The dynamic duo wanted to enjoy a well-deserved holiday but boredom struck pretty fast and they decided to accept a mission that would ultimately change their lives. Forget everything you know, Ratchett and Clank 2 is all the first part was but adds a whole lot to that. More joy for the fans because things are getting dirty again.

The mission looks like a routine job at first but quickly changes in an attempt to save the whole universe. You need to save a scientific experiment (an animal with high cuddle value but extremely dangerous manners) from the enemy. A pretty high cliché-value of course, although the cut-scenes will often put a smile on your face. Dropping out of your chair and getting a stomachache from laughing won't happen but it are the jokes and stupid acts that will make you turn off your console with a good feeling inside. The feeling you get is even so good that only for that alone already, you'll take the game out of your closet.

Throughout the game you'll again have to find or buy nifty gadgets and bizarre weapons which you'll be able to upgrade in the many sales points and later on you'll even be able to upgrade the bigger versions to create the ultimate weapon. Of course there's more weapons, more gadgets, more enemies and more planets to visit. Ratchett & Clank 2 is just the ultimate cliché when it comes to sequels; more of everything and we're even happy with it aswell. Luckily all of this has been done better than in the first part and this results in having a topgame. A rather unoriginal topgame, but it just remains fun.

The platform element gets varied by shooting the many enemies. This can be done tactical with the sniper (which can zoom in quite far) or with brute force of which there is plenty available with small nuclear bombs, remotely controlled rockets, lavaguns and more. I'm wondering what I liked most, the shooting or the jumping. The contrast between both elements is well-balanced but does tend to go more for the shooting. Luckily there are enough braintwisters to keep the balance in the game.

Who wants to do some more has done the right thing with buying Ratchett & Clank. To make sure the game doesn't repeat itself, the developers have added several nice mini games. Think for instance of pod races which make you relive the scenes from Star Wars Episode 1. With these you also earn the necessary gadgets and bolts which you can use to make your weapons stronger. Also the fights that seem to have come straight out of a Godzilla movie are back. Here you are sitting on the back of a gigantic Clank and have to walk through a small planet and crush everything around you, including a huge army force. I'm even almost forgetting the fights in the arena which tend to get pretty hectic and especially the fights later on are very chaotic. When you realise you have to fight the biggest freaks of the universe as endbosses, you'll understand I was very happy to leave this "bread and games event".

Since the planets are pretty scattered throughout the universe, you'll need a decent ship as space pirats are ready to make your life miserable. You'll end up in dogfights quite often which is fun but sometimes you won't find your enemies anymore. A quick re-orientation helps most of the time but it did bother me that your opponents fly behind you most of the time and when you turn around and there's no track of them to be found. Very strange.

The opposition gets tougher and is equipped with more firepower but you can counter this by adding new weapons and better parts to your own ship. All of this of course makes that you won't get bored one second.

Let's be honest though. No matter how much fun Ratchett & Clank 2 is, I couldn't find much new stuff or other elements than those from part one although I did play it quite a long time. The game remains fun to play and it lasts a lot longer than most games these days do so you won't make a bad buy. However, you do have to realise that you'll get more of the same and little new. The fact that it remains fun however, is the most important part and the only question that now remains is: Which one is the best: Ratchett & Clank 2 or Jak 2 ? I'd say save some money and buy them both as they are more than worth it.