Ratchet: Deadlocked is a 2005 third-person shooter platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. The game was re-released for the PlayStation 3 in 2013, developed by Idol Minds. It was released on the PlayStation Vita in 2014,. It is the forth main installment in the Ratchet & Clank series and the sequel to 2004's Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal.
Ratchet: Deadlocked takes place in the "Solana" galaxy inhabited by various humanoid, anthropomorphic and beastly alien species. The plot revolves around protagonists Ratchet and Clank, who are kidnapped and forced to compete in a violent game show called "DreadZone"; Ratchet must plays along with the show's rules, or else the "DeadLock" collar placed around his neck will kill him. The game is presented from a third-person perspective, in which players primarily control Ratchet as he competes through the different levels in "DreadZone" to win his and Clank's freedom. Ratchet has access to a large array of futuristic and exotic weapons and gadget he can use to combat enemies; in comparison to previous games, DeadLocked is a more combat-oriented game, putting less emphasis on platforming and puzzles in the process. It is also the first game not to feature Clank as a playable character. Similar to its direct predecessor, DeadLocked features a multiplayer mode, and introduced cooperative gameplay.
Development on DeadLocked began in 2004 with Insomniac wishing to experiment with the Ratchet & Clank series; DeadLocked was created with the desire to deviate from the series' earlier titles and create a darker and more atmospheric title, reflecting through the story and environments. The series' art style was altered to reflect the tonal shift in DeadLocked, and Insomniac cited 2001's Halo: Combat Evolved as an inspiration.
Ratchet: DeadLocked received generally positive reviews upon its release, though reception was considerably less favorable in comparison to previous title in the series. While critics praised its core combat gameplay, weaponry, visuals and multiplayer modes, DeadLocked also received notable criticism for its darker tone, decreased emphasis on platforming, restrictive design, short length and repetitive gameplay. DeadLocked was considered commercially successful, though Insomniac opted to not expand on its darker elements. A sequel, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, was released in 2007.