It's taken a few years, and I may never get over the character design. But nonetheless...this

game is awesome. Fully, totally awesome.

I'm on board, Ratchet and Clank. Better late than never.

So this is the final installment of Ratchet and Clank's Future series. And honestly, I've

never really paid much attention, so I can't say much about the previous games. And this

one makes me regret that. It's like the entire philosophy was, just...hey, let's make a 3D

action platformer with action that's actually as good as the platforming.

Oh, and let's have really good platforming, too.

This is the perfect kind of game to just kick back and play. Not too much to think about

or be overwhelmed by...just to play. To break crates, collect stuff, upgrade guns, jump

across gaps and blow things up. And it's all done so well, it's hard to find anything to

complain about.

I guess that one thing that defines Into The Nexus more than anything else...is that the

gameplay is constantly evolving. The more you play, the more of the game unravels. You're

unlocking new weapons and gizmos and gadgets, and each one elevates the game to an entirely

new level of awesomeness. It never just stays the same for very long.

Even though there are constants, enough changes to keep you interested.

One thing I've noticed people complaining about...is that it's short. And I can see

that. It's anywhere between 6 or 7 hours, the first time through. But that's the thing.

The pace is so satisfying and the game is so fun, you'll definitely want that second

run. And frankly, who decided what was too short for a video game? I think this is the

perfect length.

Think about it. Studies show that, like, 90 percent of people never actually finish the

games they're playing. So maybe 6 hours isn't too short. Maybe 26 hours is too freaking

long.

Anyway, what matters is...however long you play it, it's fun the entire time.

As much as I hate the character design the levels really surprised me. There are some

pretty cool environments in this game. And unexpected, too. You go from beautiful hillsides

to...oh, now we're underground, and there are strange carvings on the walls with ritualistic

stick figures eerily hanging from the ceiling. The game always takes you somewhere cool.

Even if it's a place you might not want to be.

And you know, there's a real addictiveness, to a game like this. It's the perfect storm

of these habit-forming game elements, you know? I mean, there are just things everywhere

that you can smash, and collect these shiny little nuts and bolts. Which, of course, you

can use to buy more gadgets. And upgrading! It's so easy and relatively fast, you're just

compelled to keep going. It really is just a joy to play.

So what's not to like? There's definitely some cool platforming, but I always want more

from these games. Less flat levels and more perilous jumps and stuff like that. I mean,

you've got a hover pack, a la Super Mario Sunshine.

Give me some of that tricky, towering, Noki Bay platforming.

Then again, I'm probably nitpicking...criticizing things that aren't there, and all that. And

really, it's all you can do with a game this good, and this well made. And as someone who

isn't familiar with the series, I really liked the mechanical emphasis. It's all about the

gadgets, the weapons, the crazy robot enemies...really cool stuff. And with surprisingly diverse

level design, given that...very specific concept.

There's heart beneath the steel, and color on top of all the metal.

And above all else, there's a really good time in Ratchet and Clank: Into The Nexus...a

fine action platformer, and one of those rare games in which both halves are equally awesome.