As far as gaming genres go, the platformer is about as old school as it gets (really only edged out by the 2D shooter). Gamers have been mastering difficult jumps, smashing enemies, and collecting mushrooms/coins/bolts/orbs etc. since the early days of gaming.

So, in this age of open-ended games like Vice City, what is it that keeps us coming back to platform titles? They’re almost quaint by today’s standards, yet the past year has seen the release of at least three games that have done well in the crowded gaming market: Super Mario Sunshine (which is a no-brainer since it bears the Mario name), Jak and Daxter, and now Ratchet and Clank.

R&C may well be the best of the bunch. It doesn’t bring anything terribly new to the table, but the level of polish and the precise execution make that a very forgivable flaw. R&C essentially plays like Jak and Daxter (which is fitting, since the games share the same engine), yet tweaks just about every element and improves upon it in the process (no small feat, since Jak and Daxter was a very good game in its own right). The end result is one of the most entertaining platformers on the market—and a game that any gamer would be well advised to pick up.

Players take control of Ratchet, a cat-like hero who has a real gift for anything mechanical. Ratchet is your typical reluctant hero, but he’s goaded into action by Clank, a small robot who escapes a Blarg robot factory. Clank knows that Chairman Drek, the Blarg leader, has nefarious plans to steal parts of other planets in order to build a new one (the Blargs have polluted theirs so badly that there’s no saving it). Together, Ratchet and Clank (who spends most of the game strapped to Ratchet’s back) must stop this evil plan.

Achieving that goal will require a mastery of all the standard platforming game techniques. Precise jumps, wall climbing, rope sliding, and enemy mashing are all on the menu—in abundance. Ratchet has a series of moves at his disposal, and gamers will have to master them all if they’re to succeed in the quest.

Along with the moves, the game features no shortage of weapons for our heroes to equip. Weapons are purchased through virtual kiosks littered throughout the game’s world, and are paid for with bolts, the currency of the universe. Ratchet collects bolts by smashing crates and dispatching enemies, which is pretty traditional. In its defense, though, it never feels tedious. The prices of items are all attainable with a minimum of backtracking. The diligent player who smashes every crate and fights every enemy will generally have enough bolts to get whatever he needs—be it a new weapon, or paying off a character in the game to open a new path.

The design is a bit of a double-edged sword though. On the one hand, it’s nice to not have to backtrack endlessly to acquire bolts, and that the levels are designed in a way that makes it easy to explore any of the path branches. The cost for this, though, is in the difficulty. Ratchet and Clank is a little too easy in spots—particularly when compared with something like Capcom’s Maximo. There are never any of those ‘controller-breaking’ moments in R&C, which is bound to disappoint the older platforming fans.

Despite that flaw, there’s much to love about the game—particularly in the graphics. Ratchet and Clank really showcases the PS2’s graphical capabilities. The ‘Saturday Morning Cartoon’ feel of the game perfectly complements the gameplay and the writing. Each world is a lush vista waiting to be explored both horizontally and vertically by the intrepid gamer. Once again, this is an area where it actually improves upon Jak and Daxter--no small feat since that was a very pretty game as well.

Ultimately, Ratchet and Clank doesn’t bring much in the way of innovation to the table. Sure, there’s a weapon system (featuring 30+ weapons for doling out destruction), but a lot of the weapons aren’t particularly useful. Despite this, R&C does bring an abundance of old school platforming goodness with it—coupled with solid play mechanics, excellent level design, and some very pretty graphics. All of these elements are seamlessly integrated into a gaming whole that is greater than the sum of its parts—and makes for one of the best platforming experiences currently available for any system. Whether you’re a grizzled platforming veteran, or a complete newcomer to the genre, Ratchet and Clank belongs in your gaming library—it offers a little something for everyone.


Recommended: Yes