Interplanetary Chaos ! (Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction (PS3))

Member Name: tallpete33

Product:	Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction (PS3)
Date:	29/08/09 (71 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great fun, humour, graphics

Disadvantages: Bit deja vu, not much of a challenge, no trophies

Those of you who have played the PS2 versions of this game will know what you're letting yourself in for and will love this. Those of you who haven't played the PS2 versions of this game won't know what you're letting yourself in for and will love this !

The PS3 debut for our furry friend and his tin-pot sidekick is the best yet and makes full use of the console's processing power and graphics (made in 720p). It is a true blast all the way through with bold and bright colours, mad weapons, great moves and more enemies than you could shake a Pyroblaster at ! It is the usual chaotic fare with crate smashing, humour, jumping across swamps, space cities, ruined cities, rocky outcrops, space ships and is lots and lots of fun. It's one of those games that your parents (oops, that's me) will tut at but fail to notice how well it is put together, how big and beautiful and playable it really is. I started playing this on my trusty Trinitron CRT but when that went pop and I upgraded to an HD LCD, it really shone.

A platformer come shoot-em-up the attention to detail and design is excellent. The controls are faultless, use the L2 button to strafe, back flip and arab spring sideways whilst keeping your guns trained on the swamp monsters. Turn on a sixpence and let loose guided rockets from your Raptor Launcher. Use the 6-axis to fly high with your robo-wings. The weapons are superb and you need to get used to most of them to defeat the enemies who may come at you by the dozen. Launch the deadly Mr Zircon and he will float above you taking out the bad guys, cackling away in the process. Throw up a Groovitron and your confused enemies will dance to your tune, literally. Confuzzler Gas will make them turn on each other, that's if they're not being turned already by the your Tornado Launcher! Bump into the weapons vendor, fill up with ammo at the touch of a button and buy or upgrade as many weapons as your bolt and raritanium supply will allow! The mini games as Clank and his droid team make a welcome break from the Ratchet rowdiness, a kind of lemmings affair as he instructs his minions to help him on his way.

It's difficult to find fault with this game; if I was being picky I would say it is a bit déjà vu and the space-ship battles are pretty weak. Replay value isn't great unless you're a gold bolt hunter. It is also less of a challenge than the earlier versions but it is a big game and the humour and game play will keep you going back for more. Find the gold bolts and buy extras such as different skins - I'm currently playing as Dan Johnson (whoever he is!).

Overall, it's an unashamedly fun game that does the R&C franchise great justice. Priced at around £15 at various online retailers.

Publisher : Insomniac
Rating 7+

( Note - the new game A Crack In Time is due out on October 30 )

Summary: R&C are back in their biggest and boldest adventure yet