshot. Sometimes in levels there are green and yellow orbs. Green orbs, if you have the Swingshot, just pull you to them. Yellow orbs let you swing like an airborne swing set. Another memorable gadget is the Magneboots, which let you walk on slim metal catwalks.

Clank is a gadget all in himself. He has three backpacks he can wear. The heli-pack is the first backpack you come across. For some bolts, Clank earns Ratchet some very fancy moves. The first is a very high jump. The second is a very long jump. The third is the ability to glide in the air after a jump. The thruster pack has the same moves with just one advantage, the astroslam. This enables you to jump in the air, and slam into the ground hard. You use it twice in the game, but you can use it to slam enemies too. The hydro-pack is used to swim against currents and faster too.

My biggest gripe against this game is that it's too darn hard. For the most part of the game, you get four health orbs. Each time you get hit, you lose an orb. You can find crates that have health in them, and those orbs are a big help. I should also mention that these health orbs are called Nanotech. You can buy more Nanotech at one of the levels, but the most Nanotech you can have is 8 Nanotech. With no leveling up of the weapons until challenge mode and the enemies getting harder every level, this makes for a rather challenging game. I should also note that when you die, you get push back a good bit of the level.

The graphics in this game are good, not fantastic, but good. But the animation is rather well done. Bravo for animation Insomniac. The sound is the same way. There is no memorable music but the sound FX are great.

Graphics: 7/10 Good graphics but awesome animation.

Gameplay: 8/10 Would be 10/10 if it wasn't too darn hard.

Sound: 7/10 Good soundtrack but awesome FX.

Multiplayer: N/A
Charm: N/A I'm going to stop this category.

Replay Value: 8/10 Challenge mode gives you a bolt multiplier, harder enemies, and upgraded weapons.

Overall: 8/10 This would be the perfect platformer, but the presentation and difficulty bring it down a notch.