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First Posted: 11/18/2013

The Lombax is back in a new adventure: “Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus.”

The last couple of “Ratchet & Clank” games were mediocre and a bit of a letdown; “Into the Nexus” plans to bring the “Ratchet” series back to it roots, blasting aliens using ridiculous, over-the-top weapons. In the last few entries, the team at Insomniac tried may different gimmicks to try and repackage “Ratchet” to appeal to a broader audience. What it did was make it feel unusual and not at all like a “Ratchet” game.

Moving back to the original single-player style of gameplay has shown that the formula has really aged well. The controls feel very similar to the original, but with all the new abilities and gadgets, it makes the game feel very fresh. It’s a good reminder of what made me fall in love with it in the first place.

If you are unfamiliar with the “Ratchet & Clank” series, they are action platforming games staring a furry Lombax named Ratchet and his friend, a little robot sidekick named Clank. Clank rides on Ratchet’s back and helps him out with gadgets like jetpacks, helicopters, and more. The series is known for exotic locations, silly characters and dialogue, and the most over-the-top weapons you will ever see. In this entry, some of the weapons are crazier then usual; there are rockets that put enemies into shock, shoot out serpents, and even rip a hole in the fabric of reality. Along with the new weapons, the new level designs and abilities make the game feel very interesting. There are new levels that play with gravity, new jet pack abilities, and new Clank levels that are really fun.

After a daring prison break, Ratchet and Clank find themselves lost in an abandoned sector. There, in deepest space, they uncover an inter-dimensional event that threatens the universe; now they must save the day again. “Into the Nexus” is shorter than the previous entries, but it is meant to be an epilogue to the PS3 editions of the series, wrapping up some loose ends. The story is straightforward and typical for the series, but there are some moments that are really funny. There are some also some nice teasers for some next generation PS4 games.

There are just four planets to explore and about 10 hours of content, but the story is great and the levels are jam-packed with things to do and collectibles to find. Just like the other entries in the series, the fun is getting the weapons and finding bolts and collectibles to upgrade your weapons. Aside from the normal story mode, there are also challenge modes that let you unlock super powerful Omega weapons. For completionists, there is a ton of replay value in the game.

“Into the Nexus” might not be the best game in the series, but going back to what made the series special really made a difference in the gameplay. The story is good, the characters are funny and offbeat, and the dialogue is hilarious. The levels are expertly designed, and the graphics are colorful and gorgeous. The new weapons are great, and the game is a blast to play. It might be short, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. If you aren’t getting a PS4 for a while, this is a good game to pick up to breath some life into your PS3. I really enjoyed this game, and if you are a fan of the series and have been disappointed recently, you should check it out. If you have never played anything in the series, you might want to start with the PS3 Collector’s Edition first.

-Robbie Vanderveken is the digital operations specialist at The Times Leader. E-mail him at [email protected].