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> Results: Ratchet: Deadlocked
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Sometimes being a superhero isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, there's the recognition for saving underdogs and kittens up trees, but what about when your fame leads you to compete against a set of Exterminators for a demented television audience? Insomniac's Ratchet: Deadlocked places our hero squarely in the middle of an underground reality TV series where he's responsible for saving his own hide. Forget the rest of the world's crime ridden woes. If blowing stuff up is your scene, Ratchet: Deadlocked is right up your alley.
Super heroes are disappearing at an alarming rate and Ratchet and Clank are no exception. Evil media mogul Gleeman Vox has masterminded a Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome-type series for his underground Vox television network. These abducted heroes from all over the galaxy are imprisoned and forced to compete in Gleeman's broadcast gladiator-style setting against a host of enemies and bosses. Clank is constrained in the prison quarters to provide "mission control", advising Ratchet via earpiece. Yep, Ratchet's sans Clank in this new game. Physically assisting Ratchet in battle are two Combat Bots which provide humorous commentary throughout the game. Al returns from prior games to provide technological assistance via Combat Bot upgrades, which can be purchased after time intervals.  At his Vox quarters, Ratchet can check the Rank-O-Meter to view his position relative to other contenders in the games, catch a shuttle to the Battledome, or board Planetary Transport to attend various assigned missions at 10 different planets. Additionally, he can upgrade and purchase weapons from the Gadgetron vendor and enhance his Combat Bots. Like previous games in the series, Ratchet prefers heavy artillery to fancy platform moves. While the game doesn't provide the sheer number of weapons present in past games, the opportunity to customize with Omega and Alpha modifications tailor game play to individual users. Omega modifications add abilities like freeze, zap, infect and more. Alpha mods increase the rate of fire and add other enhancements to base abilities. In this game, it's all about the weapons and what you can do with them. Say goodbye to leisurely exploration of lush planets replete with collectibles and hello to bullet riddled, desolate, death stench. In addition to weapons, the game offers up a selection of vehicles to assist in the good fight. The Landstalker (a spider-like tank), Puma (dune buggy), Hovership (air vehicle), and Hoverbike (air motorbike) each provide alternatives to missions on foot, and in some instances utilization of these vehicles is the only way a mission can be completed. Because single player gameplay consists primarily of battling, with very little exploring and no item collection, the game feels much shorter than the previous three. It can only be extended if players do all the missions in the four difficulty modes, and work to attain skill points. Ratchet starts the game battling robotic baddies, after which he battles more robotic baddies, and finally, he battles some robotic baddies. During these battles there's the mandatory bolt turning and some utilization of the returning Swing Shot and Grind Boot items that allow Ratchet to swing or slide from one battle location to another. While the game has great visuals, awesome music and tight controls, the similar game play is monotonous and the storyline seems to be phoned in. Even the planets look a lot alike.  The new co-op play feature mixes things up a bit as you can elect to do any operative with another player at the additional controller, in lieu of using the Combat Bots. Both players wield weapons and all of the Combat Bot functions are available. Because players are sharing the same set of armaments, they can't both use the same weapon simultaneously, which shouldn't be a problem given the selection. Also, players must stay relatively close to one another or a timer begins a countdown to death for both players. If you have a decent size TV to support a split screen, this option is a blast for fans that share a love of the game. As with Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, this game also supports online gaming with additional events. "Clankheads" will enjoy the game, but perhaps not as much as prior games in the series thanks to the lack of story and platform-style gameplay. 
Previous games in the series included Ratchet and Clank fighting interstellar bad guys, but also contained a significant amount of discovery, item collection, and unique challenges.
Ratchet: Deadlocked is a weapon-centric game based on the destruction of just about everything in sight. Granted, the "everything in sight" is always bloodless and mechanical, and is blown away with fictional, wacky weapons, but to say there is not gratuitous, satisfying, cartoon violence would be a big stretch. Parents who abhor violence should definitely pass on this one. Although all four Ratchet and Clank titles carry a Teen rating, the crude humor in this one targets it toward older teens. Clearly, any commentators involved in a reality series bent on the termination of the galaxy's heroes would be of a sleazy nature, and in this aspect, the game does not disappoint. Commentator Dallas persistently makes inappropriate gestures, actions, and comments toward his female counterpart Juanita (not to mention his hick pronunciation of her name). Juanita slaps Dallas around and seems to have a penchant for pain and suffering. While much of the humor will fly right over younger players' heads, in today's politically correct culture it's probably not a good example for one of the contestants to ask, "Juanita is that Ace Hardlight underwear you're wearing?". I also don't know of any parent who wants to explain to a younger gamer why Juanita and Dallas playing the Mommy and Son game when the lights go out is "sexy". There's not a lot of educational value to this game unless you want your child to be able to count into the millions as Ratchet's bolt (currency) count skyrockets. If younger gamers have played the prior Ratchet games, it is likely they would still enjoy this game as, with skill points, they can remove Ratchet's helmet so he looks like Ratchet. But parents should be forewarned that this is not the same Ratchet we have grown to know and love. A rental preview may be in order. This review edited by Dave Long Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Ratchet: Deadlocked |
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