Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

"Insomniac Does it Again"

Introduction

Here we are again. Two years later and another console game sequel to the Ratchet and Clank series comes out. Only this time around you get to see the duo in high-definition on the Playstation 3 and lets just say I don't miss the PS2 all that much anymore. This is the 5th game I've played in this series and I've been there since the start when the first game released in 2002. I was looking forward to this game all year and needless to say: it delivered.

Game-Play

The game-play has definitely been this series strong point and this game does extremely well in this area. While the 2 previous games lacked a bit in the platforming department this game brings it back with a vengeance. Many of the gadgets are quite fun to use, my favorites being the Gyro-Cycle and Robo-Wings. Another interesting gadget that really screams platforming is the Gelanator which shoot out a cube of gel that lets you jump higher and lets you stack them to get even more air. For you returning players in the series you'll notice many other gadgets making a welcomed returned such as the Heli/Thruster Packs and some more grind-rail goodness.

The shooter aspect of this series also does not disappoint with the many new weapons and combat devices Ratchet has at his disposal. The weapons themselves are quite diverse from one another and all need to be utilized in different ways to be effective. Each weapon is quite fun to use and they never get too complicated for the average player. The weapons also get experience with each use on an enemy and further upgrade their damage capabilities with each level they gain. My favorite weapon would have to be Alpha Cannon, which just screams firepower when you use it. Health is once again nano-tech based with health crates abundant for restoring health. Wrench use has also been kept the same as well.

The devices are a new aspect to the R&C series and they don't disappoint. Ranging from making any enemy dance with the Groovitron to turning them into a lovable penguin with the Transmorpher the devices are good for some laughs and is also very helpful to get out of a pinch.

Clank only game-play has made a return in this series and it's better than ever IMO. His new buddies have some neat new powers and Clank also gets a new helpful power of his own as well. The areas that you traverse with him can be thought provoking and are sometimes quite fun to do, unlike in past games where I thought it was a chore to play as him.

The only issue that I think any new player would have coming into this game would be that fact that there's not enough tutorial to teach new players how to do certain things.

Game-Play Score: a solid 10/10 with no big issues whatsoever(since lack of an extensive tutorial doesn't effect me) and it does what it's supposed to: making this game a blast to play.

Graphics

"WOW!!!" was my first impression when I first got this game. Next gen graphics are certainly top of the line in this game beating out even the likes of every other PS3 game so far IMO. The R&C world has just so much going on and it's just pure eye candy. The in-game graphics are magnificent with the duo and their enemies having a nice amount of detail. The framerate is also near perfect ranging from 45-60 FPS at all times(according to IG) with no slowdowns whatsoever occurring during gameplay. Cutscenes are also very highly detailed as well.

Graphics Score: Best on the PS3 so far so it's an obvious 10/10.

Story

IMO the story itself was never a high point in this series, but it normally produces a good amount of memorable characters. This game's story seems to be much more serious than previous games, but it does produce a couple memorable characters and thankfully has some great ones returning. It can be quite funny at times, but main enemy of the game lacks screen time because of the lesser enemy and this kinda drains the story a little. Other than that it's surprisingly good and Qwark is as funny as ever.

Story Score: It does a good job creating interest and gives a few good laughs so I'd give it a 8.7/10

Controls

Be prepared for some Sixaxis controls in this game, because you'll be doing it many times. The regular controls for this game are as solid as ever and the new sixaxis controls make them even better than before. For returning players almost all of the controls are the same as before minus the R2 button being used to boost jump with the Heli/Thruster packs. Shooting, changing weapons and pulling gadgets out to use are as flawless as ever and a customizable quick select menu makes it even easier.

Now lets get into the new stuff: the Sixaxis controls. At first I was quite skeptical of the sixaxis being used on the PS3 and almost a year later I was still skeptical, until I got this game. This is really the first time I've played a PS3 game were the motion controls were almost perfect and fun to use. The multiple gadgets that use motion controls are challenging and at the same time fun and innovative. My favorite use of it was the Geo-Laser(which lets you cut through weak walls) and the already mentioned Robo-Wings. Another interesting gadget is the Decryptor which is kinda like a marble game that lets you control the marble with the motion controls to connect circuits to open up locked doors. It can be quite thought provoking and some can be quite challenging at times.

The only problem I had with the motion controls was with the use of the tornado launcher. Although it's a great concept I kinda wish the controls were a tad better so that I could use it more. The only real issue I have with it is that it's kinda hard to move backward towards you. It's also kinda hard to dodge and use it at the same time as well, but that just means you have to use it on a specific kind of enemy.

Controls Score: Almost perfect minus that slight weapon problem, so it's a 9.9/10

Sound

The music in this game was pretty good, but with nothing truly memorable. There's also many times where the same music is reused many times, which is kinda lame but acceptable given the many other amazing thing this game does. Character voices are also very well done again with each character's voice actor returning for another round. Background noise is also very well done as well as are weapon sounds. The only real issue I had in this department was the fact that the audio sync for character voices was off once or twice, which was kinda weird.

Sound Score: Pretty good but some issues give it an 8.5/10

Play-Time/Re-Playability

My only overall issue with this game is the lack of story based playtime in this game. Although I never rush to finish a game and try to explore all I can I still only clocked in at a little less than 20 hours on my first playthrough. I did this while completing every optional mission and obtaining all the weapons/gadgets possible while upgrading almost all of them to level 5. In those 20 hours only about 14 were dedicated to story based game-play.

Another staple in this series has been that each game has had massive re-playability, and this one is no different. There's a lot of extras in this game that can be done on your first playthrough which include: upgrading weapons, finding Gold Bolts, collecting Holo-Plans to get something special and obtaining skill points to unlock extras. When you beat the game you get the option to play through it again with all your upgraded weapons. This time around you can level your weapons past lv. 5 by purchasing upgrades for them. You also need to save up that raritanium for something special as well to buy. So far I'd say I've put in 10+ more hours during this play-through trying to get all of these extras and I've still got a ways to go.

Play-Time/Re-Playability Score: Rather short story, but the extras in this game are abundant so I'll give it an 8.9/10.

Rent or Buy

Unless you like rush through things or you don't like platforming, this is the game you must own on your PS3. As of right now there's nothing else like it on the current gen console market and it's an amazing game to boot. It's also just good clean fun that people of all ages can enjoy. It's an obvious buy.

Final Score

Game-Play: 10
Graphics: 10
Story: 8.7
Controls: 9.9
Sound: 8.5
Play-Time/Re-Playability: 8.9

Overall Score: 9.3 (Amazing)

Final Say

Thank you Insomniac, for once again pushing the envelope in the platforming genre.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/29/07

Game Release: Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (US, 10/23/07)