Is there an order to play Ratchet and Clank?
The beloved action-adventure series Ratchet & Clank has gained a massive following worldwide. With multiple games spanning over two decades, the franchise offers an exciting and colorful gaming experience. However, navigating the series’ order of play can be quite challenging for new players, with questions such as: Which game is best played first? Should I play the entire series before diving into newer games? In this article, we’ll explore the chronological order of the Ratchet & Clank games and answer these questions once and for all.
Order of Play:
In simple terms, you can play Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction, then proceed with the series up until Rift Apart, to understand the storyline, while exploring the games that precede Rift Apart afterwards to see the connections to earlier titles. Here is the recommended play order:
- Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction
- Ratchet: Up Your Arsenal
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
- Ratchet: Deadlocked
- Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty
- Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Mobile
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Crack in Time: All 4 One
- Ratchet & Clank Nexus
- Ratchet & Clank (2016 game)
- Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart
Breakdown:
Here is a detailed breakdown of the recommended play order, including notable features and events:
Prequels
- Tools of Destruction (2007) introduces the main protagonist Ratchet, a Lombax, and his mechanical buddy Clank.
- Ratchet: Up Your Arsenal (2004) offers the first glimpse into their origins and the Zlorg Empire.
Original Trilogy
- Going Commando (2003) marks a transition point in the series with Ratchet’s debut in a new galaxy, including an encounter with Zorg, a rival galaxy from Ratchet’s homeland, Quartu.
- Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005) represents the first branching of the series.
Future Episodes
- A Crack in Time (2009) reboots the franchise and continues Ratchet’s development as a hero, emphasizing intergalactic unity against various threats.
- Quest for Booty (2008) features the debut of Talwyn Apagnar and sets the stage for Future Episodes.
- Going Mobile (2009), Ratchet & Clank Size Matters (2008) is a spin-off available only on handheld systems, whereas Going Mobile and Rift Apart are console-exclusives.
Conclusion
Understanding the Ratchet and Clank series doesn’t need to be complex; a straightforward chronological approach yields an enjoyable and seamless gaming experience. Rift Apart, the current latest installment in the series, connects nicely to the events after Ratchet & Clank (2016). While additional details within the games further deepen our connection with the characters and narrative, this comprehensive article guides you through a thrilling and colorful adventure!