1. Weapons
In the universe of Ratchet & Clank, the weapons are a major ingredient that give the series a truly unique fun factor. If you're like me and love roaming around with weapons during a game, then Insomniac's sheer creativity with a dash of lunacy is definitely for you. One classic example is the Groovitron, a magical disco ball that floats in the air, playing cheesy 80s-esque music, and any foe that is in close proximity of you will suddenly drop their objectives and start to boogie around uncontrollably. Imagine throwing this ball at a hungry T-Rex and watching it shake its booty like Beyonce...It's simply hilarious, entertaining and very useful. My personal favourite, however, is Mr. Zurkon, a small hovering synthenoid that assists the player by shooting your enemies for you. Sounds pretty basic, right? But what makes Mr. Zurkon shine from all the rest is his sadistic sense of humour and trash talk - "Time to kill, time to die, it's time to shoot you in the eye". Another example worth mentioning is the Sheepinator; this weapon has the ability to turn your enemies into sheep. Again, pretty basic, but when upgraded, the sheep will explode, killing the foes nearby. Simple weapons, with hilarious consequences. In 2012, Ratchet & Clank celebrated its 10 year anniversary and has remained strong within that decade despite heavy competition. The reception for the series has been fantastic throughout the years, with game critics complementing the excellent graphics and varied gameplay. Some reviews have literally said it was "like playing a Pixar movie". Lastly, let's discuss the future of the franchise; later this year, Insomniac are set to release their latest installment, Ratchet & Clank: Into The Nexus, which is an epilogue for the future trilogy. Also this year, the Ratchet & Clank film adaptation was announced and is set to hit the big screen near you in 2015. This really excites me for the future of the franchise; moving to the big screen opens up the door to a much bigger audience, and from then on the possibilities could be endless. Hopefully this article has piqued your interest in Ratchet & Clank, and maybe the next time you find yourself in your local video game store, you might just pick it up. Having said that, the prices of these games are massively reduced compared to other titles you might see. "But remember, the universe has a great sense of humour. The trick is learning how to take a joke." - Orvus