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> Results: Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
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The ESRB says:
Fantasy Violence GamerDad blasted an awful lot of aliens away with a large arsenal of futuristic weapons during the course of the game Animated Blood Some aliens explode into goop (and nuts and bolts) when destroyed Alcohol Reference There are space pirates. Space pirates drink space grog. Language Certainly not explicit, there are a couple of mentions of things like "cojones" Crude Humor There are a few bodily function references For years we've been hearing about "Pixar-quality graphics!" in videogames. Tools of Destruction is the first time that description actually works. It's gorgeous. But what about the game underneath that pretty facade? Building on the four previous PS2 Ratchet & Clank games, this latest iteration doesn't add a whole lot of innovation; you're still in control of Ratchet the furry Lombax and his robot buddy Clank, traveling around the galaxy and blasting hordes of bad guy aliens and robots, gradually building up a formidable aresenal of wacky weapons. This time around however, the tone is a little more serious, but luckily that doesn't mean a whole bunch of adult-oriented content, it just describes a story with more gravity, exploring Ratchet's origins and putting the duo's friendship to the test. Avoiding the repetition of similar games, Tools of Destruction throws a variety of tasks at you in addition to the core run-and-gun gameplay. One minute you'll be gliding around using the SIXAXIS motion controls, the next you'll be dancing a pirate jig. You'll be rolling a metal ball around to complete electrical circuits while hacking into computers, and rolling yourself around to reach certain areas. Then you'll be engaged in dogfights against space pirates before more motion-controlled fun cutting through rock with a high-powered laser. The weapons have always been a focus of Ratchet & Clank, and this game does not disappoint, with new gadgets like the Tornado Launcher and the disco-tastic Groovitron alongside the more mundane missiles and blasters. One new element is the ability to upgrade your weapons. As in previous games, you are able to purchase new weapons as you progress, but now you can upgrade your existing weapons too. You decide whether to focus on firepower, ammo capacity, and so on, giving things a personal touch. This increase in firepower leads to the only real complaint about the game - it's too easy for an experienced player. It's still a lengthy (and fun) ride, but once you've figured out the best weapon to use against each type of foe, you'll rarely find a challenge, even once you have completed the game and unlocked the harder mode. Turning this into a positive, the level of difficulty is spot-on for younger players, with very few frustration spots.  As I already mentioned, the game is beautiful. It is one of the best-looking games I've ever seen, with a variety of detailed environments filled with highly-animated critters that make it feel like you're in a 3D cartoon. The level of polish is top-notch, with well-acted characters delivering genuinely witty lines. Despite the lack of challenge or true innovation, if you're a PS3 owner you simply must pick up Tools of Destruction, whether you're a newcomer to the series or have been there since the beginning. 
Everything from the art direction to the relative easiness make this a good family game (and it should be noted that it gets a lower ESRB rating than any of the previous games), though the focus on gunplay may turn some parents away. Still, the content is equivalent to most any animated show with a "Y7" rating.
The player is tasked with destroying many aliens and robots with anything from a wrench to a rocket launcher, and while they do explode when killed, it is a shower of bolts, not blood. One exception is a certain class of enemy that leaves behind a little alien blob once you destroy the main body, which can then be squished for a few more bolts. Again though, this is cartoony, not gruesome. There are a few jokes that should go over the head of the youngest players but may cause a few sniggers in older children and adults, such as a "cojones"-type reference in relation to a character's bravery. Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Browse Amazon.com's selection of "ratchet & clank" themed games Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction |
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