Ratchet & Clank (series) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Ratchet & Clank is a series of platform

Platform game

A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...

video games. The franchise was created and developed by Insomniac Games

Insomniac Games

Insomniac Games, Inc. is an American video game developer headquartered in Burbank, California. Founded in 1994, Insomniac has released titles for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 video game consoles. It created Disruptor, the first three Spyro the Dragon games, and the Ratchet &...

and published by Sony Computer Entertainment

Sony Computer Entertainment

Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...

for the PS2

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

and PS3

PlayStation 3

The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

consoles, with the exclusion of Size Matters
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters , is a platform game in the Ratchet & Clank series for both the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It is the first Ratchet & Clank game on the PSP handheld, and the 5th, chronologically, in the series...

and Secret Agent Clank
Secret Agent Clank
Secret Agent Clank is a platform game developed by High Impact Games for the PlayStation Portable and published by Sony. It was first released in North America on June 17, 2008. A PlayStation 2 version was ported by Sanzaru Games and was released on May 26, 2009 in North America and in Europe on...

, which were developed by High Impact Games

High Impact Games

High Impact Games is a video game developer based in Burbank, California, formed in 2003 by former members of Insomniac Games and Naughty Dog. In 2007, the company released Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters for the PlayStation Portable, with a PlayStation 2 port released the next year, and Secret Agent...

for the PSP

PlayStation Portable

The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...

(and later ported to the PS2). Every game in the series has been released exclusively for the PlayStation

PlayStation

The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...

family of consoles as the IP

Intellectual property

Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...

is owned by Sony Computer Entertainment.

The games take place in a science fiction setting and follow the adventures of Ratchet

Ratchet (Ratchet & Clank)

Ratchet is the main character of the Ratchet & Clank series of video games. Ratchet is tall, 15 years old and weighs 151 lbs . In the English versions of the games, Ratchet is voiced by Mikey Kelley in the first Ratchet & Clank and by James Arnold Taylor in all the others...

(an animalistic human-like character known as a Lombax, who is a mechanic) and Clank (a diminutive, sentient robot) as they travel through the universe, saving it from evil forces on a regular basis. The series is noted for the inclusion of many exotic and unique weapons and devices.

Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank was released on November 4, 2002, in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2

. In the game, Supreme Executive Chairman Drek plans to take pieces from other planets across the Solana Galaxy and create one new planet for his people, the Blarg, whose planet has become polluted and uninhabitable. Aside from the two protagonists, the game also introduces Captain Qwark, who appears in the following games.

The game introduced features such as the ability to purchase items, weapons, and unlocking gadgets as the game progresses, which have become a staple of the series in following games. The first in this series does not feature the upgrade system of experience earned for enemies killed; instead, the player may purchase stronger, gold versions of select weapons using a combination of hidden Gold Bolt items and regular bolts.

Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando

Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (known as Ratchet & Clank: Locked & Loaded or Ratchet & Clank 2 in Europe, Australia and New Zealand) was released on November 11, 2003 in North America for the PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2

.

Abercrombie Fizzwidget, boss of the Megacorp company, hires Ratchet and Clank to retrieve the "protopet", a creature stolen by a masked thief. The duo retrieve the protopet and confront the thief, but "he" turns out to be a female, Angela Cross, who helps them investigate the protopet's true origins. They find out that Abercrombie Fizzwidget is Captain Qwark in disguise and that he created the protopet to spread disaster across the galaxy. He plans to frame Ratchet, Clank and Angela, and then destroy the original protopet to restore his reputation as a hero. Qwark then films himself attempting to "cure" the original protopet using a device made by Angela. The device backfires, and turns the protopet into a huge mutant monster that the duo will have to defeat as a final boss.

The game takes place in a different setting than the first installment, this time in the Bogon Galaxy. In Going Commando Ratchet competes in hoverbike races and engages in spaceship battles. This game uses the leveling system for weapons that appears in every succeding game; using a given weapon enough – and thus gaining enough experience – causes it to evolve into a more powerful version with upgraded stats and new abilities. Ratchet's health upgrade system is also based on experience, where an additional health point is granted after enough enemies are killed. Going Commando also introduced regular strafing

Strafing

Strafing is the practice of attacking ground targets from low-flying aircraft using aircraft-mounted automatic weapons. This means, that although ground attack using automatic weapons fire is very often accompanied with bombing or rocket fire, the term "strafing" does not specifically include the...

to gameplay, whereas Ratchet could only strafe with the thruster pack in the first game.

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Also known as Ratchet and Clank 3 in Europe and Ratchet and Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal in Australia, the main plot consists of galactic invasion by an alien race known as the "Tyrhannoids", led by the game's main antagonist, Dr. Nefarious, a robotic madman determined to destroy all biological life in the galaxy, either through extermination or transformation into robotic versions of themselves. The game sees the return of protagonists Ratchet and Clank alongside new allies including Sasha Phyronix, captain of the Starship Phoenix which also serves as a staging area for the player. Captain Qwark makes a reappearance, and is a playable character in "Vid Comics" found throughout the single-player campaign. The player can complete various mission across different planets, space stations and asteroids in order to progress the plot and earn bolts, with the game climaxing in a battle between Ratchet & Clank and Dr. Nefarious, resulting in Dr. Nefarious and his butler, Lawrence, stranded in deep space.

The third installment of the series retains the experience and upgrade mechanics of the previous game, with weapons becoming increasingly devastating with increased use. Combat and platforming mechanics are also relatively unchanged as is the weapon purchase system, with bolts remaining as the primary currency throughout. Vehicle and weapon choice has also been extended, offering a large arsenal of new weapons and transport. The game also features 4-player split-screen play, or up to 8-player online if an Ethernet connection is available, and features an array of game modes including Capture the Flag and Deathmatch.

The game was released in 2004 to critical acclaim, with praise being drawn to the quality of the mutiplayer components of the game, graphics, sound, characters, level design, story and overall gameplay. The game currently has an average score of 91% on Metacritic

Metacritic

Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...

.

Further into the game, players can find a secret teleporter in the beginning of Metropolis, Kerwan. Players can only enter the teleporter between the hours of 3 A.M and 4 A.M, otherwise the teleporter will say "Teleporter out of order, come back another time." If you successfully enter the teleporter, it will take you into the Insomniac Museum at "Burbank" supposedly, where you can access bonus features, deleted monsters, ships, Hacker puzzles, and commentaries from the developers.

Ratchet: Deadlocked

Ratchet: Deadlocked (titled Ratchet: Gladiator in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand) was released on October 25, 2005 in North America for the PlayStation 2. Deadlocked deviates from the previous instalments of the series by reducing the platforming and puzzle elements and focusing on the combat aspects. Also, cheats became less comedic and more cinematic, including weather and color options.
In Deadlocked, Ratchet, Clank and Al are captured and forced to compete in an intense, murderous, underground sport called Dreadzone, run by the media mogul Gleeman Vox. For the first time in the series, Clank is not a playable character nor accompanies Ratchet on any of the levels. However, a playable skin named "Alpha-Clank" is available for use as a skin in the "Co-Op" and "Multiplayer" modes of the game.

During "Co-op" play, the team-mates will have to stay close together, otherwise a timer will appear. The players will need to get back to their team-mate before the timer expires; if they fail this, both players will die.

In the beginning of the game the player can choose the difficulty of the game, from "Couch Potato" to "Exterminator".
Deadlocked supports online play and a cooperative mode. Additionally, for the first time, you can not get Gold (Ratchet and Clank 1) /Platinum (Ratchet and Clank 2) or Titanium Bolts (Ratchet and Clank 3) in the game.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (released as Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction in most PAL regions) was developed by Insomniac Games, and was released on October 23, 2007 for the PlayStation 3

PlayStation 3

. This was the first Ratchet and Clank game for PS3, and the first in the future trilogy. In this installment, the crown prince of the Cragmites known as Emperor Tachyon is after Ratchet,owing to the fact that Ratchet is the last Lombax in the universe. The duo escape to the Polaris Galaxy, where they discover the Lombaxes have escaped to another dimension using a device called the "Dimensionator". They soon find the device hidden in Kerchu city. Qwark (who has been working for Tachyon but secretly helping Ratchet and Clank) shows up and tries to destroy the dimensionator but fails and ends up in the hands of Tachyon. Tachyon uses the device to open a wormhole to the dimension the Lombaxes now occupy to try and tempt Ratchet to join them. Despite this temptation, Ratchet and Clank continue to fight Tachyon, though the Dimensionator becomes damaged in the battle, ultimately sending Tachyon hurtling into a black hole.

This game also introduces a Pirate theme, which would lead onto the 'Quest for Booty' sidegame. Once again, the game makes use of the ever-popular Boss system, in which major waypoints in the game are marked by the presence of a particularly difficult and wise-cracking enemy.

Through the game Clank encounters a mysterious race called the Zoni that only appear to him that provide him with various assistance through the game only to abduct him during the ending cut scene.

Tools of Destruction has a completely new set of weapons which can be upgraded both by using them to increase their level and by purchasing upgrades using the appropriately named raritanium, another, rarer, form of currency in the R&C universe.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty is a short game developed by Insomniac Games and was released on August 21, 2008 for the PlayStation 3

PlayStation 3

PlayStation Network. It was later released as a Blu-Ray disc in Europe and Asia, but not North America.

Taking place where Tools of Destruction left off, the game focuses on Ratchet and Talwyn's search for Clank. After a number of encounters with the pirates they finally manage to activate a device called the Obsidian Eye that allows communication with the Zoni. Unfortunately the oversized microscope can not be activated without a re-usable black hole frozen in furion crystal or shortly named a Fulcrum Star. They end up accidentally reviving the dead pirates and giving Slag ( a side villain from Tools of Destruction) a new body. After Ratchet defeats Darkwater/Slag, he and Talwyn obtain the Fulcrum Star. Ratchet then activates the Obsidian Eye, and learns Clank's fate: the Zoni have him in another galaxy, where he is malfunctioning. The Zoni reveal that they have hired a doctor to repair Clank, Doctor Nefarious, the villain of Up Your Arsenal. Ratchet sets off to help Clank, and the story ends with Rusty Pete narrating to the head of Slag, which survived the destruction of Darkwater (from the previous game).

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

At the end of the credits for Quest for Booty, a message reading: "The Quest Continues Fall 2009" is shown. This indicated the planned release date for the next installment of the series. Dr. Nefarious returns as an antagonist

Antagonist

An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...

(primary or otherwise), and that game goes into more depth about what happened to the Lombaxes.

In A Crack in Time, Ratchet finds another Lombax Azimuth, who is his father's best friend. It was then told that Ratchet's Father's name was Kaden and that he very much resembles Ratchet. Together they team up to find Clank. Clank, in the meantime, has discovered a great secret about his destiny as Keeper of the Great Clock and his father, a Zoni named Orvus. While searching for Clank, Azimuth reveals that he has a way to retrieve the Lombaxes without building another Dimensionator, he also reveals that he is not with the Lombaxes because he is the one that allowed Tachyon access to the technology that defeated the Lombaxes. Then takes the blame for Tachyon killing Ratchet's parents. Later on Azimuth and Ratchet find another Obsidian eye which Ratchet uses to speak to Clank. Clank reveals to Ratchet that the creator of the great clock is Orvus and that he is Clank's father. Clank asks that Ratchet go to Zanifar and confront Doctor Nefarious to save Orvus, But in order to do so he must travel back in time by 2 years which is made possible by the great clock's junior caretaker Sigmund by him creating a time rift for Ratchet to travel through. Shortly after Ratchet infiltrates Nefarious's base to find Nefarious about to kill Orvus. Orvus's last few words were "time is a gift and not to be tampered with," and that Clank is the only one who will be able to turn back time. This convinces Ratchet that he and Azimuth cannot use the clock to change what happened to the Lombaxes. Later on after defeating Nefarious and smashing his ship into his space station and blowing it up, Azimuth saves Ratchet and takes him to The Great Clock. After Ratchet and the general arrive, Ratchet reveals to Azimuth that he will not use the clock which forces Azimuth to attack Ratchet and leads into the final boss battle against Azimuth.

After Ratchet defeats Azimuth, Ratchet convinces Azimuth what he had done was wrong. Azimuth then saves the Great Clock and the universe but it cost him his life in doing so. Ratchet bids Clank farewell, telling him to "take care of himself." Clank, however, realizes that after finding his own family he cannot abandon Ratchet as he searches for his. Clank promotes Sigmund to Senior Caretaker and rejoins Ratchet, leaving the two to soar into the stars for another adventure.

The game currently has an average of 87 on metacritic.

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters was released in North America on February 13, 2007 on the PlayStation Portable and March 11, 2008 on the PlayStation 2. The development was performed by High Impact Games

High Impact Games

, composed, partially, of former Insomniac Games employees. While on a much needed vacation, Ratchet and Clank's rest and relaxation time is suddenly cut short as they soon find themselves lured into a mysterious quest. Following the trail of a kidnapped girl named Luna, Ratchet and Clank rediscover a forgotten race of genius inventors known as the Technomites. Luna turns out to trick Ratchet later on in the game. In this game, Ratchet and Clank use a whole new variety of weapons that may seem familiar to those who have played the series before. As in previous games, the R.Y.N.O. is a weapon available for purchase at a high price. The skill points and weapon upgrading systems also make their return. Also returning are optional weapon upgrades that can be purchased from Slim Cognito, a merchant from Going Commando and Up Your Arsenal. These modifications give the weapons additional features, such as lock-on mods, additional fire power and extra abilities. The armor system has been altered. There are seven types of armor available, all of which are found in different pieces (helmet, torso, gloves, and boots) on different planets. Once a complete set of armor is found and they are equipped, it gives the player special abilities such as upgraded wrench attacks. All different kinds of armors can be combined for special abilities and additional protection. In the end they find the ruler of the Technomites, named Otto Destruct, and the fight ends with Otto losing. Qwark gets angry that Otto told him that he was his father, when in fact Qwark's parents were killed by defective Technomite technology. He tries to switch brains with Otto, but it ends up as Skrunch and Otto switching brains and Qwark gets shrunk.

Secret Agent Clank

Announced at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show

Tokyo Game Show

The , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association and the Nikkei Business Publications, Inc...

, Secret Agent Clank was developed by High Impact Games, the same company who made the PlayStation Portable game, Size Matters. It is available for the PlayStation Portable and was released on June 17, 2008. This game was also released for the PlayStation 2 on May 26, 2009. The game focuses more on Clank as the playable character, due to Ratchet being wrongfully imprisoned and needs rescuing by Clank in his super spy motif suggested from previous games. While Clank can use martial arts action and high-tech, cleverly-disguised weapons to defend himself, execute bombs from his cuff links, and throw boomerang bow-ties, there is a need to use stealth at times to progress in the game. He finds that Ratchet is being framed by Klunk, Dr. Nefarious' creation of Clank then clank will battle klunk in a one to one match where his agent skills will be use as he battle his counter part. It is a spin off title, as it does not count in the Ratchet & Clank series.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

An Insomniac Games

Insomniac Games

production revealed at Gamescom 2010

Gamescom

gamescom is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is organised by the Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware...

in Cologne, Germany

Cologne

Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...

on 17 August. It has been confirmed that it will have Online Multiplayer and 4 player Co-Ops. The game mainly focuses on cooperative play. Players can take control of Dr. Nefarious, Ratchet

Ratchet

Ratchet may refer to:* Ratchet , a mechanical device that allows movement in only one direction* Ratchet, a tool also known as a socket wrench* Ratchet , a music instrumentIn film and television:...

, Clank, and Captain Qwark. It includes drop-in/drop-out, offline/online gameplay. Teammates can work together, even using weapons between players. It was released on October 18, 2011.

Setting

The universe of Ratchet and Clank takes place in a real setting, it has humans and there is a large war going on. Numerous biological and robotic species populate these worlds, some of which range from highly developed metropolises to those filled with primordial ooze.

Lombaxes

A lombax is a fictional species from the series. Lombaxes appear similar to bipedal anthropomorphic cats with a tail similar to that of a lion. Unlike most other organic species in the games' universe which have two fingers and thumb on each hand, lombaxes possess four fingers and a thumb. The species has an instinctive affinity towards gadgetry and machines. The only Lombaxes in the series include, Ratchet, Angela Cross, and Alister Azimuth. According to a news broadcast in A Crack in Time
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is a platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 video game console...

, Angela Cross is a Lombax who has been missing for 3 years; she doesn't have a tail, as it is revealed female Lombaxes lack one. Ratchet

Ratchet (Ratchet & Clank)

and Angela Cross are the last known lombaxes in Ratchet's dimension after A Crack in Time when Azimuth dies. Lombaxes originated from the planet Fastoon.

Characters

The main characters in the series: are Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic

Mechanic

A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...

presently residing on the Apogee Space Station in the Polaris Galaxy, from the planet Veldin, and his robot

Robot

A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...

sidekick

Sidekick

A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...

Clank, who was originally from a robotic line designed for causing destruction but accompanies Ratchet due to the robot line's assembly computer altering him for purposes of good. The player controls Ratchet for a majority of each game (with the exception of Secret Agent Clank), though certain missions will require the player to directly control Clank. Otherwise, Clank sits on Ratchet's back (in a backpack-like fashion) and is used to provide useful jumping, hovering, and diving abilities through various upgrades. These upgrades are given over the course of the first game, but Clank retains them through the later ones. Throughout the series, the duo will oftentimes encounter Captain Qwark, an ego-driven, false superhero

Superhero

A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...

that may help or hinder Ratchet and Clank's missions somehow. And also, there's the primary antagonist of the series, Dr. Nefarious, a robotic mad scientist

Mad scientist

A mad scientist is a stock character of popular fiction, specifically science fiction. The mad scientist may be villainous or antagonistic, benign or neutral, and whether insane, eccentric, or simply bumbling, mad scientists often work with fictional technology in order to forward their schemes, if...

who is always plotting revenge against Ratchet and Clank. And there's Emperor Tachyon, the main antagonist of Tools of Destruction, who is bent on destroying every Lombax. There is also the plumber who has appeared in some form or another in most titles.

Gameplay

The Ratchet and Clank games feature a mix of platforming

Platform game

and action

Action game

Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...

, and Role-playing (because of leveling up weapons) gameplay elements presented in the third-person perspective, focused on the use of unique and unusual weapons and gadgets that Ratchet gains over the course of each game. Ratchet starts each game with his versatile Omniwrench for melee attacks, but new weapons are available by completing missions or buying them through a weapon vendor. Most weapons have a limited amount of ammunition

Ammunition

Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...

, requiring the player to use weapons effectively to avoid running out of fire power. Ammunition can be restocked from vendors or by breaking crates scattered about the levels. In most later games, weapons can be upgraded through both repeated use of the weapon and by purchasing weapon modifications. The weapons in each game can range from standard weapon archetypes such as machine gun

Machine gun

A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....

s or sniper rifle

Sniper rifle

In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...

s to unique weapons such as transformation guns and decoy launchers. Typically the weapon set is a mixture of new weapons for that game and weapons returning from a previous title. In the case of Going Commando
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is a 3D platformer/shooter developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony...

and Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal is a platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony. It is the third installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and was released in North America on November 3, 2004...

the weapons returning from the previous game can either be purchased or the save file from the previous game can be used to obtain them for free.

In addition to weapons, Ratchet gains many gadgets which have varying uses. Some gadgets are necessary to travel about some worlds, such as grind boots that allow Ratchet to grind on rails, or a swingshot (portable, reuseable grappling hook) that allows him to grapple a target and swing across gaps. Other gadgets can be used in combat as a means to distract foes. Other gadgets are necessary to collect in order to unlock certain doors and thus continue on missions; in these cases, the player typically must solve a puzzle minigame

Minigame

A minigame is a short video game often contained within another video game. A minigame is always smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained. Minigames are sometimes also offered separately for free to promote the main game...

in order to successfully use the gadget and unlock the door.

Each game is broken out as a series of missions that take place on numerous planets across the galaxy. While most missions must be completed in a certain order to progress the main story, other missions are optional but can lead to useful rewards. Once the player has completed a mission on a planet, they can typically return to any previous planet they have visited to attempt missions they could not complete before. In addition to missions based on the platforming and weapon elements, missions may include minigames such as various races and arena combat. Typically, one or two of these minigames must be performed as part of the main story, but further optional challenges can be done to earn greater rewards, typically in the form of "bolts", the unit of currency used throughout the game. There are also missions that focus on Clank controlling a set of robots using a simplistic set of commands to travel through areas that Ratchet cannot.

In addition to the main gameplay missions, the player can attempt to find special large bolts that are typically hidden or difficult to get to that can be used to upgrade or buy powerful weapons. There are also skill points spread throughout the game, which require the player to complete some unknown task guided only by the name of the skill point. For example, a skill point may be rewarded by completing a mission using only the Omniwrench. Skill points are used to unlock extra features such as concept artwork or additional outfits for Ratchet. Each game (excluding Quest for Booty
Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty
Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty is the second in the Ratchet & Clank Future trilogy. It was released on PlayStation Network in Japan, North America and Europe on August 21, 2008 and on Blu-ray Disc in Europe on September 12, 2008 and in Asia on September 25, 2008...

) also presents a special "Challenge mode" available after the player has completed the main story; in this mode, the player runs through the story missions again facing more difficult enemies, but has the ability to further increase the strength of the weapons.

Manga

A manga

Manga

Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...

of Ratchet and Clank named was serialized starting on February 2004 in the bi-monthly edition of the Japanese magazine, CoroCoro Comic

CoroCoro Comic

is a Japanese monthly manga magazine published by Shogakukan, starting on May 15, 1977. Its main target is elementary school aged boys, younger than the readers of shōnen manga...

. It is drawn by Shinbo Nomura

Shinbo Nomura

is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known as the author of the yonkoma manga , which was adapted as a 58-episode anime television series and for which he received the 1988 Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga. He also later created a manga adaption of Ratchet & Clank.He began his career...

, and has finished in the February 2008 edition of the magazine.

The first volume containing the first 12 chapters was released on November 28, 2005. As of recently, a collection set was announced. A release date for when the set is to be released has yet to be determined. As of April 2010, the manga is still only available in Japan.

Official Strategy Guide Books

Official Strategy guide books published by Prima Games or Brady Games have been released for:

Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet: Deadlocked (with bonus DVD)
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

Comic Book Series

A spin-off comic book mini-series consisting of 6 issues was written by T.J. Fixman with art by Adam Archer and was released by Wildstorm

Wildstorm

WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, published American comic books. Originally an independent company established by Jim Lee and further expanded upon in subsequent years by other creators, WildStorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics in 1999...

from September 2010 to Februrary 2011. In July 2011 a book containing all 6 comics combined into 1 was released. The comics take the duo's adventure in defeating Artemis Zogg and solving the disappearances of entire planets. The comics feature both new and recurring characters. The comics are available in paper form, or for download on the PSN Store as PSP comics.

Series 1

Series 1 was released in January 2010 and consisted of:

Ratchet with Clank
Dr. Nefarious with a Zoni
Captain Quark with Scrunch
Armored Ratchet with Mr. Zurkon

Series 2

Series 2 was released in April 2011 and consisted of:

Holo-Armor Ratchet with Clank
Azimuth with Orvus
Rusty Pete with Captain Slag's head
Smuggler with his pet bird
Hyplerflux-Armor Ratchet (Limited Edition)

Series 1

During the 2011 comic-con event it was announced that mezco would be releasing plushies around the time All 4 One will be released. Series 1 consists of:

Ratchet
Clank

Series 1

During the 2011 comic-con event it was announced that mezco would be releasing a statue around the time All 4 One will be released. Series 1 consists of:

Ratchet and Clank

Other

Other merchandise released includes:

2010 Calendar
Ratchet and clank minimate set
Rubber Clank figure (for pre-ordering Secret Agent Clank)
Blow-up wrench (comic-con 2010)

Other merchandise from apparel to collectibles has been released as promo items or as employee only gifts.

Miscellaneous media

The Ratchet and Clank series has been featured in a variety of other media since its inception.

In Jak II
Jak II
Jak II, , is a platform game developed by Naughty Dog...

, Ratchet and Clank appear on some of the walls in Haven City.
In Jak 3
Jak 3
Jak 3 is a platform game for Sony's PlayStation 2 console developed by Naughty Dog. It is the third game in the main Jak and Daxter series. Jak 3 was completely localized and dubbed in Japanese, but was not released in Japan due to Jak IIs poor sales...

, Ratchet, Clank and the Tyhrranoids appear as targets in a secret gun course.
In Ape Escape 3
Ape Escape 3
Ape Escape 3 is a platforming video game published and developed by Sony for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was first released in Japan on July 14, 2005, and was later released in North America on January 17, 2006, in Europe on May 5, 2006, and in Australia on May 18, 2006...

, In the Japanese and European versions of the game if the password "RATCH" or "ginganoraihousha" (depending on the version) is typed in, a monkey dressed up as Ratchet called "Ape Ratchet" will appear in the TV Space Station level in the secret room.
In Hot Shots Golf Fore!
Everybody's Golf (video game)
is the first game in the Everybody's Golf series and the first game released for PlayStation. It was released on July 7, 1997 in Japan, April 1, 1998 in North America and June 1, 1998 in Europe....

, Ratchet and Clank appear as additional characters.
In Jak X: Combat Racing
Jak X: Combat Racing
Jak X: Combat Racing , is a vehicular combat game video game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 and first released in North America on October 18, 2005, then in Australia on October 26, 2005 and then in Europe on November 4, 2005...

, Ratchet appears as a secret racer. Clank is available as an antenna the player can add to cars when customizing them.
In Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 2 Band of Thieves is a platform stealth video game develpoed by Sucker Punch and published by Sony Computer Entertainment released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2...

, Ratchet and Clank are shown on a poster on one of the walls, and a demo of Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 2 Band of Thieves is a platform stealth video game develpoed by Sucker Punch and published by Sony Computer Entertainment released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2...

is available to play in Ratchet and Clank 3.
In Daxter, Ratchet and Clank masks can be worn throughout the game once found.
In Resistance: Fall of Man
Resistance: Fall of Man
Resistance: Fall of Man is a first-person shooter video game for the PlayStation 3. It was developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game is set in an alternate history 1951, and follows Sgt...

, Clank, along with Ratchet's Omniwrench and Gravity boots, appear as unlockable bangles for soldiers to use in online multiplayer. Also, medals and awards are named after the Ratchet and Clank series.
In Resistance 2
Resistance 2
Resistance 2 is a science fiction first person shooter video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. The game was released in North America on November 4, 2008, Japan on November 13, 2008, and in Europe on November 28, 2008...

, an Omniwrench, Clank backpack, and Dimensionator is awarded in multiplayer mode.
In Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a picture or poster of Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is used as a display in a video game store.
In ModNation Racers
ModNation Racers
ModNation Racers is a kart racing game developed by United Front Games for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. User generated content will be a central aspect of the game, such that it uses the same "Play, Create, Share." adage as LittleBigPlanet to convey its basis in online user-generated...

, if pre-ordered, players will receive parts to customize their racer as Ratchet or Clank.
In LittleBigPlanet 2
LittleBigPlanet 2
LittleBigPlanet 2 is a puzzle platformer video game, centred around user-generated content. The game is developed by Media Molecule, published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for PlayStation 3 and was originally scheduled for release in November 2010 but was delayed until January 2011...

, pre-order bonuses included a Ratchet costume and a Clank costume for Sackboy.
In InFamous 2
Infamous 2
Infamous 2, stylized as inFAMOUS 2, is a 2011 open world video game for the PlayStation 3 video game console developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Computer Entertainment...

, In the movie district you will find a billboard with the name "Latch it and Skank."
In Resistance 3
Resistance 3
Resistance 3 is a 2011 science fiction post-apocalyptic first person shooter developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. The game is the third title in the Resistance series and is the sequel to the best-selling PlayStation 3 launch title...

, In the final cinematic at the end of the game, Joseph Cappelli's son is seen playing with a toy Hydratank, an enemy vehicle from Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time.

PlayStation Move Heroes

Released for the PlayStation 3 in March 2011 utilizing the PlayStation Move, PlayStation Move Heroes is a crossover title that features Ratchet & Clank, Jak and Daxter
Jak and Daxter
Jak and Daxter is a critically acclaimed video game franchise created by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation 2.The series consists of four main games and two spin-offs,though they are also considered to be part of the main series...

and Sly and Bentley from Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper is a series of platform stealth video games for the Sony PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. The series was developed by Sucker Punch Productions for the first three games, and then it was passed on to Sanzaru Games while Sucker Punch continued work on the Infamous series...

.

Reception

The Ratchet & Clank series has been generally well-received, particularly its main games, garnering high praise from reviewers.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Ratchet: Deadlocked

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

Secret Agent Clank

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

Setting

Lombaxes

Characters

Gameplay

Manga

Official Strategy Guide Books

Comic Book Series

Series 1

Series 2

Series 1

Series 1

Other

Miscellaneous media

PlayStation Move Heroes

Reception

See also

External links