The Basics: This October, Ratchet (and to a lesser degree, Clank) make their fourth visit to the PlayStation 2 with Ratchet Deadlocked. Like the preceding three games in the series, the game is a shoot-em-up platformer full of guns and explosions. Also returning is the game's wildly fun online game modes, such as capture the flag, king of the hill and deathmatch.
But while the premise of this game is similar to its predecessors, this isn't your ordinary Ratchet game Deadlocked appears to be trying to shake the kiddie-game mold by changing Ratchet's image. Gone is the cute character look, as Ratchet now dons a Samus or Master Chief-esque suit (depending on what kind of fan-boy you are). What's more, the game's theme is a little darker. The story revolves around Ratchet being taken prisoner to compete in an underground sport called Dreadzone – which is the galaxy's most popular reality show. Taking a page from the Schwarzenegger cult hit, The Running Man, Ratchet's goal is to survive the deadly reality show by destroying the show's Exterminators and overtaking the show's host, Gleeman Vox.
With action more intense than previous installments in the Ratchet series, two supporting bots now accompany you on your missions. These bots will give you covering fire or assist with other tasks throughout the game by giving them orders via the D-Pad. If you don't trust the assistance of droids, Deadlocked also introduces co-op play for the first time to the series. Ratchet will also be able to do more damage than before by way of new vehicles, such as a hoverbike and an all-terrain tank.
What do we think? While I haven't played too much of the Ratchet series since the original, I was very impressed with the single player and co-op modes in Deadlocked. It's really amazing how Insomniac games have perfectly combined platforming gameplay with FPS controls. I also really liked the vehicular combat aspects of the demo – where I controlled the All-Terrain Land Stalker. If the Landmaster Tank could have been this enjoyable in the latest Starfox game, Nintendo may have not have not had as big of a turd.
From the video demonstration, I am very impressed by the prospects of the online mode. Typically I avoid PS2 online games, but this just looks flat out fun. With game modes similar to what you would see in Halo 2, customizable online weapons, and the fact that every level from the single player game is a multiplayer level, it appears that Insomniac is taking the multiplayer mode very seriously.
In the end, from the playable demo and videos I have gone through, Deadlocked could be a serious contender for PS2 game of the year. I'd say that its release date can't come sooner, but the demo has convinced me I need to go back and play through the other Ratchet games I missed.
