Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
With this game being the first ‘Ratchet and Clank’ title on the PlayStation 3, it had pressure on it to live up to the high standards of gameplay and humour that have been evident in previous games in the series. Thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint.
Hinted at by the name of the game, ‘ToD’ has a big emphasis on huge and, quite frankly, ridiculous weapons. These range from a multiple-missile firing gun called a Fusion Grenade to what is known as a ‘nano-swarmer’, which uses nano-technology to destroy enemies without you even getting involved. Even though some people feel that the weapons make the game too easy at times, including the final boss battle, I believe that the vast array of weapons available in ‘ToD’ make the game a whole lot more enjoyable than previous titles in the series because they are quite simply so much fun to use.
However it is not only the weapons that have improved; the gadgets in the game have taken a step forward too. Ratchet’s wrench can now be thrown like a boomerang, essential for overcoming obstacles and also useful to fight enemies from a longer range. Ratchet can now also use ‘Robo-Wings’, which allow him to glide to distant places while you use the SIXAXIS motion sensor to control him, and in addition he has access to the ‘Geo-Laser’, which cuts through certain weakened walls. Although the gadgets have not been improved to the large extent that the weapons have, they are still bigger and better than ever and an integral part of the game.
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of DestructionThere are also some crazy new devices in ‘ToD’, the one standing out in particular being the Groovitron. When activated near enemies, it makes them dance like there’s no tomorrow, oblivious to the fact that you will surely be coming to destroy them while they do so. The first time you use it and watch your enemies dancing to the music, I bet you anything that you won’t be able to resist the urge to let a childish giggle escape from your lips, no matter how much of a serious gamer you consider yourself to be.
The story itself has a few layers to it, the main ones being the fact that Emperor Tachyon has taken a disliking to Ratchet because he’s the last Lombax in the universe and also the mystery behind the ‘zoni’ previously mentioned that Clank keeps seeing but no-one else can. However, to be quite honest, you won’t really be thinking about the story while you play because all you’ll be worrying about is playing and progressing through the game itself, which will keep you more than satisfied without the need for a storyline.
For the first time in the ‘Ratchet and Clank’ series, you get to take direct control of Clank himself in specific sections of the game. He’s great fun to play as, especially because most of the time with him you will be ordering around little ‘zoni’, alien-type creatures that do as Clank tells them and enable him to progress through the game. These sections with Clank are a nice change of pace for the game, and are very welcome additions that add much more variety.
The graphics in ‘ToD’ are close to perfection, especially the cut-scenes which look like they could have been taken right out of a CGI movie. Even the in-game graphics are excellent, portraying a vibrant world that feels alive and calls out to be explored. ‘ToD’ uses the PlayStation 3’s incredible graphics capability like few other games do.
The sound in the game is solid enough, with some good voice-overs and music that increases the tension in the game. There’s really not a lot to be said about the audio aspects of the game; there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just there’s not a whole lot of emphasis on music in ‘ToD’.
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction The only real thing I can think of as a negative for this game is that it’s not very long; I believe it took me around ten hours to complete it, and personally I’m not even a person who goes at a fast rate. However this isn’t an issue, as you can replay the game in harder mode and unlock more weapons, and there’s always the battle arena to revisit, where you battle hordes of enemies to complete challenges, which is always highly challenging and enjoyable.
Overall, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is a superb game with lots of depth, humour and, arguably most importantly, replay value. There’s no doubt about the fact that this really is an essential part of your PlayStation 3 collection.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
