Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

Introduction
Is it really that good? Is it just a lame remake of an old classic?

Graphics
The graphics is very good. Very very good. It is unmistakably Ratchet & Clank, but the visuals improved a lot from the PS2 game - which btw was great looking also. Beautiful environment, animations improved a lot. Everything my kids wanted in a R&C upgrade.

Some of the monsters are so good looking it is nearly a pity you have to kill it before having time to look at it. I would not say this is Pixar quality yet. But then - Pixar movies does not involve you actually controlling the character.

Some people compare this game with COD4's graphics. Don't do this. It is two totally different aims. COD4 graphics is good - but I expect war FPS games to improve in quality. The difference is that R&C is not a FPS. You see the character from third person view, so the whole environment and camera movements is totally different from a FPS. R&C is a cartoon game. And as such - it surpasses other games that try to achieve the same.

Sound
Same Ratchet & Clank type music. Sounds similar to the other installments. If you are in a different room you would not know if it was the older game or the new one being played.

Gameplay
It plays like Ratchet & Clank. A few tweaks, motion control added in where it added without overdoing it. In general - you pick up and start enjoying immediately. Like the previous games - a lot of replay value. Just a pity that it is single player only. Some of the PS2 R&C series had two player modes. Bring it back!!!

..Update..
The gameplay have improved quite a bit from previous R&C titles. I had to impose a 30 minute rule to give everyone a fair chance to play. The visuals on the game is really beautiful to look at. The story line is quite simple, but the non stop action, the funny weapons, it all keeps one intrigued with the game.

Story
Well - another crisis, the spanner wielding lombax and the little robot is out to save the day again. Not much story needed for a game like this.

Overall Impressions
It is a great game. Gameplay is easy - you just jump in and play. And you replay some levels just to look at the environments. This game sets the standard of what we should expect from platformer games.

How much did my kids play this?
They were overjoyed to see a new Ratchet & Clank game. Since it arrived, the only other game that gets a chance is Eye of Judgment.

This Gen Score 7.5/10
Previous Gen Score 9.5/10