As successful as it has been, the Ratchet & Clank series really hasn't seen any games attempt to mimic its award-winning gameplay. Natsume's Ruff Trigger: The Vanocore Conspiracy, however, is the first game I've played that clearly draws direct inspiration in its design from Insomniac's master-crafted action-platformer franchise, and thankfully the overall game quality eliminates any thoughts of calling this game a cheap knock-off. Although it doesn't have the same layer of gloss, being a PS2 budget title and all, Ruff Trigger presents a capable platformer romp that can hold its own in the crowded genre.

Based inside the intergalactic realm of the Tyke System, The Vanocore Conspiracy finds Ruff Trigger, a stray dog turned bounty hunter, embarking on a mission to rescue a shipment of Piglots (cute little synthesized pets designed by the Vanocore Corporation) that is lost on Planet Endust after the cargo ships carrying them is forced to make an emergency landing. Planet Endust is no walk in the park, though, and therefore Ruff is called in to save the day; supported on his mission by The Boss, who fills him in on objectives and new info from afar, and Cecily, his foxy pilot companion who is always around to save his tail when a situation turns sour.

On the job Ruff quickly begins to discover that there is more to this story than meets the eye, and so the stage is set for a lengthy adventure (around ten hours) that has Ruff journeying across three planets and eighteen levels in order to complete his mission. While the core storyline and script lack the grand charm and humor of today's platformer top dogs, the cast of characters is likeable enough to seize your interest. Also bear in mind that this game is mostly targeting younger gamers, despite the occasional "hell" showing up in the dialogue, so the basic plot is only to be expected.

In controlling Ruff on his quest, the gameplay - I'll just come out and say it - copies the hell out of the Ratchet & Clank formula (even in things like menu designs, item pick-ups and map layouts), but that's a good thing... for the most part. The core game mechanics have you smashing crates and environmental set pieces in search for Tykels, the game's currency, hopping through typical platform sequences and battling various baddies using melee combo attacks and a small arsenal of ten high-tech weapons, including guns like the Transfixer, a basic blaster, the Devastator, a shotgun-type weapon, the P-6000 sniper rifle, and the E.R.A.S.E.R., a powerful mini-nuke launcher - nothing incredibly imaginative, but they're all still fun to blast away with. By collecting Tokens, Ruff eventually earns a rank promotion that unlocks newer, more powerful weapons and armor upgrades that become available for purchase using Tykels at the occasional K-Store vendors you'll find in each stage.

While all of these elements follow a might familiar path, Playstos Entertainment has managed to squeeze in a number of nifty little touches that do ultimately lend the game a unique feel. For instance, one of the key focal points and individuating elements to the gameplay revolves around the rescuing of Piglots that are stranded within every level. Upon finding a Piglot in need of aid, you can pick them up and carry them into nearby portals that instantly whisk them off to safety. Puzzles also rely heavily on the use of a variety of the special Piglot breeds that Ruff discovers along the way. Smart Piglots, as an example, can sneak into small spaces and activate out-of-reach switches, then there are the T-Grots, which are vicious little guard-dog Piglots that help out during a fight. The glow-in-the-dark Piglows also come in handy when navigating dark environments.

Another unique touch that jazzes the gameplay up a bit is the werewolf transformation ability! Early on, Ruff finds and drinks a Vanocore Power Drink (VPD), and henceforward he is granted the ability to transform into a werewolf at any time. In werewolf form, Ruff not only attacks harder and jumps higher, but he also gains special werewolf powers, such as lighting bolt and earthquake attacks. And all of these attack options come in exceptionally handy in defeating the array of basic enemies and bosses that stand in your path. If that wasn't enough, Ruff occasionally has to hop onto a speeder bike to race out of dangerous situations, and these vehicular sequences are actually quite enjoyable.

Where Ruff Trigger begins to show its roots as a budget title are in the controls and camera. Basic actions like running, jumping and attacking handle smoothly, but when pulling out a gun to lay out some serious smackdown things start to get hairy. Requiring you to simultaneously hold down the R1 button to aim and L1 to strafe, the lock-on targeting system can be difficult to grasp at first, as it consistently breaks away from your desired target if you decide to move and jump around too much. It eventually becomes perfectly manageable, but it's just annoying that more time wasn't taken to fine-tune everything. Cycling weapons on the fly using the D-pad also doesn't work quite as well as you might hope, and the camera, although largely stable, does get stuck in tight spots from time to time.

As a budget production, the graphics and audio are also limited in scope, but you'll be surprised at the quality of both presentational facets. The visuals won't have you picking your jaw off the floor; however, the level designs are solid, the art design (though eerily similar to R&C) is appealing, characters are smoothly animated and modeled with a fair amount of detail, the framerate is rock steady, and the cut scenes are well produced. The audio, in similar fashion, isn't spectacular, but it holds its own for sure. The voice acting is performed suitably to the game's style, while the background music consists of various sci-fi themed anthems that are actually quite compelling at times. Of course, hearing the helpless little Piglots yelp and bark as they hop along beside you is completely adorable!

I am honestly rather surprised by just how well Ruff Trigger turned out. Sure, it has a few nominal quirks, but when push comes to shove, this game puts on an entertaining show with value that far exceeds its budget pricing, thanks to a sizeable campaign and a fun selection of eight unlockable arcade-style mini-games. Picky Ratchet & Clank fans and jaded mainstream gamers probably won't give it a fair shake, which is a shame, but for its intended audience, or anyone with an open mind, Ruff Trigger: The Vanocore Conspiracy presents a fun, family-friendly space adventure that's well worth embarking upon.

Reviewed by Matt Litten for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).