Ratchet & Clank 2016 Is A Remake, A Reboot, And Also A Movie Tie-In

Ratchet & Clank 2016 is the latest of the long-running Ratchet series by Insomniac Games starting from the original 2002. What’s different this time is that it’s a remake, a reboot and also game made as a movie tie-in. Huh? Apparently, it is true.

Speaking with Engadget, game director Chad Dezern explains that the new Ratchet & Clank aims to recreate the beats of the 2002 original, with modern improvements and conventions, and is not a straight up remake. “It’s about trying to make a game that’s great on its own merits and not just because you remember what it was like the first time you played,” he said. There is already a Ratchet & Clank Collection on the PS3, which are HD remakes of the game trilogy from the PS2.

The one drastic change would be the combat. Instead of using the original controls and selection of weapons, they are now using modern controls found in the latest Ratchet entries, with proper third-person controls, and uses the modern array of weapons rather than just reusing the same old arsenal, which was not as great in comparison to what we see currently. Ratchet & Clank only started to embrace all these combat improvements by the second entry and which has now become a series staple. Going back without it will be odd because even at that time, it was a valid critique of the game’s cumbersome combat and weapons system.

However, the story structure, the characters and villains, are mostly intact. But as a reboot, most of them are now being fleshed out in slightly different ways, while not being too far off from the original. Then there are the new combat changes mentioned. The first few levels, based on the new footage we can now see, are essentially the same, but with some tweaks and added fidelity that showcases top quality graphics, almost like an animated movie, and it may well be true. The reboot/remake is also being made in conjunction with the film, and Insomniac is working closely with Rainmaker Studios to ensure the film and game have cohesiveness. If they managed to pull it off, this could technically be the best movie adaptation of a videogame and one of the best videogames made as a movie tie-in.

So that’s how Ratchet & Clank 2016 is a remake, a reboot and also a movie tie-in all at the same time. The game is set to release exclusively on the PS4 on April 12th in the States, with the movie around the same time, but no word on an Asian release date for the game and whether the movie is to be Asia-bound at the moment. Most likely the game will end up on our shores around that time, it would be a missed opportunity if they did not show the movie here. Maybe it’s better that way, though, to give room for a certain local animation film to rake in the cash they deserve.