Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One - PlayStation 3

This Is One For All The Fans Of Co-op Platforming

Tim Turi — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:43:00 GMT

Co-op is king in this generation of video games. We’ve spent many gleeful hours alongside friends aerating zombies, enemy soldiers, and alien invaders in myriad first-person shooters. While face-shooting is entertaining, sometimes we want a break from all the gritty violence. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One lets us continue shooting stuff with our friends while delivering gorgeous cartoony visuals, inventive weaponry, manic gameplay switch-ups, and more witty dialogue than you can shake an OmniWrench at.

The story picks up with the bumbling President Quark preparing an acceptance speech for his Intergalactic Tool of Justice Award. Things go sour when recurring bad guy Dr. Nefarious attempts to take out Ratchet and the crew. Things go from bad to worse when a malevolent force called The Collector interrupts Nefarious’ attack by unleashing a monstrous beast on the city. The four dubious partners must put aside their differences to fight the rampaging monster, discover why The Collector is systematically harvesting creatures around the galaxy, and put an end to it. All 4 One’s story sports all the lighthearted and fast-paced action fans of The Incredibles and other CG masterpieces have come to love. Don’t let the new co-op features cause any doubts: This is another full-fledged Ratchet & Clank experience.

The characters and their interactions are another part of what makes this entry so charming. At one point the gang and a gigantic robot companion infiltrate a secured compound. When the robot uses his big metal hand to cover the jumbo-sized keypad while entering the passcode, he glares at the quartet as he punches in the last digit. I’ll also never forget the one-liners of robo-mercenary Mr. Zircon, who shouts in monotone, “Mr. Zircon does not require bolts, his only currency is pain.” The dialogue and absurd situations had me snickering consistently throughout.

Mr. Zircon is just one of many inventive tools of destruction at your disposal in All 4 One. Cycling through crazy weaponry has always been a highlight of the series, and the hijinks only become more rewarding with friends. For instance, one player can stun an enemy with an electric whip while the others scorch it with flamethrowers. Everyone’s fire rate increases as players bombard foes with the same weaponry, which culminates in a satisfying slow-mo explosion. Experimenting with Insomniac’s wacky weapons and discovering which combinations work best together is an enthralling game in and of itself. Though I’m fond of the trusty Combustor rifle, I rarely left the barrel of any gun cool for too long.

All 4 One’s variety is represented by more than just a diverse weapon set. You can barely adventure fifteen minutes without encountering a new enemy type or gameplay mechanic. I loved waterskiing ahead of a giant killer fish’s snapping maw – a battle that concludes with an electric coup de grace atop a lighthouse. I also enjoyed working as a team to guide a glowing power crystal through a dark forest to keep carnivorous plants at bay. Cooperating with friends to steer a raft down a river or pilot a hover car through a bustling city is a hilarious exercise in democratic gameplay. If you’re the lone wolf type, a brilliant AI partner makes for a fulfilling single-player experience. I marveled at how effectively my computer-controlled helper dispatched enemies and aided in puzzle-solving. If you need to pass Clank a key to open a door, he’ll be on the opposite end of a chasm waiting to catch it without missing a beat.

Despite my appreciation of the game, a few odd choices in the drop-in/drop-out co-op hold back the game from achieving nirvana. Progress can only be saved to the console-owner’s profile, so all those hard-earned bolts and weapons your friends earned playing locally will be lost when they drop out. If buddies decide to join your game in later acts, they begin with a measly peashooter. Though bolts are plentiful late in the game, new local players have to endure countless deaths before amassing an adequate arsenal. This presents a frustrating conundrum – the game shines brightest when played on a couch with friends, but unless you plan on one 12-hour marathon session, your buddies will have to start from scratch next time. The only way for everyone to save their gear is to play on independent profiles online, which removes the joy of playing side by side. These qualms aren’t dealbreakers, but gamers without a healthy reserve of patience should consider them.*

All 4 One’s insane amount of variety will satisfy both fans of the series and gamers interested in a change of pace. The game’s sense of humor alone is sufficient grounds for recommendation. Insomniac’s latest cooperative treat is a breath of fresh air.

*Click here to hear Insomniac's explanation of our co-op progress bug.

Ratchet & Clank Take On Z'Grute In New All 4 One Trailer

Dan Ryckert — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:06:00 GMT

All 4 One marks the first time gamers will get to experience four-player co-op in the Ratchet & Clank universe, and we're looking forward to the new gameplay quirks Insomniac is bringing to the table. A new trailer has been released that shows off one of the game's boss battles, against a creature called the Z'Grute.

You'll get to see a few sequences of gameplay, including one that tasks players with walking back and forth on an air taxi to steer it. You can check out the multi-stage boss fight against Z'Grute below.

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The Latest Ratchet Title Is A Single-Player Game Too

Kyle Hilliard — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:52:00 GMT

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is a cooperative multiplayer game, but that doesn't mean it has to be played with three other gamers. The latest trailer from Sony Entertainment shows off the game's single player experience.

All 4 One is a cooperative, 3D enabled multiplayer game starring some of Sony's most recognizable mascot (and their slightly less famous buddies). But if you're in the mood to socialize, you can choose Ratchet, Clank, Dr. Nefarious, or Captain Qwark and set out by yourself:

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All 4 One is scheduled to release on October 18. To learn more about the game, check out Tim's hands-on preview.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One Gamescom Trailer

Ben Reeves — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:06:00 GMT

The cast of Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is so dysfunctional they the could easily have be caricatures in a classic television sitcom. This odd quartet is a mixture of best friends and long-term rivals, so Insomniacs game should be full of one-liners. Thankfully, it’s also shaping up to be a fun co-op experience.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One comes out on October 18, but get a taste of the Ratchet & Clank…& Qwark & Dr. Nefarious’ new adventure in the trailer below.

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We Play Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One’s Intro Stage

Tim Turi — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:22:00 GMT

Every huge scale adventure has a beginning, and after months of checking out various sections of Ratchet’s latest adventure we got to check out the start of the game.

The game begins with President Quark accepting an award that should have gone to Ratchet and Clank. Naturally, Doctor Nefarious crashes the party and unleashes a gigantic space monster loose. The creature creates a wake of destruction throughout Luminopolis, consuming the vast energy flowing through the city. The cast of colorful characters have no choice but to band together and take down the beast.

The early stage familiarizes players with the game’s basic mechanics, meaning everyone gradually gets used to the basics of platforming and working together. One of the first obstacles the four must overcome together is hitting switches simultaneously, but this soon turns into more complicated tasks such as working together to steer a flying taxi. Obstacles pop up along the city skyscrapers as players move around the hover car to steer it left and right. One jerk can cause grief for the whole team by steering the taxi into oncoming traffic, but if the three others counter his weight they can democratically negate the shenanigans.

After the gigantic monster bats the taxi out of the sky, the four protagonists land on a big pipe below. In familiar Ratchet & Clank fashion, they proceed to grind on this tube throughout the city. Players dodge electrical fields and fight for position in order to collect all the bolts at the bottom of the grind. This introductory level concludes with the team buying their first weapon, the combustor.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is shaping up to be a must have for PS3 owners itching for local or online co-op action. I’m looking forward to continuing past this first level when the game arrives on PlayStation 3 on October 18.

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A Platformer Fan’s Cooperative Dream Come True

Tim Turi — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:00:00 GMT

The Ratchet & Clank series has an almost magnetic charm to it. Mixing the graphical polish and wit of a Pixar film with compelling gameplay is a combination that has worked well for Insomiac’s platformer. Play any Ratchet & Clank game around friends and you’re sure to draw a crowd. Until now, enthusiastic onlookers have only been able to do just that – look. Not anymore. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One finally lets you and three others simultaneously jump into the roles of a Lombax, two robots, and a dubious super hero. I recently had a chance to get my hands on this 4-player cooperative platformer at a Sony press event in Hollywood, CA and came away impressed.

Insomniac started off by catching us up on the story. All 4 One picks up right where the comic series and Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time left off – with President Qwark readying an acceptance speech for an award he didn’t earn as Ratchet and Clank tag along to make sure nothing goes wrong. Naturally, the ceremony goes awry instantly. Dr. Nefarious crashes the scene by freeing a deadly beast from stasis. The exotic monster attracts the attention of a creature collector named Ephemeris, who hastily captures Ratchet and his crew. They four characters are eventually released on planet Magnus, the world Ephemeris has been unloading his prized critters. This is the point the four protagonists realize they must band together.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One allows up to four players to put their heads together either online or on the couch. My time with the game was packed with co-op moments like none I’ve ever performed. Players use tethers to cling to one another for dear life, resulting in awesome chasm-leaping moments and near-death fall recoveries. Sucking friends into a vacuum and launching them to otherwise unreachable heights is also a great time, as is totally abusing this power and launching allies off cliffs. One of the game’s most unusual cooperative features is a four-man raft which requires players to steer the floatation down perilous rapids. Communication is key in ensuring that each of the four propellers is powered at the correct time. One lapse in teamwork can cause catastrophic failure.

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Insomniac’s signature weapons return here, my favorite being the Dark Star Fission rifle. When activated by all four players, this weapon creates a tether which greatly damages foes enveloped within it. The Arc Blaster adds a unique gameplay twist by allowing on player to put an enemy in stasis while another either attacks or revives a fallen comrade. Each character will have a unique ability as well. Ratchet sports a Decoy Gun to distract and attack foes, while Clank has a Time Bomb which slows down time and buys time for downed allies.

Later in the game Ratchet and friends commandeer a gigantic robot called a Guardian. Manning four turrets, the quartet lumbers through a valley in an on-rails shooting segment. This section is more than a shooting gallery, as an opposing Guardian shows up to give the heroes a run for their bolts. All four players must focus fire on the Guardian’s weak points as he winds up to attack, with generous slow motion aiding the process. Each step, punch, and leap these metallic titans take conveys a real sense of size and weight. I’m looking forward to seeing what other cinematic moments the game has to offer.

At this point in development Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is looking terrific. This title has all the polish and story-driven content fans have come to know and love, with the added bonus of letting you bring friends along for the ride (don’t worry, the game can still be played solo). This new installment doesn’t arrive until this Fall, so there is still plenty more to learn from Insomniac about this ambitious title.

New Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One Trailer Sets Up Story

Bryan Vore — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:46:00 GMT

Why would Ratchet, Clank, Qwark, and Dr. Nefarious ever team up? Watch this new trailer to find out.

I really like the tone of this video. It's got more of a summer movie tone to it than most gaming trailers...even though it doesn't come out until this fall.

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Insomniac Brings Four-Player Arcade-Style Co-op To The Ratchet Universe

Bryan Vore — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:40:00 GMT

Ratchet, Clank, Qwark, and Dr. Nefarious are forming an unholy alliance for the benefit of PlayStation fans everywhere. Plot details are scarce as to why these guys would team up, but the latest entry in the Ratchet & Clank franchise is turning in a very different direction. Up to four players can join up throughout the entire game. Players can drop in and out at any time, and any combination of online and offline players can team up.

All 4 One plays like a hybrid of Gauntlet, LEGO Star Wars, and, of course, Ratchet & Clank. Unlike past Ratchet games, all the characters have the same basic skill sets. Each has a grappling hook, standard blaster, and a brand new weapon sure to be a hit with fans.

Ratchet is known for its amazing arsenal, and the first new weapon on display at the game’s debut is a souped up vacuum that can suck up objects and shoot them off in an arc. You can launch objects like explosive mines at enemies with the vacuum, or suck up a foe and launch him back at one of his friends. You can also use this on your so-called friends to launch them off the edge of the nearest cliff. If you feel like working together, you can also shoot friends up to normally inaccessible high ledges.

Insomniac encourages this mix of working together and stabbing each other in the back. Players will have to fight for rare items, but also work together to get past certain enemies and obstacles. As long as at least one character is alive, everyone can be resurrected. Otherwise, it’s back to the checkpoint, so take it easy on the team kills.

In an early demo, we saw all four characters in action. After shooting a few enemies, they all attach their electrified grappling lines to a flying robot and form a long four-man string. Everyone swings back and forth to create enough momentum to detach and jump to the next ledge. When they get to a locked door, one player shoots a creature called a Voltergeist into a slot on the wall and another player electrifies a switch panel. Before long, the door creaks wide open.

Up ahead, several sentry turrets scan the area with blue lights and a force field protects them from frontal shots. The only solution is to launch a friend behind the turret to shoot at its weak spot. Next, a large robot commander sends them into a massive incinerator. They all must balance on a moving platform or they’ll fall to a flaming death. After hopping to safety, they take a ride on a mild-mannered elevator that suddenly breaks apart and sends the team plummeting down the shaft. Several fans power on intermittently, and the team must work together to follow where the wind blows or everyone dies.

The final section of the demo puts the team against a large robotic miniboss. He sweeps a red laser across the area, forcing everyone to hop over it like a jump rope. Ratchet vacuums Clank and shoots him up to a switch. With the correct timing, Clank slams down on the switch and disables the boss’s shield. The team destroys him with a wave of blaster fire and explosive mines, and a huge payload of bolts shoots out to all the players. What things you can buy with this currency is still a mystery, but we can’t wait to find out more over the next year.