Ratchet and Clank review, PS4: 'You’ll be hard pressed not to have a good time'

Not long ago, almost every blockbuster film release was accompanied by a tie-in video game. Just look back to the noughties superhero films; from Batman Begins to Iron Man 2, each one had a playable port, and most of them were awful.

Nowadays, it’s done less and less, with few straight film-to-game adaptations being made, yet more game-to-films (such as Warcraft) hitting cinemas. Thankfully, Insomniac has gone the completely bonkers route and made a game based on a film based on a game.

Ratchet and Clank is thus a reimagining of the original tale, giving us a new-but-so-not-new story of how a Lombax and a defected robot became friends and saved the universe from Chairman Drek. All, of course, told from the perspective of the traitorous Captain Qwark.

What transpires is a game filled with charm, one that is not afraid to poke fun at itself when it comes to the story while also being a great gameplay experience. As with the other games in the series, you play as both Ratchet and Clank, smashing boxes to find bolts and ammunition while fighting Blarg. It’s simple fun with few complications and the graphics are often stunning, especially when it comes to the wider shots on some of the more interesting planets.

There’s also a lot of variety. New weapons are introduced over time and space battles - while one of the games weaker modes - offer up an alternative experience, breaking up the core gameplay. Each level offers little replay value, with only an odd quest thrown in at the end, but that doesn't matter as what you’re really here for - as with all games based on films - is the story. And oh boy is the story great.

Unlike Microsoft’s recent time-bending action game Quantum Break, Ratchet and Clank keeps things simple, fun for all ages, easy to understand and just a lot of fun. Fun really is the key word here, because playing the game, I had a stupid grin on my face almost the whole time.

Whether it is a character wishing Ratchet the best of luck and saying “see you in the next reboot” or the subtle references to past games, there are so many quirks to Ratchet and Clank, you’ll be hard pressed not to have a good time. Now all we need is a Spyro reimagining/reboot.