3 reasons why you need to play Ratchet & Clank

The new Ratchet & Clank just came out yesterday, and boy is it a great game. I’ve been craving a good 3D platformer for a long time now, and booting up Ratchet & Clank for the first time was like finding an oasis in the desert.  If you’re still on the fence about picking up “the game based on the movie, based on the game” and need a little more convincing, you’ve come to the right place.

1)  It is absolutely gorgeous

Ratchet & Clank is the best looking game I’ve ever played on the PS4. Each planet feels alive, the environments span the entire color spectrum and are a sight for sore eyes, and Ratchet and Clank themselves look better than ever. I find myself constantly forgetting my objective because I’m mesmerized by the environments and – more often than not – it feels like I’m playing a Pixar movie. Hell, I think Ratchet & Clank looks better than most of real life. 

2) A fantastic retelling of an already amazing story

I’ve always loved the writing in Insomniac’s games and Ratchet & Clank is no exception. When I first heard this was going to be a retelling of the original game, I was a little worried this would end up being a beat-for-beat remaster of the 2002 classic. I couldn’t be happier with how wrong I was. While Ratchet & Clank does cover familiar ground, it deviates enough from the original source material to still deliver plenty of little surprises. This isn’t just another HD remaster the industry is so fond of these days — this is a full-on remake of an already fantastic PS2 game.

The writing in Ratchet & Clank is top notch. I’ve always been a fan of the writing in Insomniac’s games, and this one is no exception. The characters have depth, the story will keep you invested for the entirety of your playthrough, and the game is HILARIOUS. Whether it’s Captain Qwark’s faux heroism or Mr. Zurkon’s amazing one-liners, I haven’t laughed out loud as much while playing a game since Sunset Overdrive — another fantastic Insomniac game.

3)  The weapons 

The weapons in the Ratchet & Clank series have always been unique and tons of fun to use, and this new entry continues that tradition. There are returning favorites, like the Sheepinator and the Groovitron, and new creations like The Pixelator — a shotgun that, as the name suggests, pixelates enemies. There’s nothing as hilarious and gratifying as throwing a Groovitron ball at a group of space creatures, watching them dance like there’s no tomorrow, then turning them into a pile of pixels.

Ratchet & Clank is a fantastic, long overdue 3D platformer and a must have game. It is my personal game of 2016 (so far) and, in my opinion, the best PlayStation 4 exclusive game. If you’re a fan of 3D platformers, the Ratchet & Clank series, or games that will have you grinning uncontrollably, you will absolutely love this game. The Lombax is back, and hopefully he’s here to stay.