Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters

Last year’s Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters stood out as one of the best games available for the PSP, offering a compelling blend of classic gameplay and great new multiplayer modes in a handheld package. Looking to repeat their luck on the PS2, Sony has just launched a port of the game for the PS2. However, what worked on a handheld platform doesn’t really translate too well to the PS2. The game suffers from a host of new problems, from a lousy camera to weak graphics and multiplayer.

The main draw of Size Matters when it hit the PSP was that it offered a near-console experience, and to that end it succeeded very well. The game did a great job of emulating the style and play of the proper PS2 games, and was one of the best games that you could buy on the handheld.

Unfortunately, the PS2 port suffers from myriad issues. The camera is pretty spotty, and while there is an advantage to actually being able to control it with the right analog stick, it’s extremely buggy. Sometimes it will stick against objects and refuse to move, and other times you will outright lose complete control over it.

Additionally, the multiplayer elements leave a lot to be desired. The game’s objective-based Iron Lombax mode from the PSP version makes a return, as do a couple co-op and competitive modes. Unfortunately, there is no online play at all as there was in its predecessor, only split-screen, and only for two-players at most. Granted, not many PS2 gamers play online, but it seems like it should at least be a considered feature.

However, the elements that Size Matters gets right are the basic gameplay mechanics that have been a staple in the series since it began. The controls are good, and aside from some aiming issues, the game plays fairly well. You’ll have access to Ratchet’s full arsenal of crazy weaponry, as well as special moves and abilities usually involving your robo-buddy, Clank. Still the problematic camera and overall bland worlds tend to suck the fun out of the game.

Graphically, even though the game looked great on the PSP, Size Matters doesn’t look so hot on the PS2. Complex textures are virtually non-existent, and everything has a pretty bland look. While the character models look decent, the game is probably the weakest looking Ratchet & Clank game in a long while.

Soundwise, the game sounds good enough, with a good score and some nice voice work, in line with what you’d expect from the PSP version.

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters was a shining beacon of light in a time when the PSP didn’t really have as many great games as it does now. It helped prove that the handheld system really was capable of providing a near console experience in handheld form. That really should’ve been the legacy of Size Matters, not this shoddy and disappointing port.

Gameplay: 6.0
While the game gets the basic mechanics correct, there are a fair amount of technical issues, including bland stages and a lousy camera that can be very frustrating.

Graphics: 6.0
Size Matters is far from the best looking Ratchet & Clank game on the PS2, suffering from weak textures and plain level design.

Sound: 7.0
Same quirky music and good voice acting as the PSP version.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 5.0
While you’d think a port of a handheld game to a console would be an improvement of the original, Size Matters proves this not to be the case.

Multiplayer: 5.0
With only two-player split-screen and no online play, Size Matters is a step down from previous PS2 Ratchet & Clank iterations.

Overall: 6.0
A technically weak port on the PS2, Size Matters is best left on the PSP.