Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Review

  • Posted October 23rd, 2007 at 17:08 EDT by
  • 18,838 views
  • 43 Comments

Review Score

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

PSU Review Score
9.5
Avg. user review score:
9.7

Add your rating

Summary

Insomniac's second PS3 title gives a sense of realism to the word "Future". You will be immersed in an incredible environment, and captivated with an interesting storyline. The game is nothing short of astounding. If you have a PS3, get this game.

We like

  • Amazing storyline
  • Pixar-like graphics in real time
  • Best platformer to date on any console

We dislike

  • No multiplayer or online modes

See PSU's review on Metacritic & GameRankings

We all want to see the future, or know it in some form. The future is vibrant with things never before seen: flying cars, hectic air routes, and what not. A person only dreams of seeing such wonderful things even in his/her dreams. Luckily, now they can experience it through the journey in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. The future can be very unpredictable, and dangerous. Thankfully, we wield the powers of a very sly Lombax, Ratchet, and his robot assistant, Clank.

Over the years, Ratchet and Clank have gone on many hazardous adventures. From saving the Solana Galaxy from the evil Chairman Drek to getting imprisoned on a galactic game show to being shrunken down to the size of mere ants. Their journey on the PlayStation 3, however, offers a much more breathtaking experience. There’s robotic space pirates, huge aliens operating giant mechs, and vivacious environments filled with bustling activity. Our main protagonists, Ratchet and Clank, begin the game relaxing on a rooftop before getting an emergency video call from Quark. The captain alerts the pair that a force of “insect people” (properly called Cragmites) have invaded Metropolis and are destroying everything in their path. But before Quark's message can even finish, the city begins to blow up and all hell breaks loose. Time for action.

 

The visceral bang in the destruction of Metropolis plunges players straight into the action. This invasion of Metropolis is deviously schemed by the game's main bad guy, Emperor Percival Tachyon. The emperor is out for revenge against all Lombaxes in the universe, and will stop at nothing until they are dead and extinct. From this, the players delve into the main storylines archetype. Tools of Destruction's story is all about unraveling Ratchet's origins. Who our hero was before we stumbled upon his life as observers, where his family has disappeared to, and where the Lombax people originate as a part of a larger unsolved mystery. Finally, in RCF, we will get those itching answers.

There is devastation everywhere as Cragmites rip into the surroundings and cause mayhem. Of course none of the flying cars notice. They are flying faster than the speed of sound. Such environmental changes make for an immense platforming element which has never been witnessed in any game. Expect plenty of falling debris, and explosions. Our furry Lombax and hard-metal Clank, attached to Ratchet’s back, in their Pixar-like graphical quality, approaching the main Metropolis, filled with bustling activity and future wonders. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the aqua-critter Drophoyds gracefully approach our main heroes to bash their faces in. Luckily for us, there are many ways to deal with such enemies.

Insomniac gives players plenty of room and options to smack on an enemies face. So let’s snap back to reality for a minute, and take our minds off the realism of the graphics, and onto the true action: gameplay. So, the enemies approach to attack us full force. But we have a couple of weapons in our arsenal—and we can’t up our arsenal here (get it?). For one weapon, we have a typical combustor. Press the shoot button towards the enemy’s general direction, and be amazed as all the fine details of every single piece they’re built from burst into the air in all their glory. Even though this blow up sequence lasts for a total of 3 seconds, if you pay close attention, you can experience the magic in slow motion with your own eyes---make its ray of sun last a lifetime. For a more pacifistic approach, go ahead and throw the disco ball. But don’t expect to remain the gentle Lombax that you are. You’ll eventually have to destroy them---which no one will mind once stunning beauty is seen in the surprised reactions of the AI getting hit while they were happily dancing. There is also the Pyro Blaster (flamethrower-type weapon) and an explosive cannon that lights the ground on fire. For more intense action, there are the Buzz Blades. Throw them and watch as they ricochet off walls, and create a field of havoc for the enemies. For easier blast action, throw Fusion Grenades. In addition to fusion, there are also plasma weapons. Plasma Beasts, which are essentially poisonous monsters that ... (continued on next page)

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What are your thoughts?

  1. dannyphantom105 | dannyphantom105

    • 5:33pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 1

    nice, glad to see a game get an awesome review

  2. UnasFortuna | Unas_Fortuna

    • 5:37pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 2

    I have been waiting a long time for this game.  I can't wait.  Was hoping the demo would have been longer; but alas...it will be out soon.  It does deserve this score from the experiences I have had with it so far.

  3. Mecha_Daddy | mecha_daddy

    • 5:41pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 3

    Impressive.  This is apparently a buy.

  4. Enacku | enacku

    • 5:46pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 4

    Loved the demo, played it atleast twice and going to definitely play the full version.

  5. Hemin | Herro

    • 5:56pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 5

    i wouldn't expect anything less from the greatness that is R&C.

  6. bplewis24

    • 6:13pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 6

    Wow, this game is getting stellar reviews all over the interwebs.

     

    Brandon

  7. MMDs | MMDs

    • 6:17pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 7

    I don't like R & C games too much but, after playing the Demo for this, Wow, not only does it look gorgeous but it plays just as well too. might have to pick this one up.

  8. Lp47PS3 | Lp47

    • 6:31pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 8

    When you compare both the 360 and the PS3 one year life cycles. You will see that the PS3 got a 9.4 game before the 360. ( a whole month before.) It took microsoft a whole year to get Gears of War (9.4) and it took the PS3 only 11 months to get a 9.4 rated game ( Ratchet and Clank). Also the ps3 has some big games coming out this november, which all could easily get a better rating than gears of war.

    So whos doing better with games, PS3!!!

    Also these reviews are from IGN.

    I  am for sure buying Insomniacs second ps3 game, Ratchet and Clank. I cant wait to play the full version. NIce reviews, if you own a ps3 you should own this game. Thats it.

  9. cell989

    • 6:44pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 9

    his game badass and its not just for kids

  10. alchemyuser1 | alchemyuser1

    • 9:45pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 10

    Might buy it to support Insomniac but other than that this one is a rent for me

  11. primalbreath | jdawg222

    • 10:26pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 11

    i really might buy this game. i played the demo like 5 times. the city lookas so awesome i love and its mad fun.

  12. RedFury

    • 10:26pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 12

    This game is not only gorgeous the demo was fun as heck.

  13. Daz | miami2399

    • 10:35pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 13

    For sure getting this game!! This to me looks like a system seller.

  14. SolsticeZero | SolsticeZero

    • 11:38pm BST - October 23rd, 2007
    • 14

    I'm running out and buying this tomorrow

  15. NY_Young1 | NY_Young1

    • 2:19am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 15

    This game is truly a platform work of art.

  16. Yip-Man | Yip-Man

    • 2:43am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 16

    This game looks amazing - i will be buying this when it comes out in the uk some time in 2010 (sarcasm). This game proves what can be done on ther PS3, with a bit a thought and time. This is now making me even more excited about the second installment of resistance - but this is a def must buy even if the Demo not out in the UK..........

  17. killercop | killercop

    • 2:50am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 17

    Could be a good buy, but I have to save my money for Haze and Unchartered...

  18. Ferre

    • 3:40am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 18

    Definitely a buy! If Insomniac continue with marvelous games like R:FOM and Ratchet & Clank Future:TOD i will purchase them all! Just as long as them ceep them exklusive to Playstation ;)

  19. chelseapaul | ChelseaPaul

    • 4:16am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 19

    noooo, i want jak n daxter :(

  20. Alfie-UHE | Alfie-UHE

    • 4:53am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 20

    it looks good but i could never get into it

  21. tanner1 | OB1K

    • 7:44am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 21

    I hope ur taking alot of notes E.A cos Insomniac just keep producing absolutely awesome games,note 60 yes 60 frames per sec!!!!!!!!!!!!! In ur face Electronic Arts! Oh yeah sorry superb review

  22. blachaze | blachaze213

    • 7:53am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 22

    cool, i will buy this game

  23. Morganator | Hero_Nakamoura

    • 8:03am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 23

    This game deserved ever .x it got. The demo was great and I'' definitely pick this game up when I have the funds again.

  24. collipark

    • 11:34am BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 24

    Finally nice to see a game showcase the true power of the PS3 as games such as Motorstorm & Heavenly Sword only hinted at what this machine is capable of.

  25. peeS3rulz

    • 12:36pm BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 25

    "Best platformer to date on any console." Thats what I love about this sight. The total lack of bias.

  26. UltimaEnder

    • 3:14pm BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 26

    Easily the best platformer ever.....what a freaking joke this guy is!

  27. jsilva93635 | IIIBATMANIII

    • 4:59pm BST - October 24th, 2007
    • 27

    Already have it. Great game!! Reivew is right on the money. And any of you that don't like the reivews or thoughts of others. Then don't come here. Period.....

  28. PS3-The Ultimate Machine

    • 5:00am BST - October 26th, 2007
    • 28

    60fps?i thought this was 720p and 30fps?Or did Insomniac make another announcement.

  29. proog | proog

    • 12:29pm BST - October 26th, 2007
    • 29

    I'd really like this game... Everyone's giving it overly nice reviews and I tried the demo which is great but also very short.

  30. TETNUS | TETNUS

    • 8:57pm BST - October 26th, 2007
    • 30

    This is a great game its fun lots of fun. This is an awesome series.

  31. azad_champ

    • 7:58am BST - October 27th, 2007
    • 31

    great review

  32. Doom1879

    • 12:07am BST - October 28th, 2007
    • 32

    I bought it and beat it and its defenantly the best game on the ps3, the ending is sad though

  33. zbamf

    • 11:33am GMT - October 29th, 2007
    • 33

    When IGN gives it a 9.4 you know its an awesome game as they're very much a 360 fansite, well the playstation team do think Halo 3 is not that great. Gamespot even worse they lick 360, they game ratchet a 7.5, I think thats the only lowish score Ratchet has received.

  34. Dreamerdude26

    • 1:06pm GMT - October 31st, 2007
    • 34

    I'm looking forward to renting this game and giving it a strait run though this week. Looks awesome and I have always been a fan of rachet. Like Jak and Daxter they were some of the best games on the ps2.

  35. spcadam2005

    • 4:09am GMT - November 25th, 2007
    • 35

    All Ratchet and Clank games are 60fps, except the PSP version. Me and my wife are both Hardcore gamers and this is our favorite series. The  game is great and Insomniac is the best.

  36. Tenchi

    • 7:57pm GMT - December 2nd, 2007
    • 36

    I see that after I duly criticized the writing and pointed out the "delve" mistake, they changed it and deleted my comment... Talk about stifling expression! Shame on you, PSU...

    There were, in addition to mine, a few other comments which were likewise critical of the site and the reviewer's naïve assertion that this is "[the] best platformer to date on any console," which, as far as I'm concerned, more than qualifies as a blaringly inflated claim given the fact that in this context, it competes against other platformers like Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario World. Are these people real gamers, or are they simply ignoble poseurs? Whenever one raises the question, it seems, they resort to censorship.

    The French philosophe Voltaire once said on speaking for the first time with fellow philosophe Jean-Jacques Rousseau, quite famously, that though he didn't agree with a thing he said, he would fight to the death for his right to say it.

    I challege you not to delete this like cowards and follow the precedent set by Voltaire. Let the people express their opinions, be they propitious or not. In the words of Churchill, 'be ye men of valor?'

  37. Dark_Halo34 | Dark_Halo34

    • 11:38pm GMT - December 11th, 2007
    • 37

    I love insomniacs games and can't for resistance: rise of man in '08 also R&CF:ToD sequel too

  38. jonnyfalmouth@g

    • 10:28am GMT - January 3rd, 2008
    • 38

    http://www.YourPS34free.com/index.php?ref=4538826

  39. GunsOfLiberty | GunsOfLiberty

    • 8:32am GMT - January 18th, 2008
    • 39

    Fun, fun, fun

  40. brasado

    • 11:03am GMT - January 24th, 2008
    • 40

    Very funny:)

  41. edward_moffet | edd

    • 1:42am GMT - February 18th, 2008
    • 41

    about how long is this game

  42. xXBIGZXx

    • 12:53pm BST - April 24th, 2008
    • 42

    Truly one of the best graphics on the ps3! but it ends in a cliff hanger! i think the designers are going for what bungie did wth halo. Also just to let FPS freaks know, it runs at accualy 52 FPS not 60! but its still very smooth for that high of graphics

  43. speeddragoon | speeddragoon

    • 4:33pm GMT - November 29th, 2008
    • 43

    this game really deserved its score man I was shaking at the end. it was so amazing and I also played the game 8 times and completed it 100%

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