Ratchet and Clank

May 2016

This is a video I made of all of the weapons in the game. It was a bit more trouble than it was worth, but you can see the weapons in their weakest and strongest forms.

Hover mouse over screenshots for commentary.

Way back in the PS2 days a few Ratchet and Clank games were made. Some were made on the PS3 and PSP but the PS3 ones started to be more multiplayer focused and weren't as good as the originals. Ratchet and Clank for PS4 is a remake of the original game from the PS2 days, and if all game remakes were handled this well then I'd welcome them with open arms. This remake has amazing graphics that were obviously re-crafted and maximized for modern hardware (most remakes just up the resolution of the old games). The gameplay is true to the original but takes advantage of some of the mechanics that were introduced over the course of the series. It has all of the best parts of Ratchet and Clank!

A hallmark of the Ratchet and Clank games is the creative array of weapons. This game has several and I've diligently documented them in the video below. One great aspect of the weapons is that they get stronger the more you use them. It feels like every shot throughout the whole game contributes to improving your arsenal. This is a game mechanic that I personally wish was in far more games. Once you've upgraded your weapon enough through using it, it gains new characteristics or new abilities. In addition to the guns gaining experience you can also upgrade them with special materials found throughout the world.

Similar to the variety of weapons, there is also a wide variety of enemies and environments. It's a nice throwback to older games where these dynamics were valued in games, whereas many modern games tend to have a few similar weapons and even fewer enemy types. The game also has a lighthearted sense of humor and is one of the few games that actually makes me laugh. All in all, it's a great game that I honestly would recommend to just about anybody.

	Unlike the original, much of this game is told through the narration of Quark.
Ratchet works as a mechanic who fantasizes about becoming a Galactic Ranger.	Each stage has a ton of background stuff going on, like ships flying all over the place.
		The tutorial is covertly administered through your audition with the Galactic Rangers.



	A little robot named Clank . . .
	Getting chased by a large robot.
		Ratchet sees something crash down from space and investigates.
These glowing slimes look pretty cool.
Another action-packed level.
Part of the upgrade system for a weapon.

You play some segments in your space ship.
	A little nature in the cityscape . . .

Proving your self on another Galactic Ranger training course.
With Clank on your back you can hover down and reach pretty far from a high place.		There are a few collectibles, including these cards which unlock gameplay bonuses.
A flamethrower of sorts.		You can find gold bolts littered throughout the world.

	This item drains pools of water and can place them somewhere else.


There's a part where you have to win a hoverboard race.		The Snagglebeast.


		You get Grind Boots and slide around on rails.

Mustt . . . harvest . . . brain . . .
Possibly the best weapon in the Ratchet and Clank series is the Groovitron, which is a disco ball that forces enemies to dance. It works on everyone, including the final boss!




	A new weapon in this version of the game is the Pixelizer, which makes enemies look like they are made of 8-bit pixels.


		It's even beautiful underwater.
	These frickin' things kill you in one hit.
	Using the Magne-boots.


	Oh man, the pollution is palpable.


There is a mini-game involved in unlocking certain doors.


		Looks . . . familiar . . .







	Pretending to be Quark in order to get into secure areas.












All of the upgrade maps look like the weapons they upgrade.


	If you meet certain criteria this guy will give you the ultimate weapon, the RYNO.

		Wearing a mask.