Secret Agent Clank

Last updated

Secret Agent Clank
Secretagentclank.jpg
North American PlayStation Portable cover art
Developer(s) High Impact Games [a]
Publisher(s) Sony Computer Entertainment
Designer(s) David Goodrich
Composer(s) David Bergeaud
Series Ratchet & Clank
Platform(s) PlayStation Portable
PlayStation 2
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Release
June 17, 2008
  • PlayStation Portable
    • NA: June 17, 2008
    • EU: July 11, 2008
    • AU: July 17, 2008
    • JP: November 20, 2008
    PlayStation 2
    • NA: May 26, 2009
    • EU: June 19, 2009
    • AU: June 2009
    PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
    • WW: September 17, 2024
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Secret Agent Clank is a 2008 platform game developed by High Impact Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the second game in the Ratchet & Clank series released for the PlayStation Portable, and the sixth in the Ratchet & Clank series released for the PlayStation 2.

Contents

The theme of Secret Agent Clank is a spoof of the James Bond series, and is based on the Secret Agent Clank element of Up Your Arsenal . To fit with the James Bond theme, Clank has an array of helpful gadgets and devices on his tuxedo, such as a bow tie that he can use as a boomerang and a rose that turns into a carnivorous plant to devour enemies.

Secret Agent Clank was released for the PlayStation Portable in North America in June 2008 and in Europe in July. [1] A PlayStation 2 version was ported by Sanzaru Games and was released in North America in May 2009 and in Europe in June. [2] The game received mixed reviews from critics. The PSP version was re-released in September 2024 for the PlayStation 4 and 5. [3]

Gameplay

Unlike previous Ratchet & Clank games, Clank's gameplay is more like Ratchet's in comparison. In previous titles, Clank's gameplay consisted mostly of brief, puzzle-platform-oriented segments with minor melee combat elements; in Secret Agent Clank, he has weapons and gadgets of his own. Featured are quick time events where the player must press a sequence of buttons correctly to sneak through an area undetected. [4] Giant Clank, wherein Clank transforms into a monster-sized fighting machine, also makes an appearance.[ citation needed ]

Besides Clank, both Ratchet and Captain Qwark are playable in the game, [5] as are the Gadgebots. Qwark's gameplay segments are based on dubious accounts of his own exploits and are more action-based. Ratchet's segments in prison are more like the arena gameplay featured in previous games in the series. The Gadgebot segments require switching between Gadgebots to solve puzzles.

Clank has six weapons in his inventory: the Tie-a-Rang, Cuff Link Bombs, Tanglevine Carnation, Blowtorch Briefcase, Thunderstorm Umbrella, and Holo-Knuckles. Throughout the game, Clank will find weapons that Ratchet can use. Clank secretly puts the weapons in cakes, then sends them to prison for Ratchet to pick up. [4] [6] [7] Clank has the opportunity to gain access to a snowboard and other vehicles. [5] The player can upgrade Clank's "Clank-Fu" fighting moves and weapons, similar to the weapons-leveling system in traditional Ratchet & Clank games. The player can learn new techniques, as well as various finishing moves. [8]

Plot

A precious gem known as the Eye of Infinity, held at the Boltaire Museum, has been stolen, with Ratchet falsely accused and jailed as he is at the scene of the crime. Skeptical about his involvement, Clank infiltrates the Museum to find out more about the Eye of Infinity. But much to his dismay, Clank finds only coordinates to Asyanica Rooftops. Meanwhile, in jail, Ratchet is forced to fend off the majority of the inmates whom he is responsible for their imprisonment to stay alive. [9]

Clank travels to the Asyanica Rooftops, but is held captive. He contacts the agency Gadgebots to free him. [10]

Once freed, he sets to find information about Number Woo, the owner of Asyanica. Although he admits he took the Eye of Infinity, he actually gave the gem to a fellow villain, Countess Ivana Lottabolts. [11]

While this is happening, Captain Qwark is writing an autobiography about adventures that never happened, such as him fighting a Mechanical Monster to save a city. [12] Meanwhile, Clank heads to Lottabolts' snowy domain, Glaciara, and asks her for the Eye, but in the process is challenged to a dance of death. [13] After avoiding all the traps during the dance, Ivana says the Eye has been taken to Rionosis and it is in the possession of a Kingpin. [14] Armed with the information, Clank escapes on his snowboard.

En route to Rionosis, Clank gets a distress call that Ratchet is in trouble. Ratchet is forced to fend off more inmates in the Prison Cafeteria. Clank lands in Rionosis and begins to tail the Kingpin; however, he escapes. Clank is forced to jump on numerous gondolas to reach safety. Clank finds out that the Eye is taken to the Casino. Concurrently, Qwark arrives in Rionosis to continue his autobiography where he defeats the Jack of All Trades. Meanwhile, Clank reaches the Casino's Main Room however he is denied entry due to his not having a password. Back in jail, Ratchet reencourters Slim Cognito (a shady weapon tradesman met in Going Commando ). Slim trades the password with Ratchet on condition that he defeats his associates. Once he is successful, Clank gets the password and is challenged to a game of poker in exchange for the box goods he saw earlier in the Casino. But once again the gem has been taken to another destination, this time in the Venantonio Labs. At the end of Venantonio Labs is a scientist who was ridiculed for his inventions. With the help of the scientist, Clank escapes on a speedboat to Fort Sprocket, the real location of the Eye of Infinity. Concurrently Qwark arrives in Venantonio and "reminisces" his days of performing in the mermaid play.

In the prison showers, Ratchet meets the Plumber who was called to fix a broken pipe. He accidentally throws the pipe to another fellow guard. Enraged, the guard, together with the fellow inmates engage in battle yet again. Meanwhile, Clank reaches Fort Sprocket. He makes his way to the main vault but is trapped. He contacts the agency Gadgebots to release him. Once inside he finds the Kingpin went to the Spaceship Graveyard. Clank ventures into the Graveyard and the kingpin finally reveals himself – it is Klunk (his doppelganger created by Dr. Nefarious from Up Your Arsenal ). Klunk proceeds to destroy Clank he manages to escape on a Giant Clank Pad. Qwark arrives in the Graveyard and talks about his adventure in saving the orphanage nuns. Meanwhile, there is chaos in the Jail and Ratchet is forced to defend the other inmates from the enemies. Clank manages to locate Klunk's base of operations on Hydrano. It turns out it is an underwater base. After exploring, Clank finally is face to face with Klunk. Klunk reveals he wanted success by destroying every planet in the universe but saving it in time by Clank (who resembles Klunk) the plot thickens when Klunk will make it seem as if the fake Klunk (Clank) destroys the planets only for Clank (portrayed by the real Klunk) to thwart his plans. They engage in battle. Midway through the battle. Klunk says the Eye of Infinity is poised in the center of the universe, either way if Clank or Klunk dies, Klunk will still succeed in his plans. Qwark manages to move the Eye from destruction and saves the galaxy.

The game ends with Ratchet and Clank back in their Megapolis apartment using a vacuum cleaner which resembles Klunk. The camera focuses on the vacuum cleaner's filter. The eyes reactivate, implying he is still alive.

Development and release

Secret Agent Clank was in development before the release of Size Matters . [15] [16] In July 2007, rumors of the game's existence surfaced when David Bergeaud, who composes music for the Ratchet & Clank series, accidentally revealed the game in his online resume. [8] The actual game was not confirmed by Sony until a pre-TGS 2007 conference. [4] [15]

On September 17, 2024, the PSP version was re-released for PlayStation 4 and 5. It is an emulated version that allows for enhanced graphics, save states, rewinding, custom controls and trophies. [17]

Reception

Secret Agent Clank received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. [38]

Notes

  1. PlayStation 2 version published by Sanzaru Games.
  2. GamePro gave the PSP version 4.25/5 for graphics, two 4.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 4/5 for control. [24]

Related Research Articles

Insomniac Games, Inc. is an American video game developer based in Burbank, California and part of PlayStation Studios. It was founded in 1994 by Ted Price as Xtreme Software, and was renamed Insomniac Games a year later. The company is most known for developing several early PlayStation mascots, Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet and Clank, as well as the Resistance franchise, 2014's Sunset Overdrive and the Marvel's Spider-Man series with Marvel Games. In 2019, the studio was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment, becoming a part of SIE Worldwide Studios.

<i>Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando</i> 2003 video game

Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commando, known as Ratchet & Clank 2: Locked and Loaded in Australia and most PAL countries, is a 2003 third-person shooter platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the second game in the Ratchet & Clank franchise, following Ratchet & Clank. David Kaye reprises his role as Clank while James Arnold Taylor replaces Mikey Kelley as Ratchet.

<i>Ratchet & Clank</i> (2002 video game) 2002 video game

Ratchet & Clank is a third-person shooter platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 in 2002. It is the first game in the Ratchet & Clank series.

<i>Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal</i> 2004 platform video game

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal is a 2004 third-person shooter platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the third installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and was released in North America on November 2, 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ratchet and Clank (characters)</span> Video game characters

Ratchet and Clank are the protagonists of the Ratchet & Clank video game series developed by Insomniac Games, starting with the 2002 Ratchet & Clank. Ratchet is an anthropomorphic alien creature known as a Lombax, while Clank is an escaped robot who soon teams up with him.

<i>Ratchet: Deadlocked</i> 2005 action platform game

Ratchet: Deadlocked is a 2005 third-person shooter platformer, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 as the fourth installment of the Ratchet & Clank series.

<i>Everybodys Golf 4</i> 2003 video game

Everybody's Golf 4, released as Hot Shots Golf Fore! in North America, Everybody's Golf in Europe and Everybody's Golf 2004 in Australia, is a golf video game developed by Clap Hanz and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the successor to Everybody's Golf 3 / Hot Shots Golf 3 (2001) and was succeeded by Everybody's Golf 5 / Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (2007).

<i>Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters</i> 2007 video game

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is a 2007 platform game developed by High Impact Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. A spin-off of the Ratchet & Clank series, it is its first title for the PlayStation Portable. Development company High Impact Games was spawned from the original Ratchet & Clank developer, Insomniac Games. The story follows Ratchet and Clank as they are interrupted from their vacation to search for a kidnapped girl and encounter a forgotten race known as the Technomites.

<i>Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction</i> 2007 video game

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is a 2007 action-adventure platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. It is the fifth main installment of the Ratchet & Clank series, following the spin-off Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters. The game was released on October 23, 2007 in North America and on November 9, 2007 in Europe. It is the first PlayStation 3 installment of the series, as well as the first of the Future saga. It was also one of the first PlayStation 3 games to support DualShock 3 rumble without any accessories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Impact Games</span> Video game developer

High Impact Games was an American video game developer based in Burbank, California, formed in 2004 by former Insomniac Games and Naughty Dog members. In 2007, the company released Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters for the PlayStation Portable, with a PlayStation 2 port released the next year, and Secret Agent Clank in 2008, also for the PlayStation Portable. On November 3, 2009, the company released its third game, Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2. The game was based on the Jak & Daxter series made by Naughty Dog. In 2010, High Impact Games was developing a remake of Crash Team Racing for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii, but the publisher Activision canceled the game before the initial prototype was made. In 2011, an environmental artist who had worked on some games, revealed that High Impact Games was working on a new project for the Wii. This game was revealed to be Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension.

<i>Ratchet & Clank</i> Series of platform video games

Ratchet & Clank is a series of action-adventure platform and third-person shooter video games created and developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation consoles, such as PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, with the exception of Size Matters and Secret Agent Clank, both of which were developed by High Impact Games for the PlayStation Portable. The series was exclusive to Sony platforms until Rift Apart received a Windows port in 2023. An animated feature film adaptation was released in 2016.

PlayStation is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a division of Sony.

<i>Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty</i> 2008 video game

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty is a platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network in August 2008. The game is the sixth main installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and the second installment of its Future saga. The game is a direct sequel to Tools of Destruction, and follows Ratchet's quest to save Clank, who has been taken by the Zoni.

<i>Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time</i> 2009 platform video game

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is a 2009 platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. It is the seventh main installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and the third in its Future saga. The game was released for the PlayStation 3 in North America on October 27, 2009, in Australia on November 5, 2009 and in Europe on November 6, 2009.

<i>Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One</i> Platform video game

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is a platform video game for the PlayStation 3 developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in October 2011. It is the third spin-off from the Ratchet & Clank series.

Sony has released a number of previously released PlayStation video games, remastered in high-definition (HD) for their newer consoles, a form of porting. A number of related programs exist, the most prominent two being "Classics HD" and "PSP Remasters". The former consists of multiple PlayStation 2 games compiled on one Blu-ray Disc. The latter are individual PlayStation Portable games republished on Blu-ray. These games are not direct ports, but remastered versions in high-definition, to take advantage of the newer consoles' capabilities. The remastering of the games include updated graphics, new textures, and Trophy support, and some of the remastered games released on PlayStation 3 have included 3D and PlayStation Move support. Some HD remasters have also been released individually or in bundles as downloads on the PlayStation Store; others are released exclusively as downloads.

<i>Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault</i> 2012 action video game

Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault is a 2012 platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. Part of the Ratchet & Clank series, it was produced in commemoration of the original game's 10th anniversary. Like the previous downloadable game in the series, Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, it was released on Blu-ray Disc as well as the PlayStation Store. The release of the PlayStation Vita version was delayed to May 21, 2013, when it became available for free with the PlayStation 3 version.

<i>Ratchet & Clank</i> (film) 2016 film

Ratchet & Clank is a 2016 animated science fiction comedy film produced by Rainmaker Entertainment and distributed by Gramercy Pictures. Based on Insomniac Games' video game series of the same name, the film was directed by Kevin Munroe and co-directed by Jericca Cleland. James Arnold Taylor and David Kaye reprise their roles as the titular characters from the video games, alongside Jim Ward and Armin Shimerman as their respective characters. The film also stars the voices of Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, Bella Thorne, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Tong, Andrew Cownden, and Sylvester Stallone.

<i>Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus</i> 2013 video game

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus is a 2013 third-person shooter platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 in November 2013. The game is the eighth main installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and the fourth and final installment of its Future saga. The series is noted for the inclusion of exotic and unique locations and over-the-top gadgets, elements of the traditional Ratchet & Clank experience that return in this game.

<i>Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart</i> 2021 video game

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a 2021 third-person shooter platform game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The sequel to Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (2013) and the ninth main installment in the Ratchet & Clank series, it was released for the PlayStation 5 on June 11, 2021. A port for Windows, developed by Nixxes Software, was released on July 26, 2023. The game received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise given to its visuals, combat, and technical advancements. It had sold over 3.97 million units by June 2023.

References

  1. Keltner, Brian (May 5, 2008). "Clank gets a Date". PlayStation Blog . Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  2. Egan, Glen (March 16, 2009). "Secret Agent Clank Coming to PS2". PlayStation Blog . Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 8, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  3. "PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for September: The Plucky Squire, Night in the Woods, Under The Waves and more". PlayStation.Blog. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Parish, Jeremy (September 19, 2007). "1Up Previews: Secret Agent Clank". Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  5. 1 2 "Secret Agent Clank". PlayStation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008.
  6. "Ratchet & Clank™". Playstation.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  7. PSP Playable Demo
  8. 1 2 Yoon, Andrew (July 11, 2007). "Rumor: "Secret Agent Clank" game in development". PSP Fanboy . Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  9. High Impact Games (June 2008). Secret Agent Clank. Sony Computer Entertainment. Warden: But if you want to survive in here for more than... today, you better have a little fight in ya. [...] It seems that a lot of these folks were put in here by you and they've got a score to settle.
  10. High Impact Games (June 2008). Secret Agent Clank. Sony Computer Entertainment. Cute Anastasia Bot: Gadgebot Prime, we've dropped your team as close to Clank as possible. You must hurry and free him!
  11. High Impact Games (June 2008). Secret Agent Clank. Sony Computer Entertainment. Number Woo: Fine. I was told to send it to Countess Ivana Lottabolts in Glaciara
  12. High Impact Games (June 2008). Secret Agent Clank. Sony Computer Entertainment. B.A.R.N.E.Y.: I am Biography Analysis Robert Neo Eight Yellow. // Qwark: Soooo... Barney it is. It all started when I received a distress call from the Asyanic...ian...ites saying that they needed a hero to combat the Mechanical Monster that had taken over their city. The winged menace was 50 feet high if he was an inch. Luckily, I noticed a nearby growth pad. I made a few quick modifications using a magnitudinal quantification on the vertex of an ellipse... /// B.A.R.N.E.Y.: Wait, that doesn't make any sense. // Qwark: Were you there, nerdo? // B.A.R.N.E.Y.: No... sir. // Qwark: I didn't think so.
  13. High Impact Games (June 2008). Secret Agent Clank. Sony Computer Entertainment. Countess Ivana Lottabolts: I understand joo are lookink for zee Eye of Infinity. // Clank: That is on my agenda. // Countess Ivana Lottabolts: Perhaps I vill give joo zee information if joo prove yourself vorthy in a dance. // Clank: I have been told I am light on my feet. // Countess Ivana Lottabolts: Good. Because if joo are not... joo vill die.
  14. High Impact Games (June 2008). Secret Agent Clank. Sony Computer Entertainment. Countess Ivana Lottabolts: Zee Eye vas just taken by my azzozziate to Zee Kingpeen on ze planet of Rionosis.
  15. 1 2 Haynes, Jeff (September 19, 2007). "TGS 2007: Secret Agent Clank First Look". IGN. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  16. Yoon, Andrew (October 25, 2007). "PSP Fanboy mega-interview: Secret Agent Clank". PSP Fanboy. Archived from the original on January 26, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  17. "PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for September: The Plucky Squire, Night in the Woods, Under The Waves and more". PlayStation.Blog. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  18. "Secret Agent Clank (PS2)". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  19. "Secret Agent Clank (PSP)". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  20. Bettenhausen, Shane (June 17, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank (PSP)". 1Up.com . Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  21. Nicholson, Brad (August 3, 2008). "Destructoid review: Secret Agent Clank". Destructoid . Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  22. Gibson, Ellie (July 2, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  23. Reiner, Andrew; Helgeson, Matt. "Big Thrills and Even Larger Laughs". Game Informer . Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  24. Herring, Will (June 23, 2008). "Review: Secret Agent Clank". GamePro . Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  25. Parker, Tom (June 17, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank – PSP". GameRevolution . Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  26. Calvert, Justin (June 23, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  27. Lewis, Cameron (July 7, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank". GameSpy . Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  28. Kim, Alan (June 21, 2008). "Secret Agent Clark review". GamesRadar . Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  29. Hooker, Heath (June 8, 2009). "Secret Agent Clank Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  30. Valentino, Nick (June 23, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  31. Miller, Greg (June 19, 2009). "Secret Agent Clank Review". IGN. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  32. Miller, Greg (June 12, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank Review". IGN. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  33. Morgan, Vanessa (September 2008). "Secret Agent Clark". PlayStation Official Magazine – Australia . No. 20. p. 84.
  34. Richards, Kim (August 2008). "Secret Agent Clark". Official UK PlayStation Magazine . No. 21. p. 103.
  35. Mitchell, Luke (July 10, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank Review". PALGN. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  36. Erickson, Tracy (June 24, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank". Pocket Gamer . Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  37. Orry, Tom (July 2, 2008). "Secret Agent Clank Review". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  38. "Secret Agent Clank". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.