Secret Agent Clank--Developer Interview

The team behind Secret Agent Clank for the PSP talks about Ratchet's robot sidekick's upcoming adventure.

Ratchet & Clank have been an inseparable duo for a long, long time. But the weapon-wielding Lombax usually steals the show. Not this time. Clank is finally getting a game of his own, and we go straight to developer High Impact Games for the scoop on this upcoming PSP game.

GamePro: How long have you thought about giving Clank his own game? How did the idea come about?

Dave Goodrich, Lead Designer: Ideas for a Clank game have been bounced around for a while. Clank has always been a popular character since the inception of the series, but never got to strike out on his own. The Secret Agent Clank cinematic in RC3 both inspired and provided the vehicle for Clank to become his own leading man. Sony and HIG felt Secret Agent Clank was a natural fit for a PSP game and moved forward from there.

That wouldn't have hurt the T-1000.

That wouldn't have hurt the T-1000.

Clank's playable sequences in Ratchet & Clank games are heavily focused on melee combat and controlling bots. Is this going to carry over to Secret Agent Clank?

Avery Bennett, Designer: In Secret Agent Clank, your array of spy gadgets and weaponry has been kicked up to the max, but you'll still see his melee and Gadgebot roots in places. Clank has upgraded his old punch attack to an array of "Clank Fu" martial arts moves and silent kills. You'll also see his Gadgebot companions come into play in several situations to support Clank when a few extra hands... rather, pairs of legs and mouths... would come in handy.

Will the game be heavy on platforming like the R&C series?

Avery Bennett, Designer: The Ratchet and Clank series really hit upon a perfect blend of combat and platforming, that was only refined in superb sequels like Up Your Arsenal and Size Matters, to name a few. For Secret Agent Clank, it's safe to say we'll be staying true to the series' platforming roots, while adding a ton of secret agent-themed gameplay as well.

Where is Ratchet and why is Clank solo?

Ken Strickland, Designer: Clank is taking the reins in this adventure because Ratchet's been framed for a crime he didn't commit and thrown into one of the worst prisons in the galaxy. Clank has to scour a number of worlds for the evidence that will clear Ratchet's name and smoke out the real villain. Clank isn't working solo, however; Qwark is always there to lend his special brand of help, and Clank and Ratchet still work together, albeit separated by prison bars. Clank smuggles Ratchet the weapons he needs to stay alive in a prison filled with criminals... criminals Ratchet put there in the first place! Ratchet in turn ends up helping Clank with information and smuggled objects from the underground prison economy.

A maze of lasers--a maser, if you will.

A maze of lasers--a maser, if you will.

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Niko501

I've played all of the R&C games and like them alot, so i'm buying a PSP!

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