Insomniac Games has very effectively dealt with a nostalgia bomb and openly let the world know about it, bringing to everyone’s attention the birth of the Ratchet and Clank franchise on the second PlayStation 2 console which took place on November 4, 2002. Since then, 23 years have gone by, and to be honest, it gives me an old feeling. The first tweet by the creators not only presented the original box art but also made it possible for all the players on the internet that are posted somewhere else to go through the past very deeply.
So, what is the essence of the thing? Ratchet & Clank was this marvelous combination of platformer and shooter with a furry lombax mechanic and a tiny robot as a companion. Everything was about the craziest weapons, the most beautiful planets, and the trademark Insomniac humor. The franchise was raised to the position of the best-selling franchise of PlayStation thanks to its sequels, spin-offs, even an animated movie that wasn’t so good after all.
The responses from the gamers came fast and powerful. People actually started getting very sentimental in their replies. One user said, “The car ride home after my dad bought me the game is still deeply rooted in my mind, just looking at the box and living with the memories. It was a nice time.” That was very touching, wasn’t it? It’s not just a game for many people, it’s their childhood memories.
Eventually, the very same love just kept on pouring. A supporter wrote, “Thank you, Insomniac, for creating a series that was my companion during the tough times of my childhood.” The orange lombax and his mechanical buddy looked to have the same relationship with the audience probably because of the writing or combat which was rewarding or simply because they were the ones who did not take themselves too seriously during an era of super-serious shooters.
But here comes the twist – amid the nostalgia, there’s this huge demand for MORE. Players are not just happy to reminisce but they want to see the future as well. A typical sentiment was, “Hoping for a remaster collection on PS5 or a new installment to follow up Rift Apart.” Players loved Rift Apart on PS5, but they want nothing less than MORE.
The players’ frustration, however, is quite real. One of them mentioned the fact that Ratchet was the last classic character who was not offered for PS4 and 5. Sly and Jak got theirs. Where’s the Lombax? Ouch, that’s a very strong argument. It is true that while the other classic PlayStation platformers have more or less been modernized Ratchet’s original adventures are still limited to old consoles.
There are even cases of misunderstanding concerning certain titles – there was a question about Ratchet Gladiator being called Deadlocked in different regions and indeed there was such a thing. The series had different names depending on the area you lived in, which was always kinda strange.
And the request for ports? They are everywhere. “Please, bring these to Steam for the love of God,” one player begged, while another would like to know if PS Plus Premium would be an option. It is very clear that there is a demand across the board of various platforms, including Xbox.
Wait, what was I saying? Oh right – the legacy. Players are calling it “one of the best games of all time” and “the best IP you have created ever!” which is insane praise given that Insomniac Games also gifted us with Spider-Man and Resistance. The love for this franchise is just… endless.
However, along with all this love, there is a little bit of criticism. Someone referred to the PS4 remake as “shitty” compared to the original, which is indeed true, everyone has their own opinion. The 2016 reimagining made some alterations to the classic approach.
The legend around the adverts was supposed to be the same as the game itself; “The commercials were fantastic. A gang of guys in the backyard. One of them gets blasted with a chicken cannon” someone reminded us. I completely forgot those chaotic ads from the PS2 era.
So, the question is, where do we go from here? At 23, Ratchet & Clank is still among the most universally embraced franchises that are practically cherished. The people’s reaction to Insomniac’s tweet celebrating the anniversary indicates that the excitement is still there and the flame is quite vibrant. The new games, remasters, or PC ports are still a guessing game, but one thing is certain – the Lombax and the Robot will never be forgotten by the players. The demand is very loud and clear, and now it’s our turn to see if Insomniac and Sony are really hearing it.
