Ratchet & Clank (2002 game)

Ratchet & Clank (Japanese: ラチェット＆クランク Rachetto & Kuranku), sometimes referred to as Ratchet & Clank 1 to differentiate it from other parts of the series, is a three-dimensional platformer game for the PlayStation 2, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony. It is the first game in the Ratchet & Clank series. Ratchet & Clank was released in North America on November 4, 2002, and received both commercial and critical success. It won PlayStation 2 Game of the Year in 2002. By 28 August 2012 it was available in for download on the PlayStation Network or as part of Ratchet & Clank Collection in all the original release regions. At E3 2014 Insomniac Games announced a re-imagining of the original game for the PlayStation 4 which released in April 2016.

Overview
Drek was planning to create a planet for his race, the Blarg, by breaking off a large quantity of other surrounding planets and using them to form the new Blarg planet, showing no concern to the people of these doomed planets. To stop him, Ratchet had to try to contact Captain Qwark, the greatest hero the galaxy had ever known.

Gameplay
Ratchet & Clank was one of the first games to shake up the platformer genre by focusing not only on making difficult jumps, but also on action and shooting gameplay. Throughout the game, the player will aquire bolts, which is this game's currency. Bolts are scattered throughout the levels, but they are also contained within crates that can be broken and are aquired from defeating an enemy. With Clank on Ratchet's back, the player can purchase three backpack upgrades. First, there is the Heli-Pack, which allows the player to glide, perform a boost jump or a stretch jump. Next, there is the Thruster-Pack, which has the same features as the Heli-Pack, but also has a Power slam, which activates speacial switches. Lastly, there is the Hydro-Pack, which allowed the player to swim faster. In addition to shooting, the game includes space dogfights, hoverboard races, Grindboot rails, Magneboot sections, Swingshot courses and unlocking doors using the Trespasser. There are also moments were the player takes control of Clank in areas that Ratchet can't explore without the O2 Mask. Clank's sections involve platforming, and fighting against enemies. Clank can control Gadgebots. He can order them to wait, follow him, attack enemies, or enter the bot ports to unlock doors. Clank can attack small enemies, but needs to order the Gadgebots to attack the bigger enemies. Clank can also change into Giant Clank and fight against other Giant mechs. Ratchet & Clank was one of the few platforming games at that time with an inventory system and more shooting-styled gameplay, which inspired more video-game companies to make more third person shooting / platforming games.

After beating the game, the player is given the option to either warp to the beginning if the final level or start the game from the beginning and keep all the weapons and certain items. Hidden in the levels are Gold Bolts, which, after finding them, can be used to purchase Gold weapons, more powerful versions of the normal weapons. The game also features Skill points which are speacial hidden tasks the player can complete. Obtaining all skill points will unlock extra features.

Plot
The story began on a backwater planet in the Solana galaxy, known as Veldin, where a young Lombax named Ratchet was adding the finishing touches to his new space ship. Upon checking if there was anything else he needed to complete the ship via the Gadgetron HelpDesk, he discovered that he needed a robotic ignition system, a special way for certain robots to start up a ship. Without one, he would never be able to fly his ship.

Meanwhile, at a robot manufacturing plant elsewhere in the galaxy, a machine creating Sentry-bots malfunctioned and accidentally created a small, inferior robot, XJ-0461. Upon watching an Infobot's prerecorded message revealing Chairman Drek's plans to create a new planet by harvesting parts of other planets in the galaxy, he fled Quartu. Electroids followed him in their own ships; however, and he was shot down over Veldin. Ratchet was surprised when Clank streaked through the sky and crashed somewhere out in the Kyzil Plateau. Bewildered, Ratchet began to investigate.

He approached and cautiously observed the area, discovering the robot in standby mode. He carried the robot out of the crash site and back to his garage, where he placed it on a rock shelf so that he could return to it after he was finished with his ship. While he was adding the last few calibrations to his ship; however, the robot awoke and approached Ratchet to ask a few questions. Ratchet engaged in conversation with the tiny robot (after being startled by it), and in the process, learned about Drek's plan and the encroaching forces on planet Novalis. He also learned about the robot's quest to contact Qwark. Ratchet disagreed at first to help the robot, but only because he knew he would need a robotic ignition system to leave the planet. thereafter told Ratchet it had the latest in robotic ignition systems however, he agreed to assist the robot in its quest to defeat Drek and stop his plan. They both immediately fled the planet after watching three Electroid ships land on the surface of Veldin.

Ratchet and the tiny robot escaped Veldin in Ratchet's ship. While flying through space, the robot and Ratchet decided to take some time to introduce themselves. The robot introduced itself as B54269, but it was cut off as Ratchet jerked the ship's control stick, throwing the robot into the side of the ship. Ratchet decided to give the robot a nickname, and after watching it collide into the side of the ship, decided to coin the name Clank after the sound he made.

They crashed on Novalis after Ratchet's ship collided with a cliff face. While they were on the planet, they traveled through a destroyed Tobruk Crater and saved the planetary chairman from Drek's clutches. The chairman gave them an Infobot which allowed them to discover that Captain Qwark filmed a commercial on the planet Kerwan. The chairman also gave them a courier ship which allowed them to travel off planet. They also traveled through the sewer system and purchased an Infobot from a plumber. The Infobot detailed the famous hoverboarder Skid McMarx and his agent crashing on a desert planet called Aridia.

Their next destination was the planet Kerwan. Here, they traveled through Metropolis and purchased an upgrade for Clank. They then caught up to an Infobot which gave them the coordinates to the planet Eudora. They also traversed Qwark's fitness course and purchased a gadget called the Swingshot. Ratchet and Clank then proceeded to Aridia. They rescued Skid from the sandsharks and were awarded with a brand new Gadgetron Z3000 Hoverboard to use in the tournament. They also traversed Outpost X11 and found a Trespasser, which allowed them to pick locks. Ratchet also found Skid's agent, who told him to bring the prize from the hoverboard races to him for a reward.

They headed to Eudora and traveled through the cliffs. After an anti-climactic showdown with the Lieutenant, they discovered the coordinates to the Blarg Tactical Research Station. They traveled to the station and found out the hoverboard racing tournament was occurring on the planet Rilgar.

They flew to Rilgar and met up with Captain Qwark for the first time. Qwark told Ratchet that he would make a great hero, and to come to his secret HQ on Umbris. They followed the coordinates and met Qwark at his HQ, where he then told them that they would need to complete an obstacle course to become a hero. They traversed it and met Qwark at the end. However, Qwark set up a trap for them and unleashed the Blargian Snagglebeast to kill them. Before Qwark left, he explained to them that the reason for his treachery was because he became the official spokesperson for Drek's new planet, and that he would not let them get in the way of his comeback. After they've defeated the Snagglebeast, they found an Infobot that showed a Commando on Batalia, who requested assistance as he was fighting alone against an invasion from the Blarg. Ratchet, angered for being set up, wanted revenge against Qwark and became bitter and hostile towards Clank. Clank; however, told Ratchet that they must stop Drek from putting innocent lives at stake. The board Qwark's tour shuttle and Ratchet agreed to help since he needed Clank to start the shuttle.

On Batalia, they made their way to the opposite side of where the bolt crank was. The Commando rewarded them for making it that far by giving them an Infobot, which had coordinates to the Blargs' former home planet, the polluted Orxon. They also paid a Deserting Soldier for an Infobot that had coordinates to Gaspar, where they found the Pilot's Helmet. On Orxon, Clank explored alone since Ratchet, being an organic lifeform, would not survive the Polluted air. Clank found the Magne Boots and an Infobot that lead him and Ratchet to the Jowai Resort on Pokitaru. There, they puchased another upgread for Clank, the Thrusterpack, stopped the Blarg from Polluting the sea any further and were rewarded with the O2 Mask. They returned to Orxon, and found out from an Infobot that Drek planned to destroy planet Hoven with the PlanetBuster Maximus. After stopping them from blowing up Hoven, they headed to the Gemlik Base where they encountered Captain Qwark once again. They defeated Qwark and found an Infobot that showed the devastation of Gorda City on planet Oltanis. This caused Ratchet to realize how selfish he was being and the importance of stopping Drek. Ratchet and Clank made amends, boarded the Blarg starfighter and headed to Oltanis. Ratchet explored the planet alone because Clank attracted lightning from the storm. He purchased an Infobot that adverised the Ultra-Mechs on Quartu, the planet where Clank was created.

On Quartu, they helped a scientist destroy the Ultra-Mechs he helped create. The scientist rewarded them with an Infobot, which lead them to the Gadgetron site on Kalebo III. There, they met the CEO of Gadgetron. Ratchet volunteered to be a star on their newest line of hoveboards. The CEO gave him the Holo-guise and they returned to Quartu. They infiltrated the Robot factory and came across the computer, which Clank refered to as "Mom", that created the Sentry bots. An Infobot came out and revealed that Drek planned to destroy Ratchet's home planet, Veldin, using the Deplanetizer, in order to place his new completed planet in an ideal orbit. Angered by this, Ratchet made it his objective to stop Drek, much to Clanks delite. They headed to Drek's Fleet and found out where he was going to be.

When they encountered Drek (piloting a giant mech-suit) on Veldin, he revealed that he was the one who polluted his planet in the first place. He told them that he was making money with this process. Once the new planet was populated, he would pollute it, thus starting the whole process all over again. Ratchet and Clank defeated Drek on the Deplanetizer platform, which caused him to propel across space and crash into his own constructed planet, killing him. With the superweapon flipped and facing the constructed planet, Ratchet and Clank activated the Deplanetizer and destroyed it. This caused fragements of the planet to fall on Veldin. One of the fragments knocked them of the platform. Clank grabbed a ledge while Ratchet grabbed his leg. This caused Clanks arm to break and they fall. Clank breaks their fall with the Thrusterpack. Ratchet started to walk home and Clank, who misunderstood this and felt disappointed, started to walk away until Ratchet told Clank that he still needed to fix his arm, which made Clank happy. The two walked home together, ending their first adventure.

In a post-credits scene, Ratchet and Clank watched Qwark, who went by the name "Steve McQwark" at the time, advertise the Personal Hygenator on TV. Horrified by what was happening on the advertisement, Ratchet shouted at Clank to turn it off, which Clank did without hesitation.

Limited edition poster
Like each game that followed it, Ratchet & Clank had its own limited edition game poster before its release. The poster shows Ratchet grinding a rail with the Grind Boots while Clank is attached to his back. The background area is the Blarg Station.

Characters

 * Big Al
 * Bob
 * Clank
 * Clank's mother
 * Commando
 * Deserter
 * Drek
 * Edwina
 * Fred
 * Gadgetron CEO
 * Gratch, Darla
 * HelpDesk Girl
 * Jowai Resort Owner
 * McMarx, Skid
 * Miner
 * Moby
 * Novalis Chairman
 * Plumber
 * Qwark, Copernicus Leslie
 * Qwark's bouncer
 * Race Girl
 * Ratchet
 * Robot lieutenant
 * Sam
 * Shady Salesman
 * Skid's Agent
 * Ultra-Mech Scientist
 * Scientist

Weapons

 * OmniWrench 8000
 * Bomb Glove
 * Pyrocitor
 * Blaster
 * Glove of Doom
 * Suck Cannon
 * Taunter
 * Mine Glove
 * R.Y.N.O.
 * Devastator
 * Walloper
 * Visibomb Gun
 * Decoy Glove
 * Drone Device
 * Tesla Claw
 * Morph-o-Ray
 * Boom Ball Gun
 * Mackerel 1000
 * Revolverator

Gadgets

 * Helipack
 * Swingshot
 * Trespasser
 * Grindboots
 * Hydrodisplacer
 * Sonic Summoner
 * Pilot's Helmet
 * Magneboots
 * Metal Detector
 * Thrusterpack
 * O2 Mask
 * Hydropack
 * Gadgetron PDA
 * Hologuise

Items

 * Gold bolts
 * Hoverboard
 * Platinum Zoomerator
 * Premium Nanotech
 * Ultra Nanotech
 * Raritanium
 * Persuader
 * Bolt Grabber
 * Map-o-Matic
 * Codebot

Drivable vehicles

 * Hoverboard
 * Jet Fighter

Ships

 * Ratchet's Ship
 * Courier ship
 * Qwark's tour shuttle
 * Blarg Starfighter

Species

 * Amoeboid
 * Blarg
 * Blargian Snagglebeast
 * Lombax
 * Robot
 * Sandmouse
 * Solanian

Planets and locations

 * Novalis - Tobruk Crater
 * Kerwan - Metropolis
 * Aridia - Outpost X11
 * Eudora - Logging Site
 * Nebula G34 - Blarg Tactical Research Station (Blarg Command Ship)
 * Rilgar - Blackwater City
 * Umbris System - Umbris - Qwark's HQ
 * Batalia - Fort Krontos
 * Gaspar - Blarg Depot
 * Shadow Sector - Orxon - Kogor Refinery
 * Pokitaru - Jowai Resort
 * Hoven - Bomb Factory
 * Oltanis Orbit - Gemlik Base
 * Oltanis - Gorda City Ruins
 * Quartu - Robot Factory
 * Kalebo III - Gadgetron Site
 * Veldin Orbit - Drek's Fleet
 * Veldin - Kyzil Plateau

Galaxies

 * Solana Galaxy

Organizations

 * Gadgetron Corporation
 * HoverCon
 * Channel 2 News

Critical reaction
Before its release, GameSpot received two preview builds of Ratchet & Clank. After previewing it for the second time, GameSpot described "excellent graphics, varied gameplay, and tight control(s)." IGN had similar views after seeing it in action at E3 2002, stating it would rival Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxter.

At release, Ratchet & Clank was met with positive reviews and scores, earning an 88 out of 100 at Metacritic. It was praised for its high quality graphics and wide range of weapons and gadgets. Some criticisms were aimed at the story and characters, GameSpy feeling that Ratchet was an unlikeable main character and that the game became predictable, boring and "just bland." GameSpot on the other hand felt that the game, although it was easier than others at the time, had enough variety that kept the player interested and moving at a good pace.

Trivia

 * According to the magazine promo image, Ratchet & Clank apparently took place in the year 5354, and the months that appeared on the magazine were called Octogus. This implies that the galaxy's calendar is different than ours.
 * In Ratchet & Clank, one of the skill points was named "Going Commando", which would become the name of the second installment in the franchise.
 * When the disc first loads up, if you do not press start to load or create a game, after a short while a demo will play. After one finishes, another one will follow after the same amount of time. There are 3 demos.
 * Nefarious, the main antagonist in Up Your Arsenal, technically had an effect in the game, since he was responsible for the Amoeboids on Rilgar.
 * This is the first game released by Insomniac Games after its departure from the Spyro series. However, a game, known as I5, was in production for months before the concept of Ratchet & Clank, but it was ultimately cancelled, opening the doors for this franchise.
 * Ratchet & Clank was built using the engine from Naughty Dog, and was aided by the engine from the 2001 racing game Kinetica.
 * This is the only game where Ratchet is voiced by Mikey Kelly. Starting with Going Commando onward, James Arnold Taylor voiced Ratchet, replacing Kelly.
 * On the American cover of the game, there are many weapons and gadgets that were cut from the game.