Ratchet and Clank- F$$$ Qwark

I wanted to throw Skrunch in there, but it just got to be too cluttered for me to do that.

There's a lot to say about this piece... For on thing. This is an awesome stage. It's brutal, yes, but it's awesome nonetheless. I especially love the music. I also love how they treated the weapons featured in the previous game. Didn't you guys HATE it in Going Commando when you get to use the Tesla Claw an' whatnot and they're so pathetically weak that they aren't even worth using? The power levels are so low they can't even damage most GRUNT enemies much! The really little ones!

I was really worried that the GC weapons would get the same treatment in UYA, you know? That the new weapons would be so ridiculously powerful compared to those weapons that all your old favorites would be mostly ineffective. Thankfully, those weapons are just as powerful as ever. In fact, they seem to be even MORE powerful than ever. Maybe Megacorp weapons are just better than Gadgetron weapons in general?

Even at level 1 with the Plasma Coil and Bouncer, you can destroy these tenacious Qwark Bots and most other enemies easily!!! It's awesome!!!! It feels so good to get those old weapons for free. It's just a nice little reward for having played the other games beforehand that really gives you a great feeling of progression.

Let's also talk about Qwark for a bit.... As strange as it feels to say this... Qwark is one of the best characters in the series.

While being a washed up superhero and pretty much an idiot, Qwark can be competent, and even dangerous, when he applies himself. You know, when he actually TRIES. By this point in the game, I'm sure everyone was feeling exactly what the title suggests. But, things were resolved for the best, and Qwark redeemed himself.

After that, though, Qwark was just a joke. I mean, how sad is it that you say him name in Tyhrranese by FARTING???!!!! He's so lowly that that's how they say his name! XD

I love him in Tools of Destruction, but there's no denying that he was just there for us to laugh at. I couldn't help thinking "THIS is the guy who almost killed us more than once in the past??? THIS buffoon is the mastermind behind the Protopet invasion??? Has he lost it?!!!".

I mean come on, guys. It takes SOME smarts to organize plots like that.

This is why I LOVED his treatment in A Crack in Time. In that game, he actually was helpful to you... well, sometimes. The thing is, by then we were so used to seeing him trip over his own chin that I was pretty shocked and pleasantly surprised to hear his plan to infiltrate the Nefarious Space Station. Like Qwark or not, you have to admit that was a very clever, tightly nit, and well thought out plan! (aside from the months of rigorous calisthenics all to fit into a vent shaft port). I thought, "YES! THIS is the Captain Qwark I know! Way to go, big guy!".

Anyway, it does take a great character to invest so much of oneself into them. Whether he's impressing you with a rarely seen but very appreciated stroke of genius, pissing you off to save his own hide, or just making you bust a gut by dressing in drag every now and then, Qwark is the man!

All the same, though... Fuck him. XD