Ratchet & Clank NG+ Speedrun: A History of World Record Dominance

Ratchet & Clank NG+ Speedrun

Sometimes, for a game to truly reach its zenith, a dedicated few must step up and carry the torch. These aren't just players; they are "Champions," individuals who push games to their absolute limits, challenging the status quo and inspiring the entire community to strive for incremental, yet monumental, improvements. This is the electrifying story of Ratchet & Clank's New Game Plus (NG+) speedrun, detailing the relentless pursuit of the World Record and the legends who etched their names in its history.

Introduction: The Spark of Competition

Ratchet & Clank, a franchise celebrated for its vibrant worlds, unique weaponry, and charming characters, has long been a favorite among speedrunners. The NG+ category, in particular, presents a unique challenge. Starting with all your hard-earned gadgets and weapons from a completed playthrough offers a different dynamic than a standard Any% run. It’s a test of precise execution and deep game knowledge, where every second shaved off can feel like an eternity.

In my experience as a dedicated speedrunner, watching the evolution of a game's record history is as compelling as chasing the record itself. It’s a narrative of dedication, innovation, and community. The Ratchet & Clank community is a prime example of this, with players constantly refining their runs, discovering new tricks, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. This article dives deep into that history, celebrating the players who have held the coveted World Record (WR) and the techniques that defined their triumphs.

The Early Days: Laying the Foundation

When speedrunning first took hold of Ratchet & Clank, the focus was on understanding the core mechanics and completing the game as quickly as possible. Early runners established foundational routes, experimenting with different weapon loadouts and movement techniques. The initial records, while seemingly slow by today's standards, were monumental achievements, proving that the game could be completed significantly faster than intended. These pioneers were essentially charting unknown territory.

During this phase, many players were still discovering the depth of the game's systems. Understanding enemy patterns, optimal traversal paths, and basic combat efficiencies were the primary goals. The idea of complex glitches or skips was still largely unexplored. It was all about raw skill and efficient gameplay.

The Era of Glitch Discovery

As the community matured, so did the approach to speedrunning. The discovery of glitches and unintended mechanics dramatically reshaped the optimal routes. Suddenly, players weren't just playing the game; they were actively looking for ways to break it. This led to the identification of numerous skips that bypassed entire sections of levels, saving precious minutes.

"Finding a major glitch that shaves off 30 seconds can completely change the landscape of a speedrun category. It’s a thrilling period of discovery."

Specific exploits in the game's engine allowed runners to clip through walls, perform impossible jumps, or manipulate enemy AI to their advantage. These discoveries were often shared rapidly within the community, leading to a quick succession of new World Records as runners adapted their strategies to incorporate these newfound advantages. This era highlighted the community's collaborative spirit.

Route Optimization and the Rise of Insane Strats

With major glitches established, the focus shifted to minute optimizations. Every movement, every weapon swap, every bolt collected (or not collected) was scrutinized. This period saw the development of incredibly intricate strats that required pixel-perfect execution. Runners would spend countless hours practicing specific sequences to shave off fractions of a second.

The NG+ category, in particular, benefited from this optimization due to the early access to powerful weapons. Runners could leverage these weapons to defeat bosses faster or to activate specific triggers that wouldn't be possible in a fresh playthrough. The debate often centered around the best loadout for specific legs of the run.

The NG+ Revolution: A New Frontier

The introduction of the NG+ category for Ratchet & Clank speedruns marked a significant evolution. Unlike standard Any% runs where players start with nothing, NG+ allows runners to begin with all their weapons and gadgets unlocked from a previous save file. This fundamentally changes the game's pacing and the strategies employed.

This category often requires a high level of prior game mastery. Runners must know precisely which weapons are most effective for specific encounters and how to manage their ammo efficiently, even with the advantage of starting with upgrades. The ability to use powerful weapons like the RYNO (Rip You A New One) or the Groovitron early on can lead to dramatic time saves, but only if executed flawlessly.

The NG+ category truly separates the dedicated players from the casual ones. It demands a deep understanding of weapon synergies and enemy weaknesses.

The early NG+ WRs were often set by players who had already dominated the Any% category, bringing their expertise to this new challenge. They quickly identified which starting weapons provided the biggest advantages and developed routes that capitalized on this early power. This led to incredibly fast boss fights and traversal sequences that were previously thought impossible.

Dominating the Leaderboard: Today's Champions

The history of Ratchet & Clank NG+ World Records is a testament to the dedication of players like Cyprys, ThaRixer, PrinceVorteX, S_LauGHTeR, Xem92, ticeman12, Franzcorr, onetabloid, and Isaki. These individuals, along with many others in the Ratchet community, have pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible. Their runs showcase not only incredible skill but also a profound understanding of the game's mechanics.

Each WR holder brought something unique to the table. Some excelled at precise platforming and movement, while others were masters of combat and weapon usage. Often, a new record isn't just about being faster; it's about finding a completely new way to approach a segment of the game. The constant innovation ensures that the leaderboard is always a dynamic place.

Currently, the landscape of the Ratchet & Clank NG+ speedrun is highly competitive. The top runners are separated by mere seconds, demonstrating the peak of optimization. Analyzing their runs often reveals subtle tricks or optimizations that can be incorporated by other aspiring speedrunners. It’s a continuous cycle of learning and improvement.

Key Strats and Skips

In any Ratchet & Clank speedrun, especially NG+, specific strategies and glitches are crucial for achieving top times. Some of the most impactful include:

  • Weapon Skips: Utilizing specific weapon combinations to bypass damage checks or environmental obstacles. For instance, using the RYNO or Plasma Beasts to obliterate bosses in seconds.
  • Clipping Glitches: Exploiting game engine flaws to pass through walls or geometry, allowing runners to skip entire levels or sections.
  • Fast Fall Glitches: Techniques that allow players to descend much faster than normal, drastically reducing travel time in vertical sections.
  • RNG Manipulation: While difficult, some runners attempt to manipulate random number generator (RNG) outcomes for critical drops or enemy behaviors to occur favorably.
  • Combat Optimization: Perfecting combos and weapon swaps to defeat enemies and bosses with the absolute minimum number of hits and time. This includes precise strafing and targeting.
The difference between a good run and a WR often comes down to mastering these high-risk, high-reward strats. One missed input can cost you the record.

The effectiveness of these strats often depends on the specific game version being run. Differences in patches can make certain glitches possible or impossible, leading to distinct categories within the speedrunning community (e.g., latest patch vs. original release). Understanding these nuances is key for any serious runner.

The Unsung Heroes: The Ratchet Community

While the WR holders rightfully receive much of the spotlight, the Ratchet & Clank speedrunning community is built on the collective effort of countless individuals. From those who initially discovered glitches to the organizers of community events and the viewers who provide constant encouragement, everyone plays a vital role.

Special thanks are due to community members like Cyprys, ThaRixer, PrinceVorteX, S_LauGHTeR, Xem92, ticeman12, Franzcorr, onetabloid, Isaki, and InsomniacNintendo. Their contributions, whether through groundbreaking runs, helpful tutorials, or community management, have been instrumental in shaping the speedrun scene for Ratchet & Clank. The collaborative spirit is what truly makes speedrunning thrive.

The Speed Docs Crew, including CCNeverender, CJitsallGewd, Jmans600, and SquidBird, are also pivotal. Their work in documenting runs, creating content, and managing community resources provides invaluable support for runners and fans alike. The dedication to documenting and promoting the speedrun efforts is what keeps the community informed and engaged.

If you're interested in Ratchet & Clank speedrunning, I highly recommend joining the official Discord channel. It's a fantastic place to connect with other fans, ask questions, and even share your own runs. You can find the link here.

The Future of Ratchet & Clank Speedrunning

The pursuit of the perfect run never truly ends. Even with highly optimized routes, there's always the potential for a runner to discover a new technique, a more efficient glitch, or simply have an absolutely flawless execution. The NG+ category for Ratchet & Clank will undoubtedly continue to evolve.

We might see new strategies emerge as runners experiment with different game versions or platforms. The ongoing passion of the community ensures that new players will always be inspired to pick up the controller and contribute to the rich history of speedrunning in this beloved franchise. Whether it's chasing a new World Record or simply improving your personal best (PB), the journey is always rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is NG+ in the context of speedrunning?

A: NG+ stands for New Game Plus. In speedrunning, it means starting the game with all previously unlocked weapons, gadgets, and upgrades from a completed save file, allowing for fundamentally different and often faster strategies.

Q: Who holds the current Ratchet & Clank NG+ World Record?

A: The World Record holder can change frequently. For the most up-to-date information, it's best to check the official leaderboards on sites like Speedrun.com, which are meticulously maintained by the community.

Q: Are there significant differences between versions of Ratchet & Clank for speedrunning?

A: Yes, absolutely. Different console versions (PS2, PS3, PS4) and even specific game patches can have different glitches, physics, and loading times, leading to distinct speedrun categories.

Q: How do speedrunners find new glitches or skips?

A: It's a combination of deep game knowledge, experimentation, and community collaboration. Runners often test obscure interactions, push game mechanics to their limits, and share findings with others to verify and implement them into routes.

The journey through the history of Ratchet & Clank NG+ speedruns is a testament to human perseverance and the power of a dedicated community. From the earliest explorations to the mind-bending optimizations of today, each record represents countless hours of practice, analysis, and passion. The legacy of players like Cyprys, ThaRixer, and so many others will continue to inspire future generations of speedrunners.

What are your favorite Ratchet & Clank speedrun moments? Did you discover any new strats from this article? Let us know in the comments below! And if you're looking to dive deeper into the Ratchet & Clank speedrunning community, consider joining our Discord server. We'd love to see you there!