Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Developer: Insomniac Games

Genre: First/Third-Person-Shooter/Action/Platform/Adventure

ESRB Rating: Teen (Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence)

Multiplayer: Yes (Online enabled)

Reviewed On: Sony Playstation 2

Additional Platforms: No

Game Life: 9-12 hours

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Scores:

Graphics: 8/10

Sound: 9/10

Gameplay: 10/10

Story: 7/10

Fun Factor: 9/10

Intro:

Since this is the first Insomniac game I’ve reviewed on the site, let’s start with a little history of my love of the Ratchet and Clank games. Back when I was a youngster I played and loved all three of the Insomniac-produced Spyro the Dragon titles. And to this day the games’ storytelling, look, gameplay, audio, and characters still make me smile and I still have a fun time playing the old Spyros (the ones that Insomniac made, not these cheap knockoffs). That is partially why I love the R&C franchise. And you should, too. R&CUYA is the third installment of this great gaming series. Like Spryo, R&C has everything that the hardcore and casual gamer would want: fun graphics, gameplay, and multiplayer.

Graphics:

For the PS2 the graphics are good. I mean, if the game was rendered on Xbox or PC technology the graphics would be supremely better. However, for a 6-year-old system, the PS2 is still keeping its head above water just in time for the PS3 to roll out early next year.

The graphics, although not state of the art, are still very fun and colorful. However, there was a slight lax of color that was present in the first two installments (especially Going Commando). It seemed that a lot of tans and greens were being used in most of the levels (which are designed very well).

The animations are very cool and cartoony, along with all of the models. Like I said, it’s really all we can ask for from a PS2 game (it’s no God of War), but they’re by no means bad. The games water (as present in the first two games) is dynamic and ripples when breached, a very cool yet subtle feature.

Sound:

As with really every Insomniac game, the sound design is amazingly well done. The music is fantastic and fits the mood and scene (I remember desperately wanting the Soundtrack to the R&C and Spyro games). The music is, by far, some of the best you’ll hear in games.

The voice-acting is also very good. While it might not be an Emmy-winning performance, they’re still funny and well-done. The humor is very funny and, at times, borderline PG-13! The sound-effects are also cool and futuristic. All of the weapons and gadgets have their own unique sound.

Gameplay:

They’ve done it again: perfect. The gameplay is simply that: perfect. You run around from level to level, blowing crap up, and collecting items. It sounds very retro but it still works. You go planet-hopping, of course. You have the Galactic Rangers to ally with you in an attempt to save the galaxy. You get tons of weapons to choose from and now you have two quick-choose rings (an in-game way of selecting weapons without having to pause and go to through the menus) instead of only one, which makes for fast and fun playtime when you’ve got tons of enemies around you.

The weapon upgrade system is back and better than ever. This time you get the one upgrade level when you use the weapon enough time, but you also have the opportunity to upgrade your weapons with enhancements (such as acid or shock upgrades) from Slim Cognito and you can also buy the “Ultra” versions of the weapons for a heavy price (which can be easily solved by looking for Sewer Crystals, much like the Sand and Ice Crystals from Going Commando). Weapons range from blasters, rocket launchers, sniper rifles, and light saber-like whips!

The vehicles are also making a return with the Hovercraft and warthog-esque Turboslider. The Hovercraft can be used in various airial assaults on enemy locations and the Turboslider (equipped with a turret that your monkey friend uses) can be used on land assaults.

Some of the levels feature segments that mimic challenge modes from other games where you have a series of challenges that you play for (in this case bolts) money and ultimately for a prize (a gadget or weapon). And it’s in these modes that the vehicles get a real workout in singleplayer.

There is also multiplayer, which can be both split screen and online. The games have various matches like deathmatch and capture the flag. The vehicles play a key part in multiplayer games and lend a hand in making it fun and adding more replayability. However, glitches in the multiplayer engine and maps can make for people who know of such glitches exploiting them to cheat (such as “sniping the core”). All in all, however, both single and multiplayer are very fun and addictive. You won’t wanna put this one down.

Story:

As with the other games, the story isn’t amazing. Yeah, it can engage you but it’s not a story that you’d tell your friends about. Ratchet and Clank, being celebrities after saving another galaxy, are back on task when the evil Dr. Nefarious tries to turn the entire galaxy’s inhabitants into robots! They team up with the Galactic Rangers (think of the Navy Seals or something) to try and stop the evildoers. And yes, you return to your home planet of Veldin (GASP). While the story isn’t great, it is funny and engaging at times.

Fun Factor & Closing Thoughts:

The game is fun. But did you have any doubt in your mind? If you have a PS2, pick this up. If you don’t have a PS2, buy one and then all three of the R&C games.

Regrets:

While it’s not a perfect game, I can’t really find any flaws worth calling except for the multiplayer glitches (which are very slight).

Final Score:

9/10

A game that every PS2 owner should own.

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