Time to find out the age old question of whether or not size really matters and who better than Ratchet and Clank to answer this question. With the success of transferring Daxter to the PS2 it was clear that Ratchet and Clank would soon make their way onto the handheld and they are doing just that later next month. We recently got some hands-on time with a few levels of Ratchet and Clank's upcoming adventure for the PSP and the outcome is looking very very solid.

Features:

Set in the franchise's signature style sci-fi universe, players will take on the roles of both Ratchet and Clank in a journey across the galaxy full of new destinations to explore and conquer.

Featuring new and returning weapons and gadgets, including the Blitz Cannon, Agents of Doom and Shrink Ray, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters packs all of the combat and destruction fans have come to expect from the series.

Players can utilize the all-new customizable armor system themed for various gameplay to gain upgrades and advance through challenging action-packed areas.

Gain access to different vehicles to compete in races and combat enemies in intense battlefield missions.

With wireless multiplayer gaming, up to four players can connect for intense combat and head-to-head action.

Gameplay

The PSP is finally getting another solid platforming title and fans of the Ratchet and Clank will be pleased with the result. Ratchet and Clank are going back to their roots with their debut on the PSP. Instead of going with tons of high action shooting from the later PS2 titles this version will instead be more like the first Ratchet and Clank title and concentrate on solid platforming and a good mix of action and puzzles. We recently got a chance to play through several levels of the title and to be quite blunt the game is turning into a solid entry into the Ratchet and Clank series.

Ratchet finally decides to call it quits and take a vacation. While on the island he is interrupted by a young child who takes his picture of him for a project on a hero they admire and then provokes Ratchet and Clank to battle some robots on the island and so the adventure begins. In the opening level you will find yourself on a nice paradise setting on an island full of Hawaii shirt wearing robots. Ratchet comes equipped with his trusty wrench and several additional weapons to start the level off with. These weapons include: Bee Mine Glove, Lacerator Gun, Acid Bomb Glove, and Concussion Gun. The young child will then take you through the levels as you battles robots of many different varieties and do some minor puzzle activities. In several parts of the level you will have to grasp a giant screw in the middle of a platform and turn it in order to open a door or so you can move over an open section of water that’s infested with sharks. The title features all the previous title trademarks like collecting nuts and bolts from downed enemies and in surrounding boxes which in turn allow you to buy ammo for your weapons as well as new weapons as you progress throughout the levels.

After completing the short introduction level you are then challenged with a boss battle. The boss battle is very intense and will remind fans of the boss battles from previous Ratchet and Clank titles. Players will have to use their weapons and use some strategy to defeat the bosses within the title. So players get ready to use all the weapons you have in a smart way to get the most damage dealt to your enemies without them dealing a lot back onto you.







Graphics

Graphically the game is nearly on par with the early Ratchet and Clank titles on the PS2. The characters are detailed and the environments are detailed and very very bright. Players will notice he also has the trademark facial expressions from previous titles like wide-open eyes when he is jumping and a grim look when he fires his weapon. The game looks very much like the original Ratchet and Clank title.

Controls

The game controls very much like the PS2 titles just without the full camera control. Instead the camera is set to be directly behind Ratchet throughout the game much like it was in Daxter. Players will be able to adjust the camera using the L and R triggers on the system to swing the camera to the sides. The face button layout is very simple and quick to use. Players can either use the analog stick or D-pad to control their character but the analog control is incredibly solid. The wrench attack is the square button, the gun is set to circle, x is jump, and the triangle button will bring up the menu for side weapons and let you pick them from there. Outside of camera control L and R also will allow for a long jump when they are both held down and you are running. Overall the game is very much pick-up and play. If you have played any of the previous titles you'll feel right at home in this version.

Overall

The title is really shaping up to be an early hit title for the PSP this year. Fans of the Ratchet and Clank series or fans of last year's Daxter title will not be disappointed in this title. The game is set to release on February 13. Stay tuned for a full review of this big PSP title as the release date nears.