Review: Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction

Mike Bantick
Thursday, 24 January 2008 15:06

Opinion and Analysis

Firstly the trade mark humour abounds in both visual slapstick during game play and the intervening cut scenes that drive the story on at a gentle pace.  The main (albeit cookie cutter) head nasty Emporer Tachyon is fun during his limited screen time, and Captain Qwark manages to ham it up to the maximum amongst other memorable characters.

Then of course there is the bewildering array of amusing and over the top weapons to grab, fire and power-up during the course of the game.  Personal favourite, the lightning ravager will light up the various alien worlds experienced during the game.

Add to the weapons the list of useful gadgets and new devices – such as the media favourite the Groovitron, a disco ball that once again shows the care that has been showered on this game by the developers.  Simply fire the Groovitron into a batch of enemies to watch them drop their weapons in preference to dropping some dance floor moves.   

Don your Holo Pirate Disguise for even more tactical fun during battles.  All up, some of the atmosphere is dropped during frequent bouts of weapon/gadget/device selecting, but the choice of arsenal adds to the gaming mix.

Speaking of which, there is plenty of blasting, platforming and exploring to be had in the game, all done at expert pace.  Couple this with level design that in each individual location is not immense, but will take some time to traverse and seek out all the bonus nooks and crannies as the game progresses.

Use of the SIXAXIS motion controls is sporadically successful, and some of the mini games are a little forced but nothing is laboured to any point of frustration.

Plus, possibly the biggest stamp of approval for Tool’s was from my Six year old Daughter who – in general, bemoans interactive video games, but like the rather obscure and un-loved Grabbed by the Ghoulies by Rare on the original Xbox, has latched onto Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction as the game to nag dad to play.