Ratchet (Ratchet & Clank)
Encyclopedia
Ratchet is the main character of the Ratchet & Clank
series of video games. Ratchet is 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, 15 years old and weighs 151 lbs (44.3 kg). 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. He is voiced by Makoto Tsumura
in the Japanese versions of the games.
longing for adventure. But soon enough his life changes when he meets the diminutive robot fugitive named Clank
. From there on, he and the small robot begin to have many adventures.
he has quite a short temper, which fades in the later titles. Yet at the same time, he often appears concerned with how people view him. In later games he shows jealousy over Clank's notoriety. He was once having a relationship with another Lombax named Angela Cross, as seen in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
, and later develops a romantic interest with a Cazar named Sasha Phyronix in Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
. He also seems to develop a relationship with a Markazian named Talwyn Apogee, over the course of the Future trilogy.
commented that "while Ratchet strives for that perfect dude-like teenager vibe, the voice actor generally hits the mark." Ratchet's in-game model in Ratchet & Clank, particularly his facial animations and fur, was praised by Louis Bedigian of GameZone
. Gavin Frankle of Allgame
found it hard to form an emotional bond with Ratchet or Clank, saying that Ratchet is "your typical teenager [...] who desires nothing more than excitement and adventure". Benjamin Turner of GameSpy
was highly critical of Ratchet, citing his uninteresting aesthetic design and rude, immature and immoral demeanor as reasons for his ire. Johnny Liu of Game Revolution
noted that Ratchet "starts out with a blue-collar attitude, but he's mostly there for deft observations and cutting remarks" and appreciated Ratchet not being "pigeonholed as a typical goody-goody", but concluded that he wasn't very fleshed out.
Critics took note of Ratchet's improved character in subsequent games. Douglass C. Perry of IGN
commented that Ratchet "is no longer an angry, selfish teenage furry creature from outer space. He's a commando, a little wiser, a little more forgiving and a lot more palatable. Though still furry..." Carlos McElfish of GameZone
, describing Ratchet's in the previous game as a "laughably confident, smart-alecky hot-shot", commented that Ratchet's new voice forces a psychological reset in the minds of players. Jeremy Dunham of IGN
noted that Ratchet's "Why me?" delivery is "spot on".
Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank is a 3D platformer/shooter video game for the PlayStation 2, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Released in 2002, it is the first game in the Ratchet & Clank series....
series of video games. Ratchet is 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, 15 years old and weighs 151 lbs (44.3 kg). In the English versions of the games, Ratchet is voiced by Mikey Kelley
Mikey Kelley
-Biography:He was born in Quincy, Massachusetts.Kelley was the voice of Michelangelo in the 2007 animated film TMNT.He landed his first major animation role when he was cast as the lead in Steven Spielberg's Invasion America for The WB Network...
in the first Ratchet & Clank and by James Arnold Taylor
James Arnold Taylor
James Arnold Taylor is an American voice actor, Impressionist, and Announcer. He is the current voice provider for Fred Flintstone as well as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and also the movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Johnny Test in Johnny Test...
in all the others. He is voiced by Makoto Tsumura
Makoto Tsumura
is a Japanese voice actress from Hokkaidō formerly affiliated with Mausu Promotion.-Television animation:*Astro Boy *Dokkiri Doctor *Idaten Jump *Inukami! *Ghost Stories...
in the Japanese versions of the games.
Conception and creation
Ratchet was originally envisioned by Insomniac Games Vice President of Programming Brian Hastings as a space-traveling reptile alien who would collect various weapons as he progressed through the game; Ratchet's final form was decided upon after Insomniac at various terrestrial creatures, such as dogs and rats, and feline features stood out to them because of the sense of agility associated with it. In response to the negative critical reception of Ratchet's design and personality in Ratchet & Clank, Ratchet's personality was altered in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando to be "less cocky, [...] much more friendly to Clank, and [...] able to handle himself better in stressful situations without being impetuous".Plot overview
Ratchet is a Lombax who was sent to Veldin from Fastoon by his father to save him from Emperor Percival Tachyon. The series begins with him working as a mechanicMechanic
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...
longing for adventure. But soon enough his life changes when he meets the diminutive robot fugitive named Clank
Clank (Ratchet & Clank)
Clank is one of the titular protagonist game characters in the Ratchet & Clank video game series by Insomniac Games.-Character design:Co-protagonist of the series, Clank escaped from Chairman Drek's robot plant on planet Quartu—and subsequent arrival on planet Veldin—catalyzes Ratchet's...
. From there on, he and the small robot begin to have many adventures.
Personality
Ratchet tends to be quite headstrong and usually is not afraid to voice his opinion. During the first gameRatchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank is a 3D platformer/shooter video game for the PlayStation 2, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Released in 2002, it is the first game in the Ratchet & Clank series....
he has quite a short temper, which fades in the later titles. Yet at the same time, he often appears concerned with how people view him. In later games he shows jealousy over Clank's notoriety. He was once having a relationship with another Lombax named Angela Cross, as seen in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is a 3D platformer/shooter developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony...
, and later develops a romantic interest with a Cazar named Sasha Phyronix in Ratchet & Clank: 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...
. He also seems to develop a relationship with a Markazian named Talwyn Apogee, over the course of the Future trilogy.
Reception
On Mikey Kelley's vocal performance as Ratchet in Ratchet & Clank, Douglass C. Perry of IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
commented that "while Ratchet strives for that perfect dude-like teenager vibe, the voice actor generally hits the mark." Ratchet's in-game model in Ratchet & Clank, particularly his facial animations and fur, was praised by Louis Bedigian of GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
. Gavin Frankle of Allgame
Allgame
Allgame is a commercial database of information about arcade games, video games and console manufacturers.Allgame is owned by All Media Guide, along with Allmusic and Allmovie....
found it hard to form an emotional bond with Ratchet or Clank, saying that Ratchet is "your typical teenager [...] who desires nothing more than excitement and adventure". Benjamin Turner of GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
was highly critical of Ratchet, citing his uninteresting aesthetic design and rude, immature and immoral demeanor as reasons for his ire. Johnny Liu of Game Revolution
Game Revolution
Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos...
noted that Ratchet "starts out with a blue-collar attitude, but he's mostly there for deft observations and cutting remarks" and appreciated Ratchet not being "pigeonholed as a typical goody-goody", but concluded that he wasn't very fleshed out.
Critics took note of Ratchet's improved character in subsequent games. Douglass C. Perry of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
commented that Ratchet "is no longer an angry, selfish teenage furry creature from outer space. He's a commando, a little wiser, a little more forgiving and a lot more palatable. Though still furry..." Carlos McElfish of GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
, describing Ratchet's in the previous game as a "laughably confident, smart-alecky hot-shot", commented that Ratchet's new voice forces a psychological reset in the minds of players. Jeremy Dunham of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
noted that Ratchet's "Why me?" delivery is "spot on".