Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is a fun co-operative game that will bring out your competitive nature and deliver bucket loads of laughs. It’s a delicate balance that Insomniac Games has achieved perfectly, and one we’ve enjoyed following from reveal to launch day.

We were at Gamescom in August 2010 when the game was revealed, we travelled to London in February this year to get our first hands-on time with the game, and then saw it being showcased again at Gamescom 2011. It’s been an awesome journey, and we can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself with the final game now being available on store shelves.

Here we go again, running headfirst into the blazing inferno of danger

The story sees heroes Ratchet and Clank teaming up with misguided Qwark and villain Dr. Nefarious after a mysterious machine called the Creature Collector drops them in a strange universe. The unlikely group must now work together, ‘setting aside their petty squabbles and acting as a singular unit,’ to escape from and uncover the truth behind the plot. Of course this is easier said than done, because when a mate shoots you off the edge, or when you’re aiming to get the most bolts on a level, things can get a little tense and more than a tad competitive.

The four player co-operative play is a first for the series, with both offline and online drop-in/drop-out gameplay being supported (note that you will need an online pass if you want to play with your friends online). With each character being so unique, both in terms of humour and weapons, it’s a mix that works really well.

You’re an enemy that looks like it needs vanquishing

The environments are beautifully created, filled with vibrant colours and interesting details that will keep you marvelling right until the end. The enemies are equally as inventive, as weird and wacky as they come, and always something that you just didn’t expect. Never fear though, because the wonderful arsenal of weapons that the Ratchet & Clank series is known for makes a welcome return, complete with short cinematic cut-scenes to explain how they work. You’ll enjoy experimenting just how quickly you can dispatch an enemy with the Warmonger, or perhaps confusing them with the doppelganger – there’s plenty to choose from so save your bolts and put the different weapons through their paces. Make sure you arm Mr Zurkon when you’ve saved up enough to purchase him, he has an attitude that you’ll love and he’s a pretty handy shot too, must be because ‘his currency is pain!’

As Qwark so rightly points out, you’ll need ammo, ‘stuff to kill stuff with,’ so make sure you stock up when you reach an ammo pad. You’ll also need to collect Nanotech to replenish your health along the way, and speaking of collecting also keep an eye out for those critters that you can collect and save from impending doom. The Vac-U is the weapon of choice in many a situation, from collecting critters to shooting your team mates to higher ground, and even replenishing their health when they’ve taken a blow. Sadly the Vac-U often has a mind of its own (read: vengeance will be mine!) and can ‘mistakenly’ shoot your friend into the abyss.

You’ll need to use the weapon wheel to switch between weapons, certain ones are more effective against some enemies, while others must be used to solve puzzles and progress in the game. Things can get a little confusing as you purchase more weapons in the game, you’ll end up with more than one weapon wheel and sometimes flipping between the different wheels can become a little confusing, especially when you’re in a gunfight with a turret minion and you run out of ammo and then need to shoot down cover using the Glob lobber.

Better step it up guys, this Lombax is taking home all the bolts!

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is all about varied gameplay, so you’ll be jumping between platforms, drilling through weak spots, sliding down pipes, using jetpacks, blowing up vines and more throughout the game. There’s never a dull moment, especially with the characters wicked sense of humour, which will constantly have you cracking a smile, and the all important-bolt hunting. Of course always having to keep ahead of the pack to earn bolts can become very competitive, especially when this reviewer was trying to take a few notes and the rest of the team was using this to their advantage!

Ratchet & Clank is a wonderful co-operative experience that you will really enjoy with a bunch of mates, but it’s also equally as fun when you play online or simply have the AI accompany you on your journey. It’s a marvellous achievement for Insomniac Games, a beautifully imagined adventure that continues the high standard this franchise has set across the years. You will get mad when friends steal your bolts, you will get even madder when they shoot you into the void, but you will have fun every minute of this game…just remember to ‘try again, this time with a bit more teamwork.’ If you’ve never played a Ratchet & Clank game before, this is a great place to start, and if you’re a fan you will continue to be so.

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