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Getting into Ratchet & Clank! So what are must play games?

HF2014

Member
Got Ratchet on PS4, and reading its a remake of the first one. So far really enjoying it, but i want to get into the serie like in order. Im guessing playing the PS4 version im playing the first, and having a PS3, well i can buy the Collection to play the second and third. Is Deadlocked worth playing after the second and third?

Then after planning to get Future Tools and Crack in Time, but i see Quest for Booty between, worth it even if very short?

All for One and Full Frontal Assault seem different games , but there is also Into the Nexus, is this game important to get into the upcoming PS5 game?
 
They're all pretty darn good. Even Size Matter on PSP. It's just so much fun.

Probably my favorite Sony first party to be honest.
 
They're all worth playing! :D

My overall favorites are Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (PS2) and Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in TIme (PS3). If you're firing up the PS3, then I'd suggest playing through the whole R&C Future Trilogy (Tools of Destruction, Quest for Booty, and the aforementioned A Crack in Time).

Deadlocked was a good enough game in its own right, but it's one of the weakest games in the series.

A few weeks ago, I just played Into the Nexus for the first time through PS Now. This and Quest for Booty are rather short games, but they're still very cool.
 
You should know, the remake is also based on the movie, which means it's a separate continuity. You'll still need to play the original first game as it's the actual lead-up to Going Commando. I've played the original R&C one somewhat recently, and it's aged poorly compared to its sequels, but all thing's considered, it's still not bad.

Deadlocked is considered a spin-off and it's status as canon is a little cloudy, I think? It's fun, but it's also essentially the arena minigames expanded into a full title, so if you really liked playing in the arenas, you'll probably like Deadlocked. After Tools, Quest for Booty, and Crack in Time, you can go straight to Into the Nexus, which is the true prequel to the upcoming Rift Apart. All 4 One is a co-op spin-off and not necessary to play, while Full Frontal Assault is another spin-off that's actually part tower-defense. If you like tower defense games, give it shot.

Basically, the mandatory games are:
Ratchet and Clank (2002) > Going Commando > Up Your Arsenal > Tools of Destruction > Quest for Booty > A Crack in Time > Into the Nexus > Rift Apart (upcoming, obviously)
 
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You should know, the remake is also based on the movie, which means it's a separate continuity. You'll still need to play the original first game as it's the actual lead-up to Going Commando. I've played the original R&C one somewhat recently, and it's aged poorly compared to its sequels, but all thing's considered, it's still not bad.

Deadlocked is considered a spin-off and it's status as canon is a little cloudy, I think? It's fun, but it's also essentially the arena minigames expanded into a full title, so if you really liked playing in the arenas, you'll probably like Deadlocked. After Tools, Quest for Booty, and Crack in Time, you can go straight to Into the Nexus, which is the true prequel to the upcoming Rift Apart. All 4 One is a co-op spin-off and not necessary to play, while Full Frontal Assault is another spin-off that's actually part tower-defense. If you like tower defense games, give it shot.

Basically, the mandatory games are:
Ratcher and Clank (2002) > Going Commando > Up Your Arsenal > Tools of Destruction > Quest for Booty > A Crack in Time > Into the Nexus > Rift Apart (upcoming, obviously)

Oh, so the 2002 is a different game in some ways than the PS4 version? Story is different?
 
Basically, the mandatory games are:
Ratcher and Clank (2002) > Going Commando > Up Your Arsenal > Tools of Destruction > Quest for Booty > A Crack in Time > Into the Nexus > Rift Apart (upcoming, obviously)

Yeah, I think this is rather spot on for the most "essential" R&C games.

Oh, so the 2002 is a different game in some ways than the PS4 version? Story is different?

It is somewhat different. Both games are worth playing.

Ratchet & Clank (PS4) is the better "game" overall, (due to the evolution of the game engine and including some newer gameplay elements), but the character development is better in the original game.
 
I'm actually playing the remake right now. Been awhile since I've played a R&C game, but still fun as hell.

If you can get your hands on Size Matters, it's also great.
 
Yes, the story is quite different.
Yeah, I think this is rather spot on for the most "essential" R&C games.



It is somewhat different. Both games are worth playing.

Ratchet & Clank (PS4) is the better "game" overall, (due to the evolution of the game engine and including some newer gameplay elements), but the character development is better in the original game.

Oh thanks for the info. Guess ill play the first one too then! Going to finish the PS4 version first and get into the series beginning after. Im surprise that im enjoying this game lol. Never really look at it , and now im finding it very interesting with the weapon upgrade, and funny story. Crazy i missed 3D platformers i think, its different than playing Mario Odyssey.
 
Got Ratchet on PS4, and reading its a remake of the first one. So far really enjoying it, but i want to get into the serie like in order. Im guessing playing the PS4 version im playing the first, and having a PS3, well i can buy the Collection to play the second and third. Is Deadlocked worth playing after the second and third?

Then after planning to get Future Tools and Crack in Time, but i see Quest for Booty between, worth it even if very short?

All for One and Full Frontal Assault seem different games , but there is also Into the Nexus, is this game important to get into the upcoming PS5 game?

Play the original PS2 games, they were the best in the franchise and had the best humor.

Insomniac has dumbed down the series over time and its lost its original character, but the gameplay has remained more or less the same.
 
I replayed Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal the most out of the original games. I would also recommend Tools of Destruction.

Ratchet & Clank games got better with the sequels but the same can't be said for Jak II and 3, in my opinion.
 
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I replayed Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal the most out of the original games. I would also recommend Tools of Destruction.

Ratchet & Clank games got better with the sequels but the same can't be said for Jak II and 3, in my opinion.

Yeah, i download the demo of Tools of Destruction and was surprise on how fun it was. I got a lot of Ratchet backlog to do 😀
 
Into the Nexus and Quest for Booty are absolutely worth playing! Especially Into the Nexus.

I would go back and play them in order, do the trilogy. Then Tools of Destruction, Quest for Booty, A Crack in Time then Into the Nexus.

Deadlocked is great but it was made to be a coop game. So it's not as much fun solo and there's no real story bits to miss out on.

Enjoy them all. You're in for a real treat.
 
Play the PS2 trilogy, followed by the PS3 trilogy. And thats its.
Games outside of the 2 trilogies are hit or miss because they tend to deviate from the formula.
Here is the list;
1.R&C
2.Going Commando
3.Up Your Arsenal
4.Tools of Destruction
5.Quest for Booty(you can skip but its canon)
6.A Crack in Time
7.Into the Nexus
 
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Play the PS2 trilogy, followed by the PS3 trilogy. And thats its.
Games outside of the 2 trilogies are hit or miss because they tend to deviate from the formula.
Here is the list;
1.R&C
2.Going Commando
3.Up Your Arsenal
4.Tools of Destruction
5.Quest for Booty(you can skip but its canon)
6.A Crack in Time
7.Into the Nexus

Deadlocked was a solid game. Every spin off title since then has been meh though. Into The Nexus and Quest for Booty aside.
 
A Crack in Time and the 2016 remake are the highs for me. Tools of Destruction if you need a third. Not sure it's worth going through all of them.
 
Guys, what the fuck is up with these titles. Up Your Arse? A Crack in Time? Quest for Booty? And then friggin Size Matters???

Has staying inside damaged my brain or is the half the franchise about ass and sex?

Edit: Can't believe I missed Going Commando too ... (also, never played any of the games but very low key considering same thing as OP)
 
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Guys, what the fuck is up with these titles. Up Your Arse? A Crack in Time? Quest for Booty? And then friggin Size Matters???

Has staying inside damaged my brain or is the half the franchise about ass and sex?

Edit: Can't believe I missed Going Commando too ... (also, never played any of the games but very low key considering same thing as OP)
And the new one is Rift Apart - switch the letters around and you get Ript Afart.
 
The overwhelming majority are great games.

The original trilogy is on PS3 and you should really play at least 1 and 2 if you want a good picture of where the series started. 1 will feel pretty old now, 3 is great but skippable for someone in your shoes. Deadlocked is decent but all-action.

Skip Size Matters and do the full Future trilogy on PS3, although Quest for Booty is only like 4 hours long. A Crack in Time is low-key one of the best RnC games.

The side games are totally skippable and Into the Nexus is fine, but nothing special. So, from someone that's played everything, I would say:

1 > 2 > Tools of Destruction > Quest for Booty > A Crack in Time

Or if you really want the extended version (try not to burn out on these games)

1 > 2 > 3 > Deadlocked > Size Matters > Tools of Destruction > Quest for Booty > A Crack in Time > Into the Nexus
 
Ratchet & Clank (PS2 if possible, PS3 if you must)

Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (PS2 if possible, PS3 if you must)

Ratchet & Clank: Up your Arsenal (PS2 if possible, PS3 if you must)

Ratchet: Deadlocked (Just play on PS2 or skip outright, this remaster on PS3 is really fucked)

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (only on PS3)

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (digital only on PS3, sort of an expansion for Tools)

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (only on PS3, also best game in the series overall)

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (only on PS3)

There is more but those are the essentials. Anything not on my list is not worth playing but all of these are great, although the first game might be hard to get through

Edit: Also while the first one hasn't aged well, do try to play it, the remake you just played really isn't a remake at all, its more of a reboot, and the PS2 original has a MUCH better story.
 
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A crack in time, tools of destruction, into the nexus and the ps4 ratchet. Quest for booty was good too if I remember.
 
If you are going to play only 1 game then let that be Ratchet & Clank : A Crack in Time. It is part of the Future saga which started on PS3. Apparently the upcoming Rift Apart on PS5 is canonical continuation of that saga.
 
If you are going to play only 1 game then let that be Ratchet & Clank : A Crack in Time. It is part of the Future saga which started on PS3. Apparently the upcoming Rift Apart on PS5 is canonical continuation of that saga.
Just grabbed this game for cheap, think ill concentrate on Tools, this one, Nexus. If i can get the trilogy for a good price willmplay em for sure. So far really enjoying the PS4 version!
 
Got Ratchet on PS4, and reading its a remake of the first one. So far really enjoying it, but i want to get into the serie like in order. Im guessing playing the PS4 version im playing the first, and having a PS3, well i can buy the Collection to play the second and third. Is Deadlocked worth playing after the second and third?

Then after planning to get Future Tools and Crack in Time, but i see Quest for Booty between, worth it even if very short?

All for One and Full Frontal Assault seem different games , but there is also Into the Nexus, is this game important to get into the upcoming PS5 game?
You're doing it right. The only ones I wouldn't buy are all for one and FFA

Deadlocked is only worth it if you have a coop partner I'd say. It's my favorite series of all time and Up Your Arsenal and Crack in Time duke it out for my number one game ever
 
Ratchet & Clank (PS2 if possible, PS3 if you must)

Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (PS2 if possible, PS3 if you must)

Ratchet & Clank: Up your Arsenal (PS2 if possible, PS3 if you must)

Ratchet: Deadlocked (Just play on PS2 or skip outright, this remaster on PS3 is really fucked)

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (only on PS3)

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (digital only on PS3, sort of an expansion for Tools)

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (only on PS3, also best game in the series overall)

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (only on PS3)

There is more but those are the essentials. Anything not on my list is not worth playing but all of these are great, although the first game might be hard to get through

Edit: Also while the first one hasn't aged well, do try to play it, the remake you just played really isn't a remake at all, its more of a reboot, and the PS2 original has a MUCH better story.
Why do you say to get the PS2 version rather than the ps3 version for the first games?
 
All of them. I even plat'd the terribly reviewed one on Vita and had a blast with it. You may want to stagger them between other games.
 
All of them. I even plat'd the terribly reviewed one on Vita and had a blast with it. You may want to stagger them between other games.
Im considering getting the collection on the Vita, was it as bad as some review say compare to the PS3 version, or the PS2 version? Visual seem a bit less better than PS3, but is it that noticable on a small screen?
 
The PS3 versions aren't the best. I remember glitches and framerate drops.
They only real issue I had with PS3 version is that shop owner isn't scaled right. Otherwise games look great in 1080p (or was it 720p?). I had framerate drops maybe 1-2 times when too much stuff is on screen, but I bet PS2 has similar issues.
 
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Play these 3 (unless you have unlimited time):-

Up your arsenal
Tools of destruction
A crack in time.

Read stories online to fill gaps.
 
Im considering getting the collection on the Vita, was it as bad as some review say compare to the PS3 version, or the PS2 version? Visual seem a bit less better than PS3, but is it that noticable on a small screen?

Oh, I was discussing... FFA I think,but I have the collection too. I never minded Vita port clunkiness. I would get them on whatever platform you would play them on.

Do you own a ps2?
 
If I were to recommend three from the entire series, I'd say 2, 3, and Crack In Time.

1 is quite weak in a lot of areas, gameplay first and foremost. Definitely watch the story if you do skip it, as 2 relies heavily enough on it.
Deadlocked lacks Clank and is a whole game based around the battle areas of 2 and 3. Side game, not needed.
Tools Of Destruction was the "Hey, PS3 is here" title, but not the best game.
Quest For Booty was a short digital game that sets up Crack In Time but is in no way essential.
I haven't played the series since then.
 
One of the most consistently fun series in all of gaming. (and one of my favorites)

Play everything. (even at its worst, it's a pretty good time)
 
Why do you say to get the PS2 version rather than the ps3 version for the first games?


The first 3 games have so many visual bugs and bad hud/ui scaling that it can impact the immersion of the well made cutscenes and even gameplay. It's nothing game breaking and if PS3 is your only option its still worth playing, but i do think if PS2 versions can be played for minimal extra effort that is by far the better route. These all need the bluepoint treatment.

Deadlocked has similar issues, but is even worse with missing dialogue in some situations and even more visual bugs than the first three games, this is where i say just play on PS2
 
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