Secret Agent Clank

Secret Agent Clank puts everyone’s favorite robot in the spotlight when Ratchet is wrongly locked away. As Clank’s Secret Agent persona, you’ll infiltrate high‐security strongholds and outwit enemies to free your partner—and save the universe in the process. Locked in prison, Ratchet becomes a playable powerhouse too, blasting through waves of familiar foes with his signature run-and-gun style. Meanwhile, self-important hero Qwark won’t let the spotlight pass him by: he trails Clank, claiming credit for every mission, and you’ll even jump into his shoes to reenact his hilariously exaggerated exploits.

On the gameplay front, Secret Agent Clank serves up a rich mix of stealth tactics and adrenaline-fueled action. Slip into Clank’s high-tech gear for rhythm-based spy infiltration and thrilling driving missions, then switch to Ratchet’s classic arena battles for nonstop mayhem. Qwark’s chapters add a twist of comedy with outrageous boss fights and constantly shifting challenges—mirroring his own tall tales as they grow ever more fantastical. This multi-genre adventure redefines the Ratchet & Clank experience with fresh mechanics and boundless charm.

Platforms: ,

Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Secret Agent Clank shakes up the familiar Ratchet & Clank formula by handing the reins to Clank in a sleek, spy-themed adventure. Players guide Clank through intricate stealth missions that emphasize careful movement, timing, and the clever use of gadgets. His repertoire includes an ink-shrouding device, hologram projectors, and a stylish grapple gun, all of which combine to make each infiltration feel fresh and engaging.

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Interspersed with the stealth sections are rhythm-based mini-games, where timing your button presses to on-screen prompts unlocks cinematic cutscenes or opens locked vaults. These moments break up the pacing and offer a welcome change of pace from traditional platforming. Driving challenges further diversify the gameplay—controlling a souped-up spy car while weaving through laser grids or pursuing enemy vehicles injects an arcade flair that complements Clank’s espionage duties.

Meanwhile, Ratchet’s prison escapades and Qwark’s tall-tale boss battles add even more variety. Ratchet’s sequences embrace the classic run-and-gun action fans expect, with weapon upgrades scattered across arena-style combat zones. Qwark’s chapters are over-the-top extravaganzas, each “battle” feeling like part performance art and part unhinged commentary, requiring you to adapt to shifting objectives as he embellishes the story. The result is a trio of playstyles that keeps the experience lively from start to finish.

Graphics

Built for the PlayStation Portable, Secret Agent Clank delivers bright, colorful visuals that capture the cartoonish charm of the series while tailoring the presentation to a handheld screen. Textures are crisp and character models maintain their signature silhouettes—Clank’s round, expressive eyes, Ratchet’s bold outlines, and Qwark’s exaggerated musculature all pop against the varied backdrops. The spy motif is reinforced by sleek metallic surfaces and neon-lit corridors.

Environments range from high-security laboratories to moonlit rooftops and a grimy intergalactic prison. Each locale is distinct, thanks to clever use of lighting and particle effects that make patrolling guards and security beams feel dynamic. Cutscenes seamlessly blend pre-rendered footage with in-engine assets, giving the story beats a polished, almost cinematic quality despite the hardware’s limitations.

Animations are fluid during platforming and combat, though occasional frame dips can occur when the action intensifies or too many particle effects appear simultaneously. Driving sections handle smoothly, with vehicle models reacting realistically to twists, turns, and jumps. Overall, the graphics strike a strong balance between technical polish and the whimsy players have come to expect from the Ratchet & Clank universe.

Story

Secret Agent Clank opens with a twist on the franchise’s usual dynamic: Ratchet is behind bars, falsely accused of a crime, leaving Clank to assume a secret agent persona and save his partner-in-mech. From the outset, the narrative embraces spy-movie tropes—villains with grandiose plans, coded vaults, and elaborate disguises—while weaving in self-aware humor and witty banter. Fans will appreciate callbacks to previous titles, but newcomers can jump right in without missing crucial context.

Clank’s missions are carefully scripted to build tension: infiltrating a corrupt corporation, thwarting doomsday devices, and uncovering conspiracies that stretch to the universe’s far reaches. Midway through, the story cuts back to Ratchet’s combat trials in prison, where he faces adversaries he once locked away. This parallel structure highlights both characters’ strengths and keeps the narrative momentum from flagging.

The bravura of the plot comes courtesy of Qwark, narrating his own exaggerated spin on events. His sequences feel like interactive farces, with each boss encounter growing more absurd as his tall tales spiral. Though occasionally tongue-in-cheek padding, these vignettes reinforce the game’s lighthearted tone and remind players not to take the hijinks too seriously—yet still reward skillful play with entertaining spectacle.

Overall Experience

Secret Agent Clank delivers a compact, varied adventure that feels tailor-made for portable play. Switching between Clank’s stealth and rhythm challenges, Ratchet’s combat arenas, and Qwark’s bombastic boss fights ensures the pacing never grows stale. Controls remain intuitive across all three styles, and the bite-sized missions make it easy to pick up and play in short bursts or marathon sessions.

While some players may find certain segments—particularly Qwark’s embellished battles—slightly repetitive, the game’s sense of humor and clever level design carry you through. The difficulty curve is generally well-balanced, with optional collectibles and challenge rooms for completionists seeking extra tests of skill. Minor frame-rate dips during the most particle-heavy scenes are forgivable given the PSP’s hardware constraints.

Ultimately, Secret Agent Clank stands out as a creative spin on a beloved series, offering a diverse array of gameplay hooks wrapped in a playful, spy-themed package. Fans of Ratchet & Clank will appreciate the familiar charm, while newcomers can enjoy a self-contained story brimming with action, stealth, and over-the-top comedy. It’s a memorable handheld outing that showcases Clank’s potential as more than just the sidekick—and provides a satisfying excursion into the world of intergalactic espionage.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10

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Retro Replay Score

7.2

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