Playstation 2 - Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando

Format
Playstation 2
Publisher
SCEA
Developer
Insomniac Games
Country of origin
US
Release date
2003
Genre
Shooter

Ratchet & Clank : Going Commando

By David Rasmussen
9th Nov 04

Studio - Sony/Insomniac
Age - T for Teen (13+)
Genre - Platform

I wasn't around for the original Ratchet & Clank game, so I have little idea what came before.
And, yes, once again I was pointed towards a game by a review I saw on X-Play, this being another recommended by game Mr. Sassler. So, then, what is it all about?

I don't know if you know of the duo of Ratchet (...?...) (uh... wombat?) and Clank (Robot), but it sorta reminded me of a different pair who worked in unison with one being attached to the back of the other... mainly Banjo Kazooie, only Clank isn't as foul mouthed as Kazooie, nor is it expected of Clank to spit out things as if they were bullets but that's besides the point.

It's been months (I guess nine months since nine months passed between games) and it seems the Media Circus has gone off to follow somebody else. Now appearing on a show about heroes it seems they just aren't in demand anymore (not since they were at that store opening six months ago).

But it seems a corporation named MegaCorps has a need for the two, and they are whisked away to be de-briefed by a weird looking corpo. Dude described by Mr. Sassler as a Colonel Sanders type dude... gee, kind of harsh comparing Col. Sanders to THIS guy isn't it?
He can't speak clear English, is disturbing to listen to, and kinda creepy.

Well it seems that this MegaCorps has lost a little bio-experiment... kinda fluffy like a tribble, but nasty.
Yes, it's up to Ratchet (and later Clank after Clank is kidnapped by the bio-experiment thief and saved by Ratchet) to find the thief responsible for this theft, fight through the thief's thugs (a hired group called Thugs-4-Less), and retrieve the experiment.

Then you get screwed over by your bosses and realize you know ZILCH about what's really going on!

That's when things really get interesting.

Straight forward shooter... but then again that'd not be even beginning to speak about what makes it fun.
First off we have the weapons, which is a LOT of weapons! They're fun to use, cause lots of damage, are some really good stuff, and are EVOLVING WEAPONS! As you use some of the weapons a meter on each one grows, and once it fills up the weapon evolves!

Mind you, however, it looks like only weapons from THIS game will evolve. I found some weapons from the first game but they don't evolve... however if you have save data from Ratchet & Clank you CAN buy these weapons for free (which is good since these weapons do have their uses).

The second good thing is Ratchet and Clank! As you play Ratchet will grow more powerful (his health bar, listed as "nanotechs", grows as you fight) and once you get Clank you'll have access to lots of abilities (that grows as you find new things to use).

The third good thing is the things you can do! Besides the main game there are several interesting sub games like the huge Arena Battles (which I love), the Hoverbike Races (which I don't like), space shootouts and (the best) battles on these micro worlds which, at one point, takes on a Godzilla like dimension as you thrash it out on a miniature city-world with Clank in a giant robot body against a giant mecha opponent which is just way too cool!

Some don't like the story but I think it's decent enough. I like the humor and seen worse so this is a mildly amusing game storywise. And the extras (of which I'm still working hard to unlock) are also good.
And according to X-Play it should be twice as long as the original Ratchet & Clank. Now I don't know how long that would be since I haven't played the original game, but I'm bettin' it's long.
Overall it's one a dozen or so games I just loved playing this year. Recommended.
Ok. It's breakdown time.

Ratchet & Clank Breakdown the 2nd
What's Hot? - Game got a score of 5 out of 5 and was highly recommended. I can see why.
For me I have to say it's a highly recommended game. For it's genre it's well worth playing, and while some might not be entranced with the story you can't fault the solid gameplay which alone makes it well worth the cost to pick it up. And if you already own the first game then you'll get a little bonus when you play this game (the ability to unlock old weapons you used in Ratchet & Clank for free instead of having to pay for them which is another good thing).

What's Not? - For me I'd have to say nothing. Again it's only my opinion but I have no faults with this game. It was all that for me and I am quite happy with it.

Moments to Remember
Ah. The game itself is memorable. I'll leave it at that.

What to Ignore?
Well I don't think I can come up with anything to ignore. It's all good.

Overall?
I like this series. The Ratchet & Clank series is one of the few trilogies I really got into.
I've already picked up Game 3, Ratchet & Clank : Up Your Arsenal... and depending how long it takes me to beat Going Commando I may review Up Your Arsenal in one or two weeks.
I think from everything I read I can play this (so my earlier fears that this is online only is probably baseless), so expect a review of this soon. If this is an advance above and beyond this game then I most certainly will have lots of good things to say about this game when I review it.
Stay tuned for the next review coming soon.

-- David Rasmussen 9th Nov 04

Playstation 2 Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando Images