All this adds up to a series that’s a whole lot of fun, but not necessarily challenging. The first game in particular – despite the more awkward controls – is an absolute cakewalk for its first five hours or so. Locked & Loaded and Up Your Arsenal ramp up the challenge somewhat, but players looking for tough combat and taxing puzzles won’t find that here. Thankfully, I was having too much fun to care.
The challenge is designed for an all-ages audience, and so too are the characters and story. Like the gameplay, however, they work on multiple levels. Younger players will love the zany villains and the physical comedy, while older players will dig the more absurdist touches: Qwark’s hand-drawn battle plans in Up Your Arsenal or the aforementioned banana launcher.
It’s also fun seeing how Ratchet and Clank evolve as a team. Ratchet is very much a reluctant hero in the original, and annoyed by Clank’s sense of duty towards saving the galaxy. Celebrities on the wane at the start of the second game, Ratchet is itching to get out and save the day once more, but by the third game he’s all but overshadowed by Clank’s star turn in the Secret Agent Clank TV series.
Insomniac have a similar amount of fun with Qwark, the archetypal barrel chested, square-jawed cowardly hero, who falls from grace and winds up living on a jungle planet, under the impression he’s a monkey. He’s far from a unique character, but is used to good effect, alongside villains like Dr Nefarious.
Cam Shea is IGN Australia's senior editor. You can bust word caps at him on IGN here, or join the Aussie Facebook community here.
Closing Comments
It’s not hard to see why the Ratchet & Clank games were such a hit during the PS2’s life. Their focus on combat and creative weaponry was a great gameplay foundation, but it was all the additional touches that helped make them special. The gadgets, puzzles, platforming, mini-games, exotic locations, art direction and sense of humour. Oh, and let’s not forget the bolts. Those magical, jangly bolts.
IGN Ratings for Ratchet & Clank Trilogy (PS3)
Presentation 7.5
The presentation steadily improves, but the first game is pretty clunky. The art direction is fantastic throughout, however.
Graphics 8
The series' visual style works a treat in high def. Cartoon-like and brimming with personality.
Sound 8
That magical sound of hoovering up bolts. Bless.
Gameplay 8.5
Simple, but oh so good. A great mix of combat, platforming, puzzles and mini-games too.
Lasting Appeal 8
There's a lot of gameplay on offer here.
Overall 8.5 (Great)
The challenge is designed for an all-ages audience, and so too are the characters and story. Like the gameplay, however, they work on multiple levels. Younger players will love the zany villains and the physical comedy, while older players will dig the more absurdist touches: Qwark’s hand-drawn battle plans in Up Your Arsenal or the aforementioned banana launcher.
It’s also fun seeing how Ratchet and Clank evolve as a team. Ratchet is very much a reluctant hero in the original, and annoyed by Clank’s sense of duty towards saving the galaxy. Celebrities on the wane at the start of the second game, Ratchet is itching to get out and save the day once more, but by the third game he’s all but overshadowed by Clank’s star turn in the Secret Agent Clank TV series.
Insomniac have a similar amount of fun with Qwark, the archetypal barrel chested, square-jawed cowardly hero, who falls from grace and winds up living on a jungle planet, under the impression he’s a monkey. He’s far from a unique character, but is used to good effect, alongside villains like Dr Nefarious.
Cam Shea is IGN Australia's senior editor. You can bust word caps at him on IGN here, or join the Aussie Facebook community here.
Closing Comments
It’s not hard to see why the Ratchet & Clank games were such a hit during the PS2’s life. Their focus on combat and creative weaponry was a great gameplay foundation, but it was all the additional touches that helped make them special. The gadgets, puzzles, platforming, mini-games, exotic locations, art direction and sense of humour. Oh, and let’s not forget the bolts. Those magical, jangly bolts.
IGN Ratings for Ratchet & Clank Trilogy (PS3)
Presentation 7.5
The presentation steadily improves, but the first game is pretty clunky. The art direction is fantastic throughout, however.
Graphics 8
The series' visual style works a treat in high def. Cartoon-like and brimming with personality.
Sound 8
That magical sound of hoovering up bolts. Bless.
Gameplay 8.5
Simple, but oh so good. A great mix of combat, platforming, puzzles and mini-games too.
Lasting Appeal 8
There's a lot of gameplay on offer here.
Overall 8.5 (Great)
