Game Review: Ratchet and Clank - All 4 One

Game Review: Ratchet and Clank - All 4 One

Ratchet and Clank - All 4 One
Platform: PS3
Rating: 7/10
The Lombax and his metal buddy return in this latest outing for the phenomenally popular duo.
Ratchet and Clank have had some brilliant outings on the PlayStation and fought some pretty impressive nemesis, but this newest adventure for the duo sees them forced out of retirement - along with President Qwark - to apparently collect the Intergalactic Tool of Justice Award.
However, when the trio arrive on Luminopolis, it's clear it's a trap laid by nemesis Dr Nefarious who's after revenge.
But things go awry, the gang's captured and Nefarious is forced to team up with the three people he's just tried to destroy to ensure they can all escape...
Ratchet and Clank All 4 One is clearly aimed at the co-operative contingent - and it's a nice touch to be able to take control of each of these key characters and their strengths, stupidities and weapons.
In a one player person campaign, the computer takes control of the second player (necessary to complete certain areas of the game) and it's great to report that for once, when the machine's running your helper, the helper actually works really well. There've been other games where a second player is run by the PS3 and they don't end up killing the baddies or doing what they need to and it adds to a real sense of frustration. Thankfully that's not the case here and that automatic co-operation gives you the chance to play the game solo if you're a Norman no-mates and don't fancy going online to get a group together.
That said, the co-operative side of this game can be fun with a group - but it's also got to be said, it gives it some of its drawbacks.
When running around with 4 other players, occasionally the screen can't cope with all the action and suddenly the freedom you had to traverse is cut a little short by the constraints of the environment around. It means some of the time, you can't explore as much as you want and really, you do need to take some control of what the other players are doing.
There's a degree of simplicity to the game as well - some of the puzzles seem aimed more at the younger end of the gaming spectrum and it may be the more hardened gamers will feel a little patronised in places as everything can be solved easily thanks to graphics on screen revealing what buttons need to be pressed and in which order. Whilst it makes the game easier to traverse, it does also mean there's no real challenges to gameplay which is a shame.
Also frustrating is the saving element of the game. Unless you time it right, occasionally you find yourself having to repeat large sections of the game to catch up on where you left off.
These niggles aside, All 4 One is a solid and playable outing for Ratchet and Clank and will give a lot of fun to the family gaming side. It's certainly likely to keep you entertained with hours of solid gameplay and lots of the trademark Ratchet and Clank humour - as well as some beautifully designed environments and cut scenes.

But you can't help feeling that for the next outing, the designers will have to pull something very special out of the bag to ensure the franchise feels fresh.