*Sigh …*
Another PS3
title, another video-game benchmark …
“What? Are
you delirious??”
Not even. The
new Ratchet & Clank title, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, is
every bit as compelling visually as the high-end Hollywood animated features.
Take anything from Dreamworks or Pixar, and compare them and you will find that
ToD is a visual feast that rivals them. The major difference is, of course, that
when you watch one of those films, that is all you are doing … well, that and
munching down.
But with ToD,
you are an integral part of the event. It is interactive platform gaming at its
finest. Make no mistake about it, ToD is a platform game, with action taking
center stage. You will leap and swing across bottomless chasm, have to fly and
navigate a course of rings, shoot enemies to collect gears (the coin of the
universe), upgrade weapons, buy new weapons, and wise-crack your way through it
all.
The game treads
new ground in the relationship between Ratchet and Clank. For the uninformed,
Ratchet is a Lombax, a race that is all but wiped from the universe. He is an
‘orphan of the universe,’ wandering about, working – on occasion – for Captain
Qwark. This time, Qwark calls with an urgent message about robots shooting up
headquarters. On the way there, Ratchet finds out that the robots were sent by
an evil Cragmite, Emperor Tachyon, who seems bent on wiping out the remaining
Lombaxes, which obviously means Ratchet. With his trusty robotic sidekick in tow,
Ratchet sets out to foil Tachyon’s plans and that leads him on a romp throughout
the galaxy, visiting strange worlds and exploring the lands in an effort to
stave off annihilation.
Insomniac Games
is behind this adventure and a massive tip of the hat needs to go off to them
for creating such a vibrant game that is joyful on many levels. The adventure
itself is fun, but it is the nuances that make the game really shine.
Early in the
game you will be introduced to some of the core ingredients. You will begin to
see the relationship between Ratchet and Clank take on some undertones that were
not in earlier games in the franchise. Clank begins to see small hovering
robots, that Ratchet can’t. The robots not only seem to be leading Clank in
directions contrary to what Ratchet has planned (if it can truly be said that
Ratchet has anything planned, and doesn’t just fly by the seat of his pants).
And the small life forms also modify Clank at the oddest of times, which seems
to build up a level of mistrust between Clank and Ratchet. For example, the duo
is presented with a particular challenge that requires them traversing a fair
distance across open space, as in there is no ground to walk on. The tiny robots
modify Clank, who suddenly sprouts wings. Clank takes up his usual traveling
position on Ratchet’s back and off they go.
The SIXAXIS
controller comes into play here, allowing the fliers to bank in different
directions as they traverse the course.
What would a
Ratchet & Clank be without dialogue that tickles your funny bone? This game
abounds with asides and background conversations that are very funny. Even the
obvious is given a comedic booster shot, gently poking fun at cliches.
Our heroes are
escaping from a planet aboard an escape pod. The pod traverses space and comes
to the Lombax home world. A very soft female voice intones, as the pod hovers 50
feet or so over the surface, that landing will begin in …
“Five …”
“Four …”
The pod crashes
to the surfaces. “Oops,” exclaims the voice, then quickly adds,
“three, two, one!”
You will
overhear conversations that are rather funny, like robotic pirates discussing
their union’s dental plan. Generally, the score and dialogue for this title is
first rate and a star in its own right, standing right alongside the graphics as
an impressive game element.
ToD plays out
at 720p on an HD television. The game is absolutely gorgeous, and the
animations, lighting effects, particle effects, shadows and special effects are
first rate. The animations are wonderful as well. The characters display a range
of emotions that are often as subtle as a look in the eyes or the set of the jaw
line. In previous titles Ratchet had 112 bones in his whole body (including the
head), but in ToD he has 90 facial bones and hundreds in his body. This creates
a much more expressive and animated character.
Part of the
animation is tied into the weapons, and like any Ratchet/Insomniac game, the
assortment is wide and fun. There are 23 weapons in all, and all can be upgraded
using raratanium. Each of the weapons has an upgrade tree that will allow
players to pick the upgrades they wish to apply to the weapons. In addition to
upgrading weapons at vendors, you can also replenish ammo supplies (instead of
having to find it tucked into boxes in the environments).
Having trouble
getting past a few enemies? Then use the Groovitron, which puts out a disco
beat. The enemies will be boogieing down to the funky sound, and you can move
past them easily. Attack them, and all bets are off. Another weapon releases
Slinky-like creatures that will find and destroy anything around them. The
Tornado Launcher will release a twister that is controlled with the SIXAXIS that
wrecks major havoc on any enemy that gets within range.
The game
controls easily and utilizes a radial menu for easy access to weapons. You
simply pause the game and then select the weapon of choice and it’s back into
the action.
Ratchet & Clank
Future: Tools of Destruction is a feast for the eyes and a delight to play. You
may find yourself zipping through the environments and an intended brief gaming
session can turn into hours easily. Make no mistake, this is a platformer but
graphically it is unlike any platformer that has come before it.
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Gameplay: 9.3
The game does have a
mild learning curve, but everything is accessible. Load times are covered with
cut scenes, and while – if you just run through it – the levels can seem a
little short, there is a lot to do and to explore rather than take a straight
path through the game.
Graphics: 9.6
This is truly a
magnificent animated 3D game. The characters come alive and everything – from
the animations to the environments – is pure eye candy. The cut scenes were
derived from in-game assets so you won’t find a big disparity between live
action and story point.
Sound: 9.5
Sure, the game has
what you would expect in terms of plot-driven dialogue, but it is the peripheral
sounds that make this game truly fun to listen to.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 9.0
Some of the puzzle
types are familiar, and this is a platformer, so expect to fight, swing and bash
crates and cartons – you know, the typical stuff. However, the score here is
bumped way up for the way it is all presented. This is not a lackluster
presentation, but rather a thoroughly enjoyable affair that never seems to slow
down.
Overall: 9.3
Tools of Destruction
feels a bit short at times, but that is only when you are just driving through
the game, going from point A to point B in the shortest route possible. When you
take time to explore, you realize how expansive this game is, and how
wonderfully designed. Insomniac did a great job with Resistance: Fall of Man,
but Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction shows where its forte lays.
This is the studio’s second next-gen title and it is truly a terrific bit of
gaming.
