Game Card
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (PSP)
- Publisher:
- SCEE
- Developer:
- High Impact Studios
- US Release:
- 13.02.2007
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- 1 - 4
Review
We play Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters...
Modern-day 3D platformers have always been somewhat of an enigma within the gaming lexicon; at once making huge leaps forwards in gameplay dynamics whilst at the same time becoming fairly generic in approach due to sheer volume. There have been some classic examples for sure: Mario 64, Sly, Jak and Daxter; but somehow they always just seem a little soulless, slightly too clinical and more like a proof of concept than a fully fleshed out experience (Psychonauts aside). The Ratchet and Clank design remit has always attempted to turn that notion on its head, and a lot of progress towards this goal has been made since the inception of the franchise on the PS2. This is a series full of character, good dialogue and silly sensibilities that at once evoke a genuine sense of nostalgia and move platform gaming forwards into new territory.
For development of 'Size Matters', Insomniac studios has passed the baton to High Impact Games, and judging by the results in this release they had very good reason for doing so. This PSP version contains all of the charm and action of its big-screen cousin, along with some elegant controls that neatly sidestep any potential pitfalls of the PSP hardware design. If this is the yardstick for portable platformers to come, we're in for some good times indeed.
Taking a design blueprint from the PS2 games, Size Matters shrinks down the action into nicely sized chunks of platforming, offering up a near-perfect recreation of the Ratchet visual style within an excellently rendered game world. By definition this makes it one of the most visually arresting games on the PSP thus far, and certainly more of a system showcase than almost any game to come before it. Animation is fluid, the environment and character design is colourful and vibrant and some of the inter-level space sequences will leave you staring in disbelief at the amount of action on-screen at any one time. All this is delivered with hardly a frame dropped in the process, something that the developers can be justly proud of.
Of course the key to the series success has always been an element of brazen personality, and Size Matters consistent approach works wonders in this respect. From the variation in excessively stupid weapons to the suitably insane enemies to fire them at, Ratchet fills each level to the brim with over-the-top action, containing just enough changes of pace to keep you on your toes without ever managing to overstay it's welcome. As a portable title it's well designed and suitable for 5-minute play sessions, just don't start it on your commute to work, you wont want to get off the train.
Of course a large problem with this type of game on the PSP is the hardware itself, and to that effect the interface has been decently reworked. By default the analogue nub controls character movement, with the d-pad allowing for strafe manoeuvring whenever necessary. The face buttons act as the input the usual gamut of combat and jumping actions and the L and R triggers act as camera control, allowing you to swing the perspective around on the rare occasions the game doesn't focus on the action correctly. Whilst the default setup and camera movement works for the most part, there are a few hiccups along the way, and I would definitely encourage a thorough exploration of the control options on the first few levels.
The standard of audio and voice acting also considerably adds to the charm and atmosphere of Ratchet, and throughout the game is generally excellent, with the cast delivering some good comedy timing and the plot taking a few twists and turns along the way to completion. In that sense, Ratchet seems like a true evolution of the genre, and along with Psychonauts seems to be carrying the torch for story-based action games at the moment. To do it so convincingly however is a real bonus for anybody that picks this up.
Whilst there are a few problems with Size Matters (occasional audio skips and the odd camera issue here and there), none of them can detract from the achievement that High Impact has made with this title. For a PSP game to be considered on a par with it's console inspiration is good enough for recommendation in itself, but to actually almost succeed those lofty goals can earn nothing but praise. If we can have more games like this, perhaps the PSP will gain itself a stay of execution for a little longer yet.
Top Game Moment: As always, some of the sillier weapons will be the ones to raise a smile.
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| Targeting opponents works surprisingly well given the PSP control setup | Size Matters looks absolutely gorgeous on the PSP's crisp display |
For development of 'Size Matters', Insomniac studios has passed the baton to High Impact Games, and judging by the results in this release they had very good reason for doing so. This PSP version contains all of the charm and action of its big-screen cousin, along with some elegant controls that neatly sidestep any potential pitfalls of the PSP hardware design. If this is the yardstick for portable platformers to come, we're in for some good times indeed.
Taking a design blueprint from the PS2 games, Size Matters shrinks down the action into nicely sized chunks of platforming, offering up a near-perfect recreation of the Ratchet visual style within an excellently rendered game world. By definition this makes it one of the most visually arresting games on the PSP thus far, and certainly more of a system showcase than almost any game to come before it. Animation is fluid, the environment and character design is colourful and vibrant and some of the inter-level space sequences will leave you staring in disbelief at the amount of action on-screen at any one time. All this is delivered with hardly a frame dropped in the process, something that the developers can be justly proud of.
 |
 |
|
| The usual brand of wackiness is firmly present | The plot is as fun and entertaining as ever |
Of course the key to the series success has always been an element of brazen personality, and Size Matters consistent approach works wonders in this respect. From the variation in excessively stupid weapons to the suitably insane enemies to fire them at, Ratchet fills each level to the brim with over-the-top action, containing just enough changes of pace to keep you on your toes without ever managing to overstay it's welcome. As a portable title it's well designed and suitable for 5-minute play sessions, just don't start it on your commute to work, you wont want to get off the train.
Of course a large problem with this type of game on the PSP is the hardware itself, and to that effect the interface has been decently reworked. By default the analogue nub controls character movement, with the d-pad allowing for strafe manoeuvring whenever necessary. The face buttons act as the input the usual gamut of combat and jumping actions and the L and R triggers act as camera control, allowing you to swing the perspective around on the rare occasions the game doesn't focus on the action correctly. Whilst the default setup and camera movement works for the most part, there are a few hiccups along the way, and I would definitely encourage a thorough exploration of the control options on the first few levels.
The standard of audio and voice acting also considerably adds to the charm and atmosphere of Ratchet, and throughout the game is generally excellent, with the cast delivering some good comedy timing and the plot taking a few twists and turns along the way to completion. In that sense, Ratchet seems like a true evolution of the genre, and along with Psychonauts seems to be carrying the torch for story-based action games at the moment. To do it so convincingly however is a real bonus for anybody that picks this up.
 |
 |
|
| The variety of weaponry is deep and fun | The inter-planetary space levels are graphically superb |
Whilst there are a few problems with Size Matters (occasional audio skips and the odd camera issue here and there), none of them can detract from the achievement that High Impact has made with this title. For a PSP game to be considered on a par with it's console inspiration is good enough for recommendation in itself, but to actually almost succeed those lofty goals can earn nothing but praise. If we can have more games like this, perhaps the PSP will gain itself a stay of execution for a little longer yet.
Top Game Moment: As always, some of the sillier weapons will be the ones to raise a smile.
