4. Gameplay
If you ask any video game developer about gameplay, they will tell you that this is one vital element in making a successful game. Ratchet & Clank uses a mixture of platforming, shooting, mini-games, puzzles, and the combination of these different gametypes works really well, but let's start with bolts; the game's currency. You can gather bolts by smashing crates or defeating enemies, and when you have collected enough bolts they can be used to purchase new weapons, upgrades, gadgets and new armor for Ratchet. The upgrades for Clank include a heli-pack that helps Ratchet glide across big jumps, or the thruster pack for when you are surrounded and in need of a quick getaway. So, what are you waiting for? Go smash those crates and collect them bolts - it's time to go shopping! Another feature worth mentioning is the arena battles; when taking to the arena, you can earn special prizes by competing in a variety of challenges, and after completing these, you can unlock extras that will certainly test your skills. These include the likes of avoiding damage or killing a certain amount of enemies within a specified time-limit. When unlocking these, you start to receive high tier prizes...but be warned that these are not easy, what with the crowd wanting to be entertained and chanting for blood! This mode will truly test your skill level! But don't worry, you have a whole arsenal of weapons at your disposal to kick some serious alien butt. Furthermore, it's also worth mentioning Insomniac's last two iteration's into the R&C series, starting with All 4 One, which mainly focuses on a 4-player co-operative online/offline experience, while the other installment of Full Frontal Assault has a mixture of tower defence, platforming elements and competitive multiplayer. So, you could say that the franchise doesn't lack in terms of its variety.