Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty
Score: 77% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America Developer: Insomniac Games Media: Download/1 Players: 1 Genre: Action/ Platformer (3D)
Graphics & Sound: What Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty lacks in content, it makes up for with graphics. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to call Quest for Booty one of the best looking download games available on a console. The game looks exactly like Tools of Destruction and even manages to top it in a few areas. Some of the texture work is noticeably improved and it manages to run at a constant tick. I would, however, recommend adjusting the darkness, especially if your TV tends to run games a little darker. There are several dark areas in the game, and even with the little glow bug giving you some light, it can be hard to see. The only thing I didn't like was the green tint that covers the entire screen whenever ghost pirates are around. The soundtrack has the same feel as other R&C games, but with pirate-y flair. Most of the story is told through still images and narrated by Rusty Pete and the disembodied head of Captain Slag. The interplay between the two provides much of the series' trademark humor, and though the voice acting is top-notch, most of the jokes fall flat.
Gameplay: In total, Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty lasts about four hours. On the plus side, the game does everything it can with the limited play time; levels are fairly small and packed with all sorts of puzzles and tricky platforming sequences. In fact, some sequences are a little too packed and become a bit frustrating. Compared to previous games, I was surprised at how many times I found myself getting lost or barking up the wrong tree. Levels are small, but the layouts aren't as neatly done. So, while I appreciate the attempt to focus on the elements that make the series fun, it is hard to overlook some of the smaller missed details. Another noticeable absence is the weapons system, which has been completely scaled back. Although the "level cap" for weapons has been upped, no new weapons have been introduced. On top of that, you can only upgrade your weapons twice and there are no hidden elements, like Skill Points or Gold Bolts, to keep you playing a little longer. I was really surprised that Skill Points weren't present, especially since Sony just launched its Trophies system.
Difficulty: Generally, Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty is an easy game to get right into and play. But, as I've already mentioned, there are a number of smaller hiccups that hold everything back. It's easy to get lost in a few areas, which is odd since they aren't that big in the first place. Most of the time the path is clear, though it is usually obscured by small technical glitches. Most of the time, it's a matter of the correct icon for the Kinetic Tether not showing up in the right spot, but the green filter that accompanies ghost pirates can also cause problems. It can be hard to find certain posts or platforms and it makes targeting small enemies a pain. These moments aren't common, but when they do, be thankful you have unlimited lives.
Game Mechanics: In the absence of new weapons, Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty does bring one new upgrade for Ratchet's trusty wrench - the Kinetic Tether. Most of the game's puzzle elements make use of the Tether's ability to grapple on to objects and move them around. Most of the time, you're grabbing platforms and moving them around, though once or twice you use it to manipulate objects in what is essentially a giant jigsaw puzzle. The Tether is context-based, though the detection is off. It wasn't uncommon to find myself in a situation where I needed to use the Tether, but didn't know I had to because the little purple icon wouldn't show up. It is even more frustrating when the icon shows up, but the game insists on throwing an un-ending supply of ghost pirates. I've loved every single Ratchet & Clank release so far, but with Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty, I couldn't help but be a little let down. It's not that I hated it since even with its flaws, Quest for Booty is easily better than most retail games; at the same time, it is hard to shake the feeling that something is missing. In the end, its a fun pick-up if you're looking for a quick play, but nothing you'll keep playing after you beat it.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Bionic Commando: Rearmed American McGee's Grimm: Godfather Death