Secret Agent Clank

Secret Agent Clank
Developer(s)	High Impact Games
Publisher(s)	SCEA
Designer(s)	Insomniac Games
Engine	Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
Platform(s)	PlayStation Portable
Genre(s)	Platformer
Mode(s)	Single-player

Secret Agent Clank is a platformer developed by High Impact Games (known for their PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable title, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters) exclusively for the PSP as a spin-off to the Ratchet & Clank series. The game was released in North America on June 17, 2008 and stars Clank as the main character, playing the role of a secret agent. It is the seventh game in the series (sixth chronologically), not including the mobile games.

As the title suggests, the theme of the game is a spoof of the James Bond series. To fit with this theme, Clank wears a tuxedo throughout the game. Also similar to James Bond, Clank has an array of helpful gadgets and devices on his tuxedo, such as a bow tie that he can use as a boomerang, and a rose that turns into a carnivorous plant that devours enemies.

Plot

This game focuses for the first time in the series on the adventures of the robot sidekick, Clank, and his secret alter-ego, Secret Agent Clank. Set after Size Matters, but before the events of Future: Tools of Destruction, the premise behind Secret Agent Clank surrounds Ratchet as he's framed for a crime that he didn't commit; as Clank goes to the Boltaire Museum to halt the theft of a priceless jewel known as the "Eye of Infinity", he sees, to his shock, Ratchet fleeing the scene of the crime. Ratchet is promptly found and arrested by local law enforcement. While retinal scans prove that the thief was Ratchet, Clank is convinced of his friend's innocence. While Ratchet is sent to prison, Clank investigates the theft further, traveling to various locales until he comes across an enigmatic figure known only as the "Kingpin". Clank eventually comes across one of the Kingpin's lairs and rescues a scientist. The scientist informs Clank of what the Kingpin intends to do with the eye: build a giant laser that can destroy the galaxy. The scientist then reveals where the Kingpin is heading, an abandoned space facility. While going through the abandoned space facility, the Kingpin reveals himself to be none other than Klunk, Clank's evil doppelganger first introduced in Up Your Arsenal. Klunk steals Clank's transport, forcing him to enlarge and track the vehicle.

In the meantime, Ratchet confronts some of his old enemies he has placed in prison while Captain Qwark travels around the galaxy to start his autobiography with a less-than-thrilled reporter-bot, B.A.R.N.E.Y., coming along for the ride. When Clank finally confronts Klunk, the evil mastermind reveals his plan: he had stolen the Eye to use as a refractor for a massive laser system perfectly poised to destroy every planet in the galaxy. Klunk, acting through Ratchet (via a mind-control helmet), would threaten to use the laser for a planet to rule. Just in time, Klunk, posing as Clank, would stop Ratchet from destroying the galaxy, placing the hero in jail forever while Klunk, as Clank, would be idolized by the populace.

Halfway through their battle, Klunk activates the laser, knowing that only he knows the password. Clank knocks out Klunk and manages to deactivate the firing sequence while Qwark accidentally beams himself aboard the satellite, retrieves the Eye, and dismantles the device. Ratchet is exonerated of the crimes filed against him. B.A.R.N.E.Y., secretly working for Klunk, tries to assassinate Qwark, but is stopped by Clank, and Klunk is placed in Ratchet's custody, being turned into a new vacuum cleaner to use in the apartment.

Gameplay

Unlike previous Ratchet & Clank games, Clank's gameplay is more like Ratchet's. In the past, playing him was more about solving puzzles; now, he is a full on action character with weapons and gadgets of his own. Also featured are interactive cut scenes where the player must press a sequence of buttons correctly to sneak through an area undetected. Giant Clank, wherein Clank transforms into a monster-sized fighting machine, also makes an appearance.

Other playable characters

Besides Clank, both Captain Qwark and Ratchet are playable in the game. Qwark's gameplay segments are based on dubious accounts of his own exploits and are more action-based. Ratchet's segments in prison are more like the gameplay of previous games in the series.

Weapons and gadgets

Clank has six weapons in his inventory: the Tie-a-Rang, Cuff Link Bombs, Tanglevine Carnation, Blowtorch Briefcase, Thunderstorm Umbrella, and Holo-Knuckles. Clank has the opportunity to gain access to a snowboard and an amphibious hovercraft. The player can upgrade Clank's "Clank-Fu" fighting moves and weapons, similar to the weapons-leveling system in traditional Ratchet & Clank games. The player can learn new techniques, as well as various finishing moves.

Development

The game has been in development since before the release of Size Matters. In July 2007, rumors of the game's existence surfaced when David Bergeaud, who composes music for the Ratchet & Clank series, accidentally revealed the game in his online resume. The actual game was not confirmed by Sony until a pre-TGS 2007 conference.

Reception

Secret Agent Clank has critically mixed reviews, ranging from a 6.5/10 from IGN to an 8.5/10 from Game Informer. Most scores fall in the 6-8 level with a Metacritic score of 71/100.

External links

• Ratchet and Clank Official Website
• High Impact Games
• Secret Agent Clank on the Ratchet & Clank wiki