Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault Review

When the team at Insomniac Games looks back on Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, they’ll probably think, “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Because on paper, it does seem like a good idea: The platforming, exploration, and wacky firearms we’ve come to expect from Ratchet layered on top of an active, on-the-battlefield approach to tower defense gameplay. It may not be the full-fledged franchise installment fans have been clamoring for, but as a one-off $20 download, it certainly has the potential to provide an amusing stopgap… in theory. In practice, however, poor balancing, repetitive gameplay, and a handful of design flaws turn the experience into something more tedious, despite its initial appeal.