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Ratchet & Clank crack two demos this time around

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 2nd 2009 at 1:00PM }

The troubled sleepers of Insomniac Games want to make sure you play the upcoming Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. The developers announced during their latest Full Moon Show podcast that the upcoming time-bending platformer will receive not one -- but two -- downloadable demos before the game's release. It certainly makes sense, considering how drastically different the traditional Ratchet gameplay is from the more puzzle-oriented Clank sections of the game.

Both demos should hit the PlayStation Store before the game's upcoming late-October release date, giving players plenty of time to explore these free samplers.

[Via PS3center]

It's like you're playing Ratchet & Clank's Axiom City level

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 22nd 2009 at 8:00PM }

Many of you are eagerly awaiting the upcoming A Crack in Time -- and for good reason too, it's pretty fantastic (from what we've played so far). With a game's release still a month away, this new video walkthrough from the PlayStation.blog may be the closest thing to playing the game yourself. Insomniac's James Stevenson talks about the many returning (and new) weapons featured in this final part of the R&C Future trilogy. Which is your favorite?

Gallery: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

A familiar trek through Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 11th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Insomniac Games has a winning formula with its Ratchet & Clank franchise. Problem is? They're almost too reliably good. The franchise has been known for its mix of platforming and sci-fi gunplay, and the latest, A Crack in Time, is no different. The requisite improvements necessary for a sequel are all in play: better (and more stylized) graphics, more explosions, and even more powerful weapons. However, A Crack in Time has a genuine chance of being the best Ratchet & Clank ever, thanks to its increased focus on challenging platform stages.

The weapons have always been the stars of the franchise, but A Crack in Time's time-bending theme makes for some interesting and ingenious moments that are, put simply, fun. You've already read about the unique Clank stages, in which players must record copies of themselves to solve puzzles. These interludes make for a far more thoughtful game than previous iterations in the franchise and emphasize the kind of depth Insomniac is trying to add to the experience.

Gallery: Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time

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Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time box art multiplayer listing simply 'placeholder'

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 2nd 2009 at 3:30PM }

Click to embiggen.

The PlayStation.Blog has announced the release date for Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. But wait -- isn't that, as commenters like to point out, old news? Thankfully, more can be gleamed from the box art included with the post.

In addition to touting the redesigned PS3 logo, the box art for A Crack in Time features the now-standard PlayStation Network banner on the back. The various PSN features include Trophies, PlayStation Home support, leaderboards and ... multiplayer? That's certainly new to us.

Unfortunately, a SCEA representative confirmed to us that the box art posted on the web was constructed from a template and that all information listed in the PSN banner is simply placeholder. That doesn't mean A Crack in Time won't have multiplayer -- but it means that this is far from the "omg confirmationz!!!!1" that many have been hoping for. Update: SCEA's Jefferson Dong puts it more directly: "There is no multiplayer."

[Thanks, tmacairjordan87]

Exploring space exploration in Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 28th 2009 at 3:45PM }

Click to embiggen.

It's time for the dynamic duo to go into space! No, we're not talking about Batman and Robin. Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time will expand the space exploration elements of Tools of Destruction by replacing the on-rails shooter sequences with an open universe to traverse through. Players will be able to stop on various moons and small planets and partake in spherical platforming sequences inspired by ~~Super Mario Galaxy~~ er, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando.

We're not entirely sure how big the explorable galaxy will be, but we're sure platforming freaks are excited of the prospect of a universe's worth of fetch quests. With battles scattered throughout space, we're hopeful that Insomniac has the insight to make the universe a tad more exciting than the oceans of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.

Gallery: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

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Clank's mysterious past explained in new Gamescom trailer

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 18th 2009 at 8:00PM }

The story started in Tools of Destruction comes to an epic conclusion in A Crack in Time, the end of the first Ratchet & Clank Future trilogy. This new trailer released in time for Gamescom delves into the intricate time-bending story, and shows the surprising importance of Clank's role in the universe. Looks like the stakes have never been bigger before in a R&C game. Watch carefully, and you'll see a planet explode real nice in this trailer.

A Crack in Time will reunite a lot of familiar faces. We're just glad Captain Quark is back (he was absent in Quest For Booty). Certainly, his bumbling antics will get even more crazy when time travel is involved!

Gallery: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (GamesCom 2009)

Watch Clank use time to defeat his enemies

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 24th 2009 at 5:00PM }

It's that time of the year folks. Yep, Insomniac is churning out yet another Ratchet game. This time around, Clank will have the magical ability to control time, as you can see in this new video released in time for Comic-Con. The graphics, as you can tell from our gallery below, look absolutely stunning. Who knew that Insomniac could improve upon the first Future game so much? The new time-warping gameplay looks like a fun, and logical, addition to the Ratchet universe. But, that's not all!

Insomniac took the time to explain a brand new weapon that'll be introduced in the upcoming game -- the one created by fans. You'll have to watch the video after the break to find out exactly what it is.

Gallery: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

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Insomniac reveals top 10 favorite Ratchet & Clank weapons

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 20th 2009 at 11:30PM }

The Ratchet & Clank series is known for its wacky weapons. But what do the people that created the franchise think about them? What are their favorites?

Well, here you go. Insomniac Games have revealed their top 10 favorite weapons from the entire Ratchet & Clank franchise. What will make number one? You'll just have to watch to find out.

Insomniac's fan-made weapons contest is also drawing to a close. The PlayStation.Blog reveals more information on the finalists, and how you can vote for your top pick. The finalist will be revealed at San Diego Comic-Con later this year.

Ratchet & Clank continue adventures in 'A Crack in Time' [update]

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 26th 2009 at 1:00PM }

As promised, Ratchet and Clank are coming back to PS3 this fall. Continuing the story from where Quest for Booty left off, Ratchet is on a mission to save Clank from the evil Dr. Nefarious. Through the time-traveling adventure, both of our heroes will discover secrets about their origins, their destinies and (presumably) their old, polygon-deprived character models.

No specifics have been revealed on price nor distribution, but A Crack in Time may again release as a downloadable PlayStation Network title at a budget price. (Quest for Booty launched at $15.) We've contacted Insomniac Games for more information, so stay tuned.

Update: The PlayStation.Blog has updated with new details, confirming the A Crack in Time will be a "full Blu-ray release." GT TV will feature the debut trailer this weekend.

Quest for Booty no longer getting Blu-ray release in UK

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 11th 2008 at 10:30AM }

According to British Gaming, the upcoming Blu-ray release of Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty has been canned in the UK, making the 3 hour Ratchet episode a download-exclusive game, just like in the US. That means fans in the UK will have to make the 2+GB download to play the game. It's currently available for £9.99 on the PS Store.

This cancellation doesn't affect other European territories, however. The Blu-ray version of Quest for Booty will head to other countries, unscathed.

See also: Review: Quest for Booty

[Thanks, Dougall J.!]

PS3 Fanboy review: Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 19th 2008 at 10:00AM }

We have to applaud the fine folks at Insomniac for trying something new on the PSN. Somehow, they've managed to bring out a brand new Ratchet game, just one year after the release of the first PS3 incarnation, Tools of Destruction. Quest for Booty is a direct continuation of the previous game, but can be played without any experience with the franchise at all. The developers have promised 3-4 hours of gameplay, at a budget price of $15. However, is Quest for Booty worth your hard earned cash? Depends on how much you like the Ratchet franchise.

Although it may have a budget price, the presentation easily matches any full-priced console game. The visuals of Quest for Booty are actually superior to the ones found in last year's game. The water, for example, looks far more captivating in this installment. The lighting seems to be enhanced, and the lush color palette found for most of the game really looks quite stunning in HD. The voice actors all make their return, and Ratchet and friends are animated just as sharply as they always have been.

Gallery: Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty

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Yes, there will be more Ratchet & Clank in Fall 2009

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 15th 2008 at 4:45PM }

So, what happens after you beat the 3-4 hours of adventuring to be found in the upcoming Quest for Booty? Well, you'll get a tease for yet another Ratchet & Clank adventure in Fall 2009! The series looks to be turning into an annual affair -- but will it be yet another small taste of R&C, or will it be a full-length feature, a la Tools of Destruction?

Stay tuned for our full review of Quest for Booty next week.

[Via Joystiq]

Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty clocks in at 2.3GB

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 12th 2008 at 1:00PM }

Click for high-resolution image.

The upcoming PSN-exclusive follow-up to the successful Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction will be available for the masses soon: August 21st, to be exact. Many have been wondering how large the download would be, considering Tools of Destruction took advantage of the incredible space offered by Blu-ray. Those interested in downloading the upcoming game should know that Quest for Booty clocks in at slightly over 2GB, or 2.3GB to be precise.

While that's a large download, that's only slightly larger than most episodes of Qore and a few demos. Hopefully, it'll take longer to play the game (about 3-4 hours) than it does to download it.

Gallery: Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty

SCEE boss promises more 'day and date' releases with SCEA

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 17th 2008 at 12:00PM }

Click for high-resolution image.

Many European gamers have been frustrated by the inexplicable delays of games in Europe. Yes, there are localization issues, but when a title like echochrome, which features very little text, releases weeks after its American counterpart, people seemingly have the right to complain.

Grilled at a recent E3 cocktail, SCEE boss David Reeves told Eurogamer that "every relevant title that SCEA announced for America will also be introduced to the PAL territories - most of them day and date." Even newly revealed titles like Ratchet & Clank: The Quest for Booty (pictured, above) will arrive in Europe ... although a Blu-ray version of that game will be available in PAL regions as well.

MotorStorm Pacific Rift, LittleBigPlanet, Siren: Blood Curse, Resistance 2 are all promised to show up on European PS3 systems before the end of March 2009.

Gallery: Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty at ESRB

by Alan Tsang { Jul 7th 2008 at 5:30PM }

One of our sharp-eyed readers spotted an interesting listing on the ESRB website: a listing for Rachet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, which has been an open secret since we have found previous evidence suggesting its existence. All signs point to it being a PSN download, but it is still unclear whether this will just an add-on for Ratchet & Clank Future or it can be played as a stand-alone game. With this ESRB listing, it shouldn't be long before we hear official word from Insomniac.

[Thanks, Tom G.!]