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POSTED 12/4/16


RATCHET & CLANK

Insomniac Games/Sony



Cool, it’s Depeche Mode’s ‘People Are People’!

The name may sound like that classic track’s intro, and that might have been a vaguely titter-worthy gag back in 2002 when Ratchet & Clank first said hello to the world. But it’s 2016 now, and everybody who’s anybody now knows the pair.

From PS2 to PS3, via PSP and Vita, they’re a dynamic duo of underdogs who, well, save space and stuff from vicious warbots (as distinct from cuddly ones). Ratchet’s a catty (but hatless) Dr Seussian breathe inny and outty creature called a Lombax, while Clank is a reject robot who – harking back to that Depeche song - proves that you shouldn’t dismiss those who are different, even if they’re metallic.

Billed as the game of the movie of the game, for a movie is imminent, those who played the original will find some things welcomingly familiar, while other stuff will dazzle with its shiny newness.

The first ‘what’s new’ that you’ll notice is an overarching narrative thanks to Zapp Brannigan’s long lost relative Captain Qwark. Then you’ll clap eyes on the visuals. While R&C contains bits of previous series releases, it isn’t a lazy ‘HD remaster’ cash-in. The graphics have been overhauled to the point that this is one of the most delightfully stunning looking games to have graced the PS4 thus far. Yep, it’s that pretty. Plus, more planets!

The classic third-person platforming action template remains unsullied, along with the series’ absolutely mind-bendingly awesome – and almost endlessly upgradable - weaponry (featuring old faves – go-go gadget Groovitron - and new). Diversions such as hoverboarding remain, along with some new stuff like funky 3D spaceship shootiness.

It’s a remake, and it’s a movie tie-in, so it should be shite, right? Nope. It’s the history, it’s fun, it’s lovable, it’s lore, it’s the vibe and – no, that’s it, it’s the vibe.

We rest our case.

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ALL WRITTEN CONTENT COPYRIGHT © AMY FLOWER 2008-2018. GAME IMAGES COURTESY OF RESPECTIVE GAMES COMPANIES.