This is either number 5, 6, or 7 in the series, depending on how you look at it. And that's in terms of Insomniac's games, not the PSP ones or the PS2 ports of the PSP catalog. I don't put Deadlocked in the series, and I consider Quest for Booty a continuation (epilogue, if you will) of Tools of Destruction, so I see this as the 5th in the series. And yes, it's the same game you've played with some additional gameplay and new comedy.
Most notable difference in this game is the split gameplay; Ratchet has the familiar strafe and shoot gameplay, whereas Ratchet has a much more puzzle based scene. Among the main story is space travel, which involves various "shoot that thing" and "bring me over there and shoot these enemies that ambush us halfway" missons, as well as some moons that are enemy/platform heavy. Just about everything in the game yields some sort of reward, including bolts, holograms, Gold Bolts, or Zoni. Then of course the leveling system for life and weapons still exists too.
The idea of don't fix what isn't broken definitely exists with this series, and it's definitely not a bad thing. I've played every game Insomniac has ever done, and they have never strayed too far from the previous game in the series. So if you want to play what you've done before, by all means get this game. However, if past games have worn you out, I might suggest renting this. Overall, a very short game. My first run through of it (which included me leaving it on and doing other stuff) which netted me every collectible and upgrade in the game took about 11 hours. Going through challenge mode now and will have the platinum once I beat it. Played it on Hardcore my first time through, and only died 5 times total. All being dumb mistakes on my part (i.e. jumping off the side, hover booting into lava, etc).
I don't want to say this is a bad game; by all means I enjoyed it a lot. Taking it in a little at a time is suggested if you have played the rest of the series and are beginning to get weary of the same thing over and over... but the dialog in this game is probably the best in the whole series. And the visuals are absolutely gorgeous. And it may be the last game Insomniac creates at a steady 60 frames per second, which really makes it shine. If you've never played any of the Ratchet and Clank games, I definitely suggest if you like 3rd person action/adventure/platformer games. Oh, and the Clank puzzles after you beat the game are way better than the story ones. Not too hard, but it takes a few minutes to figure out.
Bottom Line: Rent this if you have a PS3. Easily beaten in a week.
