GDC '08: Secret Agent Clank Hands-On Impressions Ratchet's Game of Death

SAN FRANCISCO--Sony showed off a new demo of Secret Agent Clank for the PlayStation Portable at GDC, and it showcased what seemed to be the game's first level as well as some Ratchet-focused, arena minigames. The Clank level we saw took place in the Boltaire Artificial History Museum immediately following a cutscene in which Ratchet is not only apprehended sneaking into the museum, but also says some rather not-so-nice things about his erstwhile comrade.

In our earlier preview, we touched on the level, its laser-bypassing minigame, and its impressive stealth takedowns. After successfully acquiring Ratchet's lacerator amid a sea of lasers and enemies, we completed the level and were treated to another cutscene focusing on the imprisoned Ratchet and the Southern-style warden. Evidently Ratchet doesn't remember what landed him in the pokey, and the warden isn't going to help. Instead, he will be treating Ratchet to something worthy of the hero of the galaxy: no protection against a prison full of henchmen he helped to incarcerate. Fortunately, Clank is a kindhearted companion who sends him a cake. Baked into the cake is just what Ratchet needs: his lacerators.

When next we found Ratchet, he was brandishing his trusty wrench on a platform making its way to the top floor of the prison. The catch was, at each floor some of the inmates would rush him in an attempt to exact their revenge. They attacked by rolling at him, swinging barbells, and shooting spines from their backs. After slaying a series of opponents with our trusty iron, we cut over to our inventory and dipped into our firearms selection. The lacerators we drew were two pistols that shot orange bolts of energy. After leveling up the lacerators and dispatching a legion of enemies, we made use of the shard gun. The weapon shot blue chunks of ice in a more shotgunlike pattern. Enemies took some damage but also suffered a chilling slowdown. This allowed us to strafe, circle, and escape the cold embrace of death until we drew our final weapon: the walloper, a glove that gives Ratchet's fist a charge. With a button press, you power up then rush forward a few feet to deliver an electrified punch.

Once we completed the 15-floor tower of terror, we were provided with a few other options for Game of Death experiences for Ratchet. The level we completed was called Karmic Beatdown. While finishing it didn't net us a reward, the other levels offered upgrades for completion. Past Due was a level with seven rounds and a punishing time limit that would give you the firebomb wrench mod. No Shelter was a 12-round bout populated not only by inmates, but also by a fiery, laser-shooting skull. Completing that level grants you the cool, charge-up mod for the shard gun. While these levels weren't playable, two others were available: The Mega Challenge: Cell Block, and another level that appeared to allow only for walloper combat.

The Ratchet-focused gameplay was true to the previous installments' shooting roots and broke up the more stealth-focused and platforming elements of Clank's story. We look forward to seeing more of Secret Agent Clank before it's released later this year.