Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando is the perfect example of a sequel done the right way. Far too many times, gamers have been presented with horrible sequels that fail to live up to their predecessor’s standards. Going Commando is the exact opposite. With improved graphics, more weapons, bigger levels and tougher baddies, you cannot go wrong. When it was first announced, I had my doubts. The game seemed far too similar to the first for it to stand out in my mind. Do not get me wrong, I loved Ratchet and Clank, but for some reason I felt that more of the same just wouldn’t cut it with me. Thankfully that isn’t the case here. While some levels are very similar in nature to the ones in the previous game, Going Commando has enough new going for it that all of the “old” becomes new again. Insomniac has addressed almost all of the major gripes that fans and critics had with the first one. Many felt Ratchet was too stuck up and couldn’t care less whether Clank was safe or not. They have tweaked his personality to be the “model” hero. While he seems to be leaning towards a common cookie cutter protagonist, his new chemistry with Clank is an admirable attempt at making him a standout character. Will Ratchet and Clank have the lasting impression on the world that characters like Mario and Sonic have? It is still too early, but what I can tell you is that Going Commando is an extremely wild and fun ride you will not soon forget.

 

            Those looking for a deep story can pretty much leave now. As with almost all platform titles, Ratchet features only enough story to provide reason for all the constant havoc. Ratchet and Clank are now freelance rangers that have become intergalactic superstars, yet the phone doesn’t seem to be ringing. Suddenly they get a call from an alien who needs their help to complete various missions in order to well of course save the galaxy. Obviously they both say yes and this is where the journey begins. You will rarely see any connection story wise to the first game because well lets be honest, there wasn’t much of one to begin with. Luckily the story for Going Commando is simple yet effective and helps to make the game flow better.

 

            The basic gameplay setup for Going Commando is simple. You have a wide assortment of weapons and gadgets and you run around alien planets beating the crap out of anything that moves. Sound familiar? Well yes, the game has many elements similar to those found in games like Mario and Banjo, but the weapons aspect really sets it apart. In the first game, you could almost beat the game without using any weapons, because your trusty wrench could always get the job done. But now the developers have added in an experience system that requires you to choose what weapons you will power up and which ones you will forget. This means if you begin to neglect your wrench, you will find that it isn’t very helpful after all. Not only has the wrench become more strategic but the weapons themselves have. After you get rid of a certain amount of bad guys your weapon will automatically upgrade similar to the evolution of a Pokemon. There is over forty weapons and gadgets this time and they all serve a specific purpose. What is unique about Going Commando is that certain enemies are tailored to a specific weapon. So sometimes you will have to find out which weapon works best. Along with the many weapons you have some neat gadgets that help you progress through the game. The tractor beam is by far my favorite. It lets you grab onto an object and drag it to where it’s needed. Gadgets like these help add some puzzles into the game’s veins. While most of the game’s puzzles are simplistic, they do provide a decent challenge that helps to break up the constant action segments. Bigger and better worlds add topping to an already delicious cake. Levels can sometimes be over twice the size of a level from the original and they were no small feats. Because they are bigger, it means you get more missions. Generally there is a whole lot more to do in Going Commando. You can race in hover cars; explore ancient ruins and rendezvous with important contacts. The mission variety is fresh and very welcome. The gladiator style arena is a nice addition as well, where you are pitted against waves of enemies in a circular room. How long you survive and how many waves you can get rid of all determine your prize which is usually a pretty decent weapon. It is also a great way to attain bolts when your supply becomes low. A bit into the game you will be able to use your original save game from Ratchet and Clank to get older weapons for free or at a discounted price. While most of the newer weapons are just enough, the oldies are still goodies.  There are only two aspects of the gameplay that I wish had been tweaked a bit better. For one, the space shooting missions can be very unbalanced difficulty wise, and lead to great frustration. And secondly, the hover racing missions are too few and far between, I would have liked to see more of them. These are all minor gripes for an overall great gameplay experience.

 

            Colorful, vibrant and massive is all that it takes to describe Going Commando’s brilliant environments. Superb animation, textures and particle effects highlight one of the best looking platform games on the Playstation 2. While not a giant step up from the first one, the draw distance and animation detail levels have taken a noticeable jump in quality. Only a few framerate hiccups were noticed and they never hampered gameplay, so it’s only worth a small mention. The enemy designs are much more imaginative this time as the first games enemies seemed too familiar and overused. Of course a superb visual feast would be expected to feature the same in the audio department and in this case, it’s true. The hilarious voice acting has returned along with a much more confident and less pompous sounding Ratchet. Clank of course provides the ice cold sarcasm that stole the show last time, but Clank doesn’t seem to be involved in the plot as much as in the last one. The music sounds pleasantly familiar and with some updated tracks and even brand new ones. Explosions, gun shots and grunts are in full swing as always, and for a game that is suppose to be comical, the game delivers a light and pleasant experience that hits all the right notes.

 

            I came out of Going Commando pleasantly surprised, although my surprise is foolish. How could I ever have thought that Insomniac wouldn’t deliver? They are one of the best developers that the world has ever seen. Very few developers can match the artistry that they bring to the table. Is this the Playstation 2’s Spyro the Dragon? Indeed it is, and I could think of no better way to spend countless hours with a video game than with Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando. Featuring well over twenty hours of gameplay and great graphics, this game should be on everyone’s holiday wish list.