• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Login/ Register
  • Editorial Team
  • Get Involved

Exeposé Online

Making the headlines since 1987

Exeposé Online
  • Home
  • News
      • Local
      • COVID-19
      • University News
  • Comment
  • Features
      • National
      • Worldwide
      • Politics
      • Interviews
  • Science
      • News
      • Lite Science
      • Common Misconceptions
      • Environment
      • Health
      • Technology
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
      • Fashion and Beauty
      • Features
      • Food
      • Wellbeing
      • Sustainability
  • Music
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Single Reviews
  • Screen
      • Reviews
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Festivals and Awards
  • Arts + Lit
      • Interviews
      • Features
      • Reviews
      • Creative Writing
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Science
  • Sport
  • Lifestyle
  • Music
  • Screen
  • Arts + Lit
  • Amplify
  • International
  • Multilingual
Home / Games & Tech

Ratchet and Clank Review

Nostalgia is a funny thing. Video games that we love, perhaps more than any other medium, can be almost permanently lodged in our minds; they make up who we are as gamers. So, when we go back to our revisit our absolute favourites that entranced us in previous years, we often find that the very best games don’t always remain that way. Perhaps, despite the rose-tinted goggles through which we lovingly reminisce the games we love most, we discover that the gameplay is outdated, the textures and graphics are muddy, ugly and brown and, Ratchet’s kind of a dick to Clank in the first game isn’t he?

Insomniac’s Ratchet and Clank, beginning in 2002, is such a precious series for me, and reliving the exploits of one of the best platforming duos in gaming has been something of a disappointment for me in the recent past. Going back to a more than ten year old title, inevitably, no longer imbued the game with the beautiful Pixar-esque graphics they had enjoyed before. The voice acting became clunky and awkward, the weaponry and gameplay less varied and satisfying. It’s a truism to say that hardware and software have moved on in the decade since the original release of Ratchet and Clank, and that many sequels have spawned in that time.

It’s not quite a reboot, nor is it a simple remaster

So, this is where this year’s Ratchet ‘reimagining’ comes in. It’s not quite a reboot, and nor is it a simple remaster, but a curious entity in between. A tie-in with the feature film that hit cinemas at the end of April, 2016’s Ratchet and Clank is a game based on a film based on a game; only the illustrious Street Fighter: The Movie game can also lay claim to that accolade. Here, we might not have a fully-fledged new game with galaxies, worlds and a story to tie them all together that we haven’t seen before, but Ratchet and Clank is by far the most fun you can have on your PS4.

Credit: Sony
Credit: Sony

Perhaps soon to be dethroned by Naughty Dog’s upcoming graphical behemoth Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Ratchet and Clank is currently the best looking game on consoles. Planets you’ll undoubtedly remember from the first game, such as the bustling metropolis of Kerwan or the war-torn battlefield of Batalia, are teeming with life, and the extra detail squeezed onto the canvas of every environment is astonishing. This isn’t a short game — running at around 10-15 hours for a single play through — but be sure to allow yourself some tie to stop and stare at the beautifully rejuvenated worlds just dying to be explored.

Insomniac’s reimagined series is almost a ‘best of’ compilation of fan favourite weapons and gadgets, and all feel very much at home as you blast your way through the largely similar original narrative. From forcing your enemies to dance uncontrollably with the Groovitron to transforming them into sheep with the Sheepinator (yes really), your tools of destruction are constantly satisfying and hilarious. The level of animation and detail built into each weapon is also a pleasure to behold; every type of enemy (including tanks and airborne foes) each have their own dance routine that’d put any Timepiece-goer to shame, and all at an impressive speed and animation quality.

Credit: Sony
Credit: Sony

Your gadgets and arsenal of weaponry are not simply irreverent: they are vital to adding variety to the gameplay. Clank-only puzzle sections are few and far between, so gadgets such as the Swingshot, Trespasser and Holo-Guise are all important to keep the core gameplay from going stale. All of the gadgets and weapons you’ll use will have featured in previous games in the series and will be recognisable to fans, yet the brand new Pixeliser also highlights the game’s excellent sound and visual design as your enemies crumble into retro game-inspired blocks.

The story is more or less the same as the 2002 original, and is still the weakest part of the package overall; the plot is more a device designed to link the player between each planet, with more than just a flavour of ‘a galaxy far, far away’. Making things ever so slightly worse is the inclusion of some characters from other games in the series so many new players introduced to the series might be confused.

Ratchet and Clank offers plenty to both new and veteran fans

However, the overarching story has never really been what has drawn gamers to the series, and the new Ratchet and Clank offers plenty to both new and veteran fans. For those fresh to the dynamic platforming duo, we’re right back at where it all started at the origin of both character’s relationship and entry into the venerable Galactic Rangers.

Going back to the origins of this dynamic platforming duo isn’t only for those new to the series; for older fans, on top of getting their hands on their favourite guns and gadgets on PS4, they can now enjoy a card-collecting system as addictive as collecting those precious, shiny bolts. Card packs can be found in secret parts of the environment in a similar way to the returning gold bolts and drop randomly based on your stats. Then, when a pack of three are collected — all with item descriptions laced with Insomniac’s trademark irreverence — you get various boosts for your guns and stats.

Credit: Sony
Credit: Sony

At a pleasingly wallet-friendly £30, Ratchet and Clank is how fans of the series would nostalgically view the 2002 original, with a little extra thrown in for good measure. Graphically beautiful, with your favourite gadgets and weaponry, long serving fans of the series can revisit this platforming beaut in the best way possible.

Ratchet & Clank is out now for the Playstation 4.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

May 19, 2016 By Harry Shepherd Filed Under: Games & Tech, Reviews Tagged With: Playstation, Playstation 4, PS4, ratchet, ratchet and clank, Insomniac Games, Clank

Avatar

About Harry Shepherd

I'm only unemployed until after graduation, OK MUM!

Reader Interactions

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

exepose

The official Instagram account for Exeposé, the University of Exeter's independent student newspaper.
Old issues here: issuu.com/exeposeexeter

In light of the recent sexual assaults that occurr In light of the recent sexual assaults that occurred on campus, we listened to other survivors’ experiences of the University’s handing of sexual assaults and reported on Saturday’s vigil for Sarah Everard and Lorraine Cox.

Also in this issue, we interview student musicians about how the pandemic has impacted them and review the history of Guild elections with this year’s results.

 https://issuu.com/exeposeexeter/docs/final_copy_20210323
NEW ISSUE ALERT! This issue we report on the impac NEW ISSUE ALERT!
This issue we report on the impact of last weekend's detonation on the student body and investigate Exeter's drug and alcohol culture.

Meanwhile, as Guild elections heat up, we give an insight into the Guild officer candidates along with our verdicts...

Read more for interviews with Armando Iannucci and Tim Burgess of The Charlatans!

https://issuu.com/exeposeexeter/docs/717bind
NEW ISSUE ALERT! This issue we report on the Univ NEW ISSUE ALERT!

This issue we report on the University's growing proportion of private school students. 

Read more for an insight into how the pandemic has affected the final year experience and an exploration of sexism in film criticism.
NEW ISSUE ALERT! Check out highlights such as our NEW ISSUE ALERT!

Check out highlights such as our exclusive report on increased harrassment and stalking in Exeter and our coverage of LGBTQ+ History Month.
📢 NEW ISSUE ALERT 📢 Check out highlights li 📢 NEW ISSUE ALERT 📢

Check out highlights like an exclusive @dmasmusic interview, details on student protests, and our back page on the impact of the BUCS cancellation

The first issue of 2021 is available now on Issuu: https://issuu.com/exeposeexeter/docs/final_bind
As editors of student newspapers at all 24 Russell As editors of student newspapers at all 24 Russell Group universities, we stand united against the Russell Group statement which declared ‘no detriment’ or ‘safety net’ policies not to be ‘appropriate’ or ‘necessary’ for students at this time. 

Having listened to students at our universities, we are calling on the Russell Group to act compassionately and empathetically and to reconsider their stance on ‘no detriment’ politics for assessments this year. 

Students deserve to be listened to. 

#RussellGroupRethink

https://exepose.com/?p=95888
Do you want to get experience in journalism? Is th Do you want to get experience in journalism?
Is there an opinion you want to share with the wider University community?
Maybe you just want to work alongside a great group of students?

Then join Exeposé!

We are the University of Exeter's official student newspaper and we would love it if you joined our society and came to write for us! Whether you're interested in writing news articles, reviewing the latest film release or researching an ongoing issue for a feature, there are enough sections of Exeposé to cater to all of your writing interests.
Membership is £5 (cheaper than lunch at Pret) and covers both Term 2 and 3, so it's important that current members also renew their memberships!
There is no commitment to writing if you join, you can write as much or as little as you want. Just buy membership from the link below and join the Facebook groups of any section that interests you, where you'll be able to see what articles are being offered and suggest articles to the editors.
If you're still unsure, don't hesitate to reach out to any of our delightful editors. They'll be able to answer any questions you have and tell you why they've enjoyed being a part of Exeposé so much.
Again, we would love to welcome you to our paper. We're very proud of all the writers who currently contribute and whether you write two or twenty articles for us, Exeposé will be happy to have you on board.

https://www.exeterguild.org/societies/exepose/
We are running online elections for these editoria We are running online elections for these editorial positions! Make sure you have membership before applying (from the Guild website). We look forward to reading your manifestos :)
📣📣 NEW ISSUE ALERT 📣📣 Remember to pic 📣📣 NEW ISSUE ALERT 📣📣

Remember to pick up your copy of Exeposé today at all University and Guild stands! 

This issue we have an exclusive followup on the University's response to ExeHonestly. 

An interview the manager of Cavern about how the famous venue is coping during COVID. 

And we celebrate the Exeter Chiefs' success in the European Champions Cup.
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Tweets by Exeposé Lifestyle

Contact Us: editors@exepose.com

Since 1987, Exeposé has given a voice to Exeter students. Over the years, the determination and political fervour exhibited by students through Exeposé have helped shape the University we study at today. We have received national recognition for our award-winning campaigns, investigations and surveys, and always strive to provide students with high-quality news, comment and features.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in articles and comments do not reflect the views of Exeposé Online or the University of Exeter Student's Guild.

        


© 2021
Website design: Harry Caton and Ellie Cook
Webdesign & development: Harry Caton