Ratchet and Clank: One's Last Memento

Yes, you've read it right. This will be a discussion thread for my own idea for a Ratchet and Clank game.

One's Last Memento is set some time after the events of Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time. Still living in the Polaris galaxy, Ratchet and Clank are still remembered for defeating such villains as Emperor Percival Tachyon, Captain Slag and Captain Darkwater and foiling the evil plot to control time of Dr. Nefarious.

Whilst working on some new gadgets, two objects fall from the sky one falling towards the surface, the other skimming across the atmosphere before leaving the sector altogether. Ratchet finds the object that landed to be a small sphere, encrypted with lettering not unlike the Lombax language. Upon opening it, it plays a short part of a melody that only he can hear, so it is clear that the message was intended just for him. Upon closer observation, the sphere's song is actually a series of co-ordinates for another sphere just like it and so on. When the complete song is found, all the co-ordinates will lead to the location of its origin.

The other object that fell from the sky and landed on a nearby moon, was not as welcoming. The object was a fragment of technology belonging to a species called the One. The One have been heard of, but never before did they pose a significant threat, until now. Having now "unified" a species with advanced technology, they plan to come to the Polaris galaxy and force species to join their hive mind, in their grisly attempt to make all life theirs.

Further information forthcoming.

Sounds pretty intriguing, actually.

Does this mean we have squishy-robot hybrids? And more than just hybrid, but completely integrated?

PS. I always read it "Clank in Time", for some reason. It's one of those things I got wrong first time 'round, and I'm stuck with it.

The One are a species that functions as the primary antagonist of the story. Not technically a species, but rather an amalgam of the races that have been assimilated by them.

The species began when a living star, one of the last of its kind, became lonely after the rest of its species died out and whatever survivors were left were on the other side of the universe, far away and lost. However, the star had one lonely little planet orbitting and wished to connect to its people telepathically. It used it's powerful psychic energies of its enormous consciousness to telepathically link its people, and named itself One, so they too could speak to it.

However, when unifying with the dominant people, One also connected to the mind of a criminal serving a sentence on the planet, Kr'shek Motraz. An exobiologist with extensive knowledge on many species of the system, through unethical means. Having pursued her interests across the universe, the likes of One is a species she has always intended to meet first hand, and having trained herself in mental exercises to prepare herself against mentally powerful species.

Upon realising the opportunity, she used the telepathic link to take control of the star and had its own consciousness destroyed and used One's brain as a telepathic centre for the species that it proceeded to unify. Using One's body, Kr'shek used the energy as fuel and began to "unify" the races it sought to study and connect their minds to the hive consciousness, for which she could control and therefore test their physical and mental abilities.

Gradually, it became less of a need to study, but more of desire to assimilate, to acquire all the life in the universe, one race at a time, until her studies were completed. But her desires eventually drove her to madness, making her unable to see reason, and the prolonged exposure to One's body has led to her body being damaged. Using her "research", she no plans to heal herself in a new form, with the "perfect body".

Now that her species, the One, have taken hold of the Korthan system and taken the schematics for intergalactic travel, she plans to expand her sights beyond her home galaxy. And with news of a Lombax surviving beyond the final days of the Cragmite and Lombax war, the offer is incredibly tempting for this one Lombax to be "unified" at all costs, that is until Kr'shek discovers the truth about Clank...

Naturally, Kr'shek has performed experiments on her drones as physical tests, regardless of the damage it will do, just to see how they respond. Some definitely will be part robotic in that sense.

A key location in the story is the Yin Yang system, named so because of the two opposing stellar phenomena orbitting eachother in perfect harmony. The Yin phenomena is a white point star which emits intense light and energy, the Yang phenomena is a black hole. When the two came into contact several million years ago, their interactions came together and perfectly synched with one another, allowing nearby, unihabitted planets to able to sustain life.

On the planets in the present day are the evolutionary relatives of the Lombax, the Yinsho and Yangsu. When an early ancestor of both species came to the universe, the ones that set out across the galaxy evolved into the Lombaxes, those that based themselves in the YinYang system became the other two species. As such they are related only be DNA, but their appearance couldn't be more different. Whilst the Lombax are felinoids, the Yinsho and the Yangsu took on the appearance of canids.

Their technology matches the likes of the Lombax species, due to their ingenuity being almost perfectly alike. Their technology in some ways using innovation to solve problems. They designed a device called a Siren Song, in which a melody conceals encrypted co-ordinates, (more designed for recreational purposes than guidance, as it leads to another Song, rather than to the destination), but also a device constructed with co-operation from the Zoni, the prophecy box, and item Ratchet uses to help solve his mission, data of which was encrypted on the One data relay.

But the most important feature of the YinYang system is not on the surface, but what it can do. The two stellar phenomena work in perfect harmony, and can operate in complimentary fashion as a dimensional generator. In times of great danger, the two phenomena can orbit so fast, a hole in reality is ripped open, leading to region known as the Dead Space. In the Dead Space, time doesn't flow, space doesn't expand, matter doesn't form and machines won't work. The perfect prison, but also speculated as myth and the home dimension of the Lombax (who emerged from that pocket dimension several million years ago when Yin met Yang).

I decided for a final battle before the boss battle against Kr'Shek, where Aphelion battles One's Crucible. Armed to capacity with Dr. Nefarious' hypernova defence laser, and defended by Captain Qwark's contacts.

It is almost indestructable, but you're not to destroy it. Only to penetrate the shields long enough to teleport inside and reason with Kr'shek before the Dead Space opens.

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I will now take questions.

Do the planets orbit the YinYang, or sit stationary betwixt them?

Do the wolf-Lombaxes (I should have guessed, btw ) inhabit separate planets... or two sides of the same planet? (in the case of stationary orbit - since once side would be dark and the other light all the time).

I'm not entirely keen on the idea that they are equal to the Lombaxes, purely because they were suppose to be unique and that's why they were key to other storylines.

Other than that, sounds awesome.

Couldn't we just kill the villain whilst she's in her prison cell, her mind is powerful but her body is completely defenceless. Cut the tie. Perhaps this could be the first goal, but turns out you actually just freed her from the confines... thus allowing her to merge fully? Or would she have already merged before the storyline?

Shame the One has to be dead, it might be an interesting element... we fail to convince the villain, so we just empower the One to resist her? I don't know. I don't see the ending having the right flair if you actually succeed the first time, you have to fail and go to plan B - gives the player the feeling they're thinking on their toes.

PS. I could have sworn there's been a canid lombax thingy... but I suppose it could have been fanart.

Wow Morbius! Sounds awesome. I wanna hear more.

White Point Star is from Doctor Who, so far as I know. What does yours do? Why not just a *antonym for event horizon* or simply a White Hole?

I was meaning to state White Hole, but I don't see how it could have worked.

The Canid Lombax (Yinsho and Yangsu) occupy different planets, both orbitting the binary phenomena. They are almost like complete opposites. The Yinsho have varying colours of fur, the Yangsu have dark blue fur, and green, pupiless eyes.

The One originated several decades before the events of this game, it has taken Kr'shek a very long time to unify the right species with advanced travel (her origin galaxy was fairly unadvanced). By this point, using the Great Clock (which I shall bring up later) to change this event would cause quite a lot of damage to the existing time line.

That is a good idea for defeating her the first time, only to discover she is still alive, but I don't see how Ratchet could defeat her then. Simply, you would defeat Kr'shek when she is still the same species, after which, her body is so badly damaged she is forced to use the "perfect body" before it is completed.

One isn't dead, it just lacks a consciousness and thought, sort of like being in a coma. Since it is a star, its body is self sustaining, allowing it to still be alive. Because so many minds are connected to it now, One's consciousness couldn't take control again, even if it was revived. The only way it can be freed is to sever Kr'shek from controlling it or remove it from the universe entirely.

A few characters will return from previous games to support the story.

Ratchet - The Siren Song that falls from the sky is intended for Ratchet and so has to find where it came from as it tells him that distant relatives of the Lombax live there. The One also tracked the Siren Song, and now want to unify Ratchet as he is one of the last of his kind.

Clank - Having chosen to stay with Ratchet after the events of A Crack in Time, Clank at first is ignored by the One, until Kr'shek detects Zoni bioenergy throughout his circuitry. But he isn't simply needed to find the Zoni, but also to give unlimited access to the Great Clock, which Kr'shek wishes to unify for all her plans.

Captain Qwark - Naturally, this washed up hero tags along to assist Ratchet at times, but the One take interest in him. He is later unified by them, so they can acquire his contacts, so that he can be used as ambassador to "persuade" species that are his fans to be unified.

Dr. Nefarious - Super villain Dr. Nefarious returns, but is inbetween planning new evil schemes, so doesn't feature as a major antagonist. The One unify him for the schematics of the Hypernova Defense Laser, and have him ranked as an enforcer (a higher ranking member of the one than soldier).

Lawrence - Dr. Nefarious' butler. Due to Nefarious working on other projects rather than on his primary goal, Lawrences' contract has allowed him to seek temporary employment elsewhere with the owner of Polaris' largest casino planet. Seeing as he is currently not working for Nefarious, he will assist Clank in accordance to his RSC (Robotic service contract).

Sigmund - Because the Clock is brought into the story, Sr. Caretaker Sigmund is prepared to defend the Great Clock from the One.

Orvus - Having spent his time repairing the Great Clock in the Dead Space for a few years, waiting until Nefarious was defeated and the Clock in the real universe was safe. The Dead Space Clock doesn't operate, because technology won't work there, but instead gives the Dead Space structural integrity, but as of late it has begun to fall apart meaning Dead Space can only be opened a couple more times before it collapses.

Could you explain me what's ratchet and clqank please

Ratchet and Clank is a videogame series originally debuting on the Playstation 2 and now producing sequels on the Playstation 3. It is made by Insomniac Games who've also made Spyro the Dragon and the Resistance Series.

It is set in outer space, in a distant galaxy. Ratchet is a Lombax and the last of his kind and his friend, Clank, is a robot whom was incorrectly designed in a robot factory and made too small.

Kr'shek Motraz - So called Queen of the One, but more of a Hive queen than a royal queen. She controls One and therefore the entire species. An exobiologist charged with alien rights abuse, both minor and major convictions. However, she intends to complete her experiments with the One and successfully create the perfect body, that is if no one stands in her way.

P'tahn Zarok - A One of the Devastator Rank and is personally assigned the duty to capture and unify Ratchet. It appears his individuality remains in tact, on the condition that he ignores ethics and lets nothing stand in his way of completing his task.

Remmi - A Yinsho male who was left on an unknown planet when testing an experimental new warp drive, without installing the off switch. He is slightly hot headed and very impetuous, usually claiming if there is any fault with his machines, its because the manual didn't explain it. His favourite weapon is his Crossbow with photonic bolts.

Midnight - A Yangsu female who was travelling the stars in search of the Prophecy Box, only to find Ratchet beat her to it by just minutes. A charming character, and quick witted, but likes to calculate her movements, leading her to a somewhat quiet and shy disposition, but very reliable. Her favourite weapon is her Darkness Staff.

Unit 6-5-Tau - A former One whom has no memory of life before being unified by the One several years ago. He was removed from the telepathic link when sent on a mission to explore an unihabitable demon planet in the Oni Sector, when the toxic atmosphere severed the link and shielded his presence. Now afraid of being destroyed if he was ever found, 6-5-Tau hides on planet Mephis, where the poison atmosphere and deadly terrain prevents anyone from coming to this desolate planet.

more forthcoming...

Will read all that shortly - playing LoL.

Just thought I'd ask - how do you orbit the YinYang? Surely the White Star would push you into the pull of the Black Hole?

The White hole's gravity over comes the likes of the Black hole's. They function so perfectly that the planets in orbit are under no threat.

I can sorta picture it.

Planet Fastoon - The former Lombax homeworld. Since it is left alone Ratchet has set up base here whilst searching for the Lombax. The Siren Song falls to this planet.

Planet Krellos - The location of the second Siren Song. It is a forest planet, with only a small population of Fongoids. Harmless.

Planet Skrusi - A planet mostly occupied by cities. Remmi has crash landed here. The data relay belonging to the One lands here, and a One drone carrier is concealed in orbit.

Planet Lyra VI - A glacier planet, frozen to the core and surrounded by aurora lights. Few settlers, but is also home to the fabled Prophecy Box, a piece of Lombax/Zoni technology which can point on in the correct direction by replicating the most relevant item. Midnight is also here, looking for said box.

Planet Stabaros - After archaeology missions to an unnamed planet, a large amount of interesting plans were retrieved, but they had potential for further development. In the head facility, it is being said a robotics expert is working on a powerful war machine, based off plans found in one of the swamps on the unnamed planet, but were disposed because the prototype was subject to continual problems with a portable battery that kept depleting too quickly. Still, work on the Metalhead 2.0 goes on.

Planet Sigma-3-4 - A world owned by the One. The third siren song was taken from its proper place and being tested here in vain, for it shall never open for anyone other than the last Lombax. A scrap yard that has been so far undetected resists the One feebly.

Planet Mephis - A dead planet in the Oni sector. Due to extremes in atmosphere, no life can live here, save for the unfortunate One drone who escaped. The surface temperature exceeds temperatures of 350 Celcius, atmosphere is mostly sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane and the terrain is highly unstable. The few explorers who've developed armours strong enough to resist the conditions have stated that the sights are wonders to behold, but are reminiscent of a biblical underworld.

Planet Gresk - Lawrence's current place of occupation, one of the largest casinos in the Polaris galaxy. The fourth siren song is currently first prize in the arena. The planet has a strange orbit, allowing its conditions to change radically, making good business for tourists with varying tastes.

Planet Thespor - This planet is effectively the Hollywood of the Polaris galaxy. All of the high budget holomovies are filmed here, with only the best actors in the galaxy working here. Quark is here currently filming his new film, luckily the studio had a little space for his picture to be filmed here.

Planet Alpha-0-1 - The first colony taken by the One in the Thyrullian Galaxy. Without a sun, the planet is nothing but a cold, dead husk, it's core gouged out crudely for use as fuel. The now dead forest has become for scavengoids, primitive life forms that can survive the conditions on extinct worlds. Despite being incompatible, the One still protect is aggressively.

Planet Utopia - The ravaged remains of Kr'shek's home world. After her ascent to Queen on the One, it disappeared through a powerful wormhole, causing it to knock another planet in the Polaris galaxy out of orbit and take its place. The planet is a burning, monstrous world; it's atmosphere full of carbons and sulphurs, the crust cracked and broken and the deceased cluttering the vast cities as statues, preying on their descendants to claim their life force. It's capital is based at the Stroex Facility, considered one of the most exclusive guest venues in the universe and soon to become the only venue in the universe, when paradise is complete.

Planet Grumm - The headquarters for GrummelNet Advanced Armaments and Intelligent Design (simply condensed to just GrummelNet after several legal battles). With much work underway and demand for much more potent weaponry, the factories are continuously operating, making finding a clear flight path difficult. A warm balmy temperature and a surprisingly clean atmosphere for a heavily industrial world.

Planet Xavdo - A planet that has been abandoned, now home to passing nomads looking for a relatively stable encampments. The only evidence that anyone ever lived here are the vast gardens and fortresses, but almost medieval in style and architecture. The citadels are situated on floating rock matter, where it looks like the horizon goes on forever, and float within the mountains by means of superconductivity. Strange gates, only responding to Zoni bioenergy, conceal many paths.

Planet Yin - The Yin capital planet of the Binary Horizon system. Advanced technological developments are at work here, and is being offered to several nomadic and now homeless species as refuge, after the One drove them from their homeworlds. It's capital is the Chrome Citadel, boasting a size twice that of Aziom city.

Planet Yang - The Yang capital planet of the Binary Horizon system. The Yangsu live here living with rules of chivalry and royalty instead of a presidential tenure like the sister planet. The side that perpetually faces the binary horizon is covered in water, whilst the half facing away, warmed by solar winds and geothermal energy, is the location of the

How's One's Last Momento going to evolve in terms of gameplay? Will it still have interstellar free-roam?

Hmmm... I didn't really think about how gameplay would evolve. Specific gameplay elements would remain the same, notably those that are popular. So the interstellar free-roam that debuted in A Crack in Time would continue.

I'm not sure what could be newly featured that would be original, not unless I look to some of the new characters as to what they can contribute.

The Yinsho and Yangsu are renowned warriors as well as engineers, not only practising close range combat, but also other interesting abilities, but I'm not sure if they can contribute elements of swordplay or psychokinesis into common combat.

The Unification Stratagem are tactical designs co-ordinates by Kr'shek to enhance the One's performance. If their storyline expands beyond one game, they will most likely follow a pattern similar to this.

The Direct Approach - Simplest of all invasion plans. Just involves taking a planet by force and manually unifying the population. No real planning involved.

Uniforming - Taking suitable worlds for One colonisation and converting them to specifically match requirements of the One, but no other species. Unsuitable planets are eliminated, but husks remain as all salvagable material is extracted. Either way, civilizations are driven from their home planets, making it easier to pick them off.

Controlling the Galactic Law Enforcement - By taking control of the Galactic Authorities, those that are arrested or live in an illegal existence will be delivered directly to the One and unified, their knowledge and planetary information also taken with it, allowing their planets to be located and siezed.

Temporal Manipulation - Clank's data banks contain encrypted data on the Great Clock and the One will divert efforts towards finding said location. They will proceed to unify the Great Clock, so that the Orvus Chamber can be used to change the past so that extinct species can be recovered and unified, or existing resistances can be manipulated so the threat they pose is limited, allowing unification to be more efficient.

Kr'shek was a Utopian, a species obsessed with a project known as the Paradise Project, oddly ironic for the fact that their ancestors seemed to enjoy hunting "lesser species" to near extinction. Her role in the task was Head Biologist, selected for her prowess in her scientific field.

However, her prowess and expertise came at a price. She, like her ancestors, delighted in being sadistic with her work. She took subjects and performed cruel experiments on them to test their resilience and find out the little "curiosities" of the species. Her species paid ignorance to her works for a very long time, and always defended her case whenever she was charged with gross abuse to sentient species and flouting alien rights.

Eventually, her luck ran out. When she was finally arrested by Species Alpha-0-0-1, when she caused an ecological disaster on their homeworld in one of her more devastating experiments, by testing the adaption skills of a "primitive" race. She was jailed and due for immediate execution, and her people were too far from her location to issue a statement allowing her release. That was when One chose to link itself to its dying world.

Kr'shek still holds sympathy for her planet, her species that obsessed with finding and fabricating a paradise for themselves, all in vain. She is invited to join the opening of paradise, and attends. When the core of paradise becomes sentient and sees what the Utopians have done, paradise falls apart and Kr'shek destroys it and unifies her people as they scatter into the stars out of fear as their world begins to fall apart, collapsing inwards on the broken paradise.

A drone carrier orbits the planet, watching over it, completely invisible to scanners of any kinds thanks to cloaking devices. It looms over the surface, keeping it safe.

Could you explain what's paradise?

Paradise - noun - A place of extreme beauty, delight or happiness. It would be no exaggeration to call it the perfect place.

I believe it is paraíso in Spanish.

Humanity has dreamt of paradise ever since it began to exist. Every religion has a different view, but it is always the same basic principle.