May 2009 Archives

Ratchet & Clank was developed by Insomniac Games and was released on November 4, 2002 for the PlayStation 2. This 3D platformer/shooter is jam-packed with content, boasting over 36 weapons and gadgets scattered throughout the game.

My first impression was that this was just a kid's game, but I found out pretty quickly that it really doesn't kid around. Maybe it's just me, but beginning with planet Rilgar, they really upped the anti, and that's still in the first half of the game!

Graphics
Regardless, let's get into some of the specifics. The graphics are really colorful and smooth, and in my opinion still quite pleasing to the eye, even with the emergence of next-gen consoles. This game has some clipping issues and oddball errors, but at least I never got stuck and unable to continue. Not as polished as later games in the series, but still quite good.

Music
I have to admit; I really wasn't much of a fan of the music when I first started playing this game. For the most part, it's just an electronic beat with a few keyboard sounds thrown over top, and all in all really nothing memorable. That said, it still fits the game nicely, and there were a couple of standout tunes. It would have been nice to have some kind of mood music for the final boss, though.

Gameplay
The controls are nice and smooth. It would have been nice to have a second quick select screen for gadgets and weapons, but one could get by without it if they were determined.

As I said earlier, the game doesn't really mess around, and it's downright challenging at times. There are plenty of moments where even the R.Y.N.O. couldn't save you, but you get used to the idea of having to perform perfect heli-jumps and swingshot leaps.

Conclusion
As we speak, I have yet to defeat the last boss (I've only tried a couple times), but I've collected all the gold bolts in the game. All in all, Ratchet & Clank is tons of fun and is jam-packed with content. I know I say this all the time, but I really appreciate a game that has a hours upon hours of gameplay. I highly recommend this game.

Star Trek is hands down the best movie I've seen recently. If you don't want me to spoil it for you, then you may want to come back to this review later.

The movie begins with the origins of Kirk and Spock, two boys fated to meet and change the face of space exploration forever. This particular movie is set in an alternate dimension, where Spock is assigned the position of captain, and Kirk is the first officer. The two are at odds, and in the midst of making decisions about their mission, Spock exiles Kirk to an icy and perilous planet, where he meets Spock Prime (Spock from the future). It is revealed that Spock Prime came to save Romulus from imminent collapse. While on the planet, they meet up with Scotty, who helps them beam aboard the Enterprise. Kirk, at the prompting of Spock Prime, aims to uncover Spock's emotional involvement with the mission (Vulcan was destroyed by Nero, the leader of the Romulans), thus rendering him unfit for the position of captain. Kirk succeeds, and claims the position. They chase down Nero, rescue captain Pike (who was taken captive by the Romulans), and that's pretty much Star Trek in a nutshell.

I thought that the casting was impeccable, and John Cho was somehow perfect in the role of Sulu. Simon Pegg is an interesting choice for Scotty, but then it's hard to imagine anyone else who could pull it off with as much grace (especially since he was used for comedic relief). Chris Pine as Kirk is maybe too tall, handsome and blonde, but I still think he captured the essence of the character nicely.

It's not a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination, but it entertained me a great deal. If you're a purist, go in with an open mind and you just might enjoy it. It's an action-packed, intense experience.