Ratchet & Clank

"This game is Quark-tastic!"

In lieu of the soon-to-be phenomenon of Vice City, two great new platformers were made. One was Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus, and another was Ratchet and Clank. Ratchet and Clank is a new platformer by the fact that you don't have to collect any shiny object, or be forced to make all kinds of complicated jumps. Instead, Ratchet and Clank focuses more on combat, and frantic weapon based play. This new twist adds all kinds of strategy and technique's that were before unknown in this genre. Unfortunately, Vice City's success will probably mean no sequel, and mediocre sales, at least. Anyway, here's the breakdown of this fun new game:

Graphics 9/10
This is a very pretty game. The environments are lush and full of detail. In a high spot, you can look for miles upon the planet(each of which makes a level), and you will be amazed. The Lighting particles are fantastic, and the cityscapes are full of detail and movement. In a Metropolitan level, you see flying cars moving past in traffic, skyscrapers that seem to stretch on into eternity, and plenty of places to explore. Normally, when you begin a level, you are given 2 to 3 side areas to follow. Luckily, a form of transportation usually allows you back to the beginning, saving you from unnecessary back-tracking. The Character models also are very detailed, showing plenty of emotion, and moving as if they were real.

Storyline 9/10
A hilarious and surprisingly deep storyline compliments this game very well. The evil Supreme Executive Drek(who looks all over like a sleazy alien businessman) has a problem. His planet is completely uninhabitable. So, thinking outside the box, he decides to construct a new planet from pieces of other planets in the system. Of course, the other planets are less than happy about this. To make sure that they comply, he makes robot guard production factory's all over the galaxy. In one factory, a glitch in the design program makes a small robot named Clank come to life. He doesn't have much strength, but he is highly intelligent and realizes what Drek is attempting to do. Running from guards, he hijacks a spaceship and heads off to get the help of Captain Quark, the world famous superhero. Unfortunately, he is shot down before he can obtain his help. On a nearby planet, a young mechanic named Ratchet is building a ship. He has nearly completed it, but he needs a important factor: The Ignition system. Since he has no way of obtaining it, he pines away, wishing to see far away places and leave his home. (Like Luke Skywalker, only less 80's)Then, he see's a spaceship crash, and goes off to investigate the wreckage for parts. This ship was, of course, Clank's ship. Ratchet finds Clank, and takes him back home. There, Clank revives and tells Ratchet of Drek's plot and offers to ignite the ship for his assistance in finding Captain Quark. Without further ado, the two set off. The character development is also superb. Since both of them are only using each other, a rift grows between them. Ratchet is more weary and fun-loving, while Clank sticks to a belief in doing the right thing and being fair. This causes some great banter, and makes the storyline humorous and dark at the same time.
Sound 8/10
Unfortunately, besides a few catchy tunes, the music in the levels is mostly filler, and forgettable. Not bad, but nothing you'll rave about. Luckily the voice acting is top notch, and the actors seem to convey emotion and actually make the game better, unlike some horrible voice acting (*coughFFXcough*). In any case, the music is good, not great. As for the sound effects, they are realistic and defined. Metal sounds like metal when hitting metal, it sounds different when hitting dirt or something, so it's all good. Still, it's nothing new.
Gameplay 9/10
The best part of any game, Ratchet and Clank delivers well. Like I said before, the game is focused on combat, and it does this aspect very well. The amount of weapons is astounding, and you'll have plenty of incentive to get Bolts(the currency in this game) to obtain that shiny new weapon. Experimenting with this weapons to see what works best on what is also a big plus. However, sometimes it seems that the weapons are too expensive(one of them goes for 150,000 bolts, and you can get(at most) 5,000 or so a level...), and the targeting can get irritating at times. The Enemy AI is balanced and responds well to attacks. Don't be fooled by the first levels of the game. It gets MUCH harder later on, and you'll be forced to think it through and try different weapons later on. This adds to the playing time, which is way above average for platformers. Boss battles follow easy patterns, but they are still difficult from the sheer power of their attacks. Although the enemy's repeat throughout the level, you still have at least 50 or so baddies, and they all look and attack great. Ratchet starts out with a Wrench, with which he can unleash a devastating Combo, and throw like a boomerang. He also has a Bomb Glove, which is handy for dispatching enemy's you don't want to get too close to. Ammo for the Bomb Glove and other's is found throughout the level, though you'll often have to run to your local vendor to arm yourself. I won't spoil the surprises of weapons, but they are all big, all deadly, and all fun to use.
Control 9/10
Do yourself a favor-Use the Analog Stick. With the control pad, Ratchet moves a little sludgy, and I shudder to think of Clank's mobility. However, with the Analog stick, Both of them move like liquid, though Clank is slower and a little harder to get used too. However, this is a minor complaint. The Camera is well adjusted, and with a quick tap on the L1 button, it gets back to the behind Ratchet view. However, sometimes it seems like the camera wants to get into the worst possible angle it can. Luckily, adjusting it becomes easy as pie.

Conclusion
Even though you'll undoubtedly plop down cash on Vice City, don't pass up Ratchet and Clank. This is a very fine platformer, and if they take a page out of this game's book, the platforming genre will get even better.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/12/02, Updated 11/12/02