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Unlockable Bancho Ratchet is one bad mother... shut your mouth!
We're just talkin' about Ratchet. Insomniac is sending some pre-Valentine's love by giving players the unlock code for the Bancho Ratchet skin. Already hidden inside A Crack in Time, the bad boy costume can be unlocked by inputting this elaborate series of buttons and directions on the pause screen: Up, Right, Down, Left, Triangle, Square, X, Circle, R3. It's called a "cheat." Bancho Ratchet was the winning entry in a Japan-only contest for CoroCoro Magazine. As for what a Bancho is, the best explanation we can figure is a "delinquent," especially with Ratchet's resemblance to John Travolta's character in Grease. Well, if you ignore the flippin' huge ears. [Thanks, Solace]
Five features you may have missed in Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time
Ratchet and Clank games usually have a little extra for true series fans who want to dig deeper, and A Crack in Time isn't looking to break that trend. Developer Insomniac wants to make sure that those who have played the game are getting out of it all that's in there, pointing out five things for fans not to miss: Space Radio Dynamo of Doom Community Profile Insomniac Museum Return to the Great Clock What does it all mean? Check out the video after the break for the full details.
Metareview: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3)
Not everyone is brave enough to venture through the cracks in time -- well, Ratchet and Clank are. The duo has found no reason to retire and have once again set out for adventure within your PS3. The latest entry in the series -- Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time -- promised to bring an epic story and non-stop chimpin' action this time around. Has it delivered? 1UP (A): "I'm a casual fan of the series and I still found myself excited to get home and play the game each night the past week. It may be a lot of more of the same, but more of the same has never been so darn addicting." IGN (90/100): "Insomniac has created a visually appealing game with enough personality to match its good looks. With so much to level-up and enjoy, there's enough to keep even hardcore Ratchet fans coming back for more -- especially with the new Clank sections that feature some enthralling puzzles. Now that the awkward space sections from Tools of Destruction have been replaced, there's almost nothing I don't like about Crack in Time. Unfortunately, as Crack in Time still relies heavily on the tried and true Ratchet Formula, gamers that were satisfied with old Ratchet games might not have enough reasons to come back." GameTrailers (89/100): "If A Crack in Time is indeed the final Ratchet & Clank game, then the series has been finished the right way-with a solid game that doesn't stray from what fans love while giving them plenty of service in the process. And in this way, it's also guilty of playing it a bit safe, but when expectations are that high, and are met, it's a sure sign of a quality game." Videogamer (80/100): "Fans of Ratchet and Clank will find A Crack in Time to be more of the same, with a few twists here and there. It's a fine end to the current storyline and packs in loads of content that will see you playing well beyond the closing credits. The lack of fresh ideas, especially during Ratchet's sections, will be seen by many as a negative, but there are so few games that nail the action platforming genre that it's easily forgivable. If you're looking for a fun, imaginative, family friendly PS3 game, A Crack in Time fits the bill perfectly." Eurogamer (70/100): "But I've been playing R&C games for years now, and I was hoping for something extra. That doesn't mean radical change - goodness knows no one wants Ratchet to "go dark" or start running round sandbox environments. I still want a meat feast pizza, I just want it to have a stuffed crust. And maybe some dips. Or in other words, a proper selection of exciting new weapons, original puzzles and a bit of innovation. It's not that A Crack in Time is all fur coat and no knickers. The problem is, it's all fur coat and the same knickers it's been wearing for seven years. Time for a change." %Gallery-68684%
Insomniac Games launching new site with R&C: A Crack in Time stat-tracking
Our own Kevin Kelly attended a panel at Insomniac Games' Community Event today, where Insomniac community architect Corey Garnett dropped word that the Insomniac Games site is getting a bit of an overhaul planned to go into effect later today.The update will add stat-tracking for the upcoming Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. The new site will cull data from 30-40 different categories, including how long you've played the game, how many times you've died, your favorite weapon and how many enemies you've turned into monkeys with the Chimp-O-Matic -- the only stat anybody really cares about.
A familiar trek through Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Insomniac Games has a winning formula with its Ratchet & Clank franchise. Problem is? They're almost too reliably good. The franchise has been known for its mix of platforming and sci-fi gunplay, and the latest, A Crack in Time, is no different. The requisite improvements necessary for a sequel are all in play: better (and more stylized) graphics, more explosions, and even more powerful weapons. However, A Crack in Time has a genuine chance of being the best Ratchet & Clank ever, thanks to its increased focus on challenging platform stages.The weapons have always been the stars of the franchise, but A Crack in Time's time-bending theme makes for some interesting and ingenious moments that are, put simply, fun. You've already read about the unique Clank stages, in which players must record copies of themselves to solve puzzles. These interludes make for a far more thoughtful game than previous iterations in the franchise and emphasize the kind of depth Insomniac is trying to add to the experience.%Gallery-65017%
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time box art multiplayer listing simply 'placeholder'
Click to embiggen. The PlayStation.Blog has announced the release date for Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. But wait -- isn't that, as commenters like to point out, old news? Thankfully, more can be gleamed from the box art included with the post.In addition to touting the redesigned PS3 logo, the box art for A Crack in Time features the now-standard PlayStation Network banner on the back. The various PSN features include Trophies, PlayStation Home support, leaderboards and ... multiplayer? That's certainly new to us.Unfortunately, a SCEA representative confirmed to us that the box art posted on the web was constructed from a template and that all information listed in the PSN banner is simply placeholder. That doesn't mean A Crack in Time won't have multiplayer -- but it means that this is far from the "omg confirmationz!!!!1" that many have been hoping for. Update: SCEA's Jefferson Dong puts it more directly: "There is no multiplayer."[Thanks, tmacairjordan87]
Clank's mysterious past explained in new Gamescom trailer
The story started in Tools of Destruction comes to an epic conclusion in A Crack in Time, the end of the first Ratchet & Clank Future trilogy. This new trailer released in time for Gamescom delves into the intricate time-bending story, and shows the surprising importance of Clank's role in the universe. Looks like the stakes have never been bigger before in a R&C game. Watch carefully, and you'll see a planet explode real nice in this trailer.A Crack in Time will reunite a lot of familiar faces. We're just glad Captain Quark is back (he was absent in Quest For Booty). Certainly, his bumbling antics will get even more crazy when time travel is involved!%Gallery-70397%
Hands-on: Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Considering Clank was entirely absent from Quest for Booty, it makes sense for developer Insomniac to give the robotic sidekick the spotlight in its upcoming A Crack in Time. A Crack in Time will feature the largest amount of Clank gameplay in the Ratchet & Clank franchise so far (barring Secret Agent Clank, of course) -- and that's a good thing, as our hands-on with Clank's devious time powers proved a refreshing change for the franchise.If you've watched our previous video coverage, you'll know that Clank acquires a few Braid-inspired powers. Clank has the ability to throw an orb that slows down time, allowing Clank to effectively run circles around enemies, and slow down certain platforming obstacles. This ability makes Clank the most powerful he's ever been in the franchise, but that's not what makes his gameplay so exciting.Rather, Clank's ability to create time clones, proves to work quite well in the context of the game. Yes, it's a gimmick that's becoming increasingly common in games, but it feels entirely appropriate for the Ratchet series. To activate Clank's various time clones, he must stand on special colored pads that will allow him to record his actions. One minute of gameplay can be recorded, during which Clank can open a door, pull a switch, or throw a time orb. By activating another pad, Clank's previous actions will be replayed, while this new Clank is able to progress further.%Gallery-65017%
Meet the characters of Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time
Click to embiggen. Did you know that Ratchet & Clank, like Madden, is an annual franchise -- having only missed the year 2006? The third Ratchet & Clank Future game on PS3 in as many years is coming this fall as A Crack in Time.A Crack in Time promises to deliver more story than ever before. We'll find out more about Ratchet and the Lombax race thanks to the revelation of Alister Azimuth, another member of what was thought to be an extinct species. We'll finally find out what happened to Clank -- and we'll probably discover how he got that badass staff. See all the major players of the upcoming R&C by browsing our gallery here:%Gallery-66523%
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty rated by ESRB
Many moons ago we heard of Ratchet: Quest for Booty due to a leaked PSN list, and now the ESRB has rated a very similarly named title. Although Sony hasn't officially acknowledged the game's existence, Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty is pretty much an open secret now following the software ratings board's listing.The ESRB rating doesn't explain whether this a retail follow-up to Tools of Destruction or a standalone PSN Ratchet & Clank game. With E3 next week we're not even going to try and pull speculative answers out of Clank's metal heinie; a little bit of patience should result in answers shortly.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
See a few Ratchet & Clank Future mishaps
Despite Ratchet & Clank: Future being one of the very best games currently available on the PS3, it's certainly not without a few quirks. Courtesy of Project Mod Gaming, we're shown a few in particular. Pretty silly video with some decent tunes to back it up.And before anyone says so, yes, it's been a pretty slow news day.
SGD '07: New Ratchet & Clank gallery proves very promising
When we first saw the screenshots for Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction a while ago, we were giddy because it seemed like the best graphics ever for a cartoony-art style game. We didn't think there could be much improvement on the game itself as well as the genre. We stand corrected. The latest batch of screens for Tools of Destruction show the PS3 in its prime. The game looks stunning and we're very excited to get our hands on this game. Look for it this November -- if all goes well. A video of the game is also available, after the break.%Gallery-3204%
IGN interview Ratchet and Clank dev
In preparation for next week's Sony Gamer's Day, IGN have been lucky enough to get an interview with Brian Allgeier, Creative Director for Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction over at Insomniac. The trailer looks great, the screenshots look great, now this new interview sounds great. This game is shaping up to be a must have title for the PS3.With so much covered in the interview, I'm not going to try and summerise the entire thing. But I will pick out some parts that I found particularly interesting, personally. Firstly, a revelation. No multiplayer. At all. Ratchet and Clank Future will return to the platforming, adventuring roots of the original PS2 title. Before the series became more of a third person shooter, as in Deadlocked. Sounds ace. More focused development on the single player aspect will mean a much bigger, better game. Allgeier promises that we will see a new weapon, a new gadget and a new level at the Sony Gamer's Day, next week. As well as this, we'll be shown examples of ways Insomniac are "trying to make Ratchet Future the most vivid and vibrant Ratchet and Clank game yet". Can't wait to see that. Read the full interview for more on how the game will take advantage of the PS3, the differences in development when compared to Resistance: Fall of Man, and a potential hinted release window.
