Icymoon75
2005
Ratchet: Deadlocked never really struck the same chord with me as the other Ratchet and Clank games did. It's fairly different from the others, mostly following a mission based structure rather then having to fight through a linear or branching level.
These missions are mostly hit and miss and the game doesn't really get into it's groove until partway through. The combat is still as fun like with the other Ratchet games, but the weapon selection is rather low compared to previous entries. Music is good, but some tracks feel very samey. They brought their A game with the writing in this one though. Probably the funniest Ratchet and Clank game to date and it manages to covey it's themes very well.
While probably my least favorite of the PS2 Ratchet games made by Insomniac, it's still got a lot to like. At the end of the day, it's Ratchet and Clank. It just has a bit more edge to it this time around.
These missions are mostly hit and miss and the game doesn't really get into it's groove until partway through. The combat is still as fun like with the other Ratchet games, but the weapon selection is rather low compared to previous entries. Music is good, but some tracks feel very samey. They brought their A game with the writing in this one though. Probably the funniest Ratchet and Clank game to date and it manages to covey it's themes very well.
While probably my least favorite of the PS2 Ratchet games made by Insomniac, it's still got a lot to like. At the end of the day, it's Ratchet and Clank. It just has a bit more edge to it this time around.
As a huge Ratchet and Clank fan, I always thought this one got a bit of a bad rap. Don't get me wrong, it's got a lot of faults! However, for what High Impact Games were trying to do by bringing Ratchet and Clank to the PSP, they did a fair job.
It's your standard Ratchet game. You got an arsenal of weapons and you shoot the bad guys, except this time it's in portable form. Though this game doesn't pull it's punches. Enemies are very bullet spongey and hit like trucks. This can make the final few levels fairly difficult if you are not prepared. Especially the final boss. Beware...
I think the music in this game is actually some of the best in Ratchet history. I had no idea they brought David Bergeaud back to do the soundtrack for this one, so I was pleasantly surprised!
The story is fairly forgettable and Ratchet feels fairly out of character in this one. I think the plot they were going for here was interesting, but it falls flat on it's face.
In the end if you're looking for more Ratchet and Clank games to play after finishing the mainline titles, give this one a shot. It's got some neat ideas and you may just like it.
It's your standard Ratchet game. You got an arsenal of weapons and you shoot the bad guys, except this time it's in portable form. Though this game doesn't pull it's punches. Enemies are very bullet spongey and hit like trucks. This can make the final few levels fairly difficult if you are not prepared. Especially the final boss. Beware...
I think the music in this game is actually some of the best in Ratchet history. I had no idea they brought David Bergeaud back to do the soundtrack for this one, so I was pleasantly surprised!
The story is fairly forgettable and Ratchet feels fairly out of character in this one. I think the plot they were going for here was interesting, but it falls flat on it's face.
In the end if you're looking for more Ratchet and Clank games to play after finishing the mainline titles, give this one a shot. It's got some neat ideas and you may just like it.
2008
Another PSP Ratchet and Clank title developed by High Impact Games. I'll be honest. I think it's somewhat better then Size Matters, but not by much. This time around, Clank gets the main focus!
I think the idea of Ratchet landing himself in jail while Clank has to prove his innocence is an interesting plot for a Ratchet and Clank game. Ratchet has to fight for his survival against all his past foes that he's gotten thrown in the slammer, while Clank does the investigating on the outside. Oh yeah, Qwark is there as well I guess?
The gameplay is pretty much the same as it is in Size Matters. Clank can do everything that Ratchet can now, except it's got a slight focus on stealth. Ratchet gameplay is pretty much the arena missions in previous games. Qwark plays...pretty much the same as Ratchet except with some gameplay twists here and there.
Music is fairly forgettable here outside a couple tracks. Nothing much to note here.
If you liked Size Matters you will probably like this one. It's regarded as the black sheep of the Ratchet and Clank franchise but I think it's alright for what it is.
I think the idea of Ratchet landing himself in jail while Clank has to prove his innocence is an interesting plot for a Ratchet and Clank game. Ratchet has to fight for his survival against all his past foes that he's gotten thrown in the slammer, while Clank does the investigating on the outside. Oh yeah, Qwark is there as well I guess?
The gameplay is pretty much the same as it is in Size Matters. Clank can do everything that Ratchet can now, except it's got a slight focus on stealth. Ratchet gameplay is pretty much the arena missions in previous games. Qwark plays...pretty much the same as Ratchet except with some gameplay twists here and there.
Music is fairly forgettable here outside a couple tracks. Nothing much to note here.
If you liked Size Matters you will probably like this one. It's regarded as the black sheep of the Ratchet and Clank franchise but I think it's alright for what it is.
Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction was quite a shift for the series. For one, it was the very first Ratchet game on the Playstation 3, utilizing all the nifty features of the dualshock 3 controller. Mainly, the motion controls. More importantly though, this is when Insomniac Games wanted to tell a more serious story.
Tools of Destruction delves into Ratchets origins, mainly discussing where he came from and what happened to the rest of his species. Some Ratchet and Clank fans were not very big on this change in tone and story while others were. On my end, I actually quite like it. However, it does miss the mark in some spots. The main villain, Tachyon, is supposed to be this very threating emperor who has an entire galaxy under his thumb, except every time he's on screen the game makes him the butt of a lot of jokes. Mainly his height. They probably wanted to capture the same charm that Dr. Nefarious had but didn't understand why he was so charming in the first place. Tachyon only ever feels threating right before, during, and after his fight. Not very good. Overall though, I find the story and the lore it sets up to be very interesting.
Gameplay is very much similar to the PS2 Ratchet and Clank games. A great arsenal of weapons, some utilizing motion controls which you can turn off if that's not your thing. Combat is as fun as always! I find the planets in this one to be a bit boring. There are a couple here and there that stick out in my mind, but nothing as memorable as with the previous titles outside of the opening level. That might just be me though so.
Music is alright here. David Bergeaud was brought back once again, but a lot of the tracks don't really hit like they used to. This game goes for a more orchestral music score to fit the tone of the story rather then something alien sounding or industrial. Not a fan.
Overall, Tools of Destruction is a good Ratchet and Clank game. Fun gameplay with a very cool story being set up here. Though I always thought it was missing something.
Tools of Destruction delves into Ratchets origins, mainly discussing where he came from and what happened to the rest of his species. Some Ratchet and Clank fans were not very big on this change in tone and story while others were. On my end, I actually quite like it. However, it does miss the mark in some spots. The main villain, Tachyon, is supposed to be this very threating emperor who has an entire galaxy under his thumb, except every time he's on screen the game makes him the butt of a lot of jokes. Mainly his height. They probably wanted to capture the same charm that Dr. Nefarious had but didn't understand why he was so charming in the first place. Tachyon only ever feels threating right before, during, and after his fight. Not very good. Overall though, I find the story and the lore it sets up to be very interesting.
Gameplay is very much similar to the PS2 Ratchet and Clank games. A great arsenal of weapons, some utilizing motion controls which you can turn off if that's not your thing. Combat is as fun as always! I find the planets in this one to be a bit boring. There are a couple here and there that stick out in my mind, but nothing as memorable as with the previous titles outside of the opening level. That might just be me though so.
Music is alright here. David Bergeaud was brought back once again, but a lot of the tracks don't really hit like they used to. This game goes for a more orchestral music score to fit the tone of the story rather then something alien sounding or industrial. Not a fan.
Overall, Tools of Destruction is a good Ratchet and Clank game. Fun gameplay with a very cool story being set up here. Though I always thought it was missing something.
This would most likely be my favorite Ratchet and Clank game for a number of reasons if Going Commando didn't exist. Insomniac went above and beyond in developing this title, and it shows.
This game introduces a bunch of new things that all land spectacularly. Namely, Clank sections are now actually fun by introducing the time puzzles. Seriously, I could play an entire game full of these things. You can now fly your ship in between planets, getting into space battles, doing brief missions, and exploring moons with challenging platforming sections. Hover boots are a welcome addition, allowing Ratchet to zoom across levels quickly. You can customize certain weapons with different combat effects. Combine all this with the usual Ratchet and Clank gun combat, and you got yourself a great fucking videogame. My only real complaint is that it takes some time to really get into gear, but by the time you reach the second sector it gets real good.
The music is done by David Bergeaud anymore, but there are a few memorable tracks here and there. The soundtrack leans more towards something ambient, with the music picking up more during certain combat sections.
I still believe that A Crack in Time has the best Ratchet and Clank story to date. I won't go into too much detail as I believe it's best experienced for yourself. However I will say it takes almost everything that was set up in Tools of Destruction and Quest for Booty and gives it all a perfect payoff. The ending to this game is something I will never forget.
Overall, A Crack in Time is a near perfect Ratchet and Clank game that many fans regard as the best in the series. It's my personal second favorite, with Going Commando beating it ever so slightly. If you wanna get into the Ratchet games, don't miss out on this one. Or if you are looking to fill out your PS3 library, this would make a perfect addition!
This game introduces a bunch of new things that all land spectacularly. Namely, Clank sections are now actually fun by introducing the time puzzles. Seriously, I could play an entire game full of these things. You can now fly your ship in between planets, getting into space battles, doing brief missions, and exploring moons with challenging platforming sections. Hover boots are a welcome addition, allowing Ratchet to zoom across levels quickly. You can customize certain weapons with different combat effects. Combine all this with the usual Ratchet and Clank gun combat, and you got yourself a great fucking videogame. My only real complaint is that it takes some time to really get into gear, but by the time you reach the second sector it gets real good.
The music is done by David Bergeaud anymore, but there are a few memorable tracks here and there. The soundtrack leans more towards something ambient, with the music picking up more during certain combat sections.
I still believe that A Crack in Time has the best Ratchet and Clank story to date. I won't go into too much detail as I believe it's best experienced for yourself. However I will say it takes almost everything that was set up in Tools of Destruction and Quest for Booty and gives it all a perfect payoff. The ending to this game is something I will never forget.
Overall, A Crack in Time is a near perfect Ratchet and Clank game that many fans regard as the best in the series. It's my personal second favorite, with Going Commando beating it ever so slightly. If you wanna get into the Ratchet games, don't miss out on this one. Or if you are looking to fill out your PS3 library, this would make a perfect addition!
All 4 One is for sure the most...different from the others in the Ratchet and Clank catalogue. I don't think it's a bad game at all, far from it in fact. It's well put together, has a very neat concept that introduces some new mechanics, and a co-op Ratchet game is honestly pretty fun! Though that's also where the problems arrive.
If you don't have a friend or two to play this with, then this game can be a slog. You'll be forced to buddy up with an ai partner the whole adventure that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Combat and co-op puzzles can get boring very quickly as well if it's just you. At least if you have a few friends, the experience is enhanced by typical multiplayer shenanigans. Competing against each other, "accidently" launching each other off cliffs, and just joking about the game itself.
The story is a a bit interesting, following a mystery about the planet the main four are stuck on and how two scientists ruined it all. It's got lot of interesting lore bits if you're a Ratchet and Clank super nerd.
If you don't think you can convince a few friends to play this with you, then I would still recommend playing a level or two and see how you feel about it by then. At that point you can decide for yourself if you wanna keep playing or not. If you do skip it, you're not missing all that much.
If you don't have a friend or two to play this with, then this game can be a slog. You'll be forced to buddy up with an ai partner the whole adventure that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Combat and co-op puzzles can get boring very quickly as well if it's just you. At least if you have a few friends, the experience is enhanced by typical multiplayer shenanigans. Competing against each other, "accidently" launching each other off cliffs, and just joking about the game itself.
The story is a a bit interesting, following a mystery about the planet the main four are stuck on and how two scientists ruined it all. It's got lot of interesting lore bits if you're a Ratchet and Clank super nerd.
If you don't think you can convince a few friends to play this with you, then I would still recommend playing a level or two and see how you feel about it by then. At that point you can decide for yourself if you wanna keep playing or not. If you do skip it, you're not missing all that much.
Full Frontal Assault is about on par with All 4 One for me. Both very fine games in the Ratchet series, but if you don't have a friend or two to play this with then you can decide if you wanna skip it or not.
This game is your typical Ratchet and Clank gunning and platforming experience, except this time, it's a tower defense game. It's probably the shortest Ratchet and Clank game and can most likely be beaten in an afternoon so it doesn't overstay it's welcome. Though enemies get weirdly bullet spongey towards the end, especially the tanks. Pro tip: use the flame thrower weapon if you get stuck. It shreds through health bars like a hot knife through butter. It's actually pretty satisfying.
The story is...fine. It's a tower defense game so I wasn't expecting much anyway. The villain is really lame and is probably the worst one in the series. Funny jokes here and there. Qwark is the main focus if you're a fan of him.
Overall, a fairly good time. Get a friend if you can and blast through it. If you can't then feel free to skip. If you liked playing through the story mode, then give the online multiplayer a shot. From what I played of the tutorial, it seems like it could be fun with a couple of buddies.
This game is your typical Ratchet and Clank gunning and platforming experience, except this time, it's a tower defense game. It's probably the shortest Ratchet and Clank game and can most likely be beaten in an afternoon so it doesn't overstay it's welcome. Though enemies get weirdly bullet spongey towards the end, especially the tanks. Pro tip: use the flame thrower weapon if you get stuck. It shreds through health bars like a hot knife through butter. It's actually pretty satisfying.
The story is...fine. It's a tower defense game so I wasn't expecting much anyway. The villain is really lame and is probably the worst one in the series. Funny jokes here and there. Qwark is the main focus if you're a fan of him.
Overall, a fairly good time. Get a friend if you can and blast through it. If you can't then feel free to skip. If you liked playing through the story mode, then give the online multiplayer a shot. From what I played of the tutorial, it seems like it could be fun with a couple of buddies.
The epilogue to the Ratchet and Clank Future series. This game serves as a way to tie up some loose ends and provide some closure to the PS3 Ratchet games. At least until Rift Apart came out.
On the story side of things, this game has Ratchet and Clank tracking down two villains named Neftin and Vendra. They plan to bring a race of dangerous beings knows as the Nethers over to their dimension. That's basically all I can say without delving too much into spoilers. The tone of this game is quite different from previous Ratchet titles, taking on something a little more dark and somber. It's honestly a bit jarring at points, but I actually quite like it.
The gameplay is basically a diet version of A Crack in Time. It reuses a lot of weapons from past titles while sprinkling in some new ones here and there. The hover boots make a return, and the Clank sections in this one are pretty good! They go for a more 2D puzzle side scroller approach. Though this game is VERY short! Don't go in expecting a full length game here. It makes for a very short and sweet experience.
There are some negatives. For one, the frame rates in this game can get quite bad at points. I can't recall a Ratchet game ever dipping in frames like this before (aside from Deadlocked HD port but we don't talk about that). Also, I don't know if this is just me but this game is rather...ugly? It's hard to explain but everything looks as if it's been dipped in like, lip gloss? I don't know, play it and see for yourself. Maybe I'm just crazy. I feel like Full Frontal Assault had this same issue.
This game is a solid Ratchet and Clank experience. Honestly, it would be one of the best games in the series if it were just a little bit longer. A couple of planets more would go a long way. Either way, if you were a fan of Tools of Destruction and a Crack in Time don't skip this one! It caps all the PS3 Ratchet games off nicely.
On the story side of things, this game has Ratchet and Clank tracking down two villains named Neftin and Vendra. They plan to bring a race of dangerous beings knows as the Nethers over to their dimension. That's basically all I can say without delving too much into spoilers. The tone of this game is quite different from previous Ratchet titles, taking on something a little more dark and somber. It's honestly a bit jarring at points, but I actually quite like it.
The gameplay is basically a diet version of A Crack in Time. It reuses a lot of weapons from past titles while sprinkling in some new ones here and there. The hover boots make a return, and the Clank sections in this one are pretty good! They go for a more 2D puzzle side scroller approach. Though this game is VERY short! Don't go in expecting a full length game here. It makes for a very short and sweet experience.
There are some negatives. For one, the frame rates in this game can get quite bad at points. I can't recall a Ratchet game ever dipping in frames like this before (aside from Deadlocked HD port but we don't talk about that). Also, I don't know if this is just me but this game is rather...ugly? It's hard to explain but everything looks as if it's been dipped in like, lip gloss? I don't know, play it and see for yourself. Maybe I'm just crazy. I feel like Full Frontal Assault had this same issue.
This game is a solid Ratchet and Clank experience. Honestly, it would be one of the best games in the series if it were just a little bit longer. A couple of planets more would go a long way. Either way, if you were a fan of Tools of Destruction and a Crack in Time don't skip this one! It caps all the PS3 Ratchet games off nicely.
2016
If you are looking for the safest and most vanilla Ratchet and Clank game then congrats! You found it! Not bad by any means but it's kind of just...nothing.
This is a reimagining of the very first Ratchet game, incorporating plot elements and new characters from the movie that had come out around that time. Honestly, you could say this game feels like a tie in for that movie. Compare this games plot to the plot of the 2002 game it's based on and...it's just not good. Ratchet and Clank are bland characters who are best friends the instant they meet. Drek, the once intimidating villain from the 2002 game, is now a bland guy in a suit who cracks unfunny jokes. He gets overshadowed in the plot by this bland version Dr. Nefarious who's in this game for no reason other then the fact that he's popular in the fandom. Qwark is bland. The new characters are REALLY bland. It's all just...bland.
Gameplay wise, it's Ratchet and Clank in it's simplest and purest form. Wanna guess how many new weapons are in this game? 2. Only 2. The rest of your arsenal is all reused from previous entries. They removed a few of the planets and levels from the 2002 game. That kinda stinks.
I know I'm being really negative here so let me explain. This game is still good! It's Ratchet and Clank, how could it not be? Whether it's your first time playing one of these or you're a returning player you'll most likely have a lot of fun. It's just a safe Ratchet and Clank experience that doesn't really do anything special. As a huge Ratchet and Clank fan, if you wanna get into this series I would recommend the original 2002 game. If there's no way you can play that, then this is also a really good starting point. It basically shows you the ropes of what Ratchet and Clank is as a gaming franchise.
This is a reimagining of the very first Ratchet game, incorporating plot elements and new characters from the movie that had come out around that time. Honestly, you could say this game feels like a tie in for that movie. Compare this games plot to the plot of the 2002 game it's based on and...it's just not good. Ratchet and Clank are bland characters who are best friends the instant they meet. Drek, the once intimidating villain from the 2002 game, is now a bland guy in a suit who cracks unfunny jokes. He gets overshadowed in the plot by this bland version Dr. Nefarious who's in this game for no reason other then the fact that he's popular in the fandom. Qwark is bland. The new characters are REALLY bland. It's all just...bland.
Gameplay wise, it's Ratchet and Clank in it's simplest and purest form. Wanna guess how many new weapons are in this game? 2. Only 2. The rest of your arsenal is all reused from previous entries. They removed a few of the planets and levels from the 2002 game. That kinda stinks.
I know I'm being really negative here so let me explain. This game is still good! It's Ratchet and Clank, how could it not be? Whether it's your first time playing one of these or you're a returning player you'll most likely have a lot of fun. It's just a safe Ratchet and Clank experience that doesn't really do anything special. As a huge Ratchet and Clank fan, if you wanna get into this series I would recommend the original 2002 game. If there's no way you can play that, then this is also a really good starting point. It basically shows you the ropes of what Ratchet and Clank is as a gaming franchise.
Rift Apart is an amazing Ratchet game. If you have a PS5 and are debating which games to get, this would be my highest recommendation. It takes such good use of the PS5 and it's abilities it's honestly insane.
Firstly, the story. For those who were finally waiting for a continuation of the Ratchet and Clank Future games, here it is! When Dr. Nefarious returns and steals the dimensionator from the duo in order to create a universe where he always wins, a malfunction causes a rift in reality merging two dimensions. Now it's up to Ratchet, Clank, and the new playable lombax Rivet to fix everything. If you're expecting the same kind of tone and writing of the Future games, then don't. It's a bit more on par with something like the 2016 game, but it's not all that bad! It feels like were starting to get just ever so slightly back on track here with how these games used to be written. New fun characters are introduced that are basically alternate dimension versions of characters that you may already know and love. Plus, we finally get a new intimidating villain! Been awhile on that front. Rivet herself is very cool and I can't wait to see what they do with her in future titles. The alternate version of Clank, Kit, is probably one of my favorite characters Insomniac has introduced to this series in a long while.
Gameplay wise, this game is amazing. It takes advantage of all the new features introduced in the PS5. Haptic feedback and practically no loading screens being the most notable. Being able to hop between dimensions seamlessly is astounding and fun! All the new weapons introduced are super creative. There's a lot to gush about here!
The music is nothing all that spectacular. That's probably one of my biggest gripes with the newer Ratchet and Clank games. The PS2 titles had some amazing tunes, and now the new games have nothing even close to that caliber. Just bring back David Bergeaud.
To end off, this game is simply wonderful. To some fans, this is the best in the series! I think if it were just a bit longer and the writing followed the tone of something more like the PS3 or PS2 games, it'd honestly be perfect. I can't wait to see what Insomniac has cooking for this franchise next. If this was Ratchet and Clanks PS5 debut, I can only imagine how good later games are gonna be!
Firstly, the story. For those who were finally waiting for a continuation of the Ratchet and Clank Future games, here it is! When Dr. Nefarious returns and steals the dimensionator from the duo in order to create a universe where he always wins, a malfunction causes a rift in reality merging two dimensions. Now it's up to Ratchet, Clank, and the new playable lombax Rivet to fix everything. If you're expecting the same kind of tone and writing of the Future games, then don't. It's a bit more on par with something like the 2016 game, but it's not all that bad! It feels like were starting to get just ever so slightly back on track here with how these games used to be written. New fun characters are introduced that are basically alternate dimension versions of characters that you may already know and love. Plus, we finally get a new intimidating villain! Been awhile on that front. Rivet herself is very cool and I can't wait to see what they do with her in future titles. The alternate version of Clank, Kit, is probably one of my favorite characters Insomniac has introduced to this series in a long while.
Gameplay wise, this game is amazing. It takes advantage of all the new features introduced in the PS5. Haptic feedback and practically no loading screens being the most notable. Being able to hop between dimensions seamlessly is astounding and fun! All the new weapons introduced are super creative. There's a lot to gush about here!
The music is nothing all that spectacular. That's probably one of my biggest gripes with the newer Ratchet and Clank games. The PS2 titles had some amazing tunes, and now the new games have nothing even close to that caliber. Just bring back David Bergeaud.
To end off, this game is simply wonderful. To some fans, this is the best in the series! I think if it were just a bit longer and the writing followed the tone of something more like the PS3 or PS2 games, it'd honestly be perfect. I can't wait to see what Insomniac has cooking for this franchise next. If this was Ratchet and Clanks PS5 debut, I can only imagine how good later games are gonna be!
1999
Ape Escape as a series is just so good. The first game is no exception. This game was the first to ever require the need of two analog sticks, and they make good use of it.
The story here is simple. When a circus monkey named Specter gets his hands on a peak point helmet, he's granted super intelligence and incredible powers. Stealing a professors time machine, he sends himself and a bunch of other apes back in time. Now it's up to Spike to stop Specter and save his friend, Jake, who's been kidnapped and mind controlled by Specter. Again, it's simple but it works for a game like this.
The gameplay revolves around you using a bunch of gadgets to complete platforming challenges, and utilizing a net to catch any apes you find. The gadgets you equip all make use of the right analog stick in some way or another. Catching the apes is surprisingly more addictive and fun then it may look like. Each ape puts up a tough fight, so it's not as simple as walking up and swinging your net. When you do catch one they disappear in a flash of sparkly particle effects along with a satisfying sound and Spike exclaiming, "GOTCHA!" So satisfying...
And the music? It's Great! The soundtrack was done by Soichi Terada, and there are alot of catchy DnB beats in this one. The Mysterious Age set of levels has some really good tracks in particular.
There are some negatives. The game throws you out of level once you catch a certain amount of apes, meaning you'll have to go back later and catch the rest. Some of the platforming is a bit janky, and the draw distance is a fair bit short.
Overall, a great way to kick off a fantastic Playstation franchise. I personally prefer it's sequels, but it's still a wonderful game!
The story here is simple. When a circus monkey named Specter gets his hands on a peak point helmet, he's granted super intelligence and incredible powers. Stealing a professors time machine, he sends himself and a bunch of other apes back in time. Now it's up to Spike to stop Specter and save his friend, Jake, who's been kidnapped and mind controlled by Specter. Again, it's simple but it works for a game like this.
The gameplay revolves around you using a bunch of gadgets to complete platforming challenges, and utilizing a net to catch any apes you find. The gadgets you equip all make use of the right analog stick in some way or another. Catching the apes is surprisingly more addictive and fun then it may look like. Each ape puts up a tough fight, so it's not as simple as walking up and swinging your net. When you do catch one they disappear in a flash of sparkly particle effects along with a satisfying sound and Spike exclaiming, "GOTCHA!" So satisfying...
And the music? It's Great! The soundtrack was done by Soichi Terada, and there are alot of catchy DnB beats in this one. The Mysterious Age set of levels has some really good tracks in particular.
There are some negatives. The game throws you out of level once you catch a certain amount of apes, meaning you'll have to go back later and catch the rest. Some of the platforming is a bit janky, and the draw distance is a fair bit short.
Overall, a great way to kick off a fantastic Playstation franchise. I personally prefer it's sequels, but it's still a wonderful game!
2002
A great sequel to the original Ape Escape that expands slightly on the first game! I'm surprised to see that not many people on here like it, but of course that's all subjective.
The story this time around has Spector escaping yet again with his peak point helmet, but he's got some heavy backup. This game introduces the Freaky Monkey Five, who are essentially Spectors top soldiers and act as the bosses for this game. Spector plans to conquer the world, this time without the use of a time machine. Jimmy, Spikes cousin, steps up to save the day as the main protagonist here.
Gameplay is...pretty much the same as the first game. There are some new gadgets and monkey types introduced here, but nothing all that major. It's still the same monkey catching action you'd expect from Ape Escape. There are actually cool and somewhat challenging bosses this time around! That's something.
The music isn't done by the Soichi Terada this time around, but the soundtrack here still holds up! The penultimate level and final level themes are especially good.
Overall, a great sequel but it doesn't introduce a whole lot to the Ape Escape formula. If it just had a bit more meat it'd be a perfect sequel.
The story this time around has Spector escaping yet again with his peak point helmet, but he's got some heavy backup. This game introduces the Freaky Monkey Five, who are essentially Spectors top soldiers and act as the bosses for this game. Spector plans to conquer the world, this time without the use of a time machine. Jimmy, Spikes cousin, steps up to save the day as the main protagonist here.
Gameplay is...pretty much the same as the first game. There are some new gadgets and monkey types introduced here, but nothing all that major. It's still the same monkey catching action you'd expect from Ape Escape. There are actually cool and somewhat challenging bosses this time around! That's something.
The music isn't done by the Soichi Terada this time around, but the soundtrack here still holds up! The penultimate level and final level themes are especially good.
Overall, a great sequel but it doesn't introduce a whole lot to the Ape Escape formula. If it just had a bit more meat it'd be a perfect sequel.
2005
The peak of the Ape Escape franchise. Ape Escape 3 improves on everything in 1 and 2 while introducing some new elements and loads of new content.
This time, Spector teams up with a human to build TV satellites to mind control and enslave the people of Earth using his own television station. The previous protagonists, Spike and Jimmy, have fallen under the trance so now it's up to the Kei and Yumi to save the day and stop Specter. It's a fun and lighthearted plot fitting for a series like Ape Escape.
The gameplay follows the same structure as 1 and 2. You run around with cool gadgets and catch apes with your net. Highly addictive and super satisfying. This time around they introduce morph suits, which allow Kei and Yumi to power up and increase their attacks and movement abilities. These suits are sometimes required to progress and solve puzzles, and they add a unique spin to the established ape catching formula. There's a bunch of cool side modes in this game as well, such as simian cinema which allows you to make your own short movies using the apes you captured. However, the side mode most people remember is Mesal Gear Solid. This is practically a whole short game within Ape Escape 3 that's based on another game series, Metal Gear Solid. It's a lot of fun and not something you would expect in a game like this. It's a neat bonus for clearing the main games story mode!
Soichi Terada was brought back to do the soundtrack for this game, and he does a fantastic job as you would expect. Lot's of good DnB beats like with the first game.
A few nitpicks. For one, the protagonists aren't really all that interesting this time around. It's cool that you get to choose between playing as a male or female protagonist this time around, but neither Kei nor Yumi are as engaging as Spike or Jimmy. Though that's just personal preference. Bosses are also super easy this time around. The Freaky Monkey Five from the 2nd game return, but they're all total pushovers compared to how they were previously. They'll all go down in seconds as soon as you deploy any of the morph suits. If you want the fights to be actually challenging, then avoiding using the suits.
Overall, I believe Ape Escape 3 is the best Ape Escape game. It's a shame we never got a fourth game in the series, as there could have been so many ways to expand the gameplay even further. Maybe someday...
This time, Spector teams up with a human to build TV satellites to mind control and enslave the people of Earth using his own television station. The previous protagonists, Spike and Jimmy, have fallen under the trance so now it's up to the Kei and Yumi to save the day and stop Specter. It's a fun and lighthearted plot fitting for a series like Ape Escape.
The gameplay follows the same structure as 1 and 2. You run around with cool gadgets and catch apes with your net. Highly addictive and super satisfying. This time around they introduce morph suits, which allow Kei and Yumi to power up and increase their attacks and movement abilities. These suits are sometimes required to progress and solve puzzles, and they add a unique spin to the established ape catching formula. There's a bunch of cool side modes in this game as well, such as simian cinema which allows you to make your own short movies using the apes you captured. However, the side mode most people remember is Mesal Gear Solid. This is practically a whole short game within Ape Escape 3 that's based on another game series, Metal Gear Solid. It's a lot of fun and not something you would expect in a game like this. It's a neat bonus for clearing the main games story mode!
Soichi Terada was brought back to do the soundtrack for this game, and he does a fantastic job as you would expect. Lot's of good DnB beats like with the first game.
A few nitpicks. For one, the protagonists aren't really all that interesting this time around. It's cool that you get to choose between playing as a male or female protagonist this time around, but neither Kei nor Yumi are as engaging as Spike or Jimmy. Though that's just personal preference. Bosses are also super easy this time around. The Freaky Monkey Five from the 2nd game return, but they're all total pushovers compared to how they were previously. They'll all go down in seconds as soon as you deploy any of the morph suits. If you want the fights to be actually challenging, then avoiding using the suits.
Overall, I believe Ape Escape 3 is the best Ape Escape game. It's a shame we never got a fourth game in the series, as there could have been so many ways to expand the gameplay even further. Maybe someday...
2005
Not a lot to say about this one. It's an Ape Escape themed minigame collection made for the PSP.
The gameplay has you doing mostly the same minigames over and over again. You can build a deck of cards that let's you play the minigames you want against your opponent who has their own set of cards. Though the best strategy is to just use a deck that has low costing energy cards with minigames that don't rely on luck to win. Be prepared to play those minigames until you reach the end of the campaign.
When you do complete the campaign...that's pretty much it. You can try and collect every card to unlock all the minigames, but it'll likely take you a lot of time and in the end it probably won't be worth it. Some minigames here are fun, but most are duds. The AI can also range from piss easy to absolutely impossible to beat in certain minigames. Could be fun with a friend or two.
If you are an Ape Escape fan, feel free to try this one for a bit. You can drop it once you start getting bored since by then you'll likely see all the game has to offer.
The gameplay has you doing mostly the same minigames over and over again. You can build a deck of cards that let's you play the minigames you want against your opponent who has their own set of cards. Though the best strategy is to just use a deck that has low costing energy cards with minigames that don't rely on luck to win. Be prepared to play those minigames until you reach the end of the campaign.
When you do complete the campaign...that's pretty much it. You can try and collect every card to unlock all the minigames, but it'll likely take you a lot of time and in the end it probably won't be worth it. Some minigames here are fun, but most are duds. The AI can also range from piss easy to absolutely impossible to beat in certain minigames. Could be fun with a friend or two.
If you are an Ape Escape fan, feel free to try this one for a bit. You can drop it once you start getting bored since by then you'll likely see all the game has to offer.
The closest we'll likely ever get to a true Ape Escape 4. Ape Escape: Big Mission is a Japan exclusive PSP spinoff. If you are an Ape Escape fan, do yourself a favor and play this game! Don't be scared by the fact that it's in Japanese language only. This game can VERY easily be played even if you don't understand a single bit of it.
The story has Specter shrinking down Spike, Natalie, and the Professors lab to a miniature size. He's also kidnapped the Professor, Aki, and the previous protagonists Jimmy, Kei, and Yumi. Now Spike and Natalie need to pilot the miniature lab to save their friends and family and return to normal size.
If I had to compare the gameplay to another game that's more modern, I would say it's like Mario Odyssey. The twist here is that instead of controlling Mario you can only control the cap that possesses things. That's this game in a nutshell. When you begin a level, you start off piloting the small lab and need to locate an Ape to possess and control before your battery runs out. From there, you move through a linear level swapping between apes with different abilities to clear platforming challenges. Catching apes feels almost exactly like it does in the console games, and playing as them feels like the different gadgets you use in those games as well. If you decide to play this game here's the basic controls so you understand what you're doing since everything will be in Japanese. X will always be jump no matter what you are controlling, triangle will always be the capture/unpossess ape button, and square and circle will always be the attack or special move button depending on what your ape specializes in. That's basically the gist of it and what you'll be doing throughout the whole game. Easy as hell to get!
Soichi Terada composed the soundtrack for this game and honestly, it's some of his best work for this series. If you don't want to play this game because it's japan exclusive then at least give the soundtrack a listen.
There are a few nitpicks. Sometimes the game spawns WAY too many enemies at once in some rooms and you can easily be overwhelmed. Also for some reason, the game only lets you have 2 lives and no more then that. A baffling choice but you likely won't be dying too often. If you get nervous feel free to save state. Further, when you are presented with an obstacle you are almost always given the ape needed to proceed through it, so it feels like there's not really much challenge in finding the apes like you do in the mainline titles.
Overall, this is a very good Ape Escape game and it's a shame it was never translated. It feels like a culmination of the previous games, bringing back all the protagonists from series history and having them work together against Specter and the Freaky Monkey Five by controlling all the apes they've fought before. If you are an Ape Escape fan that's hungry for more content, please play this game! You'll see what I mean when I say it feels like it could be the closest to an Ape Escape 4 that we'll ever get.
The story has Specter shrinking down Spike, Natalie, and the Professors lab to a miniature size. He's also kidnapped the Professor, Aki, and the previous protagonists Jimmy, Kei, and Yumi. Now Spike and Natalie need to pilot the miniature lab to save their friends and family and return to normal size.
If I had to compare the gameplay to another game that's more modern, I would say it's like Mario Odyssey. The twist here is that instead of controlling Mario you can only control the cap that possesses things. That's this game in a nutshell. When you begin a level, you start off piloting the small lab and need to locate an Ape to possess and control before your battery runs out. From there, you move through a linear level swapping between apes with different abilities to clear platforming challenges. Catching apes feels almost exactly like it does in the console games, and playing as them feels like the different gadgets you use in those games as well. If you decide to play this game here's the basic controls so you understand what you're doing since everything will be in Japanese. X will always be jump no matter what you are controlling, triangle will always be the capture/unpossess ape button, and square and circle will always be the attack or special move button depending on what your ape specializes in. That's basically the gist of it and what you'll be doing throughout the whole game. Easy as hell to get!
Soichi Terada composed the soundtrack for this game and honestly, it's some of his best work for this series. If you don't want to play this game because it's japan exclusive then at least give the soundtrack a listen.
There are a few nitpicks. Sometimes the game spawns WAY too many enemies at once in some rooms and you can easily be overwhelmed. Also for some reason, the game only lets you have 2 lives and no more then that. A baffling choice but you likely won't be dying too often. If you get nervous feel free to save state. Further, when you are presented with an obstacle you are almost always given the ape needed to proceed through it, so it feels like there's not really much challenge in finding the apes like you do in the mainline titles.
Overall, this is a very good Ape Escape game and it's a shame it was never translated. It feels like a culmination of the previous games, bringing back all the protagonists from series history and having them work together against Specter and the Freaky Monkey Five by controlling all the apes they've fought before. If you are an Ape Escape fan that's hungry for more content, please play this game! You'll see what I mean when I say it feels like it could be the closest to an Ape Escape 4 that we'll ever get.