I’m going to comment on multiplayer lastly, both because it’s a totally new feature for the series, and because I, sadly, lack a network adapter for my PS2. Multiplayer in R&C3 can be played either split-screen mode, or online, and thanks to some interesting gameplay mechanics, both look awfully tempting if one can get enough players together. There are two basic modes I saw (though judging by the manual references for the online mode, there may be more) – Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag, the second of which offers an intriguing base system that can make even 1-on-1 matches fun and balanced. Each base generates a number of NPC drones that patrol around and defend their territory, as well as featuring a number of destroyable turrets. A player’s flag is situated in his main base, while the outposts can be captured by running up and spinning the gigantic screw around with your wrench until it changes color. With a number of weapons, and even vehicles available, R&C3 looks like it can offer some incredibly fun team-based action, and while I’ve never really had much of a reason to look into a network adapter for my PS2 before, this might be a good reason to consider it. I’m glad to see Insomniac put a bit of effort into the game’s multiplayer mode rather than just passing it off as a stale deathmatch, and I hope there’s a strong enough userbase to keep the game popular for some time to come.

Despite the few issues I’ve brought up, Ratchet and Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal is still a thoroughly excellent title that is effectively a must-have for anyone looking into PS2 titles for the holiday season. There simply aren’t all that many games available that allow the player to dispose of huge numbers of enemies in such a sick, perverse, and incredibly satisfying manner, and I’m proud to count R&C3 among them. Thanks to the surprisingly decent storyline, huge amounts of unlockable / attainable content, appealing graphics, and even multiplayer support to boot, R&C3 is the kind of game that anyone will enjoy, unless you’re some kind of anti-gaming screwball that considers “insane amounts of sadistic fun and pleasure” a non-critical ingredient to enjoying one’s purchase. While this game still might not quite have the muster to beat Halo 2 or Half-Life 2 if it comes to a matter of deciding which game to pick up, R&C3 is still very much worth considering if you feel Junior’s gaming preference would be better suited to watching a cute, fuzzy little Lombax annihilate enemies en-masse with a huge arsenal of overpowered weapons, rather than running over aliens with a Warthog or beating off headcrabs with a crowbar. Thank you, Insomniac, for this latest blessing upon the PS2 industry.