Ratchet & Clank

I have been a fan since the series started and don't even dislike the 2 missteps (Secret Agent Clank and Full Frontal Assault) but will admit that the series needed this reboot. This remake is nearly unrecognizable from the 2002 original in terms of characterization / story, level design and especially gameplay. Returning players can thus look forward to a mostly new experience, while new fans can still go back to the HD Collection and still get something new, if inferior, out of it. That's how to do reboot ladies and gentlemen but the formula is now more than established at this point, so don't expect another must-have as with Ratchet 2 or 3 back in the day and just another great yet short 3rd person shooter with a decent amount of replayability. It may also be the best looking game on the PS4 but the reused Cgi sequences from the companion film managed to mess with the narrative. Can we now please reboot Crash/Jak and Daxter. Ratchet never left us after all. 8,5/10

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Ratchet & Clank" (2016) is just a pure joy to play. Everything works in this game amazingly great. Graphics are gorgeous, game play mechanics are terrific and the whole world is just a joy to explore. I liked the simple story, invitingly told.

I'm started to play this game for a second time on challenge mode and i know i'm gone do everything in here - "Ratchet & Clank" is just a pure joy that is hard to let go.

Ratchet & Clank, unlike the eponymous movie, is wonderful. In terms of combat, the game does this extremely well. The zany arsenal of over-the-top weapons that all feel distinct and memorable couple well with the enemies across the galaxy. Everything from turning your opponents into sheep, to burning them alive, to making them a few pixels feels satisfying as all hell. Story-wise, and unlike a typical PlayStation-exclusive, this game is nothing too much, although it doesn't try to be. The story is easy to digest by everyone, and is pretty boring. The writing is really a hit-or-miss situation. Sometimes, the game will squeeze a decent smile out of you, and other times will result in boring, childish gags, that don't understand who to cater to. Graphically, this game is undeniably gorgeous, looking like you're playing through an animated movie, while the characters do look like stiff cardboard boxes during cut scenes. In terms of music, there's a lot to be desired. No tracks stuck with me, except one, but that was just because it sounded way too similar to a track of 1993's Doom. After listening to the original's music, this is a whole step down. Most of the levels are also very well-made, with useful items lurking most of them, while a few levels fall into routine tedium. All in all, this game, while marred by clear issues is still an enjoyable experience.

Pros:

• Interesting characters
• Great fast-paced Gameplay
• Good arsenal of weaponry
• Bright and colourful graphics
• Some good boss fights

Cons:

• Forgettable story
• Nothing that really stands out

Verdict: This game is purely for the gameplay fun of shooting monsters and blowing stuff up. This main story is pretty forgettable, but at the end of the day it was still a fun game.

8/10

I went into this with high expectations. My first PlayStation was a PS5 and this was my first ratchet and clank. I played this game in 2023 and honestly I thought it was just alright. The story is lackluster, the movement is clunky, the exploration pretty linear, and the boss fights pretty rinse and repeat. I also found the save points to be pretty bad. I found myself spawning 5-8 minutes back on the regular.

The guns are cool and funny, but that is the extent of how interesting the combat is. Movement feels bad which surprises me for an insomniac game.

Maybe it was just me but it also seemed like the animations in the cutscenes dropped in quality massively by the end of the game.

On the positive though: cool guns, pretty graphics over all, the worlds are cool, art style is awesome, and the game is really well polished.

Buy it on a sale.