Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters

March 19,2007 - Ratchet and Clank took some time off in 2006 as Resistance took over as the big Insomniac title of the year. In 2007, they are back in business with Size Matters on the PSP. As Ratchet and Clank’s first platforming adventure in over two years, Size Matters serves as a return to form for the duo along with bringing all the gameplay that a Ratchet and Clank title is known for to the PSP. With online multiplayer, new worlds to explore, and new weapons to utilize, this heroic duo looks to embark on an adventure much like they had on the PlayStation 2. Has the extended vacation caused Ratchet and Clank to become rusty or have they been refreshed for an exciting adventure?

Size Matters starts off with Ratchet and Clank relaxing on a deserved vacation on the beach when a fan, a little girl named Luna, asks to take some pictures of them. Before they know it, Luna is kidnapped by some mysterious robots, at least as far as they know. A simple quest turns into an epic journey, as Ratchet and Clank are tasked with saving the galaxy once again. Without spoiling the story, it’s good enough to keep you on the edge of your seat as Ratchet and Clank try to figure out who the mastermind is behind the entire scheme. The humor, suspense, and plot twists you’d expect from a Ratchet and Clank are all here and accounted for.

The gameplay here is definitely the star of the show, as Size Matters is essentially a console experience in the palm of your hand. The delightful Ratchet gameplay is definitely here and it’s as good as it’s ever been. Worlds and levels are pretty large for what you’d expect a PSP game to provide and they’re very much comparable to what the series is known for. If you’ve played a Ratchet game before, you’ll know what to expect here. Movement is pretty easy, as the analog nub controls movement while the d-pad is used for strafing while the camera is controlled with the L and R buttons. Control can be altered to your preference in the options menu, which is nice for those who have aren’t comfortable with the default settings.

Clank has also returned to aide his buddy on their adventure with his own unique levels. He leads his Gadgebots in his own platforming levels along with directing them in Lemmings-like levels that’ll make you scratch your head to figure out how to solve each level. The Giant Clank missions are definitely the most impressive of his new abilities as he takes to outer space in shoot-‘em-up-style levels requiring quick reflexes and movements to survive. It’s unfortunate that checkpoints aren’t offered here, so dieing towards the ends rewards you by starting you back at the beginning of the level.

Unfortunately, the save system isn’t quite so friendly with the portable lifestyle. There are often five to ten minute periods between checkpoint saves and returning from wherever you save generally sends you back to the beginning of an area instead of leaving you precisely where you left off. The long load times disguised as flights between worlds don’t help matters much.

The patented, out-of-this-world weapons that the Ratchet and Clank series is known for are definitely back in full force. From the weapon that changes enemies into cows to the series staple Agents of Doom grenades that release mini-robots to back-up Ratchet as he fights his enemies, there’s a weapon to take on every situation. The level up system for weapons from previous installments is back to enhance weapons the more they are used. What’s new in this pint-sized adventure is the armor system, which allows Ratchet to collect pieces of different sets of armor that once completed, provides Ratchet with unique abilities to give him even more of an advantage against foes. The only real problem will come at times when you’re not really sure what weapons would work best, leading to frustrating moments as you struggle to defeat your enemies.

While Size Matters does offer multiplayer, it’s largely an experience that will not command a community large enough to make it worthwhile. Ratchet and Clank has pretty much always been about the single-player experience and nothing changes here. There is little lag to really speak of along with a nice assortment of well-made levels and modes, but it’s just not an exciting experience.

The It's really surprising to see how good of a job the developers did to keep PS2 visuals largely intact. It’s easy to see some of the shortcuts, like short draw distances on details in the paths and downgraded backgrounds, but the positives far outweigh the negatives as large levels and great overall detail brings these beautiful worlds to life. The most impressive parts of the games have to be the Giant Clank levels as tons of objects, ships, ship pieces, and blaster shots truly show off just what the PSP is capable of. Camera control is a big concern here, but it’s not a huge problem in the passive mode, which emulates the use of the right analog stick in the use of the shoulder buttons. The Follow mode for the camera works in taking camera control away from the user, but it tends to feel a little strange having the camera follow Ratchet so strictly.

music of Size Matters is very reminiscent of previous Ratchet and Clank games to lighten the mood and provide for an enjoyable experience. Sounds effects are also nicely done, bringing the familiar sound of collecting bolts back into the player’s subconscious for the first time in a while. Speech in the cutscenes is also nicely done as the returning characters still sound the same—another example of how much the game is like its console brethren.

This vacation may not have gone too well for Ratchet or Clank, but it’s worth it for the player as the heroic duo is back in force and they’re looking as good as ever. The adventure does everything it can to bring the experience fans expect to the PSP in a big way. The entertaining story, great, varied, gameplay, and the impressive package that surrounds the single-player makes the negatives, like long load times, boring multiplayer, and the sometimes awkward camera controls, a necessary evil to have a great game like Size Matters.

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