Ratchet & Clank

"A nice beginning to what has become a big name in platforming games."

I didn't get hooked into this series until about a month ago. I always thought that this series was just something for kids to play, and didn't have any real substance to it. Boy, was I wrong. This game, and the others in the series are addicting to play, and can be best described as the definitive platforming experience.

From the first time that you watch the story unfold, the main characters, Ratchet and Clank, fascinate you. And if you play the second and third titles, you will be even more intrigued as to how the characters develop, and what kind of new adventure they will be involved in.

If you've never played a Ratchet and Clank game, you have to give them a try. I promise that you won't be disappointed.

Presentation
This title was the start of something that very few other platforming games had. At least from my point of view. The older platforming games from the NES/SNES era were fun, but this title had that same type of fun, but it also had a lot of extra features and improved graphics.

The games story keeps you hooked, and the characters are very likeable. Even though it's a teenager and up game, don't be fooled by thinking that it's something just for kids. Adults can easily enjoy this game. Especially those who played the older NES/SNES platform titles. The game doesn't feel as though you are rushing through each planet. You can take your time, and explore if you want. You can also decide which path to take, which I liked. You can also go back to another planet that you explored earlier in case you forgot something, or just wanted to replay it again.

Skill Points require….Skill. Sure they should be tough, but a few of them were very tough. Without giving away too much of the game I'll just say that doing a “Twisty McMarx” in the hover board race was difficult. As was getting a certain time in the race as well. I'm not into BMX racing games, or skateboard games, which might explain why these were difficult for me to accomplish. For a platforming game, the need to be an expert on doing tricks, or taking place in a race that simulates a skateboard race wasn't needed in my opinion. This was the only time where I wanted to stop playing the game. If I weren't aiming for getting one hundred percent on this game, I would have skipped these two Skill Points, and avoided the stress.

But the only problem that the game has is the targeting system. You can be facing an enemy, and your crosshairs can be on them. If you move the slightest bit to the left, or the right, the crosshairs will be gone. When the crosshairs are not on the target, chances are that if you fire your weapon, it will miss. Unless you are up close with the target. This would upset me, since the bullet/missile was aimed right at the enemy, but for some reason it wouldn't kill it. This reason, along with a few very hard Skill Points, is why the score isn't perfect. 8/10

Graphics
For an early PS2 title, this game looks fairly decent. The game is now three years old, and doesn't look that bad for being behind the times. Some parts could have had more detail done to them, but it isn't anything that had to be changed. Just minor nitpicking for maybe a rock, tree, or something else that could of used a little more attention to detail.

Characters look very detailed. Every one of them had their own style and look. Even the enemies were given a lot of attention to how they were created. Space ships weren't excluded from the details, as they looked very stylish. Each planet also had its own look and feel, which is amazing since there are several planets to explore. No two planets seemed the same. 8/10

Sound
Nothing here to really get excited about. The sounds that you hear match up quite well with what you see. The voice acting is above average. Some characters did a great job with their characters, while a few others could of done a little better. I can't think of anything wrong with the sounds, but none of them were mind blowing. 8/10

Gameplay
This is the meat of the game. You cannot get bored with this title, since there is so much to do. You have the planets to explore. Then you have Gold Bolts to find for almost each planet/station. While on each planet, you need to collect Bolts for your ammo, and new weapons that you can purchase. Plus while exploring each planet, you can find some new gadgets that help you along the way.

Ratchet's main weapon is well, a ratchet. This is a very powerful weapon, but if you feel the need to use another weapon, you have plenty to choose from. Each weapon has its own unique feature. Like a weapon that turns enemies into chickens, to a glove that throws bombs, to a missile launcher that lets you control where the missile lands.

And the game isn't just platforming. There will be puzzles that require them to be solved before a door can be opened. Mini levels where you're in a space ship shooting at other ships. Hover board races, to gain gadgets that will come in handy on other planets. Disguising yourself as a robot to trick other robots, so you can access buildings. Mounting a gun turret and shooting down space ships, or opening doors. Swimming in parts of the levels to find hidden stuff, or to find a new gadget or new planet location. There are tons of different areas of game play that it's very hard to get bored while playing this game. 10/10

Lasting Appeal
There is plenty to do in this game. If you use guide to find the Gold Bolts, or to understand the Skill Points, then the game can be finished in a faster time. But even if you use them, the game still takes a good fifteen to twenty hours to complete. Having to play the game a second time to reach one hundred percent was a cool feature to have. It encourages you to play the game again. The extra unlockables for having one hundred percent are cool. From watching a behind the scenes video about creating the game, to watching the television ads, to seeing drawings, and other items of interest.

If it weren't for the targeting issues, and a few of the ridiculously hard Skill Points, this game would have had a perfect score. But I'm just happy that these problems were fixed in the sequel title. 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/31/05