|
Last year, Insomniac introduced multiplayer elements into the Ratchet & Clank franchise to critical acclaim. Perhaps so much that the next installment of the series is actually built around the multiplayer elements rather than taking the familiar platformer route.
Ratchet: Deadlocked has Ratchet competing (against his will) in the galaxy's most popular reality show, a death-sport called Dreadzone. Produced by media mogul Gleeman Vox, throws contestants on a battlefield where they must fight for their lives, all while competing for fabulous prizes.
One major change to the game's familiar format is that Ratchet will no longer have Clank strapped to his back. Instead, the diminutive robot will take the role of Ratchet's advisor during the game. Other characters will also show up and help out, such as Al (of Al's Robot Shack fame), who will act as Ratchet's technology advisor. Deadlocked will also introduce new characters to the series like current Dreadzone champion, Ace Hardlight. Although Deadlocked will put more emphasis on the shooter side, Insomniac is promising that the humor that made the series so entertaining will return.
Ratchet won't find himself in the battlefield alone. During combat he'll have a set of AI bots (literally) that will follow him into battle. The bots will run on their own A.I. if you want, or you can issue commands if you want them to do specific things. The command system is context sensitive and will adapt orders based on what is going on during gameplay. Orders are issued through the D-pad.
A new multiplayer mode will be introduced in Deadlocked that plays like an enhanced version of Siege mode. The mode is team-based and centers on winning points for performing certain actions on the battlefield. Not much else is known about this mode. Other modes from Up Your Arsenal should return as well. The game will support both split-screen and online multiplayer.
Every Ratchet game finds a new way to evolve the weapons system; the same holds true in Deadlocked. Compared to past games, the weapons system in Deadlocked is deeper and a little more complex. You'll begin with a set of standard weapons that can be modified through the use of attachments. This will open up a host of different combinations with the goal being that you can create whatever weapon you want. For example, adding the Morph mod will allow the weapon to turn targets into an assortment of barnyard animals. Mods can be unlocked though normal gameplay, or by purchasing them from vendors.
It's a bit of a change for the series, but sometimes you need a little change. Ratchet: Deadlocked is slated for release later this year. |
