Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ratchet: Deadlocked marks a significant shift in the series’ formula, trading many of the classic platforming puzzles for a more adrenaline-fueled, arena-style shooting experience. From the moment you boot up the game, you’re thrust into the gritty world of DreadZone, a gladiatorial reality show where survival hinges on quick reflexes and a keen tactical mind. Rather than leaping across floating platforms, you’ll find yourself weaving through cover, ducking explosive fire, and strafing hordes of robotic adversaries in fast-paced combat arenas.

A defining feature of the gameplay is the introduction of up to two AI-controlled combat bots that accompany Ratchet on every mission. These bots can be customized and upgraded alongside your own weapon loadout, creating an extra layer of strategic depth. You’ll balance your own firepower with the support roles your bots can play—whether that’s laying down suppressive fire, setting up defensive barriers, or acting as mobile ammo caches. Properly trained and equipped, these companions become invaluable allies when the action heats up and enemies swarm from all directions.

The weapon mod system is another highlight, standing out as the most robust in the franchise to date. With just ten base weapons, Insomniac ensures each gun feels unique and meaningful, and the real variety comes from Alpha and Omega mods. Alpha mods—weapon-specific upgrades—boost rate of fire, clip size, and raw damage, while Omega mods—applicable to any gun—add elemental effects such as freezing blasts or magma rounds. The result is a playground of fiery, frosty, and electrifying mayhem, letting you fine-tune your arsenal to match your preferred combat style.

Multiplayer returns in Deadlocked with both split-screen and online modes, offering team battles, free-for-alls, and objective-based matches. Even though the player count and map variety are more limited than in later installments, the frantic, high-stakes nature of the DreadZone arenas makes every match feel intense and rewarding. Whether you’re duking it out with friends locally or battling strangers online, the shooting mechanics never disappoint, and the fast respawns keep the action tight and engaging.

Graphics

Visually, Ratchet: Deadlocked pushes the PlayStation 2 hardware to its limits. The character models are crisp and detailed, from Ratchet’s fur shading to the gleaming metal plates on the combat bots. Even in the most chaotic firefights—explosions, particle effects, and dozens of enemies onscreen—the game maintains a surprisingly steady framerate, ensuring the visual spectacle never compromises gameplay performance.

The level design in Deadlocked leans heavily on industrial and mechanical motifs, painting each arena with a grimy, metallic aesthetic that perfectly suits the underground death-match theme. Corridors are lined with flickering lights and steam vents, while open combat zones showcase towering structures and hovering catwalks. Environmental hazards such as electrified floors, flamethrower turrets, and rotating grinders keep you on your toes and give each map a distinctive look and feel.

Insomniac’s flair for whimsical details isn’t lost despite the darker tone. Vibrant energy beams, glowing weapon trails, and flashy mod effects pop against the darker backdrops, creating a striking contrast that never feels monotonous. Textures are punchy and varied, from slick metal plating to gritty, worn concrete, lending each location a tangible sense of place. The cutscenes also impress, blending stylized animatics with in-engine models to maintain visual consistency and narrative immersion.

Story

Deadlocked’s narrative starts with a jarring twist: Ratchet, Clank, and newcomer AL are abducted and forced to compete in DreadZone, a brutal spectator sport orchestrated by the megalomaniacal Gleeman Vox. This setup injects immediate tension and stakes—failure isn’t merely a setback, it’s a matter of life and death. The plot unfolds through interstitial dialogue, in-game objectives, and pre-mission briefings, each advancing the tale of rebellion against Vox’s twisted media empire.

While the story leans more on action than emotional depth, the writing captures Ratchet’s trademark wit and resilience. His banter with Gleeman Vox crackles with sarcasm, and your link with Clank provides witty commentary and tactical tips. Although Clank isn’t directly playable, his presence remains significant, guiding you through new mod recipes and alerting you to hidden secrets. AL, the robotic ally, offers occasional comic relief, complete with dry one-liners that complement the game’s darker tone.

The pacing is relentless, mirroring the urgency of an underground fight-to-the-death broadcast. You’ll blitz through wave after wave of enemies, punctuated by short cutscenes that reveal Vox’s grander ambitions and hint at a larger conspiracy. While the narrative doesn’t reach the emotional highs of earlier entries, it delivers a fittingly cutthroat storyline that aligns with the game’s intensified focus on combat, making you feel like the protagonist of your own sci-fi action show.

Overall Experience

Ratchet: Deadlocked stands out in the series as the purest combat shooter, and for many fans, that shift is a welcome evolution rather than a departure. The streamlined weapon roster and emphasis on modding encourage experimentation, while the AI companion system adds a strategic layer missing from other titles. Every level feels like a calculated risk, where the right weapon build and bot configuration can mean the difference between glorious victory and a sudden explosion.

The game’s difficulty curve is well-balanced: early arenas serve as a testing ground for basic mods and bot commands, while later stages demand precision, resource management, and split-second decision-making. Replay value is high thanks to hidden side missions, mod unlocks, and multiplayer deathmatches. Speedrunners and completionists will find plenty to chew on, from mastering all Omega mods to achieving S-rank clear times.

While Deadlocked may not fully satisfy those craving the platforming and puzzle-solving heartbeat of earlier Ratchet & Clank adventures, it compensates with adrenaline, strategy, and relentless action. The audiovisual package—sharp graphics, booming sound effects, and a driving soundtrack—complements the gameplay perfectly, immersing you in the cutthroat world of DreadZone. For players seeking a robust, shooter-driven spin on a beloved franchise, Ratchet: Deadlocked delivers a thrilling thrill ride that remains memorable nearly two decades on.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10