Written by Matt Cabral, 9/11/2008
Played on:
PS3
The Ratchet and Clank series has been awfully good to gamers; it provided one of most consistently quality experiences on the PS2, and even managed to successfully port its addictive formula to the PSP. Last year's Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction continued the streak on the PS3, and now the hardest working duo in gaming is back (well, half of them, anyway) in Quest for Booty, a bite-sized download on the PlayStation Network. Don't let the format fool you, though, QfB, aside from its shorter length--about three to five hours--packs all the appealing play of its console and portable cousins. It picks up soon after the events of ToD, but isn't intended as a sequel. While it runs with the story thread that saw Clank missing in action at the conclusion ofToD, it unfolds more like an expansion pack or director's cut chapter.
Its setting is one of my favorites from the last game, the pirate-themed Hoolefar Island; honestly, Ratchet is playfully treading Jack Sparrow territory--can you go wrong? The title's set-up offers the perfect opportunity to introduce some new gameplay into Ratchet's oozing-with-creativity arsenal, while also remaining consistent with ToD's story . Conveniently playing up the idea Ratchet has washed ashore onto the island, the developers have stripped him of all the cool gear he'd acquired in the last game, and instead have granted his always-reliable wrench with new powers. The handy tool can now pick up and toss objects, work as a tethering device, and even a torch when it's outfitted with glow-emitting creatures. All these new uses are incorporated into the game through a variety of platforming and puzzling challenges, and it almost feels like the developers are using this opportunity to test out this new Ratchet gadget; don't be surprised if it shows up in his next full-fledged retail release.
Using the new abilities is great fun, and, as is always the case in this series, they're injected in engaging and creative ways. Your new tool skills will almost immediately be put to the test on a clever puzzle requiring you power a series of wind turbines in order to progress. I won't spoil the fun for you, but expect your platforming prowess and your brain to get a bit of a workout on this puzzle as well as several others that follow. Longtime fans expecting the usual over-the-top antics of Ratchet's bad-guy-blasting gadgets may be put off by the stronger focus on puzzling over intense action, but here we still get ample opportunities to score some crazy kills--the tornado-launcher, especially, is an enemy-thwarting hoot. The new wrench mechanics, however, definitely get a bit more screen time. While it's easy to pine for the arsenal-fueled old days, it's also important to appreciate Insomniac's decision to continuously try new things. They easily could have delivered a safe, familiar clone of one of their console games, but by adding fresh concepts, the hope is the franchise's future won't grow stale.
In addition to delivering polished, 60 frames per second gameplay, QfB looks absolutely amazing and, in some cases, even better than ToD; lighting and shadowing tech have definitely been beefed up. Nothing has been sacrificed in the eye candy department, and more than ever the series evokes a playable Pixar production. The score and voice-over work also rise to their console counterpart's high standards. But, the absolute best aspect of this short-but-sweet adventure is its streamlined quality; its short length seems even more truncated by the fact you're always doing something fun. From puzzling and platforming to shooting and rail-grinding, QfB never serves up a dull moment. The pace is perfect, and you'll likely want to jump right back in once you've completed the quest.
The trimmed length does come with its share of shortcomings, though. For one, fans of Clank and Quark will be disappointed by their absence. Additionally, those used to the endless minigames, unlockables, arena battles, and replay-rewarding extras will find their completion-obsessed skills wasted here--this one offers a top quality quest, and that's about it. The plentiful cutscenes that usually make this series just as much fun to watch as it is to play are also mostly absent. Still, the trademark humor is in full force, and is primarily delivered by two pirate types, one of which is a hilarity-spewing decapitated head.
What's especially cool about this title isn't even the experience itself, but the promise it holds for future such content. While nothing has been officially announced, I can only imagine this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship between one of gaming's greatest duos and PSN. Just imagine being treated to new R&C content every couple of months, while the developers utilize the feedback from these offerings to create a better full-on retail title. In fact, I would have loved to see Insomniac keep this dream alive by offering some sort of hint that QfB is just a tease of what's to come. Those downloading this one expecting the next "big game" in the series might be let down, but if you know what to expect--and you probably will when you spy the $15 price tag--you're in for a highly-produced, perfectly-paced action/adventure that fits comfortably into the R&C canon. Whether you began busting up baddies as Ratchet on the PS2, or this is your first go-round with the lovable Lombax, you'll find QfB is one of the best titles to ever trek down the PSN path.
