Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PS3) review

Ahoy, mateys! Today, yer fellow captain CJF1994 will be taking a look at this downloadable, high-seas adventure known as Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty.

The game takes place after the ending of Tools of Destruction, where Clank gets taken by the Zoni, leaving Ratchet devastated. Ratchet and Talwyn travel to Planet Merdegraw to search for Captain Darkwater, an expert on Zoni culture, who might be able to locate Clank.

Ratchet and Talwyn

The game features the gunplay from Tools of Destruction, with the return of some weapons from the previous game, all currently upgraded to Level 3 at the start of the game due to the short length. The adventure game elements from Tools of Destruction return, where Ratchet interacts with other NPC’s and is given some choices in dialogue. In my opinion, I really didn’t feel it was necessary to add that feature, though it is interesting to hear the results regardless.

Quest for Booty has a much bigger focus on puzzling elements. My favorite puzzle was when Ratchet has to brew a drink for the robotic bartender and the riddles that he gives you really makes you think, and it's also hilarious when he insults you of your failure ("Are you trying to kill me? Again?!").

Ratchet using the Kinetic Tether to bring down the spring.

A new feature in the series is the Kinetic Tether on Ratchet’s wrench, which can be used to manipulate platforms. His wrench can also pick up objects like fireballs or Heliogrubs to clear obstacles or navigate through the dark caves.

Despite the fact that the game takes place on one planet, I do like the overall level designs the game offers especially the dark caves, which give a really spooky atmosphere. Though, when you really look at it, the game looks more like an expansion pack to Tools of Destruction.

I can’t say much about the audio. The voice acting is good, but the score was also less memorable, but I do like the pirate feel to it (after all, it's a pirate-themed game) and the spooky nature to some of the paranormal elements. This is also the last game in the series to feature David Bergeaud as the composer.

Other than that, there really isn't much to say. In conclusion, Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty is a fun and brilliant game, packed with exciting gameplay and simple, but brilliant puzzles. However, the game is really short, as you can complete it within three to four hours, and it lacks replayability since there are no Gold Bolts, Skill Points, or even Challenge Mode. I can see why, since Insomniac Games was going all out with the next installment. But still, it’s a worthy entry to the series as it did add some new elements and it helped to further the story along.

Also, how come they released the game as a physical copy later on in other countries, but not in North America? I know the game is short, but I like to fill up my shelves.