The PS3 may be a classy console, but where’s the games? What we need is an old school classic – something fun with big guns.
It was only a matter of time before PS2 staples Ratchet and Clank popped up on Sony’s new toy. They’re about the closest the company has to Mario, Sonic and MasterChief. OK, so they look like the kind of cutesy characters you’d see on CBeebies, but there’s no mistaking the firepower.
We’re happy to report that the action’s back to being about platforms, running and blasting. We’ll overlook that daft arena based combat cash in that debuted a while back.
They say:
Gamespot: “The gorgeous visuals and generally fun gameplay are enough to make Tools of Destruction worthwhile for the series' fans and newcomers alike.”
PSM3: “Sure, it brazenly wears its heritage on its sleeve and chooses rejuvenation over innovation, but when it manages to hit the target in such an accomplished and enjoyable manner, we're not going to complain.”
IGN: “Whether you're new to R&C or someone who has played them all, Ratchet and Clank Future deserves to be in your library no matter what.”
We say:
Tools of Destruction is a true return to form for the long living series. We’re right back to the winning formula of running, jumping and blasting away as many evil baddies as possible.
Slip your brain into first gear and R&C is the perfect game to wind down to. So what it’s not ‘real world’? There’s level upon level of fun so we’re not complaining.
You’ll be controlling Ratchet most of the time, as per usual. Clank never gets much time in the limelight, but his sections bring a welcome change of pace and lots of little levels to explore. It’s even better now the guy has a pair of robotic wings.
If you’ve played R&C before though, you’ll know that Ratchet and Clank are merely window dressing for the main action. The weapons are the real stars here.
There’s been some great Ratchet weaponry down the years but Tools of Destruction ups the ante somewhat. You start with a handful of dull looking blasters, but grab a few bolts (the game’s currency) and you can start buying some cracking stuff. Look out for the Grooveatron.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. As you use each weapon, it’ll grow in stature and transform into new and even more powerful piece of gadgety goodness. You’ll find over time that some weapons suit your style of play better than others, so most will stay at their rubbish starting point.
All those weapons would count for nothing if the game was dull as a wet weekend in Barnet though. Ratchet on the PS3 is more like a riotous action packed holiday in the Canaries thankfully.
The only downside is the length of the game. Losing a life is a rarity and you’ll be through it in a few days. That’s great for the young ‘uns, but not so much fun for us old hands who like a challenge. Mind you, finish it and you’re rewarded with a far harder difficulty setting. Just try completing Ratchet twice.
The graphics are spot on. The PS2 versions were always glorious to look at, dripping in detail in both the fore and background, but the extra pixel processing power of the PS3 has been used to gorgeous good. Each world has its own feel and style and to see the vast number of characters, explosions and various effects all go off at once is the equivalent of a nice cream stuffed cake for your eyes.
If it lasted a little longer and had the difficulty standard ramped up a touch, this would be a sure fire classic. Instead, it’s only essential to those who crave a good looking, action packed blast-a-thon. So, almost everyone really. Unless Dungeons and Dragons is your thing.
Like this? Try these:
LocoRoco – PSP
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal – PS2
Jak & Daxter – PS2
FORMAT REVIEWED
PS3
OTHER FORMATS
None
POSTED...
Tue 13 Nov 2007 at 10:10am
