Dueling Works: Ratchet & Clank and Jak & Daxter

Platformer-style games have been around since the first Mario game (or back when it was called Jumpman). Since then, it has evolved from simple 2d platforming to the freeform 3d platforming. The genre has been pushed aside as other game-styles came to dominate the market, like RPG and FPS games.

Still, there have been the occasional series managing to pop back into the spotlight and thrive, though two franchises of the last decade have managed to not only survive, but also managed to be quite similar to one another.

This is where 'Ratchet & Clank' meet 'Jak & Daxter'.

For anyone unfamiliar with either series, a shorthand version:

Developed by 'Insomniac Games', 'Ratchet & Clank' is the sci-fi series involving Ratchet, a Lombax alien with a knack for technology, and Clank, a formerly faulty bot capable of turning into different gadgets. They both roam across the galaxy and protect from forces planing to conquer and/or destroy it, like mad scientists and politicians. Helping them out is not just a galactic defense unit, but also their vast arsenal of weapons and gizmos capable of taking down whole armies.

Developed by 'Naughty Dog', 'Jak and Daxter' is a science fantasy series involving the long-eared adventurer/warrior Jak and his companion-turned-ottsel Daxter. From far-flung futures to Precursor machinations, the pair work against combating the forces of darkness in the present and future. Along the way, they have gained allies that helped them not only cripple a totalitarian government, but also stop ancient evils that would corrupt their entire planet.

Where's the rivalry?

Both games feature big-eared protagonists (seriously, look at Rachet and Jak) that work alongside a smaller but still useful sidekick. They combat the forces of evil, ranging from evil dictators, mad scientists, alien creatures and sometimes their own species. They do so with a combination of platforming power and guns. Lots of guns. Also, throw in some time traveling and item collecting too.

Behind every good hero...

It is interesting seeing the character progression with main characters like Ratchet and Jak. Not just in looks, but also in personality. When they were both starting out, they had rather opposite personalities with each other. After so many games in each of their series, it still holds true. How is that? Well, Ratchet started off mostly as a selfish jerk before mellowing out over the course of several games and become the happy go lucky hero we know and love. Jak started out as a basic mime protagonist, before being tossed in the future and forcibly experimented on gave him a darker personality and proper speaking lessons. He has since mellowed out as well, but still holds a lot of edge to him, like a finely honed blade.

Their partners in crime, Clank and Daxter, haven't had as much personality growth in the games themselves. Clank has usually been the stoic, intelligent type to provide Ratchet with useful information and skills needed for missions at hand. Daxter has always been a bit of a clown, making light of the situation in order to brighten moods while also trying to prove how impressive of a fighter he is. Still, both characters have proven time and again that they can fight by themselves (to an extent anyway), but do their work better when fighting alongside their best friends.

...Lies a terrible villain

Their villains, surprisingly, run a similar gamut between the two series. On one end, you have the corrupt leaders/politicians trying to control their domain through any means necessary. Examples like this include Chairman Drek from "Ratchet and Clank" (who destroys other planets filled with people to make a new one for his own) and Baron Praxis from "Jak and Daxter" (who controls the city of Haven through soldiers and automated weaponry to keep all his subjects in one place). While some could argue that they do have somewhat noble goals (both wanting to help their people to a degree), their methodology and behavior certainly don't help in that regard.

Still, both include villains that are more about destruction of entire species rather than noble intentions. Such is the way of Dr. Nefarious from 'Ratchet and Clank' and Kore of the Metal Heads from 'Jak and Daxter'. Regardless of how charming or comical they may act, it is clear that they would like nothing more than the under destruction of their enemies.

Who wins?

With 'Naughty Dog' focusing on other properties like 'Uncharted' while Sony has just launched a 'Ratchet and Clank' reboot to the series, you could say the latter is still going. However, fans are still hoping for 'Jak' to make a return to the major consoles sooner or later.

After all, both series have teamed up a few times in crossover titles, like 'Playstation All-Stars', so there could still be a future for both of them.

Tune in next week, as I take a look at two series have been around about as long as I have.

Until next time...