Nuking the site from orbit is, as we all know, the only way to be sure. So when you come toe-to-toe with the multifarious tentacular beasties and twirling, bladed cyber-scutters of Locked And Loaded, you know the score. Select the biggest weapon in your arsenal, take aim and make the world a brighter place. Even the humble service-bot, dispatched to clean up the mess created when you violently blast an innocuous trash can to smithereens, is not above reproach.

Moreover, the burgeoning arsenal available to you as you progress through the game is truly vast and boasts some altogether bonkers weapons. Perhaps it's this fact, perhaps it's the way that enemies explode compellingly, their component parts falling like some steely rain... whatever the reason, combat in this game is fun. And it's profitable too - you can collect the bolts they leave behind and buy yourself even more weapons from vendor terminals dotted throughout the levels.

Guns and gadgets are half of Locked And Loaded's appeal. As the game begins, Ratchet sets out alone to tackle an alien terrorist who's hell-bent on sabotaging Megacorp's various concerns. The first couple of levels are really there to get you used to the tenor and flow of the game - you get a few basic weapons, you face a couple of bosses and countless minions, and you tackle some puzzles. In short, it shows its colours early on as a 3D platformer which involves plenty of gunplay.

And that's the thing - at its heart, Locked And Loaded is just this. In many respects it's a clone of the original. Controlling Clank and ordering his little robo-pals around to do your bidding should be more of a wow-maker than it is. To be fair, it will be for those who didn't play the original, but there's a lot of stuff on offer that fans of the first game will view as recycled material.

This, by no means, makes Locked And Loaded a bad game; simply one that seeks to cash in on the success of the first. And the bottom line is, it's perfectly enjoyable and boasts some unique scenes that will earn your respect through their sheer inventiveness alone. One of the vaunted new features is the 'maxi-game' element. These are essentially big mini-games (duh!) that come in all shapes and sizes, from laser-blazing space shoot-outs and junk-world skimmer races to logic puzzles that test your visual perception as much as your brain-skills. One of our favourites is the gladiatorial arena in which you pit yourself against a series of opponents, which begins with a minion-busting, mash-for-cash blastathon and ends with you pummelling a titanic four-legged walker-bot which deals large-scale plasma death from its twin cannons. Moreover, you can use your ship to return to the challenge at any time, and earn yourself a stack more cash by fighting in the arena - extremely handy when your coffers won't quite stretch to that swanky new weapon that's cropping up in vendor consoles throughout the galaxy.

Another new feature is the weapon upgrade element. Weapons have levels of experience that rise with consistent use, so the more you use a weapon, the better it gets. Generally speaking, this translates to a higher rate of fire, larger capacity and greater damage output. It also means that the weapons you feel most in tune with reward you with higher performance over time.

But perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the game is the way in which many of the puzzles are interwoven with the action. Admittedly, there are puzzles which are completely separate from the bulk of the game, such as the many lock override sequences in which you must align circuit gates with pulses of current to 'hack' a door open. But for the most part, puzzles are par-for-the-course sequences which involve all the manual dexterity of combat and platforming. There's a scene, for example, set on a tiny planet where certain hidden transmitters must be located and destroyed. To do this you need to locate huge locking bolts which Ratchet can loosen with his giant spanner. These in turn raise the transmitters from their subterranean locations so they can be destroyed. And all the while you're being attacked by robotic defenders and trying not to fall into radioactive pits on the planetoid. It's a skilful blend of play styles. Once again though, fans of the original will instantly recognise these kinds of mechanics, which ultimately robs them of the element of surprise. If there's one thing that irks about Locked And Loaded, it's the game's similarity to Ratchet And Clank's first adventure. It's hardly a fundamental flaw, but it is a bit of a disappointment. And besides, between the new planets, hidden areas and maxi-games, the game is approximately twice as large as its predecessor - not something to be sniffed at, especially if you're after value for money. In short, it's a cute, witty, intelligent and ultimately enjoyable game, with variety in spades. And you can't say fairer than that, even if you're an old hand at saving this galaxy lark.

Graphics 80%
Nothing startling, but the levels look great.

Sound 70%
Neat music, fizzy lasers, big booms.

Gameplay 80%
Blends puzzles and gunplay with aplomb.

Lifespan 80%
It's no Final Fantasy but there's a lot of game in there.

Overall 80%
Doesn't break new ground like the original, but it's still a clanking corker and ratchets up a good score.