Ratchet & Clank Trilogy

Insomniac's mix of platforming and shooting has followed the series from inception to the modern era. This collection, drawing together the three games of the PS2 trilogy with a bit of spit and polish added, is a bit of a gem.

If you choose to try the games in chronological order, you will also start with the package's worst game. As such, there is nothing wrong with the first Ratchet & Clank, but the series' strong evolution simply means that its aged considerably.

Ratchet & Clank 2: Locked & Loaded immediately sees many improvements which would ultimately come to define the series, notably the ability to upgrade many of the weapons, while Ratchet can become stronger by defeating enemies.

The story also buffs up in the middle act, following how the duo are recruited to save the galaxy, with a few plot twists on the way to keep you engaged throughout the adventure.

Best though is Up Your Arsenal, perhaps better than any other game in the series, offering a balanced mix of fun tasks and upgrades. Level design is strong from the outset, weaponry multi-upgradable and the humour pitch-perfect, not least because this is the game that introduces Dr. Nefarious - without doubt the franchise's best super villain.

The rest of the HD Collection features the now standard bonuses, such as 3D, a frame rate locked in at 60 frames per second, and of course, Trophies. A "Making of ...", concept pictures or the like would have been appreciated, but they're not yet something that made their way onto the HD collections.

Ratchet & Clank Trilogy does not offer any surprises, and if you bought one of the earlier HD compilations you know exactly what you get here. Nevertheless, the three games are all enjoyable, surprisingly beautiful and immensely playable, making a bit of a treat for all fans of the series.