Ratchet & Clank/Heartwarming

• The ending of the first game.

Clank: *begins to walk away sadly*
Ratchet: Hey! Tin can!
Clank: *looks back, surprised*
Ratchet: Where do you think you're going? We... still need to fix that arm.

• • Not long before that, we're also treated to this:

Clank: This is the Ratchet I always knew was there.

• Prior to the final boss in Up Your Arsenal. the pair confront Captain Quark for ditching the team. While Ratchet walks away disgusted, Clank attempts sympathetically to convince Quark to rejoin them.

Clank: This is your chance to be the hero you always wanted to be...

• The Future trilogy was full of this, mostly between our eponymous heroes. For example:
  • The post-Tachyon segment on Reepor, when Ratchet and Clank reunite after having been split up. Much to the despair of many a fangirl, the bro-hug didn't happen, but you see how relieved they are to have found each other again.
    • This isn't to say that it never happened at all—see the post-Nefarious cutscene in A Crack in Time to witness it in all of its adorable glory.
  • For that matter, the final boss cutscene on Fastoon is a good example, too, as it borders on a platonic I Want My Beloved to Be Happy, regarding the lombaxes' new dimension, and then Ratchet's decision to stay with his friends and finally take care of Tachyon.
  • The ending gives us a Book End to match the first cutscene in Polaris. The first was from Clank's point of view and the second from Ratchet's. Both include one asking if the other is alright but that isn't necessarily where this trope comes in. The latter "end" occurs after the Dimensionator was used to escape the Amazing Technicolor Battlefield that Tachyon's boss fight was held in—and the answer to "Where are we"? "We are home, Ratchet."
  • A Crack in Time gives us "Do you think I'd leave my best pal out here alone?" which is definitely smile-worthy the first time through, and borders on being a Tear Jerker when it's included in a Meaningful Echo later on.
  • What may be the best example of this in the trilogy is the rescue scene in the Valkyries' Base. Say it with me, now: awwww!
  • And then, of course, there is the cutscene "The Plumber's Advice", which has already been listed on the Ho Yay page, but qualifies here, as well.
• On an unrelated note, the last line/monologue of A Crack in Time, helpfully provided by our resident Cool Old Guy (or a recording of him, at least), which included an oddly (and awesomely) positive Ironic Echo: "The Clock, much like time itself, is a gift-- and not to be tampered with... But, like any father, my only wish is that my son does that which makes him feel whole. You are an intelligent and logical being, Clank, but intelligence and logic would have been wasted gifts without honor and loyalty; I am proud to see that you came into those on your own. So, should the Clock be too small for your plans, I pray the cosmos light the way toward a future you yourself design-- and remember, the universe has a wonderful sense of humor; the trick is learning how to take a joke!"
• They also get a moment in Playstation Move Heroes—short, sweet and easily missed if you aren't familiar with the series, but the most likely scene to earn a smile from the player: "Never doubted you for a second, pal!"
• Near the very beginning of Tools of Destruction, (directly after "Your name is Percival?") Tachyon starts badmouthing Ratchet. Though he doesn't say anything, Clank walks right up as if to defend him, which immediately draws Tachyon's attention away from Ratchet. This probably qualifies on its own, but an exchange near the end of A Crack in Time mirrors it, this time with Nefarious insulting Clank. Needless to say, Ratchet steps right in and defends him in turn. Does that make the first even more Heartwarming in Hindsight?
• In All 4 One After Ratchet discovers Susie is an orphan, not unlike himself, he immediately agrees to help deal with the Creature Collector
• This exchange from Size Matters is probably one of the sweeter sequences in the game:

Ratchet: Looks like Otto overlooked one thing; I'm not half as good without you.
Clank: True.

• In All 4 One When Ratchet and the others discover Susie preparing to lead an assault on Ephemeris. He talks her out of it, and promises her she can hold the perimeter instead. Her leaping to hug him and his smile are "aww" worthy.

---

Back to Ratchet & Clank