While not as in-depth as the duo's platforming adventures, Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus is an enjoyable endless runner with fun visuals and plenty of stuff to collect. It only makes you wonder if Sony might consider doing the same for other franchises - Sly Cooper, perhaps?
Before the Nexus is a typical endless running game with a couple of issues as well as a couple of smile-worthy surprises. If you're into the Ratchet and Clank universe, or if you just like collecting endless runners, you'll enjoy this. If you've had it with the genre, or if you've sworn only to touch the very best it offers, feel free to skip ahead to Into the Nexus.
First thing to note: I know this says "iOS Game", but I played this on a Samsung Galaxy S5. This is also my first Ratchet game since I don't have any PlayStation consoles, but that's besides the point.
Okay, so some people have criticized the controls. Personally, I've never had an issue with them. Ratchet almost always responded to my commands. I occasionally had to swipe twice to get him to switch lanes, but it never lead me to death as far as i remember. Then there's the "problem" of having to pay for ammo. I can see how this would be frustrating, but you get a lot of bolts (especially with the Bolt Multiplier Gadget), and the amount you pay is small, so its not that big a deal. I personally find the game kind of fun. As I said you get plenty of bolts, making it fairly easy to upgrade/buy things, And for a game that (presumably) the iPhone 3GS can run, I was pretty impressed. There are a couple of flaws here and there, but nothing that ruin the game for me.
Personally, it is fun for some time, but not enough to make me complete it though.
Ratchet and Clank is about three main components: awesome platforming, insanely over the top amazing weapons and gadgets and most of all, high action gameplay compared to no other. This game has none of that, instead, sony just thought: "we can make even more money, just take some of the story out of the REAL, kinda good, game and put it into this weird copy of subway surfers, and not even a good copy.
Also, I think the story they put into this game, isn't even that good. I would be just fine with JUST the story they put in "Into The Nexus". Generally, not horrible but not good either. A disappointment.
Ratchet & Clank: Before the Nexus is an interesting attempt in the endless run genre, but the shooting mechanics are broken and the touch controls don't work as they should.
It does manage the graphical power and crazy weapons the series is known for on consoles, but with an almost non-existant story the charming characters don't have any jokes to tell. Which as you might expect does away with some of the charm. It also doesn't help that as a endless runner it's got some big flaws.
For one thing the controls just aren't as responsive as they need to be. It leads to some cheap and frustrating deaths. Another flaw it has is that when (not if) you run out of ammo in the middle of a level you have to buy more ammo with the in game currency. Currency that is required in order to buy more effective weapons and ammo. So you're either left grinding for it or using the IAPs. It's just a cheap cash drain.
However there are some reasons for Ratchet & Clank fans to check it out. Linking the game to your PSN account will give you some extras for Into the Nexus. It's also can be a pretty entertaining game on it's own right. However the flaws with the gameplay mean that you aren't likely to stick around for long. But hey it's free. That certainly takes away some of the sting.
SummaryFight off Vendra and Neftin Prog as well as their assortment of evil minions, including the return of Thugs 4 Less! Hop between grindrails while avoiding hazards to collect bolts that can be used to upgrade Ratchet's weapons and armor.