Game Review: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Thanks to Keith, who drew my name in this year’s holiday draft, I received Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. I’ve always been a fan of this series and was looking forward to giving the newest addition to the series a try. Thanks to Insomniac Games, it didn’t disappoint.
Objective: 8 This game takes over where Tools of Destruction left off. Clank has been spirited away and Ratchet is left on his own to search for him. Accompanying him on select missions as stand-in sidekick is Captain Copernicus Leslie Quark (former adversary and current foil to the best laid plans). The villain from the last game was just a screen for the true mastermind behind the entire scheme, the robot super criminal and old foe of Ratchet, Clank, and Quark, Doctor Nefarious. He has kidnapped Clank and brought him to the Great Clock, a device located at the center of the universe (give or take a 50 feet) and wants to use him to unlock the time-controlling power of the clock. The doctor hates all life forms (calls them “squishies”) and wants to use the Great Clock to wipe out all life in the universe, clearing the path for robots to rule.
Theme: 7 Typical of Ratchet and Clank games, it’s a platformer with plenty of hidden (or just not quite so obvious) paths, rooms, and items to find. A signature of this series of games, the upgradable weapons, are brought to a new level in this game, allowing the player to further upgrade 3 of them, customizing them with different options for range, added effects, types of ammo, and even paint colors. Another trademark of this series is the offbeat humor, which is at its best in this game. It’s at its best in the cinematic sequences, but also there during gameplay. Background conversations between non-player characters are a riot, but the best comments come from Mr. Zurkon, one of the weapons you can purcahse in the game. Mr. Zurkon is a sentry robot that follows you around, shooting anyone who gets close to you. The one-liners he throws out are a riot, and even change to suit the level you’re on or the enemies you’re facing.
Gameplay: 8 It’s a platformer, but as with all of the games in this series, one at its best. The only problems I’ve had with the game are the camera when trying to target enemies and some inconsistency with depth perception when jumping, grinding, or racing with the jet boots. Not a huge problem, but caused enough problems to detract from the game.
Sound: 9 The music was great, if a little repetetive. The addition of the radio in your spaceship made things interesting. You could switch between one of 4 radio stations, each playing different background music. One of the stations even had fake commercials and talk-radio sequences. The voice acting was also great, bringing back all of the talent from the previous games.
Replay Value: 10 All of thes Ratchet & Clank games are designed for replay, allowing you to keep all of the weapons and armor you’ve found to that point and carry them over into the new game. I’ve just finished my first round and would like to play again for the full upgrades on all my weapons. Nothing is quite as satisfying in the game as hearing the voice-over from the Grelnet sales clerk telling you that “you’ve just fully upgraded your weapon of choice, which now also …..” (fill in the blank with some sick added bonus to further decimate your enemies).
Total Score: 8.4
I’m a huge fan of the Ratchet and Clank games. It’s one of the few that I love to play and don’t mind the kids playing either. No harsh language, no adult themes that aren’t relegated to innuendo the kids won’t really pick up on, and no excessive bloody violence (you’re blowing up evil robots, slugs, and flying insects). All in all, a great game for the whole family (one person at a time, of course).
Plus, you’ve got to love a game that pays attention to the small details. I found all the plans for the R.Y.N.O V, (stands for Rip Ya’ a New One, version 5) one of the hidden weapons in the game and by far the most powerful. It’s a 20 some odd barrel handgun that sprays bullets and rockets like the finale at the Fourth of July fireworks show and plays its own background music, the 1812 Overture. If you use the weapon in the final battle vs. Dr. Nefarious, he actually comments on it, asking where you found a R.Y.N.O., and if the authorities know you have it. Just adds to the level perfection you’ve come to expect from Insomniac games.
-CWD
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