‘Ratchet & Clank’ (2016): 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Sony’s PlayStation lineage can be tracked by the iconic mascots that made it so legendary. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Sly Cooper and plenty of other anthropomorphic heroes were showcased in great platforming releases.

Another one of those popular PlayStation mascots came in the form of a furry Lombax and an intelligent robot duo – Ratchet & Clank. It’s been a while since gamers got to explore the universe with the both of ’em in tow. In 2016, this lovable duo will be coming back to the forefront in a very big way. Not only will they be starring in their 1st-feature length film, Ratchet & Clank will finally make their debut on the PS4. Their upcoming game will evoke memories of the past while also showcasing plenty of new elements and much improved visuals.

We’re prepared to get you ready for all this brand new Ratchet & Clank goodness. Before you partner up with Sony’s universe saving team once again, we’re gonna give you a rundown of their latest game/movie.

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1. The Ratchet & Clank Series Has Been Around Since 2002

Ratchet & Clank first hit the scene way back on the PlayStation 2 in 2002. Over the years, the duo has explored their massive galaxy through a bevy of titles on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita and mobile devices. Along with their main series appearances, Ratchet & Clank have played their part with special guest appearances in other games as well. Check out the video above to see every release Insomniac Games’ heroes have appeared in, then refer to the list below to see their lineup of main titles:

– Ratchet & Clank (2002)
– Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2003)
– Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004)
– Ratchet & Clank: Deadlocked (2005)
– Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (2007)
– Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (2007)
– Secret Agent Clank (2008)
– Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (2008)
– Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (2009)
– Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (2011)
– Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault (2012)
– Ratchet & Clank: Into The Nexus (2012)
– Ratchet & Clank: Before the Nexus (2013)

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2. This 2016 Installment is a Re-Imagining of the 1st Game in the Series

The duo’s debut on the PS4 is sort of a re-imagined take on the original Ratchet & Clank. What makes this version stand apart from the game that started the entire franchise are several added mechanics. Several features that were introduced in later games in the series will play a part here, such as weapon/health upgrades, familiar weapons such as the Pixelizer, strafing etc. One element from the original game that will return is the Slingshot item, which lets you swing across wide gaps during platforming sections. Ratchet & Clank’s origin story will be told once again with this 2016 revival.

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3. New Content Will Be Included; The Graphics Evoke the Quality of Animated Pixar Movies

Along with the content Ratchet & Clank fans are already familiar with, you can also expect to come across some newly added content. New explorable planets, new flight sequences, new boss encounters and completely improved visuals will make this reboot even better than its original incarnation. As you’ve probably noticed, the graphics look amazing enough to pass for a Pixar movie on the big screen. As for who’s working to bring this game to life, the first game’s developers and Insomniac Games’ current staff are handling the development duties.

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4. The Game’s Launch is Coinciding With the Release of the Upcoming Film

Ratchet & Clank was originally set to release in 2015. Besides being held back in order to add some extra polish to the game, it was delayed in order for it to properly launch near the film’s release. The movie of the same name will retell the events from the very first game. This plot means we’ll all get to see how Ratchet & Clank first met, plus we’ll follow them as they fight to save Solana Galaxy from Chairman Drek. Along with the game’s longtime voice actors, several new cast members will voice some of the film’s characters (for example, Sylvester Stallone will handle the vocal talents for Victor Von Ion). The Ratchet & Clank film will hit theaters on April 29, 2016.

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5. Pre-Ordering the Game Will Place an Exclusive New Weapon Into Your Arsenal

The Ratchet & Clank series has been known to feature a wide variety of inventive weapons. For those who pre-order their 2016 revival, you’ll obtain a special bonus in the form of a returning firearm – The Bouncer. The Bouncer (which was introduced in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando) is a weapon that’s capable of shooting off tiny homing bombs. These bombs travel to its intended targets by bouncing right across to them. This powerful gun comes courtesy of the in-game corporation known as Megacorp.

Buy Ratchet & Clank for the PS4 here.

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