GDC '08: Secret Agent Clank Hands-On Impressions Ratchet's Game of Death
Sony set up a swanky lounge in a hotel near GDC to show off Secret Agent Clank. We took a look at some Ratchet-specific gameplay.
SAN FRANCISCO--Sony showed off a new demo of Secret Agent Clank for the PlayStation Portable at GDC, and it showcased what seemed to be the game's first level as well as some Ratchet-focused, arena minigames. The Clank level we saw took place in the Boltaire Artificial History Museum immediately following a cutscene in which Ratchet is not only apprehended sneaking into the museum, but also says some rather not-so-nice things about his erstwhile comrade.
In our earlier preview, we touched on the level, its laser-bypassing minigame, and its impressive stealth takedowns. After successfully acquiring Ratchet's lacerator amid a sea of lasers and enemies, we completed the level and were treated to another cutscene focusing on the imprisoned Ratchet and the Southern-style warden. Evidently Ratchet doesn't remember what landed him in the pokey, and the warden isn't going to help. Instead, he will be treating Ratchet to something worthy of the hero of the galaxy: no protection against a prison full of henchmen he helped to incarcerate. Fortunately, Clank is a kindhearted companion who sends him a cake. Baked into the cake is just what Ratchet needs: his lacerators.
When next we found Ratchet, he was brandishing his trusty wrench on a platform making its way to the top floor of the prison. The catch was, at each floor some of the inmates would rush him in an attempt to exact their revenge. They attacked by rolling at him, swinging barbells, and shooting spines from their backs. After slaying a series of opponents with our trusty iron, we cut over to our inventory and dipped into our firearms selection. The lacerators we drew were two pistols that shot orange bolts of energy. After leveling up the lacerators and dispatching a legion of enemies, we made use of the shard gun. The weapon shot blue chunks of ice in a more shotgunlike pattern. Enemies took some damage but also suffered a chilling slowdown. This allowed us to strafe, circle, and escape the cold embrace of death until we drew our final weapon: the walloper, a glove that gives Ratchet's fist a charge. With a button press, you power up then rush forward a few feet to deliver an electrified punch.
Once we completed the 15-floor tower of terror, we were provided with a few other options for Game of Death experiences for Ratchet. The level we completed was called Karmic Beatdown. While finishing it didn't net us a reward, the other levels offered upgrades for completion. Past Due was a level with seven rounds and a punishing time limit that would give you the firebomb wrench mod. No Shelter was a 12-round bout populated not only by inmates, but also by a fiery, laser-shooting skull. Completing that level grants you the cool, charge-up mod for the shard gun. While these levels weren't playable, two others were available: The Mega Challenge: Cell Block, and another level that appeared to allow only for walloper combat.
The Ratchet-focused gameplay was true to the previous installments' shooting roots and broke up the more stealth-focused and platforming elements of Clank's story. We look forward to seeing more of Secret Agent Clank before it's released later this year.
26 comments
This game looks rather interesting. I'm interested to see for myself first handed how Clank fares going on his own without Ratchet. The graphics look nicely done, but I hope it has base elements from its R&C roots with a little something new thrown in. I have to agree with Crimped that Daxter was a gorgeous game and I hope Clank has the same level of success in his solo mission.
I agree with ninjaMunkey that TOD was way to easy and I can see PS_player's point about no ratchet but i think that daxter was a great PSP game without Jax. these sidekicks getting their own games is great! I only hope that the game play matches the idea and that they aren't rushed out just to make a buck.
all the R&C games have been good, 2 was the best, gladiator was not so good though and TOD was too easy. I felt that the psp one tried to go back to the R&C roots though. this does not sound good though, there has not been enough clanck in the other games, but I dont want too much, I also dont want a stealth game. I just want more clank bits but still mostly R&C toghether, ratchet is just not as good without the helicopter thing on clank.
I am unsure too. Two wrongs don't make a right. Imagining Clank without Ratchet... well... something just doesn't seem right about that. Sure Ratchet had his own game but I think Insomniac isn't going to try that again. I am happy for Clank but not sure about how this game is going to work out.
I dunno, I'm a huge R&C fan, but the last psp game was the worst in the series, I hope this is better...
yeah go clank! i hope daxter gets his 2nd psp game aswell.. i heard there's a sly game coming to the psp.... can't wait for that as well.. take that DS!
Can't wait! So this the episode of Secret Agent Clank as referred to in Tools of Destruction.
This game looks like its gonna be cool like all other Ratchet n Clank games and as a big fan of all their games i will be looking forward to this minature size baby!
Yeah me too! I need to beat Size matters as well, and of course get this then I'll buy Tools of Destruction to complete the story line. Man this is cool, you can start out small with Size matters, then go stealth with this latest PSP game, then finish the game with a big bang on the PS3 with Tools of Destruction! I love this idea of episodes and games linking together on two systems!
Man this is going to be awsome. I just need to beat R&C size matters then ill be get this to stay on the right story line.
wow some Ratchet gameplay too! and there is stealth in this game? awesome! metal gear clank!
Trivia: Game of Death is a Bruce Lee movie, not a mode or feature of this game. . . although the arena mode very much reminded me of the movie.
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Review Scores
| Platform | GameSpot | Metacritic / User Score |
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Game Info
- Release Date: May 26, 2009 (US)
- ESRB: E10+Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older.
- Release Date: Jun 17, 2008 (US)
- ESRB: E10+Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older.
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