Review: Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

The characters of Ratchet and Clank are ripped from another generation of gaming. The 16-bit era was packed to capacity with mascot-type characters, from the top tier Marios and Sonics to the dregs-of-the-Earth Bubsys and Dynamite Heddys. But this duo of a witty, polite robot and talking lombax are a carryover from that simpler time - except they have probably the coolest weapons in gaming history. Up Your Arsenal was their third exclusive outing on the PS2, obviously the series has had some success, but how did it really play?

Story
This is a game that has a gun that lets you turn your enemies into rubber duckies. Another one that shoots out tiny evil attack robots to kill your enemies for you. Still another that launches nuclear missiles, which explode into heat seaking smaller missiles. This game doesn't need a story, but they gave us one anyway. Here's the rundown.

You are a lombax (Ratchet) with a robotic buddy (Clank). The evil cyborg dude, Dr. Nefarious is trying to take over the world with a machine that turns everyone into robots. It's up to you and your rag-tag crew of space pals to save the day!

Your Cowardly Leader, Captain Quark

It's a pretty simple premise, but it's the multiple and varied cast of characters that makes this game's world sing. From the bumbling, cowardly leader of your crew, Captain Quark to Dr. Nefarious' unwilling assistant, Lawrence, Insomniac built and developed a group of characters that could fill in on any Saturday morning cartoon show. Not super deep or flawed individuals. No inner conflict or looming deep philosophical questions within them, but entertaining enough to keep me going.

Sadly the least well drawn character is Ratchet. He has no personality or ba-zing to his being. He's just the reluctant hero. He's not unlikable - just boring.

"I'm the hero!

The series prides itself on being funny, and to a degree it is. It just tries a little too hard most times. A comedy is at its best when it appears effortless, and Up Your Arsenal appeard to be exerting a herculean effort to make me laugh. With things like cutting off a curse word at the last minute or the old fart joke, it just felt like it was saying "HEY OVER HERE! I'M FUNNY!" the whole time. I would probably laugh more if I played this in the 12-15 year old range, but at a very immature 28, it didn't deliver the funny for me. But hey, I can't knock it. The devs made a great game, they kept it light, and made it fun. Plus like I said, this game doesn't need a story. It's got sheep guns!

Gameplay
It was interesting playing this right after Mario 64. The difference in jumping mechanics is staggering and just shows you how much time Nintendo spent perfecting Mario's running and jumping ability. Ratchet felt like he was so light and floaty compared to the mustachioed plumber. Fortunately the platforming elements are very light, and they work fine. Just interesting next to Mario 64.

Your Arsenal. Up it.

 
The real meat of the game is buying and upgrading weapons which results in a collection of the most ways to kill enemies in a video game. Seriously, there's like 20 different guns you can buy. From straight up shot gun and sniper rifle to the Sheepinator which turns your enemies into Sheep or the Infector which turns your enemies on each other. It's almost as cool as Bioshock's plasmids, just without all the mind control and syringes.

Leveling your weapons happens automatically when you use them. Each gun has five levels and each level-up provides a significant upgrade to the gun's firepower and ammo capacity. When a gun maxes  out, it changes names and adds another element - usually an explosive element - to create a whole new level of terror for your enemies. Some weapons are better for certain enemies than others, but you'll likely find a loadout of your three or four favorites and stick to those mostly.

It's not all running and gunning though. The game does an excellent job of mixing things up. One level you'll be piloting a drop ship with devastating firepower, the next you'll be in control of Clank as he solves puzzles and slips through cracks Ratchet can't squeeze into. Seriously, the variety of gameplay you see in that trailer up there is not at all misrepresentative of the game. I can promise you won't get bored. 

Up Your Arsenal also had a strong online component, but because I never bought the PS2 network adapter for my launch PS2, I didn't get to play it. And neither will you, probably. If the servers haven't been shut down I can't imagine too many people still playing it online. Split screen is always available, but I can't get my wife to play a game with robots and rodents and giant guns. Women, huh?

Presenatation
Insomniac is well known for their ability to create stunning worlds. The multiple planets in Ratchet's galaxy are all totally unique, but all of them have a distinct mark of the Ratchet and Clank series. The same way some people can hear a guitar solo and know immediately who's playing, the architecture and design of the Ratchet and Clank series is instantly recognizable. Chunky platforms, rich colors, vast expanses, huge cities - all of these are trademarks of this series, and it's all beautiful. If this were simply uprezzed to HD, I wouldn't bat an eye at it's quality. It's a fantastic looking game.

The enormity of Metropolis.

The only minor annoyance in the visuals was the transitions between scenes. Everything kind of cuts to black for a second and then the next scene starts. There's no connection which makes it really hard to follow sometimes. A very minor nitpick but it bothered me enough to mention it, so take it for what its worth to you.

The voice acting, sound design and music were all outstanding. Voice over artists played the exaggerated cartoon heroes and semi-heroes perfectly. The orchestrated music was felt like the score of a AAA blockbuster movie. But the sound design was where I think this game should hang its hat. Every single gadget and gizmo and gun and side weapon and mechanical movement and footstep and rocket explosion has the absolute perfect sound effect associated with it. This being most important in the explosions and guns with big firepower. If it's weak you'll notice it and it will take you out of the fantasy. If you don't notice the sound while you're playing, the sound is likely incredible. Or you're playing on mute.

Nefarious. What a dick.

If you're a 13 year old boy, buy this game immediately and play it until your eyes explode. If you're a 28 year old man you'll still enjoy it - maybe just skip the cutscenes. It's a beautiful game that Insomniac obviously spent a lot of time on and has a clear target market. But who's to say you can't pretend you're 13 for a few hours?

Review in Ten Words or Less:
A joyously immature romp through Explosionville.