Ratchet: Deadlocked

"It may be diffrent from the others, but it's still great."

Ratchet: Deadlocked is the fourth installment in the Ratchet and Clank series. You may have asked yourself: "Well, where's Clank?" The truth is Clank is now Ratchet's new secretary (sorta) well... he gives you tips along the way and is a fairly big part of the story.

Story (7/10)
You see Ratchet and Clank on the Starship Phoenix after the plot of RC:UYA (the game before this.) They are soon captured and sent to the set of Dreadzone, a gladiator style gameshow created by Gleeman Vox. Ratchet gets a Dreadzone collar that will self destruct if he trys to leave the show. The show is on various planets, Ratchet must complete various challenges with the help of two bots. The story takes some vey unique turns and the character personalities are great and funny. Too bad it seems the plot doesn't exactly cut it compared to the well thought out ones from the previous games. It ties the game together well though.

Graphics (9/10)
The graphics in Ratchet: Deadlocked are very good and detailed. The looks of the weapons are impressive to say the least, and the environments are crisp and beautiful looking. The character models are well done the explosions are truly breathtaking. One minor gripe is that the game looks a little too dark sometimes, and also the vehicles could have been polished but the whole thing looks incredible.

Gameplay (8/10)
The gameplay in Ratchet: Deadlocked is nice. Ratchet is seen in and moved in a lock-strafe position (It can also be changed to a first of third person perspective) which is a mix between third and first person controls. it fits the game perfectly. Ratchet has his guns (Which can be purchased with the games currency: Bolts) and his trusty Versa Wrench. He fights through the challenges mostly on foot. There are also vehicle challenges with one of four very unique vehicles. They come at just the right time and not too frequent. One critisism in the game is the low amount of weapons. Well this is very true, but the mod system makes up for it. The mods are attachments that enhance your weapon. They range from acid bullets, morphing shots and shock after effects, to time bombs, napalm and mini bombs that blow up on contact. Your weapons can also level up to greater strength. A problem in the gameplay is the lack of platforming elements. Where did they go? Why are they gone? We all don't know why the Ratchet and Clank games have turned into a TPS. Oh well, it's not too bad without it.

Controls (9/10)

The controls are extremely responding and good. The problem is that the hovercraft controls are not the same as the ones before it. They feel awkward at first but slowly feel right. Everything else is fine.

Multiplayer (8/10)

Returning for the second time in the series multiplayer is an aspect. There is local and online modes. The game types are: Deathmatch (Team deathmatch), CTF, King of the Hill, Juggernaut and Conquest (Lockdown, Home Nodes.) I know what your thinking, "Where's my siege!?!" Well this is now conquest, it's not as good as the legendary siege, but it still good. The multiplayer matches are very fast paced and all of the single player maps are in here. I just wish they where a bit bigger (except for Dark Catherdral, that place is HUGE!) The vehicles weapons and mods make an appearance in the multiplayer too.

Co-op (8/10)

Yes, there is a co-op mode in Ratchet: Deadlocked. It is a replica of the single player, but you can play through with a friend. It is very fast paced and fun. The cut scenes are no altered though.

Conclusion (8/10 not an average)
It may not be better then the other games in the series, but Ratchet: Deadlocked definitely earns a spot in any PS2 owners collection.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/30/06