Good news: Sony just announced a new Ratchet & Clank game. Bad news: It’s some free-to-play mobile arena shooter thing.
On November 12, PlayStation Studios and Insomniac announced Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble. The game is being created by OhBibi, a mobile game developer located in France which has previously created cartoony, colorful action-focused third-person shooters. And what do you know, that’s exactly what Ranger Rumble appears to be in the game’s first trailer.
According to the upcoming game’s website, Ranger Rumble will feature “iconic characters from the Ratchet & Clank franchise” as well as big guns and explosions, which are hallmarks of the long-running series that started back on the PS2. PlayStation Studios describes Ranger Rumble as a “fast-paced multiplayer platformer arena shooter,” which, yeah, seems accurate.
“Experience the humor, action, and energy of the iconic universe in a bold new real-time multiplayer format,” says the game’s website. “Play as a Legendary Hero from the past, now with unique abilities. Go solo or team up with other Rangers online in thrilling multiplayer games built for every kind of player.”
No release date was announced, but it is supposedly coming to mobile platforms “soon.” You can pre-register now.
I think visually, Ranger Rumble looks great. It feels like a Saturday morning cartoon spin on the Ratchet & Clank universe, and I’m here for that. However, I’ve tried multiple times to enjoy multiplayer shooters on mobile phones using touch controls, and I hate it. And sure, many of them let you plug in a controller and play that way, but at that point, I’d rather just play a game on PC or console. Perhaps Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble will eventually make the leap to PS4/PS5 and PC, but for now, I’m not sure I’ll play it. At least Sony hasn’t forgotten about Ratchet & Clank. So that’s nice!
This also lines up with past comments from former PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan, who in 2021 explained in investor relations documents that Sony was looking to invest more in mobile games based on famous franchises. I can’t wait for the Sly Cooper match-three game.
