Review: Ratchet and Clank (PS2)

Graphics- 9/10
Sound- 9/10
Gameplay- 9/10
Replay Value- 8/10
Overall- 9/10

Just like Crash Bandicoot became the mascot for the PS1, Ratchet and Clank, along with Jak and Daxter and Sly Cooper, became the mascots for the PS2. With a funny story line, unique weapons, and excellent gameplay, Ratchet and Clank was a very solid title for the PS2. Too bad it didn't have any multiplayer...

Ratchet and Clank is a very fun game, and an excellent start to the series. The story line is pretty creative, with plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you interested. Plus, it features something not too common: good voice acting. This really helps keep you involved in the story. Also, there is plenty of sarcastic humor spread throughout, keeping you entertained if you don't care about the story, since the cut scenes cannot be skipped. The game also gave Insomniac its reputation for unique weapons, like the Morph-o-ray, which transforms your enemies into chickens. These themes are brought back in the game's sequels.

However, something the sequels have that this game doesn't: multiplayer. This brings down the replay value, but since there is a lot to do in single player after beating the game for the first time, the category still gets a high score. Some of those things includes getting gold bolts, for buying gold weapons (upgraded versions), and getting skill points by completing unusual tasks. Another complaint is that it is rather difficult to earn bolts (the game's currency). You get the bolts by killing enemies and breaking open boxes. This isn't that much of a nuisance until you try to get the R.Y.N.O., the best weapon in the game. It costs 150,000 bolts, while the next expensive is 40,000, and isn't nearly as powerful. The R.Y.N.O. isn't a must-have weapon to beat the game, but it sure makes it a hell of a lot easier. And since you get an average of about 5,000 bolts each level, if traverse the entire level, it takes a long while to get that R.Y.N.O. While this does add another degree of challenge, it seems unnecessary to make it that hard.

The graphics in this game are very good. The cartoonish style fits the atmosphere perfectly. The environments are nice and big, and, although rather linear, leave a lot to be explored, as usually the gold bolts are hidden somewhere, sometimes obvious, sometimes not. There are some minor issues, such as clipping, and one time I shot an enemy halfway into a wall and it just strangely disappeared. The sound is also done well, from the previously-mentioned voice acting to the well-composed background music. I would say that this game is a must own, but frankly, the sequels are better, so, unless you care about the story leading up into those games, just buy them.

Pros: Humor, background music, creative weapons, good story line, good voice acting, challenging.
Cons: Minor graphical glitches, no multiplayer, takes too long to get money.

Review: Eric