Ratchet oh Ratchet…

Let’s just get something out into the open before I start this review – I’m a huge fan of the Ratchet and Clank franchise.
This was the first game I ever played and finished on my Playstation 2.
Since then I dominated every Ratchet game that was released (I do not own a PSP so I had to pass on Size Matters and Agent Clank). Furthermore, Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction was the reason I bought my Playstation 3 in the first place. Tools of Destruction was a huge level up for the series – amazing Pixar-like graphics, great humor, non-stop action and an epic soundtrack.

Quest for Booty is a direct continuation of Tools of Destruction.
Actually the game shouldn’t be called a Ratchet and Clank game since Clank isn’t to be found in the game. Yes, that’s right – Ratchet is flying solo on this one.
Sure, you are being followed by Talwyn (the female character from Tools of Destruction), but she doesn’t really do anything except fly around.

Ratchet is trying to find Clank after he was taken by the mysterious Zoni at the end of Tools of Desctruction. The whole game has a “pirate” feel to it since Ratchet is trying to find some lost booty that will help him find the Zoni and Clank.

Since Quest for Booty is a short game (gameplay is around 3 to 4 hours), so some elements had to be cut out from the game.
No amazing CG cut-scenes but 2d book styled ones, you don’t need to save your bolts to buy weapons (you get them for free, already leveled up), less battles – but a whole lot more platforming. I didn’t really like the weapon selection for this game. They should have left the Torando Launcher out of the game and instead give us the Plasma Beasts gun. I love that gun :).

I had so much fun on the platform sections it’s ridicules…
Ratchet’s Omniwrench got some very serious gameplay-changing upgrades on Quest for Booty.
The player can manipulate and move objects and platforms in order to solve puzzles and get ahead in the game.
Another cool upgrade for the Omniwrench is the ability to pick up things and hold them while running. This allows some really nice dark/light gameplay.
For example, when you are in dark areas of the game (like caves) you can find creatures called Heliogrubs in order to light the area around you.
This will allow you to see where you are going, and will keep the killer bats away (I kid you not…).

I actually liked Quest for Booty more than Tools of Destruction, Maybe it’s because I really like platform games… maybe it’s because this game is a much more focused experience than the previous game in the series… It doesn’t really matter. Bottom line is that Quest for Booty is a great game with great value.

For the great price of $14.99 you get an amazing game with the same graphics as a full blu-ray title. If you haven’t played Tools of Destruction yet I highly recommend you finish it before you play Quest for Booty. It will add to the experience, and besides, it’s a really good game!

Score – 83