The game is still quite a bit of fun, but I doubt it will bring in any new fans.
PROS:
- Great graphics.
- Good focus on action.
- Improved pacing upon past entries in the R&C series.
- Brand new Wrench abilities and puzzle games adds some fun.
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CONS:
- Short runtime. (3-4 hours)
- Surprisingly poor replay value.
- Several classic R&C elements are missing.
- Quark and Clank are not present.
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Gameplay: 7 - Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty (Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty in America and Australia) evidently adds and removes several new gameplay mechanics, but mostly removes unfortunately. One of the most notable differences between Quest for Booty and past Ratchet and Clank games is that Clank and Quark are no longer present, this is most certainly a bad thing; because due to the absence of Quark, there is noticeably less comic relief here then Quest for Booty's many predecessors, and since Clank isn't anywhere to be found, (until the final cutscene) Ratchet has the inability to perform the several different jumps, such as the: High jump, long jump and glide.
Another classic Ratchet and Clank element that is not present is the ability to level up your weapons, well technically you still can level up your weapons, but it isn't nearly as fun as it use to be, largely because once you start the game, all of the weapons in your arsenal are already more than halfway through the process of being leveled up to their maximum limit. (Which is Level 5) Another noticeable difference is that now your maximum nanotech level (which was 200 in the past few R&C games) has been reduced to a mere 20.
Another element that was found in Ratchet and Clank 2-6 is the armour vendor and the ammunition vendor that was found in every Ratchet and Clank game up unitl now, this absence of these two vendors is one of the many things that makes Quest for Booty a drawback from past entries in the aging franchise.
It also appears that there is a severe absence of any collectibles, sure there are a couple of weapons and weapon upgrades scattered across the five levels the game is set in, but there unfortunately isn't anything else that you can find, such as skill points, or gold/platinum'titanium bolts. Yet another missing gameplay mechanic that makes Quest for Booty a drawbak from past entries in the aging franchise.
While Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty subtracts many classic elements that makes the series superior to other games that I (and a lot of other people) like to call 'Super Mario 64 clones,' the game also adds a couple more gameplay mechanics, such as the new cool puzzle minigames and the new moves you can perform with your wrench. One of the several new wrench abilities is to pick up certain objects by pressing the square button in order to scare off bats (if the object is a luminated cave slug) or to blow up doors that are blocking new paths. (if the object is a lava rock) To throw the object, you have to press the RI button and to put the object down by pressing the square button again.
Another cool abilty that has been equipped to Ratchet's somewhat brand new wrench is that you are now able to send the ending point of the wrench flying through the air and grabbing onto another object that is moveable. The part of the wrench that Ratchet is holding onto and the part of the wrench that is currently attached to another moveable object are both connected by a long bolt of static electricity. In order to exacute this move, you must press and hold down the RI button and press the square button, the wrench will then attach to the closest moveable object (depending on whether or not there is a moveable object present) and then you will remain attached to the object until you press the square button again. You may be wondering what the point in this move is, the reason as to why is because while the wrench is attached to the object, you can use the left analog stick to move the object around, thus I give it the name 'moveable object.'
In the end, there are nearly twice as many absences of classic R&C gameplay mechanics then there are new ones that have been added. Due to the decreased amount of shooting and hand-to-hand (or wrench-to-face) combat and a arguably heavy focus on platforming and puzzle mingames, Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty feels more like a normal, average Super Mario 64 clone then it does feel like a Ratchet and Clank game, which is very unfortunate; but it's still quite a bit of fun while it lasts.
Sound: 7 - The game is filled with several great soundtracks, but mostly rehashes from Tools of destruction, (another Ratchet and Clank game for those unfamiliar) because of this, it doesn't take very long to grow tired of the repetitive background-playing soundtracks and sound effects. But then again, the game doesn't have good enough lasting value for you to sustain interest long enough that you grow tired of it.
Graphics: 9 - Developer's Insomniac games still continue to give us some of the best graphics all around, what with the detailed character designs and background features, and the imaginitive and practically undeniably inventive environments. May not be the best graphics that have been shown on the Playstation three, but nonetheless it's still pretty impressive.
Value: 4 - It was announced in an article in anissue of 'GAME magazine' that Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty was going to be designed to be a quick four hour gaming experience, and that article was most certainly right. Depending on how much of a skilled gamer you are, the game can easily be beaten in roughly three-to-four hours during your first time through. But due to the games obvious lack of any collectibles - such as skill points or gold/platinum/titanium bolts - and the very breif time it takes to complete maximise your arsenal of weapons, leaves Quest for Booty with surprisingly poor replay value. Unless you are a truely hardcore Ratchet and Clank fan, I highly doubt there will be anything motivating you to play through the game a second time.
Overall: 7/10
Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty was supposed to be a quick and easy three-to-four hour gaming experience, and in doing so, it removes several elements and gameplay mechanics that make the series superior to most of its many competitors. This sadly weighs down Quest for Booty to the same level of fun as its many competitors. Sure, the game is still quite a bit of fun to play, but I doubt it is going to bring in any new fans. Unless you are truly hardcore fan of the series, this is a definite weekend rental if you are already familiar with its predecessors.
Thank you for reading my honest review of: Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty (In America and Australia) Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty. (In Europe and the United Kingdom.)