Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (2011): The Review

Overview

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One takes the beloved duo, and adds two more, into a cooperative-focused spin-off that trades traditional open-ended platforming for a more linear, team-based adventure. While the game's colorful visuals, signature humor, and chaotic weaponry are still present, its shift in focus doesn’t always stick the landing. Designed with couch co-op in mind, it delivers fun in bursts, but fans of the classic formula may find this detour a bit too streamlined and clunky when flying solo.

Score: 6.5 out of 10

---

The Positives ✅

Where All 4 One really clicks is in its 4-player co-op. With the right group, whether online or on the couch, the chaos becomes the point. Shared objectives, silly teamwork mishaps, and constant laughter make it a lighthearted blast that thrives on camaraderie. It’s less about precision and more about creating those unpredictable “did that just happen?” moments that only co-op can deliver.

Despite shifting into a more multiplayer-focused format, the game still oozes that classic Ratchet charm. The dialogue is snappy, the humor lands, and Captain Qwark’s over-the-top antics give it that familiar cartoon energy. The colorful alien environments double down on that feeling, popping with imagination and a vibrant aesthetic that hasn’t aged badly at all. It may not be the most technically impressive entry, but it absolutely nails the playful tone of the universe.

And of course, this wouldn’t be Ratchet & Clank without a pile of ridiculous weapons. Watching enemies explode into bolts is still as satisfying as ever, even if the combat feels more chaotic than strategic this time around. Layer in its family-friendly accessibility, and you’ve got a game that may not challenge the hardcore, but stands as a great pick for casual groups or younger players looking for a fun, cooperative adventure.

---

The Negatives ⚠️

The biggest drawback with All 4 One is how much it struggles when played solo. Without friends to carry the chaos, the game leans on inconsistent AI partners and clunky mechanics that were clearly never built for single-player fun. What’s meant to feel like fast-paced cooperation instead slows to a crawl, robbing the game of its energy when you’re on your own.

Another sore spot is how much the series’ trademark platforming finesse gets left behind. Instead of the smooth traversal and flow that fans expect, this entry opts for a more grounded, slow-paced style that leans heavily on co-op gimmicks and synchronized puzzles. The result? Movement feels restricted, and the joy of bouncing through levels is replaced with stop-and-go coordination checks.

The design also falls into a rut with its repetitive encounters. Too often, combat boils down to rinse-and-repeat wave rooms filled with limited enemy variety and overwhelming visual clutter. Add in restricted customization, where character roles are largely locked and exploration is minimal, and the creative freedom that defines Ratchet & Clank feels dialed way down. Even the pacing feels uneven, some levels drag on for far too long, while others end just as they’re starting to find a rhythm, making the whole adventure feel like it lacks the tight balance of the series’ best.

---

The Experience 🎮

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is a curious detour for the series, one that shifts its focus squarely onto multiplayer mayhem at the cost of the polish and fluidity that defined earlier entries. It nails the humor, style, and charm that the franchise is loved for, snappy dialogue, Quark’s absurd antics, and colorful worlds bursting with personality, but its core design feels built more for group laughs than satisfying single-player action.

As a party game or family-friendly romp, it works well enough, offering accessible fun that doesn’t take itself too seriously. But as a core Ratchet & Clank adventure, it’s missing the refined platforming, tight pacing, and sense of freedom that made the series shine. In the end, All 4 One is best enjoyed with friends at your side, because when you’re alone, the cracks in its design are impossible to ignore.

Fun in fours, but a bit lost in translation. 🔧🤖🎮🎉