What’s old is new again: Insomniac Games has today unveiled the all-new Ratchet & Clank for PlayStation 4, which is much more than just another movie tie-in experience.
Originally, the franchise’s PS4 debut was intended as a “reimagined” version of the original Ratchet & Clank for PS2 all the way back in 2002. As it turns out, Insomniac’s overhaul was a story that grew in the telling, and through a post over on PlayStation Blog, the studio’s Community Lead James Stevenson recounted the creative decision to modernise the design – a move that resulted in the game being postponed into 2016.
We ended up with a new game, with elements based on the original — but now with modern controls, several new planets, new and updated gameplay segments, all-new Clank gameplay, all new boss fights, new flight sequences, and more… all constructed to take advantage of the graphical prowess of PS4. Throw in James Arnold Taylor as Ratchet, and you have a new beginning.
From the new trailer above, this revised sense of direction is wholly apparent. From the lush Metropolis environments to Ratchet’s ludicrous weaponry, Insomniac’s new take on the series’ origin story harbors all of the elements that transformed the titular anthropomorphic pair into bona fide mascots.
All of this will naturally coincide with the release of the Ratchet & Clank animated feature film in 2016, which brings together the passionate voice cast of the games with Hollywood superstars such as Sylvester Stallone and Daredevil‘s Rosario Dawson. In development at Rainmaker Entertainment and to be distributed by Focus Features, the pair’s big-screen debut will be helmed by Jericca Cleland and Kevin Munroe.
Expect more information relating to Insomniac’s overhauled vision for Ratchet & Clank during E3 next week. Until then, you can share your early impressions of the new trailer down below.