''Secret Agent Clank'' is a
platform game
A platform game (often simplified as platformer and sometimes called a jump 'n' run game) is a sub-genre of action video games in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are charac ...
developed by
High Impact Games
High Impact Games was an American video game developer based in Burbank, California, formed in 2003 by former members of Insomniac Games and Naughty Dog. In 2007, the company released '' Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters'' for the PlayStation Por ...
for the
PlayStation Portable
The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in PAL regions on September 1, 2005, ...
and published by
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), formerly known as Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), is a multinational video game and digital entertainment company wholly owned by multinational conglomerate Sony. The SIE Group is made up of two legal co ...
. It was released in North America on June 17, 2008.
A
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...
version was ported by
Sanzaru Games
Sanzaru Games, Inc. is an American video game development company that was founded in Foster City, California in 2006. Sanzaru also has a satellite studio based in Ottawa, Ontario called Kitazaru, as well as an office in Dublin, California. Th ...
and was released on May 26, 2009, in North America and in Europe on June 19, 2009. This is the second game in the ''Ratchet & Clank'' series released for the PlayStation Portable and the sixth in the ''Ratchet & Clank'' series released for the PlayStation 2.
The theme of the game is a spoof of the ''
James Bond
The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors have ...
'' series, and is based on the ''Secret Agent Clank'' element of ''
Up Your Arsenal''. To fit with the ''James Bond'' theme,
Clank has an array of helpful gadgets and devices on his tuxedo, such as a
bow tie
The bow tie is a type of necktie. A modern bow tie is tied using a common shoelace knot, which is also called the bow knot for that reason. It consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar of a shirt in a symmetrical manner so that th ...
that he can use as a boomerang and a rose that turns into a carnivorous plant to devour enemies.
It was released digitally on the
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store (PS Store) is a digital media store available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 game consoles via the PlayStation Network.
The store offers a range of downloadable content ...
in North America but not in Europe or Australia.
Gameplay
Unlike previous ''Ratchet & Clank'' games, Clank's gameplay is more like Ratchet's in comparison. In previous titles, Clank's gameplay consisted mostly of brief,
puzzle-platform
A platform game (often simplified as platformer and sometimes called a jump 'n' run game) is a sub-genre of action game, action video games in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform game ...
-oriented segments with minor melee combat elements; in ''Secret Agent Clank'', he has weapons and gadgets of his own. Featured are
quick time event
In video games, a quick time event (QTE) is a method of context-sensitive gameplay in which the player performs actions on the control device shortly after the appearance of an on-screen instruction/prompt. It allows for limited control of the ...
s where the player must press a sequence of buttons correctly to sneak through an area undetected.
Giant Clank, wherein Clank transforms into a monster-sized fighting machine, also makes an appearance.
Other playable characters
Besides Clank, both Ratchet and Captain Qwark are playable in the game,
as are the Gadgebots. Qwark's gameplay segments are based on dubious accounts of his own exploits and are more action-based. Ratchet's segments in prison are more like the arena gameplay featured in previous games in the series. The Gadgebot segments require switching between Gadgebots to solve puzzles.
Weapons and gadgets
Clank has six weapons in his inventory: the Tie-a-Rang, Cuff Link Bombs, Tanglevine Carnation, Blowtorch Briefcase, Thunderstorm Umbrella, and Holo-Knuckles. Also, throughout the game, Clank will find weapons that Ratchet can use. Clank secretly puts the weapons in cakes, then sends them to prison for Ratchet to pick up.
[PSP Playable Demo] Clank has the opportunity to gain access to a snowboard and other vehicles.
The player can upgrade Clank's "Clank-Fu" fighting moves and weapons, similar to the weapons-leveling system in traditional ''Ratchet & Clank'' games. The player can learn new techniques, as well as various finishing moves.
Plot
A precious gem known as the Eye of Infinity, held at the Boltaire Museum, has been stolen, with
Ratchet
Ratchet may refer to:
Devices
* Ratchet (device), a mechanical device that allows movement in only one direction
* Ratchet, metonomic name for a socket wrench incorporating a ratcheting device
* Ratchet (instrument), a music instrument and a ...
falsely accused and jailed as he is at the scene of the crime. Skeptical about his involvement, Clank infiltrates the Museum to find out more about the Eye of Infinity. But much to his dismay, Clank finds only coordinates to Asyanica Rooftops. Meanwhile, in jail, Ratchet is forced to fend off his inmates in a battle to stay alive.
Clank travels to the Asyanica Rooftops, but is held captive. He contacts the agency Gadgebots to free him.
Once freed, he sets to find information about Number Woo, the owner of Asyanica. Although he admits he took the Eye of Infinity, he actually gave the gem to a fellow villain, Countess Ivana Lottabolts.
While this is happening,
Captain Qwark is writing an autobiography about adventures that never happened, such as him fighting a Mechanical Monster to save a city. Meanwhile, Clank heads to Lottabolts' snowy domain, Glaciara, and asks her for the Eye, but in the process is challenged to a dance of death. After avoiding all the traps during the dance, Ivana says the Eye has been taken to Rionosis and it is in the possession of a Kingpin.
Armed with the information, Clank escapes on his snowboard.
En route to Rionosis, Clank gets a distress call that Ratchet is in trouble. Ratchet is forced to fend off more inmates in the Prison Cafeteria. Clank lands in Rionosis and begins to tail the Kingpin; however, he escapes. Clank is forced to jump on numerous gondolas to reach safety. Clank finds out that the Eye is taken to the Casino. Concurrently, Qwark arrives in Rionosis to continue his autobiography where he defeats the Jack of All Trades. Meanwhile, Clank reaches the Casino's Main Room however he is denied entry due to his not having a password. Back in jail, Ratchet reencourters Slim Cognito (a shady weapon tradesman met in ''
Going Commando
Undergarments, underclothing, or underwear are items of clothing worn beneath outer clothes, usually in direct contact with the skin, although they may comprise more than a single layer. They serve to keep outer garments from being soiled o ...
''). Slim trades the password with Ratchet on condition that he defeats his associates. Once he is successful, Clank gets the password and is challenged to a game of poker in exchange for the box goods he saw earlier in the Casino. But once again the gem has been taken to another destination, this time in the Venantonio Labs. At the end of Venantonio Labs is a scientist who was ridiculed for his inventions. With the help of the scientist, Clank escapes on a speedboat to Fort Sprocket, the real location of the Eye of Infinity. Concurrently Qwark arrives in Venantonio and "reminisces" his days of performing in the mermaid play.
In the prison showers, Ratchet meets the Plumber who was called to fix a broken pipe. He accidentally throws the pipe to another fellow guard. Enraged, the guard, together with the fellow inmates engage in battle yet again. Meanwhile, Clank reaches Fort Sprocket. He makes his way to the main vault but is trapped. He contacts the agency Gadgebots to release him. Once inside he finds the Kingpin went to the Spaceship Graveyard. Clank ventures into the Graveyard and the kingpin finally reveals himself – it is Klunk (his doppelganger created by Dr. Nefarious from ''
Up Your Arsenal''). Klunk proceeds to destroy Clank he manages to escape on a Giant Clank Pad. Qwark arrives in the Graveyard and talks about his adventure in saving the orphanage nuns. Meanwhile, there is chaos in the Jail and Ratchet is forced to defend the other inmates from the enemies. Clank manages to locate Klunk's base of operations on Hydrano. It turns out it is an underwater base. After exploring, Clank finally is face to face with Klunk. Klunk reveals he wanted success by destroying every planet in the universe but saving it in time by Clank (who resembles Klunk) the plot thickens when Klunk will make it seem as if the fake Klunk (Clank) destroys the planets only for Clank (portrayed by the real Klunk) to thwart his plans. They engage in battle. Midway through the battle. Klunk says the Eye of Infinity is poised in the center of the universe, either way if Clank or Klunk dies, Klunk will still succeed in his plans. Qwark manages to move the Eye from destruction and saves the galaxy.
The game ends with Ratchet and Clank back in their Megapolis apartment using a vacuum cleaner which resembles Klunk. The camera focuses on the vacuum cleaner's filter. The eyes reactivate, implying he is still alive.
Development and release
The game was in development before the release of ''Size Matters''.
In July 2007, rumors of the game's existence surfaced when
David Bergeaud, who composes music for the ''Ratchet & Clank'' series, accidentally revealed the game in his online resume.
The actual game was not confirmed by Sony until a pre-
TGS 2007 conference.
Reception
The PlayStation Portable version of ''Secret Agent Clank'' received mixed to positive reviews, with the PlayStation 2 version being not as well-received.
Notes
References
External links
*
{{Sanzaru Games
2008 video games
3D platform games
PlayStation 2 games
PlayStation Portable games
Ratchet & Clank
Video games developed in the United States
Video game spin-offs
Single-player video games
Spy video games
Multiplayer and single-player video games
Sony Interactive Entertainment games
Video games scored by David Bergeaud