Ratchet and Clank: Size matters is a solid Ratchet game and a great PSP platformer
The Bad: Sound effects are boring, camera controls are awkward and sometimes frustrating, multiplayer is nothing special
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When the original Ratchet and Clank released in 2002, it was a PS2 masterpiece. It combined great, fun combat with creative weapons, platforming, and that trademark sense of humor. Ratchat and Clank: Size Matters is a worthy installment in the series, but still carries some of the same problems as previous PS2 sequels. When this adventure begins, Ratchet and Clank are once again lounging around relaxing after another bout of saving the world, when they are approached by a young girl named Luna. She wants to get some heroic pictures so Ratchet and clank set out to impress her. She is quickly kidnapped and leaves a strange device leading them into the story. There are several plot twists, which lead you to different areas, so on and so forth. Without spoiling any more, the game’s story is good and is a blast to play through.
The action in size matters feels much like its Playstation predecessors. The levels are very linear, straightforward, and Ratchet is equipped with an arsenal similar to other games in the series. There are the usual genres of weapons here, including machine guns, sniper rifles, rocket launchers, robot minions, and other unique weapons. All of the weapons are pretty good, with each having a specific place in which it is effective and can be used with only one exception. The shock cannon is a clone of the shotgun like blitz cannon from Ratchet and Clank going commando but is far less effective. It distributes small, insignificant shots that almost never reach the target, even at point blank range. The weapons are upgradeable with mods like locking on to targets or different kinds of shots, or by experience from simply using them. Weapons were always a big part of the games on the PS2 and that carries over to the PSP as well. In addition to weapons upgrading, you can also quest for different types of armor, or upgrade your nanotech to a maximum of 50. When the game says that you can customize your armor, that is somewhat false. You can collect different sets of armor and wear different pieces of armor from each set at the same time, but that’s not really customization. When you get a complete set, your wrench gets a special ability like being on fire, or making exploding crystals, but you will have to look really hard for some of the armor pieces to get a full set.
If you have played a Ratchet and Clank game before, the gameplay will feel right at home. All of the wrench moves are the same; the hookshot puzzles are identical in structure and all of Ratchet and Clank’s moves from jumping, to strafing is the same as Playstation predecessors. The Clank missions have always been a lot of fun, and translate perfectly to the PSP. There are the usual gadeobot missions, and some very fun flying, shoot em’ up levels A big part of Ratchet and Clank games has always been strafing and attacking enemies at the same time. There are two control options that either directs normal movement with the analog stick, and strafing with the D pad or vice versa. These control schemes take a lot of getting used to, but it’s very hard to think of something better due to the PSP’s lack of a second analog stick. The camera is controlled with the sholder buttons so you can rotate the camera at will. There is another option that tries to keep the camera centered behind you, but it doesn’t work very well. Neither of these options are really ideal, but that’s only because every other game was on the PS2, and the camera was easily controlled with the second analog stick. Fans of the series will notice that enemies always sneak up on you from one of your blind spots, and you will be taking a lot of damage from unseen enemies due to the camera.
The story will take your average gamer about six hours to complete. But with armor, weapons to fully upgrade, titanium bolts to master, and sidequests such as hoverboard races, the completionist will have several more hours of gameplay.
There is a multiplayer mode, with a few options to choose from deathmatch and other common modes, to more objective based matches. You can play on the internet with things like buddy lists, etc. but the entire experience is a bit lackluster. Ratchet and Clank always shines the brightest when combined with platforming and shooting elements, and isn’t much of a plain shooter. The graphics in Size matters rival the graphics of the PS2, and look amazing on the PSP, the armor and character models look great, although there are some prerendered cutscenes that strip ratchet’s armor. All the enemies have a distinct charm and personality The framerate always runs very smoothly, even when there is a lot of action going on, and has no problem rendering pretty big areas. The voice acting in Size matters is outstanding and hilarious to boot. Ratchet, Clank and all the characters you meet later on in the game are expertly voiced. The sound effects however, are not as good. Lots of the sounds are recycled, but the wrench sounds are still a little off. The satisfying thump has disappeared and sometimes it’s hard to know if you hit your target. Enemies don’t make any noise when they hit you either, so your only indication that you have been hit is a quickly decreasing life meter. Overall, Ratchet and Clank Size matters is a great game that keeps true to the legacy of previous games and translates well into a portable adventure. Diehard fans of the series, or someone who wants a good portable adventure will find plenty to love here.