Honestly, if you missed out on Ratchet and Clank FFA (formally known as Full Frontal Assault or QForce depending on where you live), I don't blame you. It came out in 2012, right when the series was having a bit of an identity crisis. Insomniac Games was experimenting. They’d just finished All 4 One, which was a four-player co-op mess, and decided the next logical step was... tower defense?
It sounds weird because it is.
Most fans just wanted a "classic" experience like Up Your Arsenal or A Crack in Time. Instead, we got this bite-sized strategy hybrid. But here’s the thing: it’s actually kind of a hidden gem if you stop comparing it to the main entries. It isn't a 20-hour epic. It's a focused, chaotic, and surprisingly deep tactical shooter that basically predicted the "hero-shooter-lite" trend before it was cool.
What is Ratchet and Clank FFA even trying to be?
The game basically takes the standard Ratchet controls—tight strafing, wacky guns, and double jumping—and drops them into a base-defense loop. You’re not just platforming through a linear level. You have a home base with generators. If the enemies destroy those generators, you lose. Game over.
This creates a constant, stressful tug-of-war.
You have to venture out into the map to capture "nodes" and find weapon pods. But while you're out there, a siren blares. Grungarian soldiers are dropping into your base. Now you have to hoverboot your way back across the map like a madman because your turrets are getting shredded. It’s a multitasking nightmare, but in a way that’s actually pretty addictive once it clicks.
The gameplay loop:
- Recon Phase: You explore, smash crates for bolts, and unlock new weapons.
- Base Building: You spend those bolts on Fusion Turrets, Warmonger Turrets, and Electro-Barriers.
- Defense/Assault: You juggle defending your generators while trying to push into the enemy's Planetary Defense Center.
The Competitive Multiplayer: The Secret "Real" Game
If you only played the campaign, you basically played the tutorial. The multiplayer is where Ratchet and Clank FFA actually shines. It’s a 1v1 or 2v2 competitive mode that feels like a simplified MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena).
You’re playing against another human who is doing the exact same thing as you.
You aren't just defending; you're buying "squads" of minions to send at the other player. You can send a tanky Grungarian Tank or a swarm of Brawlers. Watching your opponent struggle to deal with a wave of enemies you just bought while you're simultaneously sneak-attacking their backline with a Groovitron? That's peak Ratchet. It’s a shame the servers are mostly ghost towns now because this mode was legitimately innovative for 2012.
Why people hated it (and why they were sort of right)
Look, the game has flaws. Big ones.
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First, it’s short. You can finish the "story" in about four hours. For a full-priced release (at the time), people felt cheated. Also, the story is basically nonexistent. It features Zurgo—the fanboy villain from Going Commando—who is now a disgruntled nerd living in his mom’s basement. It’s funny, sure, but it’s thin.
And then there was the PS Vita port.
Oh boy. If you played it on Vita, I am so sorry. It was delayed for months, and when it finally arrived, it ran like a slideshow. Frame rates would tank whenever more than three enemies appeared on screen. It was one of those "Cross-Buy" titles where buying the PS3 version got you the Vita version for free, which was a great deal on paper, but a technical disaster in reality.
Should you play Ratchet and Clank FFA in 2026?
If you’re a die-hard fan of the franchise and you've never touched it, yeah, you should. It’s available on PlayStation Plus Premium’s streaming catalog usually.
Just don't go in expecting Rift Apart.
Go in expecting a weird, experimental strategy game that uses Ratchet's skins. The weapons still feel great. Leveling up the Combuster or the Buzz Blades is still satisfying. There’s something uniquely "Insomniac" about the polish of the shooting mechanics, even if the structure is totally different from what you’re used to.
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Actionable Tips for New Players:
- Play Co-op: This game was never meant to be played alone. The multitasking is half as frustrating when one person stays at the base and the other goes out to capture nodes.
- Focus on Barriers early: Don't just spam turrets. If you don't have Electro-Barriers to slow enemies down, your turrets will get destroyed before they can even rotate to aim.
- Ignore the Vita version: Seriously. Even on modern handhelds via emulation or streaming, the PS3 version is the only one that doesn't feel like it's breaking.
- Master the Hoverboots: Mobility is everything. If you aren't using the boots to zip between lanes, you're going to lose your generators to a stray wave of Grungoids.
It’s a weird little footnote in gaming history. Not every experiment works, but Ratchet and Clank FFA tried something bold during a time when most sequels were just playing it safe. It’s janky, it’s short, and it’s weirdly stressful—but it’s also a lot more creative than people give it credit for.
To get started, check your PS Plus library for the "Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault" listing under the Classics or Streaming section. Grab a friend for split-screen co-op, as the AI is significantly more manageable when you can divvy up the base defense and exploration duties. Focus on upgrading your Warmonger turrets first, as they provide the best long-range protection against the heavier Grungarian units in the later planetary waves.