Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando

About Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando

Insomniac Games dropped this sequel on November 11, 2003 for the PlayStation 2. It picks up right after the first game with Ratchet and Clank taking odd jobs as heroes for hire. The plot kicks off when Megacorp asks them to find a stolen experimental project. Things spiral quickly into a galaxy-wide war against a masked villain. This title expands on the original formula by adding eighteen new guns alongside five classics from the previous adventure. You can even upload your old save data to carry over those legacy weapons. It remains a single-player action platformer focused on traversal, shooting, and story progression across various alien worlds.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time running, jumping, and blasting through levels while managing ammo counts. The core loop involves finding enemies to shoot, collecting bolts for cash, and upgrading your arsenal at Lombax stations. Every weapon you use gains experience points, eventually transforming into a more powerful version with new fire modes or effects. This mechanic encourages experimentation rather than sticking to one favorite gun. The game also introduces Maxi-games that let you practice skills in short bursts outside the main story. Controls feel tight and responsive, allowing for precise platforming even during chaotic firefights. You constantly switch between movement mechanics like double jumps and wall runs to reach hidden areas or solve environmental puzzles.

What Players Think

Critics and players have consistently rated this title highly since launch. Metacritic lists it at 90 out of 100, while IGDB shows a score of 85.7 based on 183 user ratings. The community mood leans heavily toward positive feedback regarding the weapon variety and upgrade systems. Players often cite the satisfying progression of weapons as a key factor in their enjoyment. Average playtime hovers around 12 hours for a standard run, though completionists spend significantly more time hunting for all upgrades. Review snippets frequently mention how the experience system keeps combat fresh throughout the campaign. No other platform tracks these specific user ratings alongside detailed community sentiment metrics like PlayPile does.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth buying if you enjoy shooters with deep weapon customization. The upgrade system adds real stakes to every encounter since you want to use guns until they evolve. At launch, the price was standard for a PS2 release, and the achievement data shows players are still hunting for secrets years later. It lacks multiplayer modes, so it is strictly for solo sessions. The story moves fast and never drags even when the plot gets silly. Finish this one if you want a solid platformer with one of the best weapon trees in gaming history.

Storyline

Having defeated Chairman Drek in their last intergalactic adventure, Ratchet and Clank find themselves returning to a more sedate lifestyle. That is, until they are approached by Abercrombie Fizzwidget, the CRO of Megacorp, who needs the duo to track down the company’s most promising experimental project, which has been stolen by a mysterious masked figure. Initially, the mission seemed like a Sunday stroll in the park, but we soon find our heroes entangled in a colossal struggle for control of the galaxy. Along the way, the duo unleashes some of the coolest weapons and gadgets ever invented upon the most dangerous foes they have ever faced. Ratchet and Clanks set out to destroy anything and anyone who stands in their way of discovering the secrets that lie behind “The Experiment.”