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PSP | Action | Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

Boxart for Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters 38 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.25
  • SOUND: 4.25
  • CONTROL: 4.50
  • FUN FACTOR 4.25
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.4
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.2

Review: Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

Review by Chris Morell | 02/14/2007 | 13:31:52 PM PST

As a longtime R&C fan, the wait for my favorite Lombax and robot duo to hit the PSP has been a painful one.

Granted, most of my frustration is the result of a rather slim lineup of grade-A PSP titles to provide me ample in-flight distraction, but that's a whole 'nother story in itself. It also didn't help that Ratchet: Deadlocked, the pair's last console outing, left a bland taste in my mouth.

Back to Basics

The return to the well-established Ratchet & Clank adventure formula is a welcome one with Size Matters. If you've played any one of the first three Ratchet games, jumping into this one will be as easy finding your first Titanium Bolt. It's mostly the standard method of operations for the twosome in this new handheld adventure. You have an army-sized arsenal of firepower at your disposal, and while old favorites like the Lacerator and Agents of Doom are back, they're joined by a few new ones like the Bee Mine Glove--you shouldn't have any trouble figuring out what that one does.

The biggest new addition, however, is the inclusion of different types of armor, which is a great new feature. There are six complete types of armor, and you'll find them in pieces throughout the game. It's all customizable, but once you find and equip a complete set, Ratchet will gain a new ability. For example, the Wildfire armor sets enemies ablaze via Ratchet's now-flaming wrench.

Inspector Gadget

There are also a number of gadgets that will help you in your cause, including interactive plants that serve several functions, such as launching Ratchet through walls or molding into a handy-dandy ladder. There are plenty of playable Clank sequences, as well, along with a bizarre Ratchet dream sequence and a bunch of mini-games that'll have you platforming long into the night. There are some mandatory hover board races that should have been canned, not so much for their unoriginality but rather for their unforgiving length and tedious feel.

The overall campaign is long, but it's not overwhelming. The RPG-esque leveling up of Ratchet's health and weapons keep the pace moving nicely, and managing your weapons will keep you on your toes. You'll find yourself getting more efficient with each weapon as you attempt to level them up, and they'll consequently become more powerful. Crazy Quark is back, too--this time he doesn't think he's a monkey--as well as some other familiar characters, but I won't spoil the surprise.

The game also has a tightly implemented control scheme, including an awesome strafe system that all but eliminates lock-on issues. There is also multiplayer for up to four players via online Infrastructure and local ad-hoc modes, which is nice but most players will probably give most of their attention to the stellar single-player campaign.

When a PS2 franchise moves to the smaller PSP, it usually results in a flop. However, recent titles like Metal Gear Portable Ops proved that the transition doesn't have to be painful, and you can definitely add Size Matters to that short but sweet list.

Pros: PS2-sized fun comes to the PSP.
Cons: Mini-games are a mixed bag.


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