Growing up probably my most beloved game franchise outside of Pokemon was Ratchet & Clank. I have not played many of the PS3 titles, but I played all the PS2 titles and have since played the PS4 game that coincided with the failed Ratchet & Clank movie. In this review I’ll go over what I thought of this game that is now a few years old in anticipation of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on the PS5.
Story & Cut-Scenes –
The story of this Ratchet & Clank has to be the poorest I can remember, and that’s saying something as the stories in these games are never the strong points. It is incredibly disappointing to see that the story is so lazily ripped from the movie, with the cut-scenes being rehashed from the movie completely.
As well as this, I know this game is a reboot, but the whole redoing of how Ratchet & Clank specifically met was something that didn’t sit right with me. The way they met in the first game was something iconic as time went on, and to completely write that off in this game feels like a defamation to the legacy that the original Ratchet & Clank created.
Along with this, the change of character from the original games when it comes to Ratchet is glaringly disappointing, with Ratchet now being a hopeful and friendly yet apprehensive in character, which is completely different from the cocky, selfish and often rash character that we had came to know. This character change has hindered the relationship between Ratchet and Clank specifically, with their personalities clashing less and them feeling less like strangers who come to love each-other, and more like two agreeable nobodies who have no qualms with each-other whatsoever.
Game-Play & Weapons –
In terms of game-play there cannot be any complaints, it is Ratchet & Clank. The movement feels smooth and fluid with the gun-play as Ratchet and even the few sections where you play as Clank feel like an enjoyable rare change of pace.
The weapons are really what makes these games for me. The upgrade system and general variety in how each weapon works is really something that makes this game so satisfying despite the lacklustre story. Weapons such as the Pixelizer offer a unique idea, turning enemies into pixelated versions of themselves on-demand, or the Groovitron making enemies unable to resist the urge to break it down, regardless of how big or small they may be.
Visuals –
Visually, as of now, this is obviously by far the best Ratchet & Clank has ever looked, however, and I know this may seem completely negative for the sake of being negative, but, I cannot be the only one who prefers the look of the old games more? I am not sure what it is, but the charm of Ratchet and the general atmosphere of the planets doesn’t hold the same weight in this modern graphics-style. It also is made all the more evident through the cut-scenes that aren’t movie clips. Character are as lifeless, awkward and as dead behind the eyes as games like Skyrim or Horizon: Zero Dawn.
I just personally didn’t get the same feel from the planets and characters in this style that I do from the older games despite the shiny new graphics.
Music –
The music of this game isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, but once again, it just feels bland in comparison to the older games, with many of the tracks being completely forgettable and almost identical. The idea of a remake is to create remixes or remasters of old tracks, however this game does not do that. So many iconic tracks from the original game are replaced by out-of-place or identical and annoying tracks. I could not name a single track right now whilst attaching it to the section of the game that it plays in even if I tried.
Conclusion –
Ratchet & Clank (PS4) is a game that does a good job in the game-play sections and general loop, however, it feels soulless in almost every other way in comparison to the original games. There is enough here to satisfy the average player, with the weapons and general combat system being enjoyable and satisfying, but as a person who loved the older games, this game doesn’t even compare when it comes to the universe, characters and general atmosphere that those games created and quite frankly defecates upon the original legacy of Ratchet & Clank. I am excited for Rift Apart, but if this is the Ratchet & Clank personalities they are going for in those games, with this level of character enthusiasm and development, then I can only really see that game being as lacklustre as this one.
Final Score – 6/10
Nathan Brennan 