Going Commando does a great job of expanding on the gameplay and charm of Ratchet & Clank.
There was really nothing wrong with the mechanics of the first game, so the developers decided to keep the core gameplay the same while building upon it. In space there are dogfights and races, while on the ground there are hoverbike courses and battle arenas. The battle arenas pit you against hordes of enemies, with some battles lasting as long as twenty minutes. A couple arena challenges are required to obtain some key items, but the longer, more difficult ones will net you a large amount of cash.
Ship combat and racing is made more interesting by the level of customization this game offers. Your ship's thrusters and shields can both be upgraded, and new weapons such as homing missiles, mines, and even a nuke can be had for a price. If you ever get tired of the way your ship looks, you can take it to the mod shop and buy it a different nose, wings, and paint job.
The weapons and gadgets have been given an overhaul. Like the first game there is an incredibly diverse set of weapons, from long range attacks to brute, explosive force. This gives the player the ability to engage in combat as they wish. Also, the more enemies you beat with a given weapon the more experience it gains. Gain enough experience and the weapon will level up, providing more firepower and a higher ammo capacity. On top of this, collecting enough platinum bolts allows you to purchase mods for your weapons, such as a lock-on mechanism, or an acid mod that continues to damage the target after the initial attack.
As in the first game the voice acting is fantastic, which only adds to the high quality of the script. The cinematics in this game are so genuinely witty and charming, you'll want to go back and watch them over and over again. Truly, the Ratchet & Clank series is a perfect blend of gameplay and style, with neither element overshadowing the other.
Even after you've reached the game's conclusion there's still plenty to do. Playing through the game once again in Challenge Mode gives you a lot more bolts to buy any ultra-expensive armour and weapons you may have missed the first time around. There are also skill points to collect, which are awarded for various accomplishments throughout the game. Earning enough of these will unlock new outfits for Ratchet and new paint jobs for his ship, as well as providing some cool challenges for the more committed gamer.
Going Commando, while not as groundbreaking as it's predecessor, is a great game. It has taken many elements from the original and pushed them forward, making something new while keeping a familiar feel to the series. This game has a lot of action, a lot of charm, and it's a lot of fun to play.