The latest Ratchet and Clank installment is a game that I asked for because I felt I should–as a PS3 owner–have. I have never played any of the previous games, and I am not even that much of a fan of platformers. However, after spending every waking moment of the last two days playing Ratchet, I can safely say that this game kicks ass.

The game is beautiful. Granted, as Aegies pointed out to me, it has plenty of places where it has lower res textures, but it comes together as a whole quite well. The game plays to the system’s strengths, creating a world that graphically looks somewhere between a Pixar movie and a PS2 game. And, as far as the cut scenes are concerned, they look just like a Pixar movie, complete with awesome dialog and quirky characters.

I know that Ratchet games are deeply based on the weapons system, but as a newcomer to the series I have to say that it really does have some of the coolest weapons I have seen in a game in a long time. This is partially due to the fact that the setting of the game allows the designers to create whatever crazy weapon comes to mind, but goes to show that the creators still know how to make fun weapons and items.

The pacing of the game is also something I really enjoy. Players can complete levels in a relatively short span of time, do side tasks even in shorter periods of time, and there is no “lives” system. No matter how many times you die, Ratchet is pretty forgiving.

The bottom line is that every PS3 owner should go out and buy this game (and while you’re at it, pick up Uncharted as well). Wipe the dust off that beast, it’s time to get your reality synthesizer working.

Chufmoney

P.S.- if someone from Sony or Insomniac reads this: will you please just let Insomniac create a middle ware engine for the PS3 already?

Konami issued a press release, pushing back MSG4 from Q1 to Q2 2008. For those that don’t understand moneyspeak, that’s around April, May or June.

“Konami has decided to delay the title’s release in order to make further improvements to the quality of the game and provide even greater enjoyment for more customers worldwide,” Konami said in a press release.

Does this suck? Yep. Big ones. But here are a few points: The season is already super-saturated with games. Chances are, Metal Gear being late means more people will actually be able to afford to buy the game and maybe, just maybe, new gamers can buy a PS3 to play it on. Another point is that Sony drops PS3 prices like Britney Spears drops babies (ohhh, burn!). So, hey, by Q2, there may actually be a cheaper PS3. I wouldn’t put it past them. Plus, Q2 is a quiet gaming month, so MGS4 dropping then will cause all sorts of insanity. Add to the fact that delays usually mean improvements and I see nothing but green fields and sunshine. What do you guys think? Is this delay good or horrible?

[via NextGen]

Jayslacks

The PS3 is looking more and more like an upcoming purchase. With the price drop that is all but officially announced and now an exclusive from the developers of one of the more unique games I have ever played, Indigo Prophecy;, I am trying to figure out how I can afford the system on an intern’s wages.
If you played Indigo Prophecy than you know full and why the idea of Quantic Dream developing an exclusive game for the PS3 gets me so pumped. While I would certainly play MGS4 and Ninja Gaiden Sigma, neither of these games, both alone or together, are system sellers for me. However, the announcement of a third party exclusive, from a developer that knows how to make a game that is truly compelling, fills me with hope that the PS3 is finally going to start developing the library of exclusives that will warrant my owning both it and a 360.
While the game name is unconfirmed, many speculate that it is the Heavy Rain game that SCE displayed a video of last year. I would have settled for something even lamer, like Indigo Prophecy 2: The Indigoest, but this is a good thing too. Don’t be afraid of new franchises, because if you keep on only purchasing sequels that is all the developers are going to give us.

Chufmoney

[via Gamespot]