Review: Ratchet & Clank - A Pixar film to play yourself
20.4.2016
Translation: machine translated
A game based on a film based on a game. The platformer Ratchet & Clank focuses on nostalgia and at the same time wants to reach newcomers to the series. Can it work?
Reboots are all the rage at the moment. Both in the film and games industry. The latest Ratchet & Clank even plays a double role. It not only serves as a reinterpretation, but also as an adaptation for the upcoming animated film of the same name. The platformer, which made its debut on the Playstation 2 and still enjoys cult status among fans today, is neither a lukewarm Hollywood advertising campaign nor a loveless remake. Developer Insomniac has done a great job and even entertained me as a series tourist.
Ratchet & Clank tells the story of Ratchet, a cat-like creature who dreams of exploring the galaxy as a mechanic on a sleepy planet. Ratchet would love to do this alongside the Q-Team and its leader Captain Qwark, who acts as the game's narrator. His wish is at least partially fulfilled. After the little robot Clank crash-lands on Ratchet's planet, the two set off together to save the universe from evil killer robots.
An arsenal of weapons that would make even "The Expendables" jealous
You alternate between jumping and shooting your way through colourful levels as Ratchet or Clank. I personally find the jump-and-run mechanics a little old-fashioned. I haven't found double jumps and floating platforms exciting since Mario 64. Fortunately, that's only half the battle. Ratchet relies entirely on weapon power, while Clank takes a more strategic approach. As usual, the arsenal of weapons is extensive and can be upgraded in a variety of ways. Instead of boring shotguns and AK-47s, there are all sorts of crazy ballers like the Magmabuster, which spits out up to five fireballs. Boring? How about the Groovitron: It shoots a disco ball that forces enemies to dance. Or the Sheepinator: it does exactly what you'd expect it to do - it turns enemies into sheep. Cuddly.
Witty and charming
The story certainly doesn't win any flower pots, but the likeable characters are so full of charm that I looked forward to every new piece of witty entertainment. Especially in the original English version, the first-class narrators contribute significantly to the atmosphere. The cross-references to the film, which opens at the end of the month, seem a little artificial at times, but overall they didn't bother me too much. It's too much money for me to go to the cinema, but I will definitely rent it.
Sexy to the tips
If you have played the original, you will experience various déjà-vus in the new Ratchet & Clank. However, the levels and scenes have not simply been taken over 1:1 and polished up. Insomniac has created a fully-fledged reboot. The number of different planets has shrunk somewhat compared to previous games, but still offers plenty of variety overall. There is also a wave of fantastic enemies, from biting sand sharks to green wobbly amoeboids and one-eyed alien lizards. Without the fantastic graphics, however, the creative design would only come into its own to a limited extent. The levels are bursting with colour and life. Ratchet & Clank is currently one of the most graphically impressive games - and not just on the PS4.
Conclusion: Brilliant new edition for fans and newcomers
Although I usually get bored of platform games relatively quickly - which could also be because I'm rubbish at them - I had a hell of a lot of fun with Ratchet & Clank. The game looks beautiful, the weapons and enemies are wonderfully wacky and the characters are almost Pixar-esque. This adventure is not to be missed.
The game was provided to us by Sony.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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