Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal

[otisthecat]

Got this over the long lunch I took this afternoon and couldn't be happier. I've played through the first planet and have gone up to the spaceship that works like a home base. It has a VR room to test weapons before you buy them, a trophy room, a video game room and an arena area. Have the first four weapons up to LV2 (plasma whip is great) and just headed out for the second planet before I had to quit. I couldn't ask for a better game to make the last week before Halo bearable.

[Jacob Singer]

Shit, I didn't even realize this was out this week.

The ability to test a weapon sounds great, there are so many I never use.

Any other obvious gameplay enhancements or differences?

[otisthecat]

It just all feels more streamlined, little things like being able to quick cycle three weapons with triangle instead of two, it's easier to tell how the weapon/health upgrades are adding up, a button on the vending machine that buys all the ammo you need to fill all the weapons, three control styles (1st, 3rd and a hybrid) that can all be assigned to the now double ringed quick menu, some new box types (cool flame one that lights you on fire and gives you two wrenches for a short time), stuff like that. I haven't played enough to notice any huge changes yet but what I have played has been a blast.

*edit*One huge time saver, in the arena (at least the one on the ship, from things I've read it sounds like there may be multiple arenas) you get all your weapons and health back every time you start a new battle, so no more running back to the vendor or trudging around the level for health and ammo all the time.

[Jacob Singer]

Thanks, man. Sounds great, and I need a little (no, a LOT) of cheering up today...

[otisthecat]

No shit man, no shit.

[otisthecat]

Forgot to mention earlier (if this is common knowledge, sorry) that this retails for $40 instead of $50.

[GimelMartinez]

I think I am going to add this to my list of games I want for Christmas. from what I've heard, it's a lot of fun.

[ElCapitanAmerica]

$40! That's great! Anybody try the online yet?

[otisthecat]

For anyone on the fence about buying this, let it be known, there are loads of robot ninjas with double bladed lightsabers.

[Dan Whitehead]

Great game. Just a really solid and imaginative evolution of the platform genre - even though "platformer" is no longer adequate to describe all that's in the game.

Shame it'll probably get trampled underfoot by GTA, Halo 2 and Half Life 2.