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Insomniac Games has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1994. Ratchet & Clank is gearing up for a theatrical release next year, and the studio's newer IPs like Sunset Overdrive continue to help them stand out from its competitors. Whether it's the colorful, vibrant graphics or the tongue-in-cheek writing, there is a certain quality in its games that makes them distinctly Insomniac. Visuals have always been a key aspect of the studio's games, and in revisting an old classic, aesthetics have stolen the spotlight once more.

The upcoming Ratchet & Clank PS4 remake is looking to recapture the magic that started in 2002 with the original Ratchet & Clank. While it's been some time since we last saw a game set in the Ratchet & Clank universe, there's no doubt that Insomniac Games has the right pedigree for platforming games to recapture what made the original so great, and a recent comparison video on YouTube goes a long way in proving that.

Insomniac Games has clearly gone to great lengths to revive their beloved franchise on the PS4, as a recently released video from YouTube user Flotonydu71 illustrates. The video shows Ratchet as he explores each level in both games in a near perfect step-by-step comparison that displays just how much power the PS4 has compared to its predecessors - not that it was ever in doubt. The video is a tightly-focused investigation of three famous levels - Metropolis, Gaspar, and Nebula G34 - and it is masterful in how it demonstrates the significant changes Insomniac Games has made.

Each world in the remake has new, dynamic backgrounds that make the levels really come alive. While the original's colors are washed out and somewhat muddy, the color palette present in the remake is vivid and cartoony the way Ratchet & Clank is meant to be. These upgrades are clearly a lot more than a simple re-skin of the previous game, and it's a welcome approach to a remake. Obviously, aesthetic changes aren't all that matters, but they're certainly welcome, especially when they add so much to a familiar experience.

Perhaps the most drastic change comes around the 7 minute mark of the video, where the boss fight with the Blargian Snagglebeast occurs. The cutscene in the older version makes the Snagglebeast look vaguely like a low resolution demon wearing a helmet for safety, while the newer-look Snagglebeast actually appears dangerous. The gameplay in the video has definitely changed to accompany the new animations for weapons, but the fundamental strategies appear to remain the same - they just look better while players execute them.

The changes in gameplay that Insomniac Games have made, however, appear to make the boss fight much more dynamic, as multiple enemies attempt to trip Ratchet and Clank up while they navigate the much wider room. All in all, the new Ratchet & Clank looks like a worthy successor to the first game's incredibly fun gameplay and excessive charm. Although the delays have made fans wait a little longer than they'd probably have hoped, it looks like that wait might be justified yet.

What do you think of the comparison? Will you give the game another play through? Let us know in the comments.

Ratchet & Clank's PS4 remake is set to release in early 2016, and will be a PS4 exclusive.

Source: YouTube