Another solid entry in one of my favorite game series, and one of the top PSP games released
Size Matters begins with our heroes taking a much needed vacation. While soaking up some rays, a little girl named Luna comes up to Ratchet and starts taking pictures of her hero and inevitably R&C are pulled into another adventure around the galaxy. This time around its not an evil corporation, but an ancient race known as the Technomites that oppose the galaxies greatest heroes. If you've played previous R&C games, you'll be right at home with Size Matters, as just about everything from the console R&Cs made its way into Size Matters. Having said that, that doesn't mean the transition was flawless. Strafing, which used the L2 & R2 buttons, now uses the D-Pad, which can be awkward since the L & R buttons now handle the camera. Movement still with the analog stick, and the X button still jumps, Circle shoots, Triangle brings up weapon switch menu, and Square swings the wrench. L&R crouches, holding L&R then hitting X while running does the long jump. Like I said, the controls stayed in tack, even if they were adjusted a little without the two shoulder buttons and second analog stick. The gameplay is still the same run 'n gun action adventure platforming of the console versions. The weapons still upgrade as you defeat enemies, as does Ratchet. Returning are the great grind sections, this time used to open locked doors, which I thought was a nice touch. And for those who clamored for more Clank action, well he gets alot more face time here in Size Matters. Clank now stars in the Arena challenges, and there are two Giant Clank sections that play like Star Fox, very cool. Also returning are the fun, yet sometimes frustrating, racing sections, here in the form of hoverboard races. And there are the requisite hidden Titanium bolts and Skill Points as well.
Graphically, Size Matters looks very good on the PSP. While there aren't any levels here like a few of the console ones, like the Moon satellite level from Going Commando, each planet is paced very well and looks very good. Just like the other R&Cs, we have variety for each planet, from the vacation resort of Pokitaru, to the jungle of Ryllus, to the asteroid of the Medical Outpost Omega. Also the prerendered cutscenes look just as good as they did on the PS2. Sound wise, its a mixed bag. The background music is satisfactory, never was a large part of the PS2 versions anyway. The voice acting is just as good, with James Arnold Taylor providing the voice of Ratchet, David Kaye providing the voice of Clank, and Jim Ward providing the voice of Captain Qwark. But the audio gets out of sync early in the game during the tutorial intro sections, not to mention when you return after putting the system in stand by. Kind of irritating, but for a portable game, nothing to get really angry about.
Size Matters is the shortest game in the R&C series so far. A single play thru will only take about 6-8 hours, depending on how much you do in your first play thru. As always there is a challenge mode to play once you finish the game once where you can purchase newer versions of your weapons and power those up, not to mention finishing up collecting the Titanium Bolts and Skill Points. But still, there could have been more to the game, as a few of the weapons you get are hard to power up, and without a Ratchet arena, it can be challenging leveling each weapon up. Still, there is enough to keep you entertained for a good 12-15 hours if you play thru challenge mode.
Overall, Size Matters doesn't quite live up to its console brethren's legacy, but Size Matters is still a great entry in the R&C series, as it continues R&Cs great action platforming gameplay on a portable system. And its hard to complain when they brought the grind sections back and included a Star Fox-style section with Clank. Just another solid entry in one of my favorite game series ever.