Ratchet & Clank Collection contains the first three PS2 Ratchet & Clank games on one disc, remastered into HD and containing Trophies.
Ratchet & Clank:
Ratchet & Clank is the first game in the series, originally released on the PS2, now remastered into HD, given the widescreen treatment and looks better than ever. Of course, the first thing you'd notice is the uplift in graphics, the environments and character models looks crisp, and the aesthetics allowed the game to age well, despite being an early PS2 game. The widescreen display is welcome, although in certain cutscenes, it reverts back to being 4:3 ratio which is a shame. Also, there are no subtitles in these scenes, which sucks. The only sections which doesn't look that great are the menus which still looks old, worn and fuzzy. Being the first game in the series, the combat isn't as smooth or refined, there are definitely a few design choices that makes it slightly harder to play. The main thing is the lack of strafing, while this doesn't really cause many issues throughout the game, it feels unnatural and awkward at times. The core Ratchet gameplay has not changed much, you still control Ratchet as he wields a wide variety of weapons to destroy enemies, while platforming segments are interspersed throughout the levels. You start off with your trusty wrench and the aim is to break as many things in the levels in order to earn bolts. There are boxes scattered around the place and nabbing these bolts is addictive. You can then turn these bolts into new weapons to repeat the process, and to be more efficient at destroying enemies of course.
The weapons are tame compared to the ones in the sequels. You have your standard bomb-throwing gloves, a blaster and firethrower. A separate class of items are gadgets, which helps you go through other areas such as a grappling hook, an item that decodes locks and magnetic boots to walk on metal surfaces. Unfortunately, weapons do not level up with use but you eventually have the option to buy bigger and better versions of each weapon. There is also only one weapon wheel (which does not pause the gameplay so enemies can still hurt you while you're choosing weapons), you will need to decide well which ones you want to use. The other option is to use the Start menu which does pause the game but you will need to go through a few screens in order to equip the weapon you want in a tough spot. Platforming sections are fun since they're not frustrating. The jumping mechanics can take a little bit to get used to. The camera speed is slow even at its fastest setting. Clank remains as a backpack with some nifty gear such as helicopter blades and jetpack. There are surprisingly a large number of levels, and each area is fairly substantial. This makes it such fun to play through, exploring every nook and cranny for the elusive gold bolts (the only collectibles in the game).
As you progress through the game, the platforming sections get more challenging, such as swinging from point to point on your grappling hook above lava, where you'll die if you fall or running quickly through a section that is flooding with water. The checkpoints are well placed in the beginning but once you're past the first few levels, it you're exploring and you die, you get thrown back right to the very beginning with all enemies respawned. This actually gets frustrating in the latter levels where it is easy to fall to your death, overwhelmed or surprised by enemies or you're just plain unlucky. You may even end up repeating sections ten times to which case, you wished that the developers had a friendlier checkpoint system so you don't have to waste your time as much. Unlike some of the later games, ammo is more scarce but still more than enough to get you through the game. You will find yourself purchasing ammo more and more frequently as the game goes on. Ratchet and Clank travels throughout the galaxy and explores a huge variety of planets. You're constantly travelling in a different environment which keeps it visually interesting. Ratchet can also swim, glide and gain other abilities by finding new gadgets or upgrades. This makes the gameplay refreshing as there is a constant stream of something new.
The story is robust, it starts off with Ratchet meeting Clank and they set off to defeat Drek, the antagonist who is stealing resources off numerous planets to create a new one for himself. There's a bit of humor but the story is serious for most of the game. Ratchet is unlikable for a fair chunk of the game as he and Clank argues frequently. This turns around once they make up and the story progressively gets better. It is surprisingly detailed and in depth for a platformer. There is a noticeable lack of bosses in the game, there are a few mini bosses and one or two main bosses but considering the amount of planets you traverse through, the fact that not every world has a boss felt weird. The final boss was challenging but on the whole, the game is quite easy. You will most likely die just because you accidentally jumped into an abyss (which is all too easy considering some of the narrow ledges you have to run past) and it feels so much time is wasted when you're thrown back to the beginning. Overall, Ratchet & Clank has aged very well. Despite some controls that could definitely have been improved and smoothed upon (which Insomniac did in the sequels), it is still fun and addictive. The gameplay and environments have plenty of variety, the weapons are fun and the platforming is well done. This is a great game to play to this very day.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Going Commando is the second game in the series. Immediately upon playing the game you will notice the slicker and futuristic menu interfaces. The HUD is leaps and bounds better than the original in terms of aesthetics although ammo capacity and health isn't as immediately obvious. It only takes you a few minutes before you get the grasp of things though. Gameplay remains similar to the first Ratchet & Clank game with some noticeable improvements. The running and shooting mechanics are more refined with the addition of strafing. However, you still use the Circle button to fire weapons so you cannot strafe and aim at the same time. It can be a little bit awkward when you're surrounded by enemies in a small room. Ratchet has access to a huge arsenal of weapons and once of the best additions is the fact that there is now a leveling up system for each weapon. The more you use a weapon to destroy enemies, the more experience will be earned and eventually it will level up and the weapons becomes more powerful. It is not only a stats thing, the weapon will physically look different too, which is fantastic. Ratchet's health will also level up in this same way, you start off with four health bars but before too long, you'll gain another bar, and another, and another.
There are a huge variety of weapons, with some returning ones from the first game (as well as a few that functions similar to previous weapons). Getting all these weapons will eat up all your bolts though since the game loves to force you to spend vast amounts of bolts not only in purchasing new weapons but for story progression. Carrying on from the first game, bolts represent the main currency. Breaking boxes, defeating enemies and destroying environmental objects all give you bolts. Bolts allow you to buy more weapons and replenish your ammo. What's impressive is the number of destructible objects, a step up from the first game. You can destroy certain trees, streetlights and other mechanical objects. More confusing is the addition of raritanium, another currency that you can earn mainly from the spaceship missions, which are used to upgrade your ship. Platinum Bolts are the main collectibles in the game, which you can spend to upgrade your weapons such as adding a lock on feature or poisoning your enemies. Hoverbike races make a return but the handling is more sensitive than the original and takes some time getting used to. There are no spaceship battles where the controls are also quite sensitive, it's not that fun to be honest. The graphics are fantastic and is a step up from the original. Objects are smoother, environments are bigger and more details. It is a pleasure to watch and equally fun to play.
When pulling up maps once you get to a new level, it feels as though it is smaller than the ones in the first game, however, it still takes a good chunk of time to explore every nook and cranny. Some of the levels are really big and you find yourself lost in time when exploring it, it's very fun and immersive. While the game runs smoothly for the most part, there are still some slowdowns when there are a lot of weapon effects on the screen at the same time. There are some visual stuttering/model glitching during cutscenes and more than a few times, the camera screwed up or Ratchet fell through the ground and ended up dying. The story starts off a few months after the end of the first game, where Ratchet and Clank are enjoying their fame from defeating Chairman Drek. However, they are also bored and itching for something to do. In response to this, they are summoned to the Bogon Galaxy to recover a stolen experiment. The great combat and platforming play immediately starts so you never feel bogged down by tutorial-like levels. You get the returning gadgets such as the swingshot and jetpacks within the first hour, so it truly feels like a sequel and not repeating the same things from the first game. With that said, the story feels like it never lifts off as right until the end, you feel as you're waiting for something to happen.
Ratchet is travelling from world to world, on a wild goose chase, the antagonist is always one step ahead and the worse thing is that you don't even know if the antagonist is truly the main villain of the game. Be patient, though, and you will be rewarded because the revelation before the final boss was amazing. It was one of the best pieces of story elements in a platformer since it was so unexpected. Unfortunately, while the story element was fantastic, the final boss wasn't so. The final boss of the first Ratchet & Clank game provided a decent challenge but the final boss in this second game was quite pathetic in comparison. You would have more trouble with getting to this point during the level than fighting the boss. There wasn't even a classic three stage boss fight either. The difficulty can seem a bit high during the later levels where huge amounts of enemies spawn, but have the right weapons and you will be fine. Enemies also do bigger damage, often take a few health points per hit, therefore it is pretty much mandatory you purchase some of the armor to reduce damage. After you finish the game, you can now play Challenge Mode where you can earn more bolts, level up your weapons again and the enemies are noticeably harder. Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is a fantastic sequel to the first game, improving on it in every possible way. It is such a smooth and joyful experience, being addictive in its leveling up system, combat and simple platforming.
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal is the third game in the series, further refining the gameplay. The game, like the other two, receives the HD treatment. Unfortunately, when you start up the game, you are treated to a poor quality pre-rendered scene which is in 4:3 format and it looks very fuzzy. The quality is worse than the ones in the first two games which is surprising. If only Idol Minds (the developers behind the remaster) could have touched these pre-rendered scenes a little bit more. The other thing that you'd notice is that the game presents a decent challenge at the start. You will die within three hits, early enemies will throw projectiles are you and you will have to jump and dodge your way through. The game slowly teaches you the moves throughout the first level which means newcomers may have a little bit of trouble getting through some sections due to the game not making certain maneuvers obvious. Apart from the pre-rendered cutscenes, the in-game graphics are fantastic. They were already impressive on the PS2, now being upscaled and sharpened, it looks amazing and clean in HD. The framerate is solid and Ratchet controls great. While Going Commando added some much needed gameplay refinement like strafing, Up Your Arsenal doesn't present the same level of improvement. Aiming and the camera control does feel better though.
The game presents three different controls systems which is neat, but still lacking thanks to not being able to map the weapon firing to R1 shoulder button while also allowing strafing at the same time. Sure, you can lock Ratchet to be strafing all the time but then platforming will get annoying. Right from the beginning, the key gadgets from previous games are available, such as the helipack and hoverpack. One of the nice touches is that the weapons vendor will provide a discount if you have completed a certain event from the first game. It was a good throwback and very clever on the developer's part. There is once again a huge variety of weapons, with some returning ones from previous games. You can still blast your way, bomb your way or suck your way through enemies. Using each weapon repeatedly will cause it to gain experience, eventually allowing it to level up, changing its appearance and increasing its power. You can now level each weapon up five levels, with a further three additional levels once you complete the game and enter Challenge Mode. The same leveling system goes for health, which is now shown with numerical digits (e.g. 10/31) instead of a segmented bar, which makes it easier to determine whether Ratchet is close to dying or not.
Familiar weapons from previous games make a return such as the blaster, firethrower, mini-turrets and bombs, while new weapons which are equally creative are introduced. There weapons range from stuff ripping holes into other dimensions to confusing your enemies to attack their own. Checkpoints can still be far apart at times. If you die halfway through a section, be prepared to be respawned at the very beginning of the level with all enemies also being respawned. As you go through the level, enemies will eventually deal huge amounts of damage with one hit, therefore it is absolutely vital to purchase the armor which reduces damage by 50%, 66% etc. If you don't get armor then the game will get very hard. Not surprisingly, the game is story heavy and once again, Ratchet & Clank presents a fantastically involved story for a platformer. It brings back a previous villain as well as introducing a new one. The humor is taken up a notch and works well for the most part. That said, it is once again someone trying to destroy the world for their own personal gain. Yet, one of the best parts is the backstory presented in the Captain Quark minigame sections. The villain is memorable and very humorous. Unfortunately, you would be having so much fun with the game that when the final boss battle sneaks up on you, you're surprised as while you did see it coming, you thought it was further away.
Nevertheless, the final boss battle had the difficulty just right, not too hard but not a pushover either. Once the game is completed once, you can enter Challenge Mode where the enemies are much much tougher, but you get to carry over all your health, armor and weapons. There is a new minigame in which you control Captain Quark (a video game within a video game actually). It is a sidescrolling platformer which has some tight controls and more fun than you would expect. One of the things that stand out even more than previous games is that the music is really good. Music videos in games are usually very creative and good, and the one in Up Your Arsenal is a fantastic parody, not to mention that the song itself is quite catchy. Insomniac nailed it, making it funny, enjoyable and addictive all at the same time. Something that's noticeable is that the loading times are longer, long enough for you to wonder why you aren't in the level yet. Up Your Arsenal is a fantastically fun action platformer and daresay the best Ratchet & Clank game out of the trilogy. It is very polished and while the 4:3 pre-rendered cutscenes were disappointing with the jagged edges and fuzziness, everything else is sharp, smooth and a heap of fun to play. It is a testament to the great game design that even playing all three games back-to-back that you still don't burn out.
Overall:
It is easy to see why Ratchet & Clank games are so popular and why they are stilling making more to this day. The gameplay from these three original games from the PS2 still stacks up well to this day and age against other contemporary platformers. The graphics and environments, while the finer detail, are sharp and colorful. This collection is well worth your time investment as you can simply never have enough Ratchet & Clank.
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