Ratchet: Deadlocked Update

LOS ANGELES--Today we got an updated look at Ratchet: Deadlocked, the fourth entry in Insomniac Games' promising PlayStation 2 platformer series, which features several unique twists. We last saw a work-in-progress version of the game earlier this month, but the updated build we tried actually had a good amount of new content to show off. Besides the expected visual improvements that have happened since we saw the game last, there was some new content on display that was pretty intriguing,

The obvious upgrades to the visuals in the game showed off the darker look that Insomniac reps had discussed in our last look at the title. The level we saw, a new and currently-unnamed alien landscape, showed off a good array of enemies and effects that complemented the new art style. The darker color palette looked good, and was especially effective on the vehicles in the level, a hover bike and a mortar-firing tank known as a Puma.

The new vehicles tied in nicely to the new gameplay being shown, which required you to take over predetermined nodes with your bots. The context-sensitive bot commands worked like a charm once you came in close proximity to objects that you'd have to interact with. For example, once you're near a node you'll be able to tell your minions to capture it by simply pushing the d-pad in the direction of the new command which appears.

Another one of the new elements on display was a work-in-progress version of the game's weapon mod system. The system will basically let you combine three aspects of your weapon, type, mod, and configuration, to create powerful upgrades. Finally we were able to get a peek at Ratchet: Deadlocked's training level, which is set in the game's hub, a "Terrordome" style stage for the reality TV show Ratchet and Clank find themselves on.

While we still haven't seen much of Ratchet: Deadlocked's personality, one of the franchise's most appealing elements, the gameplay is coming together enough to keep our attention, so if Insomniac can deliver some trademark R&C goofiness Deadlocked should be a worthy entry in the series. Ratchet: Deadlocked is currently slated to ship this fall for the PlayStation 2. Look for more on the game from E3 next month.