Ratchet & Clank: The Quest For Booty

Ratchet & Clank: The Quest for Booty (TQFB) is a 3D puzzle/action/adventure game that is set after the events of Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction (TOD). Clank has been kidnapped by the Zoni and Ratchet, along with sidekick Talwyn from TOD, is off to rescue him. A new player may be off put by the amount of backstory but the game explains itself well and in an entertaining manner much like the rest of the series. Given the storyline it should be noted there is minimal appearance by Clank in the game.

TQFB makes a number of changes to the format of the previous games and given the single story arc the game goes for an episodic feel rather than the free form environments of previous games. Given the length it is understandable why Insomniac chose to do this. In total the game has five areas with sub levels although the first and final areas contain many similarities. Old hands at the series will find much of what they expect with use of magnetic boots and grinding all still there. One thing to note is that weapons do not reach the level of devastation of the previous games although upgrades are possible by continued use.

Areas like Hooeflar Island and Darkwater Cove really show off the game's imaginative edge with numerous puzzles and tons of variety; lots use the new 'distant grab' function. The other areas have some nice ideas too but these two areas are overflowing with them to a degree that the developers may have wanted to spread these more evenly throughout the game. In general you won't get sick of throwing squeaking, glowing creatures around, fighting pirates and grinding games (which there could be more of).

These changes add a much needed boost to what some saw as a flagging series and it is hoped that more of this same ingenuity will be found in the sequel, set for an autumn release. Design, sound and graphics are all of a high quality and if you search round the levels you can find more of Ratchet's equipment to help you reach new areas. Cut scenes are also excellently handled and enjoyable to watch.

When Insomniac did their press releases for TQFB, a Playstation Network game, they admitted the game was about four hours long. Their honesty is refreshing but even with replay value this game may just be too short for the casual player, even given the price. The best time to buy may be just before the release of the new game as the price could well drop further.

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