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Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action-Platformer / Third-Person Shooter
Release: 2016
Ratchet & Clank on PS4 is a vibrant reimagining of the original PlayStation 2 classic, released alongside the animated movie. It blends tight platforming, explosive weapon-based combat, and gorgeous cartoon-style visuals into one of the most polished family-friendly action games on the platform. While it simplifies some narrative elements and doesnt fully capture the depth of later entries, it remains an extremely fun, accessible, and visually impressive adventure.
The game is built around fast-paced platforming and creative weapon combat.
Core gameplay features include:
Third-person shooting with a large arsenal of unique weapons
Platforming across multiple alien planets
Light puzzle-solving with Clank sections
Jetpack and rail-grinding traversal sequences
Collectibles like bolts and Holocards
Combat is the highlight:
Weapons are highly creative (rocket launchers, morph guns, bomb tools, etc.)
Each weapon feels distinct and fun to experiment with
Arena-style encounters encourage constant movement and chaos
Progression includes:
Weapon upgrades through use
Collecting bolts for purchases and upgrades
Optional challenge modes and replay incentives
The gameplay loop is:
Smooth, responsive, and constantly engaging
Designed for accessibility without losing variety
Criticisms:
Combat can become slightly repetitive over long sessions
Some puzzles are very simple
Difficulty is generally on the easier side, especially for experienced players
Still, the moment-to-moment gameplay is consistently fun and polished.
The story is a retelling of the original Ratchet & Clank narrative, tied closely to the animated film.
It follows:
Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic dreaming of adventure
Clank, a small robot who defects from a villainous army
Captain Qwark and the villain Chairman Drek
Themes include:
Friendship and teamwork
Heroism and self-discovery
Corporate greed and planetary destruction
The story is:
Light-hearted and humorous
Easy to follow and family-friendly
Built around comedic cutscenes and character banter
However:
It simplifies character development compared to earlier games
Some fans felt the writing lacked the charm and edge of the original PS2 version
Narrative pacing prioritises action over depth
Still, for newcomers, it works well as a standalone adventure.
This is one of the most visually impressive PS4 titles of its era.
Strengths:
Pixar-like character models and animation quality
Bright, colourful, highly detailed environments
Smooth performance and strong visual effects
Excellent cinematic presentation
The game often looks like:
A playable animated movie
One of the best showcases of Insomniacs engine at the time
Weaknesses:
Motion blur and visual softness in some versions
Occasional frame drops in heavy combat sections
Despite this, the overall presentation is outstanding.
Audio design is strong and energetic:
High-quality weapon sound effects
Humorous voice acting performances
Dynamic orchestral and sci-fi soundtrack
Distinct sound identity for each weapon and planet
The audio reinforces:
The comedic tone
The fast-paced combat
The cinematic feel of the adventure
The game is primarily single-player focused, but includes replay incentives:
Challenge Mode (New Game+)
Weapon upgrades and completion tracking
Collectibles like Holocards and bolts
Difficulty replay options
Replay value comes from:
Trying different weapons and upgrades
Completing 100% objectives
Experiencing faster, more chaotic second playthroughs
However:
No multiplayer modes
Once completed, long-term replay interest may be limited for some players
Stunning, Pixar-quality visuals
Fun, fast-paced and creative weapon combat
Excellent platforming variety
Smooth performance and tight controls
Great introduction to the Ratchet & Clank series
Highly accessible and family-friendly
Simplified story compared to earlier entries
Easy difficulty for experienced players
Limited exploration compared to open-world games
Some repetition in combat encounters
Lacks multiplayer or deeper long-term systems
Ratchet & Clank on PS4 is a beautifully polished, highly accessible action-platformer that delivers constant fun through inventive weapons, smooth gameplay, and outstanding presentation.
While it simplifies some narrative and gameplay elements from the series deeper entries, it succeeds as a modern reintroduction to the franchise and remains one of the PS4s most visually impressive and consistently enjoyable adventures.
Score: 8.5 / 10
