Insomniac’s first successful series, Spyro the Dragon, left the company’s hands after just three games. Its next endeavor, Ratchet and Clank, has been going strong since its inception in 2002. Over its almost two decades of existence, there have been ten mainline entries and numerous spin-offs — almost all of which have been met with critical praise and successful sales.
The following list ranks them from shortest to longest (excluding the mobile entries). Ranking the list reveals a generally accepted average of just above ten hours, though some of the titles opted for a briefer campaign by design for a smaller price.
14 Quest For Booty (3 Hours)
Insomniac opted to develop several shorter games for the PS3 after Future: Tools of Destruction. The choice was mostly well-received, at least for the first effort with this release model, Quest for Booty. Some found the shorter length made for better pacing. Where platformers can so often turn into long-winded collect-a-thons, a shorter game cuts out the unnecessary bits.
13 Full Frontal Assault (5 Hours)
Where Quest For Booty was universally beloved by most critics, Full Frontal Assault left a little more to be desired. Some changes to the core gameplay and the new tower defense features were not welcomed in this spin-off. At only five hours long, it’s at least safe to say that it does not overstay its welcome. It also has a co-op mode, a feature that always improves a game.
12 Into The Nexus (5 1/2 Hours)
Released in 2013, Into the Nexus is the last mainline sequel in the series before an eight-year hiatus. It is a short game, but it at least concludes the story started in 2007’s Future: Tools of Destruction. Reviews were mostly kind, but the game did not reach the same critical heights as the most celebrated games in the series.
11 Size Matters (7 Hours)
Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters was the first portable entry in the series. Even though it is a spin-off for the PSP made by a different developer, the gameplay remains familiar as a Ratchet and Clank game.
It managed to make quite a splash as well, seamlessly bringing the gameplay to a handheld with an 85 Metacritic score. Seven hours is also not a bad length at all for a portable title.
10 Secret Agent Clank (7 1/2 Hours)
The second PSP spin-off of the series took a more radical departure from the mainline series. In Secret Agent Clank you control Ratchet’s best friend and sidekick. He is typically reserved for brief puzzle sequences in previous titles, but here he is the main playable character and engages in combat. Ratchet is still playable in certain segments, however.
9 Deadlocked (8 Hours)
The fourth entry in the series, Deadlocked, makes some changes to the core formula. Though the gameplay remains familiar to fans, less platforming is present. The move made for a well-received game, but it is still perhaps the least-beloved of the PS2 entries in the series.
8 Ratchet And Clank 2016 Remake (10 Hours)
This remake of the original game was made to coincide with the feature film’s release. The movie received average reviews while the game fared much better.
Considering the series’ prestige as a Sony exclusive, it was surprising to see this remake as the only PS4 release. Insomniac’s output on the console was low in general — they only released Ratchet and Clank, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Song of the Deep.
7 All 4 One (10 1/2 Hours)
Co-op has been a part of several entries, but All 4 One on the PS3 is modeled around the feature. Players control Ratchet, Clank, Dr. Nefarious, and Captain Qwark through the adventure. Working titles for it included 4Play and Multiple Organisms, but they were ultimately rejected for hilariously obvious reasons. Reviews were all over the place, with the positive and negative reception evening out to an average of 70 Metacritic.
6 A Crack In Time (10 1/2 Hours)
Of all the Ratchet and Clank games on the PS3, A Crack in Time is only one of two full-length adventures, the second being Future: Tools of Destruction. This game received particular praise for the new mechanics introduced, most of which involve bending time. Weapons are also more customizable than before, to the point of them being entirely unique for a given playthrough.
5 Rift Apart (11 Hours)
Rift Apart is the most recent entry in the series. It truly shows how impressive the PS5 can be. Not only are the graphics and animation absolutely gorgeous, but the way the game instantly loads entirely new environments creates a seamless gameplay experience. The gameplay is nothing radically different from before, but it feels smoother and more refined than ever.
4 Up Your Arsenal (11 1/2 Hours)
The third mainline entry is often considered the best of the series and perhaps one of the best games on the PS2. It adds a lot to the core gameplay, including vehicles and online multiplayer. It received numerous perfect scores from critics. Only in the gaming medium can one of the most celebrated games of the generation be a pun.
3 Ratchet And Clank (12 Hours)
The first game in the series has not aged as well as the other titles on the PS2, but it is still worth playing for fans of the series. It lacks many conventions sequels would introduce. It is interesting to see how mean Ratchet is towards Clank considering how close they become in future entries. The writing in general is not as entertaining as it would become later, especially when compared to Rift Apart.
2 Tools Of Destruction (12 1/2 Hours)
The first PS3 entry in the series came out a year after the console’s launch. The PS3 was still trying to find its footing, and this title was at least one more exclusive for Sony’s third console to call its own. The visuals were absolutely stunning for the time and the gameplay was considered a marked improvement. It also started the Future storyline, which wouldn’t be finished until 2013 with Into the Nexus.
1 Going Commando (13 1/2 Hours)
The second entry in the franchise turns out to be the longest. Insomniac dramatically improved over the first game with the sequel. It also starts the franchise’s habit of making subtitles less than subtle puns. Going Commando would be one of the more innocent titles when compared to Up Your Arsenal. Most notably, it is first time James Arnold Taylor voices Ratchet. He has stayed with the character ever since.
NEXT: Every Character In Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart That Returns From Older Games
