Game Review: Ratchett and Clank

A platform game with a fun story, Ratchett and Clank (PS2, Insomniac Games) has a simple tag line "Up Your Arsenal." It puts gameplayers thirsty pursuit for more stuff right there in the core game design. In the game, enemies have taken over your homeland. You complete short missions to rid the enemies and secure the land. Ratchett is our hero who uses a super ratchet to punish his foes along with an arsenal of rocket launchers, fire whips, plasma guns and one of my favorites -- the infector. Clank is your robot buddy that goes with you in your backpack. He gives you the ability to glide and perform long jumps.

What makes the game fun is that it quickly puts you on the path towards collecting goodies. I like the way it works. Every action is rewarded. The idea is that you start out with little experience fighting and using tools. As you play you rack up points towards your next upgrade. If you use a particular gun a lot you get the next upgrade. If you fight enemies a lot you get experience points and its harder for you to die. Interspersed between battles are these mini-challenges where you can get more points.

Okay so reading this you are thinking, what's the big deal. It's a platformer. Yeah but it's highlighted the essential elements of a platform game: one overarching goal to save or rescue, third person, multiple weapons, collect coins, fight enemies, bonus levels, increasing challenge, and rewards exploration.

Learn more about this game on Gamespot