Secret Agent Clank

Infobox VG
title =


developer = High Impact Games
publisher = SCEA
designer = Insomniac Games
engine =
released = vgrelease|NA=June 17 2008|AUS=July 3, 2008|EU=July 11 2008
genre = Platformer
modes = Single-player
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=Everyone 10+|PEGI=7+ [ [http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Games/Secret_Agent_Clank PlayStation.com - PlayStation Portable - Secret Agent Clank™ ] ]
platforms = PlayStation Portable
media = UMD
requirements =
input =

"Secret Agent Clank" is a platformer developed by High Impact Games exclusively for the PlayStation Portable as a spin-off to the "Ratchet & Clank" series. It is the 6th installment in the series. The game was released in North America on June 17, 2008cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/05/clank-gets-a-date/|title=Clank gets a Date|accessdate=2008-05-06|date=2008-05-05|publisher=Sony|author=Brian Keltner] and stars Clank as the main character, playing the role of a secret agent. It is the 7th game in the series (6th chronologically), not including the mobile games. It was developed by High Impact Games, known for their PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable title, "".

As the title suggests, the theme of the game is a spoof of the "James Bond" series. To fit with this theme, Clank will be wearing a tuxedo throughout the game. Similar to "James Bond", 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 is a carnivorous plant that eats enemies.

Gameplay

Unlike previous "Ratchet & Clank" games, Clank's gameplay is more like Ratchet's. In the past, playing him was more about solving puzzles; now, he is a full on action character with weapons and gadgets of his own. Also featured are cutscenes where the player must press a sequence of buttons correctly to sneak through an area undetectedcite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3162960|author=Jeremy Parish|accessdate=2007-10-15|date=2007-09-19|title=1Up Previews: Secret Agent Clank] .

Giant Clank, wherein Clank transforms into a monster-sized fighting machine, also makes an appearance. He soars into the sky, manning a new super-weapon.Fact|date=June 2008

Other playable characters

Besides Clank, both Captain Qwark and Ratchet are playable in the game. Qwark's gameplay segments are based on dubious accounts of his own exploits and are more action-based. Ratchet's segments in prison force him to fight with enemies from previous games.

Weapons and gadgets

Clank has six weapons in his inventory. They are the Tie-A-Rang, Cuff Link Bombs, Tanglevine Carnation, Blowtorch Breifcase, Thunderstorm Umbrella, and Holo-Knuckles. http://www.us.playstation.com/ratchetandclank/secret_agent_clank-weapons.html | Weapons and Gadgets ] PSP Demo | Playable Demo ] It is also said that Clank will have a snowboard and amphibious hovercraftFact|date=June 2008 . Clank will also be able to upgrade his "Clank-Fu" fighting moves and weapons, similar to weapons upgrading in traditional "Ratchet & Clank" games. He can learn new techniques, as well as various finishing moves.cite web|url=http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/07/11/rumor-secret-agent-clank-game-in-development/|author=Andrew Yoon|title=Rumor: "Secret Agent Clank" game in development|accessdate=2007-10-15|date=2007-07-11]

tory

This game focuses for the first time in the series on the adventures of the robot sidekick, Clank, and his secret alter-ego, Secret Agent Clank. Set after ', but before the events of ', the premise behind "Secret Agent Clank" surrounds Ratchet as he's framed for a crime that he didn't commit; as Clank goes to the Boltaire Museum to halt the theft of a priceless jewel known as the "Eye of Infinity", he sees, to his shock, Ratchet fleeing the scene of the crime. Ratchet is promptly found and arrested by local law enforcement. While retinal scans prove that the thief was Ratchet, Clank is convinced of his friend's innocence. While Ratchet is sent to prison, Clank investigates the theft further, traveling to various locales until he comes across an enigmatic figure known only as the "Kingpin". Clank eventually comes across one of the Kingpin's lairs and rescues a scientist. The scientist informs Clank of what the Kingpin intends to do with the eye: build a giant laser that can destroy the galaxy. The scientist then reveals where the Kingpin is heading, an abandoned space facility. While going through the abandoned space facility, the Kingpin reveals himself to be none other than Klunk, Clank's evil doppelganger first introduced in "". Klunk steals Clank's transport, forcing him to enlarge and track the vehicle.

In the meantime, Ratchet confronts some of his old enemies he has placed in prison while Captain Qwark travels around the galaxy to start his autobiography with a less-than-thrilled reporter-bot, B.A.R.N.E.Y., coming along for the ride. When Clank finally confronts Klunk, the evil mastermind reveals his plan: he had stolen the Eye to use as a refractor for a massive laser system perfectly poised to destroy every planet in the galaxy. Klunk, acting through Ratchet (via a mind-control helmet), would threaten to use the laser for a planet to rule. Just in time, Klunk, posing as Clank, would stop Ratchet from destroying the galaxy, placing the hero in jail forever while Klunk, as Clank, would be idolized by the populace.

Halfway through their battle, Klunk activates the laser, knowing that only he knows the password. Clank knocks out Klunk and manages to deactivate the firing sequence while Qwark accidentally beams himself aboard the satellite, retrieves the Eye, and dismantles the device. Ratchet is exonerated of the crimes filed against him. B.A.R.N.E.Y., secretly working for Klunk, tries to assassinate Qwark, but is stopped by Clank, and Klunk is placed in Ratchet's custody, being turned into a new vacuum cleaner to use in the apartment.

Reception

Secret Agent Clank has fairly good reviews, ranging from 6.5/10 from IGN to 8.5/10 from Game Informer, most scores fall in the 6-8 level with a Metacritic score of 71/100. X-play also gave it a 4/5. [ [http://www.gamestats.com/objects/964/964763//articles.html GameStats: Secret Agent Clank Articles ] ] [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/psp/secretagentclank Secret Agent Clank (psp: 2008): Reviews ] ] [ [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/943337.asp Secret Agent Clank Reviews ] ] [ [http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/psp/secret_agent_clank Secret Agent Clank video game review for the PSP ] ]

Development

The game has been in development since before the release of "Size Matters".cite web|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/821/821037p1.html|author=Jeff Haynes|title=TGS 2007: Secret Agent Clank First Look|accessdate=2007-10-15|date=2007-09-19] cite web|url=http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/10/25/psp-fanboy-mega-interview-secret-agent-clank/|author=Andrew Yoon|title=PSP Fanboy mega-interview: Secret Agent Clank|accessdate=2008-01-29|date=2007-10-25] 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. The actual game was not confirmed by Sony until a pre-TGS 2007 conference.

Interconnectivity

A code found in the IRIS Supercomputer in "Future: Tools of Destruction" is included for this game. When the code is typed, a voice message appears saying "You've unlocked the Zoni skin."

A code found in the Tree House in Agent Clank can be used to unlock a convict skin in TOD.

Developers for the company have also stated that PSP users who have a "Size Matters" save file will be given special bonuses. which are Rachet's skins in Size Matters

Pre-orders from GameStop received a limited edition action-figure of Clank.

References

External links

* [http://www.ratchetandclank.com/ Ratchet and Clank.com]
* [http://www.us.playstation.com/ratchetandclank/secret_agent_clank.html Official website]
* [http://www.highimpactgames.com/ High Impact Games]
* [http://www.ratchet.wikia.com/wiki/Secret_Agent_Clank Secret Agent Clank] on the Ratchet & Clank wikia