Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fast-paced action romp with cartoony violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault
What's It About?
RATCHET & CLANK: FULL FRONTAL ASSAULT is a third-person action game starring many familiar characters from previous Ratchet & Clank games -- including the pointy-eared alien Ratchet, the robotic Clank (in various forms, including Giant Clank), and Captain Qwark. The game dispenses with any meaningful story and dives right into the action, where players must defend their base from waves of aggressive E.T. intruders on three different planets. Players have access to a huge assortment of weapons, co-op and competitive play (both online and on the same console), various modes to choose from (player vs. player, base defense) and support for cross-platform play between the PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation Vita (PS Vita). Therefore, one gamer can be on one system and another player can be on another; saved games can also be accessed on either the PS3 or PS Vita. Those who buy this value-priced PS3 game also get the PS Vita version for free as a digital download.
Is It Any Good?
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault is good but not great. On one hand, as a $20 title -- and you get the handheld version, too -- there's a lot of value here. Plus, the action can be fun, frenetic, and as silly as previous games in the franchise. The environments in which you fight in are varied and the addition of a "tower defense" mechanism while protecting your base is a good idea. You have your choice of characters, weapons, and planets to fight in. But on the flipside, the action feels like deja vu compared to other Ratchet & Clank titles and the game lacks a lengthy single-player campaign, big story, and memorable scenes. As the price point reflects, this is more like a mini-game that, while fun, isn't going to be remembered as one of the better titles of 2012. It's a decent purchase, especially if you want to play against others online -- even on another platform.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Sony's cross-platform play -- in games like this and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale -- is a trend we should see more in the future. Do PlayStation 3 (PS3) gamers want to play with PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) players and the other way around? Is it cool you get the PS Vita code for free if you buy the PS3 game?
Families can also talk about beloved video game characters such as Ratchet and Clank. Do you enjoy a game more when you are familiar with the characters?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , PlayStation Vita
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , reading
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , strategy , Self-Direction : achieving goals , time management , Collaboration : cooperation , teamwork
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Sony Computer Entertainment
- Release date : November 27, 2012
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals ( Bugs ) , Robots
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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