Luscious looking levels that are bigger than ever, a wonderful range of new and old weapons, a multitude of gameplay styles, vehicles, freefalling, 2D retro action and a fully online multiplayer mode where you get to use those wonderful weapons against friends and strangers alike.
Nostalgia aside, this game, nearly 20 years later still holds up better than the majority of today's games, That in itself is an insane feat.
Pros:
- The story is actually interesting. While clearly directed at a younger audience, there are still narratives included which older players can enjoy, none of the humour feels forced or out of place like it does in modern games.
- The different weapons are fun to use. Being able to use a hoover to **** up smaller enemies to throw them out at bigger enemies is a nice little gimmick, to name one.
- The arena is a nice little side area with some cool bosses and obstacle courses.
- Doctor Nefarious is just an iconic villain and I'd say he's easily the best villain from the Ratchet and Clank series
- The different planets as missions is quite a unique way of introducing new enemies and environments and it makes the player actually want to progress through the story to see new planets.
Cons:
- Although I didn't mind them, the Clank levels in which you control Giant Clank just don't hold the same value as just playing through the rest of the game.
- Some of the hacking minigames can be a little frustrating and it brings you out of the action of the main game
Up Your Arsenal, while not radically different than its predecessors with the exception of the new online play, still provides some of the purest, most enjoyable gameplay available on the PlayStation 2.
The environments are incredibly detailed and show a lot of innovation and imagination. It's not a stretch to believe that this world exists as characters go about their daily business and vehicles fly around in background. The AI is also more realistic and more challenging.
An enjoyable experience worthy of the Ratchet name...even if we're hoping the next iteration of the series pushes the envelope instead of merely experimenting.
It might be derivative in many ways, but there's a certain charm to the low-rent Futurama antics of the Ratchet & Clank universe: it knows its audience and panders to it without shame, scooping up a disparate medley of platforming/shooting tasks and weaving them all into a quietly epic narrative framework. [Christmas 2004, p.106]
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal stands proudly as the epitome of PS2 gaming excellence. Its exceptional gameplay, witty humor, and engaging storyline make it an unforgettable title. The game seamlessly blends action, platforming, and humor, creating an experience that's both captivating and thoroughly enjoyable. Up Your Arsenal's enduring appeal is a testament to its timeless design, offering an adventure that's as engaging today as it was upon its release. It's a must-play gem that showcases the best of what gaming has to offer, and it continues to hold a special place in the hearts of gamers everywhere.
This game was groundbreaking when it came out.
The shooting mechanics are very fun, many guns you can experiment with, and a good amount of action.
The characters and the story are alright, but there are some actual funny moments and charming dialogue.
As for the level design, it's creative and most areas look cool. You can visit and explore planets that are vastly different from each other, and you can participate in events, try out some game-modes or spend your time customizing your own ship.
There are few mini games that can be frustrating but nothing to ruin your experience.
And lastly, the multiplayer is nothing special but it's still enjoyable, you can even play split screen co-op with your friends and just goof around.
This is my favorite Ratchet & Clank game, it didn't age very well in some ways but it's a solid game nonetheless.
Final Rating: "Good" ~ 7/10.
Even more shooting and less platforming here, second game already went in that direction but here it gets just too much on a shooting side for my liking. Still a fun game with some neat ideas like your own big ship, 2d platofmer elements with Quark or even more complex gun progression system. But you are going to shoot an awful lot.
Another completely ok RATCHET & CLANK game, Which is weird because I remember this being the best in the series but my childhood memories Has once again failed me , What what is it that makes it still ok I would say to their environment are kind of uninspiring if you compare it to the first game then it looks Bland
Summary(Also known as "Ratchet & Clank 3") The third installment of the Ratchet & Clank franchise incorporates new elements of gameplay not seen previously in the series, including online and offline multiplayer capabilities that will appeal to a wide variety of players. Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal returns gamers to Planet Veldin, the s...