chuter's Full Review: Ratchet Clank Size Matters for PlayStation 2
GameCube has had its share, XBOX has had one or two, but PS2 seemed to miss out as far as platformers go.
Sure, Jak and Daxter was quite good, but it wasn’t something that would blow you away. It wasn’t the Mario beater the PS2 needs. Well, Insomniac have set out to put a stop to the PS2s lack of platformers with Ratchet and Clank.
R&C is all about a young, furry mechanic who meets up with a stranded robot, Clank, and together, they set out to save the galaxy from the evil Drek. It may not be the most original storyline, but it’s enough to keep you going.
Unlike ‘Jak and Daxter’, you can take control of Ratchet’s partner, Clank, on a couple of occasions, but he spends most of the time strapped to Ratchets back. Even then, he can use one of several upgrades such as the thrusters pack to access new areas.
The games’ graphics push the PS2 to the absolute limit. No fog, no jagged lines and no jerky animation- just smooth, colourful graphics, and some of the best seen so far on PS2. Each one of the 18 worlds are big, bright and superbly detailed, from the rain pelting on the screen in Fort Krotos to Aridias’ incredible space age fort.
Like all good platformers, it has a fair share of jumping, but the huge range of gadgets add a lot more variety. Each one of them has some significance, and you will need all them at some point in the game. Can’t get over that gap? Use the swingshot to glide over with ease.
One thing that sets this apart from other platformers is its witty humour. The relationship between Ratchet and Clank results in some very funny one liners - some which you will be quoting to your friends for some time after.
There are plenty of weapons to available to buy, but aside from the usual blaster, there are some ingenious ideas like the suck cannon, allowing you to suck up small enemies and blast them back at bigger ones.
Another great thing about Ratchet and Clank is that every level offers something new. Each one supplies new enemies, gadgets and challenges to keep you playing all the way through.
And instead of having to complete a level before you can move on, you switch from planet to planet. This also adds a puzzle factor to the game, as you decide where a new gadget may be useful to access new areas in certain levels.
The musical score is absolutely fantastic, and adds atmosphere and suspense while you play. From groovy hip-hop, to incredible orchestral masterpieces, each planet is backed by a brilliant tune.
And even once you have conquered Ratchet And Clank, the countless new features there are to unlock, such as spoof TV adverts and cheats, will ensure the game will last you a good couple of weeks.
The only real let down is that the game becomes quite frustrating on some of the later levels, when you find yourself repeating sections of the game constantly until you complete them. The cause of this maybe that you are only given four lives - not enough for the last few levels of the game.
But overall, this is a cracking game, and it excels in virtually all categories. The PS2s’ best platformer so far, and a real essential you can enjoy again and again.
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