The game preview featured a level set on the planet Maktar Resort.  In addition to giving us a look at new enemies such as rocket-firing lizards who also unleash small robotic attackers, the level featured several tractor beam based puzzles.  The tractor beam proved useful in moving objects blocking the way, but proved to be even more versatile than that.  We also needed to use the beam to drag bombs up to locked doors and to abuse poor maintenance robots.  With the beam the robots could be captured and forced to stand on key spots used to open doors.  Standing on these spots yourself does no good as Ratchet does not have the same level of security clearance as the robots and the doors won't open for him.  At one point one of the poor robots was the victim of a tractor beam slingshot as the elastic like beam was stretched and let go to launch the robot to a higher level platform.

A spherical world level.

Another level took place on a small spherical world.  This world is like a level on a globe and if you run in a straight line in any direction you'll eventually return to the exact spot from which you started.  This spherical world is filled with towers and jump boosters, so Ratchet was able to get high above the world's surface.  From up high you have a view of everything around you until it disappears beyond the curve of the horizon.  In a really cool touch, pressing R3 brings up a full 3D rotatable model of the world that allows you to quickly get your bearings and helps you to determine where to go next.

A new feature of gameplay in Going Commando is the gladiatorial combat arena.  Ratchet can fight for bolts and special weapons against enemies on the arena floor.  The requirements for victory vary from surviving waves of attackers, to killing a required number of enemies within a set time limit, to beating large bosses.  Things are made more difficult by the fact that the arena is surrounded by a ledge overhanging energy beams - lose your step at the edge of the arena and you're toast, literally.  Gas jets, rotating blades, and other nasty traps appear on the arena floor from time to time making it important for you to watch your step.  The gladiatorial atmosphere is further enhanced by a play by play announcer and stands filled with cheering robots.

The last level on the demo disk featured a hoverbike challenge.  This is a race on the backs of what are essentially high-speed flying motorcycles.  The race took place against a dozen competitors all out to win and not afraid to cheat a little to do so.  The races are very reminiscent of the Star Wars pod racing sequence, and you'll need to dodge rock outcroppings and wandering beasts along the way.  As in all good racing sequences, there are shortcuts on the track that will save you time if you can find and get to them.  To make the racing even more interesting, turbo power-ups litter the track and you can pick up weapons to take out the competition.

Ratchet & Clank is a great game, so Going Commando has a great starting place.  The developers did not stop there though, and you can expect even more imaginative puzzles, weapons, and mini games awaiting you in Going Commando when it is released in November 2003.

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