The premise of Secret Agent Clank is quite intriguing. Inexplicably, Ratchet has broken into a museum and has stolen the universe's largest diamond. But what's his intent? Secret Agent Clank is sent on the case. The experience of playing as Clank is similar to Ratchet, but there's a greater emphasis on stealth and gadgetry. Busting out the big guns simply won't work with Ratchet's diminuitive friend.
While the concept works, the execution is simply sloppy. The promising story is essentially "figured out" within the first hour of the game. Having to play through the levels stealthily is cool ... until you have to start fighting with the game's camera to get a good look around corners and objects. Clank can do stealth takedowns on enemies if he sneaks up behind them, but this feature is a bit finnicky. The area in which the stealth takedown can be activated requires too much precision, and Clank's takedown animation never feels naturally integrated into the game.
Sure, we don't need Metal Gear levels of depth to the gameplay in Secret Agent Clank, but what we're left with is disappointingly primitive. The environment is incredibly static, and while Clank can disguise himself in certain areas, there's almost no reason to do so. The gadgets that Clank come across are cute, but none are very effective against enemies.
Beyond the standard platforming sequences, Clank will find himself going through a number of mini-games, such as a music rhythm game that takes cues from DDR and other similar games. These sequences are activated when Clank must perform pre-scripted feats of acrobatics, and they're simply not fun. The music in these sequences are bland, and the key input feels imprecise. Other minigames, such as a lock-cracking puzzle game, and a ski racing sequence, all feel equally half-baked.
In between story missions, players will have a chance to play as Ratchet or Captain Quark in side missions that have almost no bearing on the story itself. The Ratchet missions are incredibly combat-focused, and are boring and frustrating. Having to face a near endless stream of repetitive enemies gets extremely tedious, especially with the most boring arsenal of weapons found in a Ratchet game to date. All of these battles take place in a circular arena, a poor design choice considering the game's lackluster camera. Size Matters smartly featured linear level designs, where players could do combat facing forward most of the time. In Secret Agent Clank, enemies spawn around you, and you will be fighting the camera as much as the deadly enemies.
If there's one saving grace for Secret Agent Clank, it must be the excellent Captain Quark missions. These levels feature some truly hilarious and ridiculous setpieces that really highlight the humor the franchise is known for. The over-the-top premise of the Captain Quark missions really showcase the team's creative abilities, and only reminds us how disappointing the rest of the game is.
We're really surprised at how poor Secret Agent Clank turned out. As the summer's flagship PSP exclusive, we really expected more. But, poor gameplay design and lackluster presentation makes this one of the most disappointing PSP titles we've played in awhile. If you enjoyed Size Matters, you may want to rent this one. However, for everyone else, we recommend finding a budget copy of Size Matters and enjoying that instead.
PSP Fanboy score: 5.5
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-07-2008 @ 6:58PM
c_judicator said...
Harsh, but I thought this is how it would turn out. Maybe Clank can't do his own game yet >.>
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7-07-2008 @ 7:29PM
Joe said...
Well not that big of a shock. I never thought this game looked good. Plus I was never a fan of the past one for the PSP. Though the PS3 one is great. This one never did. Also I hope this shows High Impact Games to just let Insomniac make new ones. Also I would really like to see High Impact Games make a new IP for either the PSP or PS3. More for the PSP though. Seeing as there are not that many more PSP games coming out.
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7-07-2008 @ 7:30PM
Rod said...
I had high hopes that this would be better than Size Matters. Oh well. I don't actually think that Size Matters deserved the praise it received - it just didn't "feel" like Ratchet & Clank to me.
Daxter and Chains of Olympus were far, far better IMO.
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7-08-2008 @ 6:02AM
Maninatrunk77 said...
I agree I didn't like Size matters either, it definitly didn;t feel like a ratchet and clank game!
7-07-2008 @ 7:32PM
Maya Butreaks said...
From what I played of the demo, I thought it stunk.
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7-07-2008 @ 7:42PM
Meximanly said...
Wooh. I'd like to get a whiff of what you're smoking...
I loved this game. (IMO) it's way better than SM. The camera is just the same as before, which was never "horrible" to begin with. Clanks weapons are crazy spy gadgets and the lightning umbrella + the blowtorch briefcase do enough damage thank you very much. Please tell me how you guessed who was behind it all the whole time please tell me (exactly how you knew). I agree Ratchet challenges could get tedious at times, but once you've upgraded a bit they get easier and the shower challenges are just pure fun!
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7-07-2008 @ 8:26PM
Jeff Brown said...
I was looking forward to this game, but all the reviews I've seen have not been good at all for this game.
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7-07-2008 @ 8:55PM
Mr.ESC said...
Shuckage.
Well now that I'm here,anyone wants to start a petition? I really want another Metal Gear Ac!d game for the PSP.
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7-08-2008 @ 9:26AM
Maverick Saturn said...
I want more of both metal gear ac!d and portable ops.
However, I think a change in cast is needed for acid, but I did love the strategy used in ac!d, portable ops was a great return to the MGS we know and love, but I did like the way ac!d played out. I liked the card collecting and the special tactics, it used a lot more thought process then portable ops does to complete a mission.
7-08-2008 @ 1:30PM
Kattleox said...
It also required more dumb luck. If you get an amazing hand you can insta-kill everyone, but if you don't then you are toast. I actually wish they hade a system more like FF Tactics or Jeanne D'Arc where movement and a basic attack were available every turn, but your special moves could be dictated by the cards.
Portable Ops was my least favorite Metal Gear game, but it is one of my favorite PSP games because it IS still Metal Gear deep down. However, you cant read magazines, the cutscenes looked like Mr. Wood was in a hurry (have you seen his good stuff and then compared it to PO?) and it didn't have the Kojima Flare to it. Yet, it is still better than either Syphon Filter game, IMO.
7-07-2008 @ 9:01PM
Squirtbot said...
This review seems to be about a month too late.
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7-07-2008 @ 9:21PM
Jacksons said...
Ratchet arenas frustrating? If by frustrating you mean ridiculously easy to the point of boredom, then yes. That was my only gripe about the game, the rest of it was fun.
I don't understand people's problems with the camera in both these games. You can strafe circles around enemies while rotating the camera, jumping, and shooting all at the same time. Set the analog stick to strafe and then never touch the dpad again, using the shoulders to turn. It seems a little silly at first, but it works perfectly.
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7-07-2008 @ 9:26PM
Ed said...
I don't get the bad reviews. I think it's a great game with a lot of variety. R&C: Size Matters was good but repetitive to me and the environments were even more sparse. *shrug*
My only criticism is that the game seems to think that you took out the memory card every time you put the PSP in standby mode.
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7-07-2008 @ 10:25PM
Mr.U2 said...
All I can say is... it's really disappointing. And, "Another one bites the dust"
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7-07-2008 @ 10:40PM
Jeremy said...
Is this a European site? I guess, because this game out in the US a month ago...
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7-08-2008 @ 12:42AM
andwhyisit said...
In case you haven't noticed this site has news from US, EU (Worldwide) and JP (Japan) regions. The reviewer could have spent a month playing the game, or might not even be from the US.
7-07-2008 @ 10:47PM
andwhyisit said...
Sorry pspfanboy but after your review of flOw for psp bashing the game for the analog stick and a slight bit of aliasing on the creatures I decided to make my own mind up on games and not judge them based on your reviews.
As I can see there are a few people here who actually liked the game. Seems unlikely with any other game with a score of 5.5. So I will be buying this.
Why do you do this to every new psp game these days? I don't get it.
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7-07-2008 @ 11:45PM
Michael K. said...
I was pretty excited about this game until I played the demo. I pretty much had the same complaints you said, so I won't repeat them, but I was really surprised, I thought this was going to be incredible.
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7-08-2008 @ 12:24AM
Zippon said...
Next week on Pspfanboy, we'll be reviewing that hot new title, Diablo!
Then hold onto your seats as we take a sneak peek at Zork I: The Great Underground Empire!
(Then we go back to talking exclusively about Japanese content.)
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7-08-2008 @ 1:31AM
cafecito said...
These games aren't my cup o' tea, but I had dopes it'd be a good game for fans of the series and for PSP as a whole :S
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