Ratchet & Clank (2016) is a reboot of the Insomniac's series of the same name. It's a pleasant hybrid of the original 2002 Ratchet & Clank and a tie in with the movie that also shares the same name. I know what you're thinking and yes, but Insomniac already beat you to it. They are well aware how that sounds. So much in fact that the game is marketed as "The game based on the movie based on the game." and is referenced not only on the back of the game case itself, but also in the game as well. That shouldn't denture you though, as with having made quite a few Ratchet & Clank games, Insomniac has a whole helluva gadgets up their arsenal (Pun very much intended)!
Ratchet & Clank (2016) is the first of the franchise to be launched on 8th generation of consoles and I must say, it looks rather spectacular. Insomniac have been saying how they wish to make their Ratchet & Clank games as "Pixar" as possible. Though the previous games of the last generation may have looked great, I feel as if they haven't achieved anything of this caliber of stunning visual and art direction until now. Ratchet has never looked as good! The different worlds look captivating and unique. You'll never feel like you're landing on the same monotonous planet over and over again. Characters look to be well defined and hand crafted to give all the wonderful worlds something to be inhabited by. I believe this to be the first PlayStation 4 title I've played that actually warrants being on the PS4 and not the PlayStation 3.
As with being able to say I've played all the other major instalments within this franchise (excluding handheld titles) I'm pleased to say that the gameplay is the smoothest within all Ratchet & Clank before it. Ratchet & Clank (2016) takes controls and game mechanics from previous titles so to give you the best of all worlds (Uhh... Universes?). It gets you into the action (after establishing cinematic of course... duh) swiftly and gives you your first new weapon within a few minutes. This is where the obvious training obstacle coarse comes in to explain how to play the game (TWICE!!). But its done competently and fit into the story well. This makes it hard to complain about it, but I did anyway. All the fan favorite gadget and weapons are back (the ones they deemed so anyway) and they are all upgradeable! This not only pads gameplay and gives a player a bit of choice as well, but also gives you something to spend all your hard earned Bolts on. In Ratchet & Clank (2002), you were extorted for your Bolts at an alarming rate by basically anyone that had something you accidentally shifted your eyes towards. Which is why I believe the honeycomb grid upgrade system is a wonderful solution. Ratchet & Clank (2016) makes you feel like you really are just a lowley space mechanic that is striding towards your goal to be a Galactic Ranger with all it does to improve your arsenal throughout the game. This game plays exactly how it should; it gives you freedom of movement necessary to platform across the landscapes and it gives you the ease of tight combat controls to give you the most out of your shiney weapons of mass destruction.
As to be expected of a hybrid of a franchise reboot and cross movie tie in, the story is different but is still sticking to it's roots. We open the game with an imprisoned Captain Qwark reciting the tale of his trophit incarnation to quite possibly the blandest character that had the misfortune to be named. Shortly after that, we are introduced to our main protagonist, Rachet. Where Ratchet is taking the first step of achieving his dream to be a Galactic Ranger (basically if you take the Power Rangers, give them blasters and jet packs) by entering Ranger tryouts. After doing well, we learn the Captain Qwark has no intention on letting Rachet join the team, solely on the belief that Rachet would overshadow Quark. A distraught Rachet goes home to reflect and star gaze. Rachet then witnesses a crashing ship (that only he notices) and goes forth to survey the crash site. It is here where we are introduced to Ratchet's other half, Clank. Clank explains to Rachet that there is a Blurg business man that plans to harvest the best parts of other planets to create better a better home planet for his race. Ratchet, seeing how this could get him cummy with the Galactic Rangers, gladly agrees to assist Clank in getting to the homeworld of the Galactic Rangers. The story isn't the best part of the game. That being said, I should remind you again that there is a motion picture (hint freakin' hint) of the same name! Majority of the rendered cinematics are pulled straight from the movie (though altered to take out some of the best part, AGAIN WITH THE HINTS!) It's a decent of enough way to force you into the cinema. The story is not shockingly out of the ordinary, but still gives us a foothold into the Universe and keeps you invested until the end. It does however change the script from time to time give the long time Ratchet & Clank veterans something new to enjoy as well. If you want a dramatic space opera that takes itself seriously, look elsewhere.
My final thoughts on Ratchet & Clank (2016) is that it does the original game series justice. So much justice infact it boarders on vigilantism. If you are coming into this Insomniac franchise for the first time, well you my friend are in luck! You are about to experience the best 14 years of Ratchet & Clank has to offer. Going back to the original 2002 game just makes this gem shine even brighter. The story is more concrete, the writing is superior, Ratchet isn't a hideous imp with the personality to match and the shiny new polish just makes it candy for your eyes. You'll find yourself beating the game and getting your arsenal parallelly upgraded. After the end credits, you'll be starting the "challenge" mode story (You're basically a furry god) as you try to 100% the game and squeeze every last ounce out of this game. As I stated before, the story is probably the weakest part of this otherwise great game. If all you want is the story, I'd humbly suggest you just do what the boardroom executives wanted you to do and just buy a ticket to or a copy of the movie. Though I assure you the $40 starting price tag is well worth just purchasing the game, because I guarantee you'll enjoy more hours just playing the game than paying half the price and just getting the story though movie. This is a game where gameplay is king. I'd suggest this game to newcomers of the franchise and veterans alike. Both will enjoy this classic in the making.