Boy, what a shift Insomniac Games has taken. They first got their start producing simple yet entertaining platforming games for the PlayStation, the Spyro the Dragon series. But then, on the PlayStation 2, they brought forth Ratchet and Clank, redefining both shooting and platforming as we know it by combining the two into a frenetic fusion that remains ruthlessly addictive across its three editions- the original, Going Commando, and Up Your Arsenal. Arsenal in itself was significant because it not only expanded on the single-player campaign, but also introduced multiplayer online aspects that made it even more incredible.

Now comes the fourth chapter in the Ratchet and Clank saga, and although it's taking different steps to remain a bit more inventive than its predecessors, there's no doubt that fans will feel right at home. Ratchet: Deadlocked follows Ratchet and Clank as they scour the galaxy, looking for several famous people that have been captured in the dark reaches of space. It isn't long before the duo finds themselves captured, and discovers that the person behind the abductions is Gleeman Vox, a greedy and somewhat crazy media mogul. He's taken all these heroes, including Ratchet, and pitted them in deathmatch-style combat for his reality combat show, which is a hit across the galaxy.

To make sure his contestants don't leave, he straps the heroes with explosive collars. If they leave a certain perimeter, the collars go boom and the heroes go down. As a result, they're forced into Gleeman's deadly combat situations, and Ratchet soon finds himself playing along in order to proceed ahead and find a way to get the collar off his neck and liberate his fellow heroes.

Deadlocked changes the format a little bit, letting you take part in huge arena battles instead of going through level after level. This may turn off some of you, but don't let it, as the game still keeps up the frenzied action level that the previous chapters were known for. Ratchet hops into a gigantic robot suit and lets loose with all sorts of varied firepower, while being able to concentrate on his enemies and move forward in a level with the help of switches and other devices. It moves along smoothly, although you do have to follow some objectives in order to proceed.

The game has multiplayer elements still in place, but also involves some great co-op gameplay in both the single-player and multiplayer campaigns that allow you to work alongside your cohorts for the finest results. This introduces a great new team component to the game that picks up the action, where you work in a squad-based format setting up strategies and timely actions to get things done. It's nothing difficult, however. The system that's set into place works with ease and feels great. There's even customization, where you can build your soldiers to utter perfection (or close to it, anyway).

Ratchet: Deadlocked also introduces a new upgradable weapons system that gives you the chance to power up your weapons following each fight, which can turn the tide in a battle easily. And let's face it, as the game progresses, it gets even tougher and tougher, so the new firepower will most definitely be of use to you.

I recently had a chance to check out a build of Ratchet: Deadlocked at an event, and I have to say that the game feels terrific. Gameplay is as smooth as always, even with the squad tactics being introduced, and the development team has really done their homework on graphics and sound, because they're sharp. I didn't get too much of a chance to play around with multiplayer, but the final game should have an overflow of options. So far, I like what I see, even with the changes.

Ratchet: Deadlocked arrives later this year, and could very well be the last of Ratchet and Clank that we see until the PS3. But what a way to leave, with just the right balance of chaos and new stuff to keep fans busy well beyond spring 2006. It's deadlocked for brilliance.