Ratchet: Deadlocked
Update: Ratchet goes all Master Chief on us in the series’ latest installment. New impresions, inside.
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September 18th 2005
Last Updated: 4/11/05
SCEA unveiled the first official plot and gameplay details of next iteration in the Ratchet and Clank series. Entitled Ratchet: Deadlocked, the story unfolds with our heroes captured and forced to compete on an underground reality combat sport show ala The Running Man. The show, which features abducted heroes fighting for their lives against a gruesome gang of deadly Exterminators, is run by a deranged media mogul named Gleeman Vox, who intends to use Ratchet and Clank as his next contestants.
It doesn't take Vox long to realize that Ratchet is the most promising contestant the show has ever seen. Vox subjects our hero to a series of deadly battles and elaborate games of death, much to the delight of the show's enormous audience. To keep himself and his friends alive, Ratchet has no choice but to participate in the games and keep driving up the show's ratings with spectacular victories -- at least until our heroes can figure out a way to break free from Vox's control, the explosive Deadlock collar fastened to his neck, and bring the mighty Vox Network crashing down.
What to expect...
Ratchet: Deadlocked features non-linear gameplay, allowing players greater freedom to choose their missions. In addition, all single-player levels will be available for multiplayer use. With much of the combat taking place in battlefields and arenas, gameplay will be more sports-oriented and will include announcer commentary. Featuring a new mission-structure approach,
players will be rewarded with a constant progression of items such as weapons, armor and health. A new weapons modification system provides players the ability to choose the way their weapon powers up -- both numerically and
functionally -- providing players with thousands of possible mod combinations. This allows for players to customize their Ratchet and Clank arsenal like
never before.
Players can take advantage of the new co-op gameplay functionality available throughout the game by choosing either single-player or multiplayer
story mode. In addition, squad-based gameplay will enable players to demolish the competition by commandeering their allied combat bots through critical and strategic battles. Each allied bot will have their own distinct personality, and a customization feature allows players to change body parts and textures.
We'll be looking forward to getting some hands-on time at E3 next month. Stay tuned for upcoming impressions.
··· Chris Scantleberry
