Developed by Oh BiBi and PlayStation Studios, Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble turns the beloved action-adventure shooter into a digestible mobile game.
Before Ranger Rumble, the only Ratchet & Clank game I'd played was Rift Apart on the PS5. I remember having a good time with it - the characters felt alive, and the combat was satisfying. It kept me engaged from start to finish, and so I had high hopes for what awaited me on mobile.
I was immediately intrigued by the sleek presentation and the more cartoonified characters. The premise also seemed pretty straightforward: it's a top-down mobile arena brawler and hero shooter. You play with others in real-time PvP arenas and use PvE elements to make each round even more chaotic.
My expectations were high, and while it's fun for a short time, the game ultimately stumbles where it matters most, lacking a compelling hook for players like me who want to feel the tension of a high-stakes experience.
Each round lasts for about five minutes. No matter what mode you play, the gameplay feels the same: you hold down the trigger, maneuver through hazards, and wait for your ultimate ability to charge.
The difficulty is so tuned down that I would usually win without my ultimate. I even turned off the auto-shoot function to try and increase the challenge. Despite leveling up and getting put into matches with players who are supposedly at a higher level, I didn't sweat. I entered the rounds knowing full well I'd end up in first place.
For the first few matches, you're placed into lobbies with bots to give you a feel for the game and how everything works. However, even when I entered matches with real players, every opponent still felt like a bot. The challenge factor was near zero, and winning didn't feel satisfying at all.
One positive thing to note is how fluid the controls were. Despite the occasional accidental fat finger while controlling Widget (my character of choice), the control scheme felt natural. I didn't experience any lag while playing either, so in terms of technical issues, they were non-existent.
From a visual and audio standpoint, Ranger Rumble nails the signature charm of the franchise. While the characters all look more cartoony than the mainline games, it was a welcome change. The character models were crisp, the maps were vibrant, and combat felt fluid.
The UI/UX was also easy to maneuver. Finding the battle pass, the Ranger Road progression track, and the characters page was straightforward - at a glance, you can find what you're looking for. The upbeat tracks while playing also made me feel more immersed, and I'm glad that the shooting didn't feature the high-pitched twang some shooters tend to have.
You might be wondering: if it's a free mobile game, do they shove in-game purchases down your throat? The answer? Surprisingly not. In fact, I don't recall a single pop-up advertising in-game currency ever appearing, and I also never felt like I had to swipe my card to win.
You earn plenty of in-game currency by simply winning matches, completing missions, and leveling up the Ranger Road progression track. Sure, I can spend my hard-earned money on cosmetics, but the base character designs are already flashy on their own. Plus, Ranger Road also gives out free cosmetics as you earn XP. Additionally, you get some freebies if you pre-registered for the game.
Overall, it's an okay game. It didn't blow my mind, but if you're looking to pass time, it does the job. I think it would be a great entry point for younger players or casual gamers who are curious about Ratchet & Clank. However, as someone who plays FPS games religiously, the non-existent difficulty and repetitive gameplay loop leave little to be desired.
Will I revisit Ranger Rumble? Maybe if I'm waiting for an appointment or on my daily commute, but right now, it's missing a hook that maintains my interest, attention, and urge to play. The potential is there; the execution is not.
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