The PlayStation 2 had a trio of action-platformer games, and the characters in them went on to become major mascots for the system. We had Sly Cooper, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank. With the release of the Ratchet & Clank Collection, you can play one of these classic series in stunning High Definition on your PlayStation 3. The Ratchet & Clank series has always been a favorite of ours, and the announcement of the collection left a lot of fans excited. Do these PlayStation 2 classics stand the test of time, or will nostalgia prove to be a cruel mistress?
First off, the games look great. The environments are varied and full of color, and the character models look just as good. And while nobody is going to mistake these for the more recent Ratchet & Clank entries, the graphics have aged wonderfully. The HD paint job is not a trivial one, and the difference between this new version and the PS2 originals is night and day. It’s to Idol Mind’s and Insomniac Game’s credit that nothing was lost in translation. The top-notch voice acting and sweeping soundtracks are still present, applying the finishing touches to an already superb presentation.
Gameplay is smooth and spot-on—except for the first Ratchet & Clank. Instead of the much more convenient strafing found in the second game, here you have a clunky system with the necessity of the jet pack in order to dodge attacks. Also, the auto aim is not very useful. The controls are not bad in the first game per se, it’s just that the control system that we know and love wasn’t implemented until Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando. The strafing and RPG elements are pretty much the same as in the PS3 games, so you will feel right at home if you have not touched the PS2 classics. Once again, just expect a slight learning curve when playing the first game. It’s also worth noting that Idol Minds has even ported the online mode for Up Your Arsenal. The online component is not amazing by any stretch of the imagination, but it is nice to see it included into the package.
The levels are all laid out in a familiar format. You explore the map, solving simple puzzles, and battle against enemies. Level design is diverse, so even though you will be doing the same things, each level will feel unique and diverse. Aside from doing the various missions, you will be compelled to collect as many bolts as you can. You will find yourself wanting to go out of your way to smash crates and other destructible objects in order to purchase the newest weapons. You may recall that Going Commando introduced a RPG like element where the more you use your weapon, the stronger it will get, making combat even more addictive.
Speaking of weapons, Ratchet & Clank has some of the best and unique ones in the business. You have blasters, bombs, drones, rocket launchers, decoys, a duck ray, and various other oddities. It’s still just as fun buying a new toy or receiving one, and taking it for a spin. Plus, the addition of the RPG elements that constantly improve your weapons keep things feeling fresh. I am always surprised by the creativity at Insomniac Games, as they are consistently able to craft weapons that each have their own distinct feel.
The Ratchet & Clank universe is filled with funny and likeable characters. From the two titular heroes, Captain Quark, and the evil Dr. Nefarious, and all the other characters in-between. The writing is still funny, and the stories are surprisingly deep. It’s no wonder that people always compare the series to the Pixar movies.
One of the greatest treats about the collection is that you get to see the relationship between Ratchet and Clank evolve over the series. When they first meet, Ratchet is a very reluctant hero and rarely sees eye-to-eye with Clank, but by the end of the Up Your Arsenal they are nearly inseparable. Another interesting story element to see is Quark’s relationship with the dynamic duo and how it evolves over the series as well.
The quality of games themselves are very high. The entire package, however, is not perfect as there is a disappointing lack of behind the scenes content. It would have been nice to see some interviews with the people from Insomniac Games, or maybe Idol Minds could have included a ‘making of’ describing the process of porting these games, or something like that. Another complaint I have is that if you want to switch between the games, you have to restart the whole thing. It’s not a deal breaker, but it is a nuisance worth mentioning. Also, Ratchet: Deadlocked is missing from the collection, but I’m happy to point out that it will be re-released via the PSN.
Looking at it as a package, you are getting three fantastic games for $29.99. That being said, with the lack of any behind the scenes content or interviews, it is hard to recommend this package to anyone that already has all three games and a PS2 laying around. However, if you missed out on even one of these games, this collection is definitely worth purchasing.
