Ratchet & Clank
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Ratchet & Clank is a platforming and shooting video game for the PlayStation 2. Developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony, it is the first game in the Ratchet & Clank series. It was released in North America on November 7, 2002, and received positive reviews in the gaming press.
It was succeeded by .
Contents
Gameplay
Ratchet and Clank was one of the first to try to shake up the platformer genre by focusing the game not only on making difficult jumps, but also the action and shooting aspects. In addition to shooting, the game includes space dogfights, hoverboard races, grindboot courses, giant robot battles, and swingshot courses (courses where Ratchet swings from node to node using a special grapple-like object). The game also supports a first-person view, but the player cannot move around while in it. Later games in the series allow them to be played like a first-person shooter.Plot
The game is revolves around Ratchet the lombax, and his sidekick, Clank the robot, who try to stop the evil Chairman Drek, whose home planet, Orxon, has become irreversibly polluted. His plan is to take the most pristine parts from all of the planets in the Solana Galaxy and create a new planet for his race, the Blarg. He doesn't seem to have any concern for those currently living on those planets. To stop him, Ratchet must try to contact Captain Qwark, the greatest hero the galaxy has ever known.Drek will stop at nothing to make his world, even if it means blowing up Ratchet's planet with a laser (the Deplanetizer).
Weapons
The game (as well as the series) is notorious for weaponry that is often deadly and crazy. Manufactured by Gadgetron, the Solana Galaxy's most popular retail company, these weapons are spread throughout the course of the game. With imaginative abilities such as the electric Tesla Claw, the flame-shooting Pyrocitor, and the all powerful Rip Ya a New One, cleverly dubbed the R.Y.N.O., Ratchet will have to use these if he is ever to survive. 10 of the weapons are able to be upgraded by finding the rare Gold Bolts scattered all over the galaxy, making them even more dangerous!
Planets
- Kyzil Plateau, Planet Veldin: This is Ratchet's home planet. It serves as the training level in the beginning as well as the final level in the game. The planet is very backwater as one could see; the only things roaming the plateau are the hopping frogs. Use your Bomb Glove to maximum power to find the crash site of a strange ship.
- Tobruk Crater, Planet Novalis: The first planet Ratchet & Clank travel to after Ratchet's homemade starship works, then crashes. In its current state, the villages are being bombarded by Drek's fighters and bombers while his troops clean any survivors so the city can be ripped from the planet to be used for Drek's homemade one. The waterworks are also up for exploration. It is on this planet that you can purchase the Pryocitor for a small number of bolts. Use it wisely as you search for a new ship to leave the planet.
- Metropolis, Planet Kerwan: Metropolis is the galaxy's largest city. Known as the 'city in the sky' since its buildings, businesses, etc. rise up over the clouds. One can presume that below the clouds there's nothing but void. Hovertrains go through the city picking up and dropping off citizens while Al's Robo Shack is a popular place to tune up robots. Plus the big thing everyone is going to notice is Captain Qwark's fitness course set up near the Shack. Buy some new gear, try out the course, have a little chat with Al and try to find some more information of Captain Qwark's whereabouts.
- Outpost X11, Planet Aridia: Aridia takes us to another backwater planet, in reality a desert planet. The action happens near a factory which is in the process of being built as one can see all the construction equipment set up. Sand Sharks are native to the planet and they inhabit all areas of the outpost including the factory's interiors. Skidd McMarx and his agent have had the unfortunancy of landing in the middle of this dump, so it's up to you to rescue them. Save Skidd from a nest of Sand Sharks and locate Skid's agent somewhere on top of the factory.
- Logging Site, Planet Eudora: Eudora is the second planet seen being attacked by Drek's forces. Trees are being cut down left and right to be used for Drek's new world. Logging droids are also known to attack intruders on site since they're not as innocent as they seem. Drek's lieutenant is here to monitor the logging operation. Find the brute and extract some information from him.
- Blarg Space Station, Nebula G34: This is Chairman Drek's pride and joy in weapons research and development. Unfortunately all the mutant animals have escaped from their cages and much of the scientists and engineers have been eaten. An old worndown Blarg Warship is docked at the station as well as the vast walkways outside of the station. Rescue the scientists from certain doom, explore the warship to find co-ordinates to a new planet and defeat the Lizard Queen.
- Blackwater City, Planet Rilgar: This city is probably the most popular place any tourist willl visit on their entourage through the galaxy. Known for its reputation in entertainment, celebrtity hotspots, and extreme sports like Hoverboarding, this city is perfect for a vacation. At the current time, the city is infested with Amoeboids, that split in half when you hit them. Fight through them to compete in the Hoverboard championship and, finally, warn Captain Qwark of the Blarg Invasion.
- Qwark's HQ, Planet Umbris: This planet is where Captain Qwark's base is. If any person feels lucky and brave enough to brave the long gauntlet into the base, then he or she has the honor of being a big time super hero like Qwark. Fight through the base defenses to face the Blargian Snagglebeast and become a hero.
- Fort Krontos, Planet Batalia: The military base Fort Krontos is under attack by Drek's forces. As the Blarg bombard the base and the surrounding islands, the army that was supposed to repel the Blarg all go AWOL, leaving one commando to fight for himself. Assist him into fighting his way into the city to access the air defense turret, where you'll meet a familiar face.
- Blarg Depot, Planet Gaspar: The Blarg's supply depot is located on this volcanic planet. Much of the area is covered in lava, while yet vegetation manages to thrive. The Blarg are testing pilots to fly fighter jets using only their thoughts, but their are still some bugs left to finish off. Locate the prototype Pilot's Helmet that can be used to fly jet fighters later in the game.
- Kogor Refinery, Planet Orxon: The Blarg's home planet, and what a mess it is. All the local flora and fauna have mutated thanks to the over growing pollution on the planet. A couple of small factories lie in the area as well. Since Ratchet cannot stand the pollution, Clank must fend for himself in this dangerous world. Find the Magneboots and the co-ordinates to Pokitaru.
- Jowai Resort, Planet Pokitaru: Ever want a summer getaway on a beach all year round? Now is your chance. Jowai Resort is the premier summer vacation in the galaxy, from the sandy beaches, to the crystal clear waters. This place would be perfect it wasn't for the Blarg polluting the planet's oceans. It would also be advisable to visit Bob's Robo Shack to get a quick tune up, then hop in the resort's jet fighter to destroy the Blarg ships.
- Bomb Factory, Planet Hoven: Drek is planning to destroy an entire planet! Fight through the armies of anklebiters and sharpshooters to reach the bomb factory barracks and take out the Planet Buster Maximus. Yet another Robo Shack, run by Ed, is also located here. Check it out to receive a new upgrade.
- Gemlik Base, Oltanis Orbit: The Blargian Moon Base lies over Planet Oltanis where Chairman Drek has ordered a full scale invasion and attack on the city of Gorda. This area is very large and is under a heavy amount of security. Blast your way past the difficult lock combinations, poison barrels and heavy-weapon soldiers and ships to reach the spaceport, where Captain Qwark is waiting in ambush.
- Gorda City Ruins, Planet Oltanis: With Qwark out of the way, your main priority now is to search the demolished Gorda City, which is under a constant lightning storm as lightning rods are placed all over, thus making it unsafe for Clank. Even in the midst of the destruction, a survivor might be around. Alone, you must find some sign of life, and maybe even a new weapon.
- Robot Factory, Planet Quartu: This is the planet where Clank was born and, as presumed, where all of Drek's other robot forces are created too. Your mission is to destroy the dangerous Ultra-Mechs. To do so, Clank must transform into Giant Clank with the help of a lone scientist's invention. Return to this planet later to access the robot factory and find the location of Drek's Flagship.
- Gadgetron HQ, Planet Kalebo III: Gadgetron's headquarters are found here. This is primarily where the company tests out the latest weaponry to see if it's primed and ready to be shipped out and sold. The latest hoverboards also come from here as the test dummies test them on the track way below the main building. Traverse this giant complex (avoiding Drek's elite troops at the same time) to meet the Helpdesk Girl and win the Hologuise in an intense hoverboard race.
- Drek's Fleet, Veldin Orbit: Drek's Fleet is on route to Veldin. Take a look around, mind the security and locate where Drek has hidden his latest and greatest weapon, the Deplanitizer.
- Kyzil Plateau, Planet Veldin: With Ratchet's home planet on the brink of destruction, courtesy of Drek's Deplanitizer, you must now bomb through this alien-infested level to the satellite dish, where Ultimate Supreme Executive Chairman Drek awaits. Morph into Giant Clank to defeat him and disable the Deplanitizer.
Bosses Of The Galaxy
- Lizard Queen (Nebula G34, Blarg Space Station)
- Blargian Snagglebeast (Planet Umrbis, Qwark's HQ)
- Blarg Bombers (Planet Batalia, Fort Krontos)
- Planet Buster Maximus (Planet Hoven, Bomb Factory)
- Captain Qwark (Oltanis Orbit, Gemlik Base)
- Chairman Drek (Kyzil Plateau, Planet Veldin)
Easter Eggs
- When the Infobot for Planet Umbris (Qwark's Base) is playing, the faint tune of 'Land of Hope and Glory' can be heard in the background.
Series
Main article: Ratchet & Clank series
There are currently four released sequels to the original Ratchet & Clank game. These include ', ', ', and '. Each sequel attempts to outdo the others in terms of graphics and variety of levels. Two other sequels are in development. The first is for the Playstation Portable. The other, for the Playstation 3, is not currently named.
External links
- [Insomniac's official site]
- [GameRankings collected reviews for Ratchet & Clank]
- [Ratchet & Clank] at MobyGames
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Games:
Ratchet & Clank | ' | ' | ' | ' | Characters: Ratchet | Clank | Captain Qwark | Other characters Miscellaneous: Weapons and items | Areas
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