Ratchet & Clank lays the cornerstone of a cult saga. Wacky weapons, clever gadgets, colourful planets and an iconic duo. An action platformer that already screams classic Insomniac.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player7+
Description
An Insomniac Games and Sony SCEA action-adventure released in 2002 (Europe, Japan, US, Australia), the first entry in the Ratchet & Clank franchise. Ratchet, a lombax mechanic, and Clank, a small runaway robot, explore the galaxy by ship to stop Dr Nefarious. An extravagant weapon arsenal, fluid platforming and zany humor. Insomniac's definitive PS2 exclusive.
Ratchet & Clank review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
A colourful sci-fi universe worthy of a playable Pixar, zany weapons and varied planets bathed in light: everything overflows with graphic inventiveness. The roundness of the design and the technical fluidity compose a joyful, warm world. This visual generosity, polished and unbridled, showcases all of Insomniac's know-how.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
An endearing duo of heroes roams colourful planets armed with an ever more lunatic arsenal, between platforming, exploration and inventive gunfights. The variety of gadgets and the generosity of the settings deliver a constant, renewed pleasure. The ever-present humour and the impeccable handling are where the flavour lies. Colourful, clever and superbly crafted, a gleeful adventure.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Alternating platforming, exploration and gunfights while unlocking an ever more delirious arsenal sets up a loop where every new weapon revives the urge to pulverize everything. Gathering bolts and gadgets to treat yourself to the next toy feeds a constant progression. A few stretches repeat, but this humor, this variety and this generosity of weapons keep an immediate pull.
The founding act of Ratchet & Clank, the Insomniac PS2 exclusive that launched one of Sony's great mascots. A huge hit sold in bulk everywhere, it stays very easy to find and affordable, its price flat despite lasting public affection. Its desirability rests on its origin role for a flagship franchise, ideal as a first stone for anyone building the full series.
Is Ratchet & Clank still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2002 on PS2, Insomniac's first project launches one of the console's flagship series by marrying platforming, shooting and an arsenal of weapons as inventive as it is jubilant. The duo of the mechanic Ratchet and the robot Clank roams varied, colourful planets, gadget in hand, in an adventure of sustained pace. The sparkling art direction, the ever present humour and the escalating weapon power install an irresistible progression loop. The level design and the handling show a slight age against the sequels. A classic of action platforming, recommended for fans of the genre and for anyone curious about the saga's beginnings.
