[Perfect Stu]

This is how the game, which bears the appropriate name Ratchet and Clank, begins. Although fate brought them together, our two protagonists have little in common and are basically using one another to get where they need to go. The conflict between the two of them will play a large role in the game’s storyline, which is much more complex than the average game of this type.
With his robotic accomplice at his side, Ratchet is finally fulfilling his lifelong dream. Little does he realize, though, that Clank is jeopardizing this endeavor. Without warning, the Blarg swoop in and pursue their ship. Armed to the teeth and intent on destruction, the Blarg assault the escaping vessel with laser fire, quickly disposing of it. The remnants of the craft trickle down onto an unknown planet’s surface.

Miraculously, the two passengers are unharmed---but are once again stranded.
Although brimming with lush scenery, this world is hostile…even more so with the Blarg invasion.
At this point the players are thrust into the action at hand and we begin to see what kind of gameplay experience Insomniac has in store for us. Right off the bat, you can clearly see this isn’t your typical “Easter egg hunt” platformer. There isn’t a damsel in distress who has been taken hostage by an overgrown turtle. Nor will you be required to find a specific number of items to progress. The only concern at this point is survival.
When you take your first steps into this foreign land, you can’t help but look on in disbelief. (Insomniac will henceforth be call In in this message). In has always excelled in delivering visually stunning works, but the level of detail in this game is staggering. Seeing our reaction to the graphical magnitude that unfolded before our eyes, Al Hastings, head programmer said, “The sheer size of this project would not have been possible until now.” The artistic direction that accompanies this portrait-like environment has a distinct feel of this developer, where vibrant colors blend in perfect harmony with harsher steels and magnificent constructs. Much like J&D, the entire world is rendered in real-time and is not hidden beneath fog or shrewd programming techniques. If you see something a mile off in the distance, there’s a good possibility you will eventually reach it.
We found ourselves equally impressed with the gameplay mechanics. The general movements are user-friendly and controls lend themselves nicely to the complexity of play. When you move, you can almost feel the character making each step. The same applies to jumping and the essence of gravity. At this point, your only weapon is a wrench found in the wreckage. He’s quite agile and can perform quick three-slashes with ease. Ratchet can also jump and bring the wrench down on a foe. You soon realize that you won’t get a neat little tutorial or a lead by the hand through this, you’re on your own to do what ever the heck you want. No objectives presented, or exit sign. You can explore every inch of it. And you have an intricate map to keep you righted. It tells you where you’ve been and where you need to go eventually, to get on a ship to get out of this mess. The game has a economic system of nuts and gears that defeated robots drop, nuts are worth 5 bolts, gears equal 10.
The 2nd planet has shopkeepers that will sell you weapons (RPG-like). The action will work around the 35 types of gadgets and weapons you can acquire to defend yourself with, short, medium, long-range and special. There’s a bomb glove, flamethrower, and even guided missiles to take out enemies from far, far away. The more bolts you get, the more weapons are you disposal.
A lot of blow the crap out of enemies stuff, but certain weapons are best for certain enemies. Clank has upgrades too, helicopters, rocket sled propellers.
The plot though is an important part of the game. The two characters are associated because they both need something from one another. This won’t always be the case for the whole game. The personalities of both characters change dramatically and tensions will flare up between them. They even break up at one point and Clank will become an individual, playable character, with his own unique abilities and movements. Incorporate the best elements of action/platform, adventure and RPG games, you’re continually exploring new planets. You have to navigate alien cities, terrain, you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for friendly locals, stranded visitors, and little robots called info bots that will allow you to go from planet to planet by giving you their coordinates, they also tell a little story in the form of an ad, distress call or newscast from another planet. Both characters talk, fully lip-synced and animated. Cinematics between levels and in them. The world are quite life-like, and loaded with looping and scripted sequences. On one planet, a war is erupting. Planes are storming the skies, later on, swoops in and bombs a bridge.
This game should be coming out for this holiday season.