Action-wise, the wrench-swinging, gun-toting, rail-grinding, chasm-hopping gameplay will be instantly familiar to fans of the series, although there are a few surprises - like an amazing-looking, Resident Evil 4-style over-the-shoulder aiming mode, and a flawless lock-on system.
The assortment of weapons you'll eventually have at your disposal is impressive, if not exactly staggering by the series' standards. There are 15 in all, ranging from standard blasters, fusion grenades and rocket launchers to more esoteric weapons, like a Tornado Launcher (with Sixaxis-controlled twisters) and Plasma Beasts, which act like goopy, living landmines. Each one can be upgraded through normal use, and can be additionally customized using Raritanium, an element that, despite its name, can be found all over the place.
Above: Ratchet disguises himself as a pirate, with lasers and everything
You'll also be able to wreak havoc with eight non-upgradable "devices," which include a swarm of deadly Slinkies (or "Death Springs"), a robot bodyguard named Mr. Zurkon, a bomb that turns enemies into adorable penguins and the Visi-Copter, a Sixaxis-controlled drone that fires missiles. And then there's the Groovitron, a truly badass device that makes every creature around it dance to familiar-sounding disco riffs while you whale on them with whatever guns you have handy.
Finally, you'll be able to bust out a small collection of nonviolent gadgets to help you negotiate the weird, alien landscapes you'll visit. These include always-on powerups like Gravity Boots (which stick to certain walls and ceilings), as well as a grappling hook, a Gelanator gun (which spits out gelatinous cubes you can bounce on to reach high places) and a pirate disguise that'll let you hobble around undetected and enter certain doors by dancing a Simon Says-style pirate jig.
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