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Video Game Review: Secret Agent Clank
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Published: July 4, 2008
System: Sony PSP
Publisher: Sony
Reviewer's rating: ***
ESRB rating: Everyone 10+
Game type: Platformer
Kind of like: "Ratchet & Clank"
Best feature: Variety of playable characters with different styles
Worst feature: Frequently annoying camera view
The bottom line: What could possibly make a more awesome protagonist than a robot? How about a spy robot? Wearing a tuxedo. With explosive cufflinks and a boomerang bow tie.
(Incidentally, if you answered, "a monkey with hatchets tied to its arms," we'll give you half credit.)
Ratchet's diminutive robot sidekick/backpack steps to the fore for "Secret Agent Clank," a James Bond spoof that lives up to its franchise's impossibly high standards with equally clever gameplay and humor.
You sneak through some levels as Clank in stealth mode. In others, you play as Ratchet (who's typically trigger-happy), Captain Qwark (hilarious, as always) or Clank's trio of puzzle-solving Gadgebot pals. The variety of play styles keeps things consistently fresh.
But the hallmark of the series has always been its inventive arsenal of weapons and gadgets, and "Secret Agent Clank" doesn't skimp. Mesmerize a dim-witted guard with your Hypno-watch, then scorch him with a blast from your blowtorch briefcase. Or just turn your enemies into pigs with the Pork Bomb Gun.
If it was easier to look around rooms without the camera getting stuck and jerking around (why didn't they put a second analog nub on the PSP?), the game would be near-flawless.
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