Being shown a game by a developer, someone that’s invested considerable amounts of time and energy into what they’re demonstrating before you, is a slightly surreal experience: you watch, you listen, you take notes and you try to decipher what it would be like to actually have a go. Thankfully, neither Insomniac nor the latest Ratchet and Clank title, subtitled All 4 One, are like that: this is a game that draws you towards the nearest Dual Shock, the drop-in drop-out gameplay a perfect marriage for a studio always willing to just let you play.
And so we did. Guided by an experienced player or two, All 4 One is a silky, joyous affair that seemed to flow smoothly as we battled and platformed our way through a good half hour or so of the game. Featuring the recognisable visages of Qwark and Doctor Nefarious alongside the eponymous heroes, this all new installment into the Ratchet and Clank series (albeit not one part of the current trilogy) is a skewed departure from the norm, the higher, fixed camera making way for the multiplayer is one aspect, but it’s the co-operative requirements that really set it apart.
It’s all very clever: combine your weapons to amplify their power beyond their sum; work together to propel each other over chasms using the new vacuum item and – most importantly – try to keep each other alive as resources are necessarily shared. Equality is key to Insomniac’s vision: end of level bonuses are divided up fairly between players, but the highest scoring player nets an additional bonus for their troubles which leads to playful competition but never at the expense of ensuring everyone has the same goals. In the sections we played, this was absolutely the case.
Levels flowed nicely, new puzzles and elements were introduced smartly and gradually so as not to ruin the pacing, and the checkpoints seemed numerous enough. But it was with the game’s weapons, something of an Insomniac favourite, that All 4 One really kicked into gear – they’re just as good as we’ve seen before and already showing plenty of variety. Combat against the level’s enemies is quick and decisive, the Warmonger rocket launcher just a flick of the weapon wheel away, and the aftermath of a solid bit of teamwork: bolts aplenty, the post-scrap dash for the metallic trinkets all part of the fun.
[boxout]It’s a great looking game, at least in the section we played through. The landscapes are very much Ratchet of late, and although the frame rate’s currently half what we’re used to on the recent PS3 adventures it’s still smooth enough at thirty, especially given the chaos on-screen during the busy periods. The controls were slick too, although remembering which button did what in the heat of the moment let to some unintentionally humourous restarts.All 4 One’s great fun – it’s not going to set the PS3 alight on release but it’s a solid game that’ll appeal to socially minded gamers, and Ratchet fans will dig the fan service. We’re just happy we actually got a go.
Gastos84
Sounds good. Love me some Ratchet (Clank not so much). Is it purely a co-op thing or was that just the addition they’re keen to show off? For me personally, as it’ll never get used to its full potential, emphasis on co-op is a put-off
nofi
As far as I can remember you can play it alone but the PS3 will add AI.
KeRaSh
I think the coop thing is a great idea to multiply the fun as long as it is optional and doesn’t feel unnatural to the game. The PS3 needs more well executed local coop games!
Dange
Sounds like a fun game, and for me the co-op is just what the franchise needed.
Samiro05
Excited! PS Move will recieve a customer in the form of me :)
nofi
I think you might be confusing this with PS Move Heroes.
BigCheese
Warming to this lately. Gonna have to play a demo of some kind before my mind is made up, though.
Erroneus
I think this is gonna to fail in terms of sale. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t need my Ratchet and Clank to be a multiplayer experience and from what I’m hearing, a lot of people are feeling the same way.
I hope they surprise me and delivers a game, which actually has a great story and is just not the latest Ratchet and Clank game in some new levels with support for co-op.
Smallville2106
I hope it will be as good as I am hoping it will be.
teflon
So a BD release and not a PSN title? Bah! I’ll end up having to hold off on it, then, I’m sure.
However, it should still be a buy for me.
mynameisblair
Right, I’ll get it. Should be awesome fun with flatmates.
blackredyellow
As long as the option is there to drop in and out with co-op (online too), and the AI is good enough to perform the other half smoothly, I can look forward to another installment. There is always more appeal to a game when you can return to it with a sense that something new and fresh could happen. I guess thats one of the great aspects of multiplayer.
Roynaldo
Il be getting this. Possibly even day 1 depending on funds. Always loved R&C and for me never becomes tiresome. Added coop will be fun too.