Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools Of Destruction
Developer: Insomniac
Publisher: SCEA
Genre: Action
Platform: PlayStation 3 

With the recent string of PS3 releases, I was preparing myself to be disappointed by Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Call it some kind of Darwinian means of self protection, but I wasn't going to be disappointed again. Minutes after I started my adventure with the Lombax and his Robot sidekick, I let out a sigh of relief, and just enjoyed the PS3's first blockbuster of a platformer. 

The first thing to say about Ratchet & Clank Future is that it is gorgeous. It is one of the best looking games I have seen. Of course there have been a string of graphics juggernaughts recently, like BioShock, but it's the playfulness of Ratchet & Clank that makes it so much more like a Hollywood Blockbuster than a video game. It's comparisions to a Pixar film are completely valid, with cut-scenes not only great looking, but also entertaining. The sharp writing goes a long way to help sell the comedic/action/adventure package. 

The story finds Ratchet & Clank on an adventure to save the Universe, and with a name like Tools of Destruction, they better have a good time doing it. The story does explore Ratchet and Clank's history, but it still feels like it is only there to propel the characters from one conflict to the next, and that's fine. It's interesting enough to keep you moving from planet to planet, while blowing up countless enemies.

Weapons are a big deal in the series, and Insomniac have filled Tools of Destruction with an impressive arsenal. Weapons and devices have impressive and often hilarious results on enemies. The most talked about is the Groovitron, and you can't help by throw it at new enemies just to see how they will react. Another weapon is the Tornado Thrower, which is exactly what it sounds. The tornado is "controlled" using the SIXAXIS, and I use quotes because it really can't be described as controlling. This is a minor complaint because every other use of the SIXAXIS is done rather well.

A number of missions have Ratchet and Clank in space, flying through some of the game's most impressive environments. These levels feel like a next-gen StarFox, minus intuitive controls. It really is ashame that these levels suffer from such horrible controls, because they really could stand out as some of the games most memorable levels. 

Control issues aren't the only problems in Ratchet & Clank. Many times the camera will work against you, causing you to fall in a ditch or over a ledge. The puzzles are far to easy and there are way to many collect these items in order to unlock the next part of the level. 

Beyond these minor complaints, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is a very solid game. It probably won't keep you on the edge of your seat for hours at a time, but it will certainly keep you entertained for 12 - 15 hours, even if they are broken up over a couple of weeks.