The sequel to probably the best platform game since Mario 64 does not disappoint. The first thing to note is that if you played the first R&C, you will jump right into this one without very little learning to do. The game has the same basic controls as its predecessor with some nice extras (more on that in a minute).
The game starts with Ratchet and his buddy Clank just sitting around, with no super hero activities to keep them busy. Ratchet now has a huge ego, pushing for more challenges, while Clank is his usual self. As they are sitting around, they get a call for some super hero help. A test product, known as the Protopet has been stolen from Megacorp and your help is required to get it back. The story has it moments like in the first. With some really funny new characters and updates on Qwark's whereabouts. And once again they managed to put together a good story, not the usual saving of a princess or someone wants to destroy the world story.
There are a lot of added features to the game. For instance, there is the option to play in 16:9 widescreen, progressive scan and to include subtitles, a nice bonus if your television can handle it. You still cannot map your controls as you wish, however the setup is perfect as it is. One of the greatest functions of all time, the weapon quick select, is back as it was in the first. Also, another feature I loved in the first, you don't have to touch every bolt to pick it up, as long as your close to it, your suit will pull it in.
Some other nice extras that add to the gameplay are the ability to break windows (and fall out) and other objects, you can save at anytime by simply going into the start menu, there is a strafe function and a lock on mode and a camera center. As you play through the game, shortcuts appear to areas you've beat, so that you don't have to redo whole parts of the level to get back to a vendor, a cheap trick often used to lengthen games. The map indicator also highlights the areas you've visited. You can upgrade your health bar by killing a lot of enemies. Right under your health indicator, you can see a bar progress as you fight and once it is full you get an extra power bar. The same applies to weapons. You no longer have to buy "gold" versions of weapons, they upgrade by using them. However, you can't simply keep killing the same enemy, you have to mix it up and they will upgrade faster. You wrench and your suit can also be upgraded, the suit you can buy, while the wrench upgrades must be found in the levels.
There is once again no loading, well, it is hidden in the travel between planets, a very nice touch. They also added the quick switch where you can simply push triangle twice to switch to your last used weapon and then back again, great for having to fight off enemies after swigging or using other gadgets. The weapons and gadgets are also all new and much stronger. There are twenty or so weapons and you can get he ones that you had in R&C for free if you still have your save game, although the weapons are pretty weak. You also start off with the rocket pack and heli-pack for Clank and get grind, thrust and magnetic boots during the game.
Clank has some new friends as well. He now not only has little minions to fight for him, but he has a bridge builder and smasher. The game is a little easy if you get the weapon and suit upgrades before the last three levels, if you don't, then it is much harder. It is also extremely long. It takes roughly 20 hours to complete the story, however you can also get skill points, ship upgrades, crazy weapons and platinum bolts. The skill points are little tasks (and sometimes not so little) that you are asked to do in every level and they unlock cheats. The cheats are not helpful in the game, they are simply jokes, like "Ratchet in a Suit" or "Big Heads." You ship is upgraded by getting Raretanium. You can add weapons, colors, cool wings and thrusters. There are two crazy weapons, the Zodiac and RYNO II (get the RYNO first, way cooler). The platinum bolts are hidden in every level and are used to upgrade your weapons (on top of the Gold upgrade).
Finally, there are also Bike Races, Ship Fights and Arena Battles. Nonce of them are very hard, especially when you go back to them near the end of the game and have all the best weapons, but they are a lot of fun and the ones you have to beat early on do present a challenge.
After you finish the game you also get the option to play in challenge mode. Which is not only harder, but you can get Mega-upgrades for your weapons. And there are new challenges in the arenas. One is known as the "Impossible Challenge" and it is long and extremely difficult.
The game is definitely worth the money and a must have for any platform fan. Move over Mario, Jak and Sly Cooper, there is a new number one in town.
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