Ratchet & Clank : Size Matters

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters for PlayStation 2 is a third-person action-platform game developed by High Impact Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Released for PS2 in 2008, it is the console port of the 2007 PSP entry and a spin-off within the long-running Ratchet & Clank series. It returns the lombax mechanic Ratchet and his robot partner Clank to their familiar mix of interplanetary travel, platforming, gadget puzzles, and exuberant sci-fi combat, adapting the adventure for a DualShock controller after its handheld debut.

The story begins when Ratchet and Clank’s attempted holiday on Pokitaru is interrupted by the apparent abduction of Luna, a young girl who wants to write about heroes. Their pursuit leads them toward the elusive Technomites, an ancient inventor race whose existence has become the subject of rumor and debate. What initially looks like a rescue mission grows into a galaxy-spanning threat involving Emperor Otto Destruct, Ratchet’s DNA, and a plan that puts the intelligence of the galaxy at risk. Series regular Captain Qwark also joins the adventure, bringing his usual misplaced confidence to the escalating mystery.

Most of the game puts players in control of Ratchet as he explores planets, negotiates hazards, breaks objects for bolts, and fights hostile robots and creatures. Bolts act as the main currency for buying and improving equipment, while Nanotech upgrades increase Ratchet’s health. The arsenal follows a core series tradition: inventive firearms and gadgets can be used against groups of enemies, then upgraded into stronger forms through continued use. Weapon modifications bought from Slim Cognito vendors add another layer of customization, encouraging players to experiment with their preferred tools rather than relying on only one solution.

Platforming remains just as important as shooting. Ratchet leaps across gaps, uses equipment to reach new paths, and works through areas built around switches, obstacles, and movement challenges. Collectible armor pieces are found during the adventure instead of simply being purchased as complete suits. Combining pieces creates different armor sets with their own benefits as well as extra protection, giving exploration a practical payoff. Titanium Bolts and Skill Points provide further optional goals, unlocking cosmetic options and cheats for players who search levels carefully or complete special tasks.

Clank is playable in several dedicated sequences rather than serving only as Ratchet’s companion. His missions include large-scale Ultra-Mech action and vehicle-based arena challenges, while a Gadgebot section lets the player direct small robots to solve a specific obstacle. The game also features skyboard races and other challenges that award bolts, gadgets, or armor components. Space-themed action appears in a different form from some earlier series games: Giant Clank takes the lead in its major combat sequences. These shifts of perspective help separate individual levels from Ratchet’s standard run-and-gun exploration.

Finishing the campaign opens Challenge Mode, a tougher replay option in which Ratchet retains accumulated weapons, armor, and bolts while facing stronger opposition. It adds further armor to find, a bolt multiplier, and higher-tier Titan weapon upgrades. This progression system gives the PS2 version a reason to revisit its planets after the final confrontation, whether the aim is fuller equipment, hidden collectibles, or stronger gear. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters occupies a distinctive place in the franchise as High Impact Games’ first title and as an adventure designed first for PSP before arriving on PlayStation 2; its PS2 release does not include the PSP game’s online multiplayer modes.