Ratchet & Clank

After a stop-and-start relationship with Ratchet & Clank (2002), I finally saw the credits roll. And while I had my fair share of frustrations along the way, I have to admit, there's a lot of heart and ambition packed into this nearly two-decade-old title.

Let's start with the big caveats: the controls. Coming from a modern gaming sensibility, the lack of strafe (and the clunky platforming) makes for a frequently frustrating experience, especially during gunfights. It's not difficult in a satisfying way-it's often difficult despite your best efforts, thanks to stiff movement and limited camera control.

And then there are the checkpoints, or rather, the lack of them in certain sections. More than once, I found myself slogging through a tough area only to die and be sent all the way back. If it weren't for the save-anywhere function in my PS2 emulator, I honestly might've rage-quit for good. The original save system really doesn't hold up by modern standards.

That said, once you push through the friction, there's real substance here.

The level design is impressively diverse. Each planet feels distinct-not just visually, but in the kind of challenges it throws at you. From flying missions to giant Clank boss fights, to rail grinding and clever puzzles, there's a lot more variety here than you'd expect from a first entry in a franchise.

The arsenal of weapons is another highlight. From the basic blaster to more chaotic options, it's a playground of creative destruction. And yes-smashing crates and collecting bolts is weirdly, almost embarrassingly satisfying. That little "ching" bolt sound? Straight dopamine.

Story-wise, it does a solid job. Ratchet's arc-from cocky and reluctant adventurer to someone who takes on the responsibility of saving the galaxy-feels earned, and Clank serves as a great moral compass. The villain, Chairman Drek, might be cartoonish, but the themes he represents-corporate greed, environmental destruction, and profit-driven planetary devastation-have aged disturbingly well in today's world.

Final Verdict: A rough ride with a lot of heart. If you're willing to wrestle with the controls, you'll find a game bursting with creativity, personality, and more depth than you'd expect from a 2002 platformer. Not for everyone in 2025, but definitely a milestone worth acknowledging.

There is a lot of imagination and polished gameplay in this video game. You really get invested in this world and all the characters. Even though it is a first instalment, it feels fully fleshed out. I enjoyed all the fun combat.

I can't believe that I'm the first person to comment on Ratchet & Clank. This is one of the greatest adventurous challenges to land on Earth. Ratchet & Clank is actually a funny, action adventure where you must save the galaxy from the scoundrel, Chairman Drek and his robotic crew. Ratchet & Clank join together to stop this evil madman. This is nothing compared to Jak and Daxter. Ratchet & Clank has everything, it's not too long, there's an enormous set of weapons and gadgets to choose from such as the Blaster, the R.Y.N.O (Rip Ya a New One), the Glove of Doom, etc. Your challenges in the game are surely competitive such as the Alien Queen, the Snagglebeast, Captain Qwuark, and of course, Chairman Drek himself. Your weapons and your strageties help you survive the game and your choice to start over again. My friend beat the game FOUR TIMES!!. I'm getting close to beat it for the first time. My first "owned" video game and my only for now. I'm getting my hands on Ratchet and Clank 2: Locked and Loaded first. It may be difficult at first, but with determination, you'll become pro in no time! Plus, there's a hoverboard race! Ratchet and Clank is all thanks to Insomniac Games. Thank you Insomniac!! Bring on the sequel!! Ratchet and Clank has amazing graphics with amazing environments in many different planets. The fun factor is a 10!! Ratchet and Clank is one of my favorite teams alongside Sora, Donald, & Goofy (Kingdom Hearts).

I grew up playing this game. A lot of the PS1 and PS2 games are classics, but there are some that do not age very well.

I started playing this game again, 20 years after it's release and it's aged incredibly well. The graphics (upscaled and emulated) are a solid 8/10. The gameplay is a 9/10 - - simple but easily the best in it's genre at the time and still enjoyable. The number of memorable gadgets and weapons is great. I remember as a kid saving enough bolts to finally buy the RYNO, and I still have that same feeling. The UI and sound design is a 10/10. A lot of modern games could learn from the UI and sound design to be honest.

This is one of the best action adventure games ever made and it deserves to still be played!

This game is gonna hook you from the start even 20 years later because it aged really well. The story is good but the plot twist coud have been done better but it really doesnt have pacing issues. The word building is fantastic, so many different word and it all are well built. The two main problem with this game is the controls and the checpoint system. Lets start with the controls, its really just not great even when it came out it wasnt great but you can change that how you look left and right with the analog. The checpoint system is not great sometimes you need to start the map all over again and sometimes its just frusraiting.