10/06 Update: Since we no longer write for the Edmond Sun, this section is temporarily housing our podcast links for our iTunes feed. All of the columns are in the archives menu if you feel like exploring.

These columns (as well as the 'releases') come from weekly content that we write for the Edmond Sun, out of Edmond, OK (though we live in Chicago). This page contains the archives for said column, many of which are in their pre-published, unedited state. Some titles and editing by Brendan Sinclair.

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If only it was socially acceptable to love a video game
Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Usually, when I sit down to write a column, there are so many ideas bursting from my head I can hardly move my fingers fast enough to keep up. But now, after devoting nearly two weeks of my life to my favorite new franchise this generation, I am completely blank. How can I possibly express just how good Ratchet and Clank is to people who have not yet experienced its wonder? Like describing Mozart's Turkish March to a deaf man using only button candy as Braille, I will try to explain to those who have not yet wielded Ratchet's wrench of triumph just how good this series truly is and what it can teach the rest of the industry.

The Ratchet and Clank series is the only way 3D platformers can possibly be made. The early forays into the genre – namely Super Mario 64 and the Banjo-Kazooie series – were fantastic for their time. However, these games are merely antiquated reminders of the desolate past we leave behind. Technology was simply not up to the task of replicated a 2D platforming experience in a 3D world. Gone were the army of enemies and non-stop action. Action is what made the original Mario titles so fun to begin with. By taking away most of the opposing forces, you were left with way too much exploration. Trying to navigate jumps in 3D is simply not fun and, until virtual reality becomes a reality, never will be.

The R&C series is as much about shooting guns and destroying enemies as it is about navigating difficult terrain and exploration. This is how a platformer should play. In fact, while the series is named after the two protagonists, the real stars of the adventures are the guns themselves. From guns that change your enemies into various barnyard animals to a whip that glows blue and emits a plasma wave, the weapons have as much character as the heroes themselves.

In fact, the main reason I am drawn to this game is the way in which the developers urge you to use every gun you can find. The more you use a gun the more powerful it becomes. This is a simple idea, but in practice it makes the games phenomenal. For instance, take the Quack-O-Ray from R&C: Up Your Arsenal. On its lowest level it merely turns your enemies into chickens. When it becomes version 2 the enemies-turned-chickens lay eggs which explode on contact. The next upgrade sees the egg/bombs hone in on enemies. From there, the chickens themselves join their bombs in a kamikaze death. Finally, the birds cease laying eggs and fly next to you, soaring headfirst into every enemy they see.

It is this evolution that keeps gameplay fresh throughout. Knowing that you will receive a reward every ten minutes you play is a huge push towards making the beaten bath look enticing and every battle the happiest war around.

The latest title in the series, Ratchet: Deadlocked, changes many of the elements which made the first three games so amazing, but keeps the essentials firmly intact. Basically, instead of exploring beautiful 3D world populated by different species of aliens or make of robot, you traverse small dungeons and confined battlegrounds. Exploration is completely gone. This means the entire game is running around arenas shooting enemies. I say that with a dry tone only because Deadlocked is not nearly as fun as the previous adventures. However, it is still an incredible game. The levels are smaller and the weapon variety is halved (from 20 weapons down to 10) but one glorious new addition awaits – cooperatively play. Ultimately, R&C is one series that is not made better with another person, but it was so amazing to begin with a knock down to great is hardly something to complain about.

While Deadlocked was a blast, and rekindled my love of the series, it is Up Your Arsenal that I really feel like gushing about. Aside from the sublime Super Mario World – which will surely be on display whenever video games have a museum to themselves – I cannot think of a single platformer I would place about this amazing title. To say I played through all 17 hours of the adventure in little more than 3 days hardly tells you how fully I devoted myself to it. From waking up early to play a level before class to staying in on Halloween, UYA was the most consuming game I have played this generation. In fact, as soon as I defeated the end boss, I started a new game in the hopes of buying and leveling up the weapons I missed the first time.

Ratchet and Clank shows there is still some life left in this generation. With an idea that focuses on non-stop fun rather than technical bells and whistles, R&C has cemented itself as a timeless gem future generations will still play with broad smiles plastered on their faces. While the newer systems may have new-fangled controllers and purty graphics, the perfect gameplay exhibited in this franchise will not be easily topped.

- Tom


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