Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Review (PS3)

The Future is here. Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction does three things remarkably. First, it showcases the talents of Insomniac Games, a company that previously cranked out a piece of quality PS3 software last year with Resistance: Fall of Man. Two, it carries on a fine brand first started on the PlayStation 2, providing hours of chaotic action without resorting to needless blood and gore. Finally, it gives the PS3 a rare AAA-quality game, just in time for the holiday rush. This adventure just might turn the skeptics into believers.

While fixing their space cruiser, Ratchet and his little robotic friend Clank receive a distress signal from Captain Quark, leader of a peacekeeping federation. He's under attack by an alien race led by the pint-sized Emperor Tachyon, who wants nothing more than the destruction of Ratchet's alien race. Meanwhile, Clank finds himself having surreal fantasies involving strange flying creatures, giving him the notion that his potential is more important than he has ever realized. Both of these story arcs unfold throughout the game, told through high-quality computer generated cut-scenes that resemble Pixar's work. Yep, they're that good.

Over the course of their adventure, Insomniac's duo whisks through the galaxy, engaging in space battles and making quick stop-offs on distant planets. Granted, this groundwork is recognizable from previous Ratchet and Clank games. However, being on the PS3, Future goes the extra mile. The graphics, for example, are mind blowing. The first level resembles something out of the sci-fi movie The Fifth Element. Futuristic cars buzz past each other during rush hour, colossal buildings reach into the sky and bullet trains speed by, even with Ratchet innocently sliding along rails right in front of them. It all soon deteriorates into chaos -- and this is just the first level. Later levels take you through even more vivid-looking surroundings, including muddy jungles, frozen-over tundras and technical terrors. The animation runs very smoothly, with hardly any slowdown. Even when you destroy a dozen enemies with a grenade and pick up hundreds of bolts (the game's currency), there's barely a dent in the game's frenetic pace. Lighting details and character textures also lend to the game's visual surroundings. All of it is jaw dropping, especially on an HDTV.

The voice work is up to Insomniac's usual standards, filled with personality and hardly any dead spots. Ratchet still sounds like a kid at heart, Clank is all business but far from hostile and Quark is a panicked mess. The dialogue is still hilarious, even with the random chatter that plays in the background. On top of this, the music works on a rhythm all its own. The tempo changes constantly depending on what's happening on-screen. What sounds easygoing at first soon bursts with romping energy. It's a terrific soundtrack, one with great unpredictability.

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