So, yes, Ratchet & Clank. The series is well known among Sony gamers, and is one of Sony’s mascots alongside the Jak series, and, in some areas, Sly Cooper. Yet, out of these three series, the only one I have ever truly played hardcore is Sly Cooper. Don’t get me wrong, I HAVE both the original Jak and Ratchet games, but I’ve never really played them that much, outside of a few spells now and then.
To say that fills me with guilt, considering those series’ first games have been released seven and six years ago, respectively, and I have had them since I was at least six years old. Yep, I’m 12, still haven’t beaten either one. I even ended up with Jak 2 somehow and still have hardly played the original Jak and Daxter.
Of course, being a fan of action games, I have always liked Ratchet & Clank better, and thus, played it more often. I got started back on it recently, too. The problem? I thought my game was scratched because it kept freezing, although it turned out that it was just dirty. Until I figured that out, to fill the void, I played Ratchet & Clank: Size Matter. Having bought it during my trip to Myrtle Beach, I resolved that I would complete the original first, until…well, you know what happened. So, I just gave up and decided to play Size Matters.
Now, not having a PSP, I ended up buying the PS2 version. While graphics aren’t exactly a main point of a game, I have to say that the graphics for the PS2 version are kind of dated. While this is forgivable, due to the above reason, with graphical masterpieces such as the new Resident Evil and God of War titles for PS2, a graphical tune-up wouldn’t have hurt. Some of the sound effects and music aren’t up-to-date, either, but it won’t bother most gamers (unless you’re really picky about graphics and sound).
The gameplay is essentially the same as the past Ratchet games (minus Deadlocked). Basically, it’s a shooter-platformer. You have several weapons to use. From the beginning you already have the Lacerator, the Acid Bomb Glove, and the Hypershot. The Lacerator is a good projectile weapon for the beginning of the game, but toward the end, even when it levels up, it is fairly weak. As for the Acid Bomb Glove, I’ve never cared for the gloves in the Ratchet games anyway. The Hypershot is basically the Swingshot with a laser cord instead of a metal one. There are also several weapons that you can buy later in the game, although most of them (with a few lone exceptions, such as the Shock Rocket) aren’t that great. There are also special things, such as the Sprout-O-Matic, which allows you to water plants (you’ll know what the point is if you play the game), a barrier item, the Polarizer (a magnet that allows you to activate certain things), and the Shrink Ray. The Shrink Ray can’t be used as a normal weapon (it would be awesome if it could), but is instead usually used in conjunction with the Grind Boots to enter and break through locks. It has several uses toward the end of the game, however. There are also certain areas where you can play as Clank. He is unbearably weak outside of his giant form, although he has several neat challenges you can play (one of which is required to play).
After the game is beaten, there are several unlockables. You can get the infamous Skill Points so that you can activate cheats, and the Challenge Mode you unlock after completing the game will keep you occupied for quite some time. There are also several races and Clank Challenges (as mentioned earlier). The races, however, are somewhat frustrating, although they can be fun, especially with the new flying mechanic. There are also Titanium Bolts and armor (which you can actually wear, and its effects add to your ratchet-axe as well as protect you from damage) to collect.
Now, this game is REALLY difficult. I’m not saying that because I stink at Ratchet & Clank, because I don’t (you should have seen me blast through Exterminator Mode on Ratchet Deadlocked with the Mega Dual Vipers). I’m being serious! Even with your weapons at their highest levels, the most health you can get, and armor covering your whole body, most enemies toward the end of the game will kill you in about two hits. The last boss, in fact, kills you in only one hit! Really, the only thing that got me through the game was the Shock Rocket; it’s the only projectile weapon in the game aside from the pretty weak Lacerator.
Before I conclude the review, the story must be evaluated. So, basically while Ratchet & Clank are helping a little girl with her school project on heroes, she is abducted because she has a Technomite artifact. The Technomites had made several inventions, although they were never given any credit for it, and they have, thus, launched an attack on galactic civilization. Behind the scenes, Captain Qwark is looking for his family… Several twists pop up now and then, however, and the story gets increasingly interesting.
So, that’s it. If you want my advice, buy the PSP version (if you have a PSP); it’s probably cheaper since it’s been on the market for longer. If you don't, though, the PS2 version is still worth it, especially if you're like me and don't think that a Ratchet game would be as good on PSP. Anyway…
Graphics and Sound: Mediocre. Being a port of a PSP game, they’re a good bit dated, especially compared to the graphical masterpieces the PS2 has been seeing lately.
Gameplay: Good. It’s pretty much the same as the original game, but there are certain flaws. The weapons are mostly mediocre, which is a minus, and the game is rip-your-hair-out difficult toward the end of the game.
Fun Factor: Great! Despite its bad points, the game is very fun. Not as fun as the original, but still very fun.
Glitches: Good. There are a few glitches here and there, but the only one that sticks out is that music in boss fights sometimes doesn’t play unless you pause and unpause.
Replay Value: Awesome! The Challenge Mode is where most of it comes from, as well as collecting armor, Titanium Bolts, and, of course, the infamous Skill Points!
Story: Awesome! It’s funny, and gets more and more interesting as you play.
Length: Good. I beat it pretty quickly, but I played hardcore, so…
Overall: Great! A few flaws bog it down, but, in general, it’s Ratchet & Clank goodness.
Buy It or Skip It? Buy it.
To say that fills me with guilt, considering those series’ first games have been released seven and six years ago, respectively, and I have had them since I was at least six years old. Yep, I’m 12, still haven’t beaten either one. I even ended up with Jak 2 somehow and still have hardly played the original Jak and Daxter.
Of course, being a fan of action games, I have always liked Ratchet & Clank better, and thus, played it more often. I got started back on it recently, too. The problem? I thought my game was scratched because it kept freezing, although it turned out that it was just dirty. Until I figured that out, to fill the void, I played Ratchet & Clank: Size Matter. Having bought it during my trip to Myrtle Beach, I resolved that I would complete the original first, until…well, you know what happened. So, I just gave up and decided to play Size Matters.
Now, not having a PSP, I ended up buying the PS2 version. While graphics aren’t exactly a main point of a game, I have to say that the graphics for the PS2 version are kind of dated. While this is forgivable, due to the above reason, with graphical masterpieces such as the new Resident Evil and God of War titles for PS2, a graphical tune-up wouldn’t have hurt. Some of the sound effects and music aren’t up-to-date, either, but it won’t bother most gamers (unless you’re really picky about graphics and sound).
The gameplay is essentially the same as the past Ratchet games (minus Deadlocked). Basically, it’s a shooter-platformer. You have several weapons to use. From the beginning you already have the Lacerator, the Acid Bomb Glove, and the Hypershot. The Lacerator is a good projectile weapon for the beginning of the game, but toward the end, even when it levels up, it is fairly weak. As for the Acid Bomb Glove, I’ve never cared for the gloves in the Ratchet games anyway. The Hypershot is basically the Swingshot with a laser cord instead of a metal one. There are also several weapons that you can buy later in the game, although most of them (with a few lone exceptions, such as the Shock Rocket) aren’t that great. There are also special things, such as the Sprout-O-Matic, which allows you to water plants (you’ll know what the point is if you play the game), a barrier item, the Polarizer (a magnet that allows you to activate certain things), and the Shrink Ray. The Shrink Ray can’t be used as a normal weapon (it would be awesome if it could), but is instead usually used in conjunction with the Grind Boots to enter and break through locks. It has several uses toward the end of the game, however. There are also certain areas where you can play as Clank. He is unbearably weak outside of his giant form, although he has several neat challenges you can play (one of which is required to play).
After the game is beaten, there are several unlockables. You can get the infamous Skill Points so that you can activate cheats, and the Challenge Mode you unlock after completing the game will keep you occupied for quite some time. There are also several races and Clank Challenges (as mentioned earlier). The races, however, are somewhat frustrating, although they can be fun, especially with the new flying mechanic. There are also Titanium Bolts and armor (which you can actually wear, and its effects add to your ratchet-axe as well as protect you from damage) to collect.
Now, this game is REALLY difficult. I’m not saying that because I stink at Ratchet & Clank, because I don’t (you should have seen me blast through Exterminator Mode on Ratchet Deadlocked with the Mega Dual Vipers). I’m being serious! Even with your weapons at their highest levels, the most health you can get, and armor covering your whole body, most enemies toward the end of the game will kill you in about two hits. The last boss, in fact, kills you in only one hit! Really, the only thing that got me through the game was the Shock Rocket; it’s the only projectile weapon in the game aside from the pretty weak Lacerator.
Before I conclude the review, the story must be evaluated. So, basically while Ratchet & Clank are helping a little girl with her school project on heroes, she is abducted because she has a Technomite artifact. The Technomites had made several inventions, although they were never given any credit for it, and they have, thus, launched an attack on galactic civilization. Behind the scenes, Captain Qwark is looking for his family… Several twists pop up now and then, however, and the story gets increasingly interesting.
So, that’s it. If you want my advice, buy the PSP version (if you have a PSP); it’s probably cheaper since it’s been on the market for longer. If you don't, though, the PS2 version is still worth it, especially if you're like me and don't think that a Ratchet game would be as good on PSP. Anyway…
Graphics and Sound: Mediocre. Being a port of a PSP game, they’re a good bit dated, especially compared to the graphical masterpieces the PS2 has been seeing lately.
Gameplay: Good. It’s pretty much the same as the original game, but there are certain flaws. The weapons are mostly mediocre, which is a minus, and the game is rip-your-hair-out difficult toward the end of the game.
Fun Factor: Great! Despite its bad points, the game is very fun. Not as fun as the original, but still very fun.
Glitches: Good. There are a few glitches here and there, but the only one that sticks out is that music in boss fights sometimes doesn’t play unless you pause and unpause.
Replay Value: Awesome! The Challenge Mode is where most of it comes from, as well as collecting armor, Titanium Bolts, and, of course, the infamous Skill Points!
Story: Awesome! It’s funny, and gets more and more interesting as you play.
Length: Good. I beat it pretty quickly, but I played hardcore, so…
Overall: Great! A few flaws bog it down, but, in general, it’s Ratchet & Clank goodness.
Buy It or Skip It? Buy it.
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