Pros: Graphics, Gameplay, Sound, Plot, and just about anything else
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: Rachet & Clank is the most well-balanced platformer out there. If you're looking for a game that will last you a good long while, this game is a must-buy.
zero-exe's Full Review: Ratchet Clank Size Matters for PlayStation 2
There have been many platformers out this year. Jak and Daxter, Jet Set Radio Future, and Sly Cooper to name a few. Many of which I played tend to stress the cliche of collecting hundreds of objects and things, resulting in much backtracking through levels already played before. Things like this can get a little tedious and could do a number on the replay value. Collecting things seems to be overshadowing Action in platformers we see today.
Whether we know it or not, a certain game released on November 5th on the Playstation 2 has finally showed the other veteran platformer companies how to make a platformer a genuine one.
The name of the game, Rachet and Clank. Created by the talented Insomniac, famous for the first three Spyro the Dragon games for the PSX.
--Story--
Rachet and Clank is about a robot named Clank, who crash landed from the sky aboard a spaceship into Rachet's home planet. Rachet was fixing his ship when this took place. The furry alien decided to check out the crash site, thus meeting Clank. Clank tells Rachet about an alien named Drek who is going to destroy other planets and take the sources he needs from the planets to create a new planet. Rachet and Clank, together try and stop Drek from destroying other planets.
The game is guided by the plot, is quite good plot for a platformer. There are many twists and conflicts in the story and it isn't hard to determine what you're doing and why throughout the plot. The "Infobots" you find will each reveal more of the plot and what to do next. You'll find the story a little amusing and even Rachet and Clank get a little conflict amongst themselves.
--Gameplay--
Rachet and Clank shows its best mostly through its gameplay mechanics, which is similar to the gameplay of a third person shooter. To begin the game, Rachet only has a wrench and a bomb glove to defend himself against enemies. With the wrench, he can wack people near him in a one to three hit combo or in an aerial attack, throw it like a boomerang, and activate various things by twisting down screws. With the bomb glove, Rachet can throw bombs at enemies in a given target. As you progress, you can collect numerous amounts of different weapons and gadgets. You can recieve some from people, find them within the levels, or buy in the "Gadgetron Vendor" in the beginning of the levels.
There are over 30 different weapons and gadgets to choose from, each having their own unique abilities, which adds to variety. Weapons range from bullet-friendly weapons, (Blaster), to explosives (bomb glove), deadly weapons (Devastator) to strategic weapons (Suck Cannon). Gadgets can help you get around (Swingshot), search for help (Sonic Summoner) or unlock different places (Trespasser). These weapons and gadgets get more and more crazy, and that's what makes the gameplay more intriuging. Without weapons, Rachet himself is also easy and fun to use. He can crouch, jump, side-flip, run, shimmy, and double-jump. Some levels require you to use Clank, who is just as fun, but more complicated, due to the fact that he doesn't have many moves as Rachet. Clank can run, jump, hit, and summon little robots to do various things. With Upgrades, however, Clank can do more.
The game's currency are nuts and bolts you can get from destroying enemies, breaking crates or finding them scattered on the ground. You also have to collect in Rachet and Clank, but it isn't focused on as much as it is in other platformers and has less backtracking, keeping the general pace of the game. Though you do have to collect bolts to buy things, the game still retains its fluid task of destroying anyone(or anything, if necessary) in front of you. With the currency you can buy ammo, weapons and gadgets. Ammo can also be obtained in crates so that also helps reduce the amount of time you may need to go back to the Gadgetron Vendor.
--Graphics--
The game's graphics are amazing, technically and visually. Just about everything in the levels is moving and there is no slowdown in even the most destructive situations. The animation is great, as well. All the aliens have their own distinct and strange look, excluding the fact that almost every supporting character has 3 fingers. Everyone's facial features and expressions are done incredibly well, including the lip synching. What also makes the graphics amazing is the size of the levels. Each level is a planet, each huge and different, showing off the graphic capabilities of the PS2. This may be one of the best looking games I have ever seen on the console.
--Sound--
The sound doesn't put down the game in any way either. The background music is mostly techno that's more shallow than pure techno. It still sounds great, however. Some levels show that eerie mood, and so does the music. The music in the levels change when Rachet and Clank are in a significant situation different from what they have been through before, as well. Voice acting is great and they suit the characters well.
The sound effects sound realistic too. Hold down the fire button on the blaster and you'll hear a flurry of machine gun sounds. Throw a bomb and you'll hear a huge explosion, along with the sound of enemy robots make friends with the ground(That is, if you hit any robots).
--Variety--
There are also other things you get to do other than just destroy enemies in different ways, collect things, and move on. Each level has different missions for you to complete. Sometimes you get to control Clank, who guides little robots to unlock and activate places Rachet couldn't reach at the time. For example, there is a level with air unsuited for Rachet to breathe in. Clank, being a robot, can venture through the planet with no problem while activating or unlocking anything if necessary. You can also perform tasks for others. There are other things you can do, but you'll have to play the game to find out.
--Replay Value--
Replay Value is here and scores high. It would be expected since you have so many weapons and gadgets to play around with with after you beat the game. The game length is longer that most platformers, which is a good thing, and keeps you interested along the way.
--Conclusion--
This game is, in no way original. It seems that Rachet and Clank has elements from many other games. Rachet has an attitude similar to Sonic the Hedgehog, a two person team, related to Jak and Daxter, the crates hint back to the days of Crash Bandicoot, the comical environment is kin to Jak and Daxter and weapons have reference to well...other games with weapons. However, Rachet and Clank is a well rounded game and was able to put this and other elements into one game and include all of this without overdoing or overshadowing anything.
Personally, I found nothing wrong with this game. The only thing that could turn off the gamer could be its cartoon-friendly atmosphere. Some people may not be into a game with cartoon-like characters. However, if one is willing to get around that, you'll be more than graciously rewarded with a great gameplaying experience.
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