Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

It will be hard for most Ratchet & Clank fans not to be disappointed with the duo’s latest outing. While the focus on cooperative play can make for some great social gaming experiences, it has resulted in level design that feels simpler and less satisfying. There are fewer interesting ways for players to explore their environments and less in the way of interesting obstacles to overcome. The series’ reliably excellent narrative has suffered as well. Though still pocked with witty and memorable one-liners, the oddball circumstances that lead to the game’s four primary characters working together seem forced, resulting in a tale that never feels quite right.

It’s still fun, especially if you can play with friends -- Insomniac has come up with some clever ways of getting players to cooperate with one another -- but it’s a lesser experience than its predecessors. It would have been better imagined as a smaller undertaking; perhaps a bonus mode in a more traditional Ratchet & Clank adventure, or a downloadable game for a lower price.