Ratchet & Clank Futures: Tools of Destruction - Review

Funny, destructive, massive fire power, in-depth story.......all things common to Ratchet & Clank games and the next game in the collection, Tools of Destruction, this still is the case. Tools of Destruction is set in the future where a few thousand heavily armed robotic commandos attack the great city of Metropolis searching for Ratchet. Ratchet must flee the city to find out why and along the way discovers many secrets about him and his fellow Lombax race.

In true Ratchet & Clank style, weaponry is key, and some of the old favourites are back for an appearance. Some weapons in your arsenal include:

• Combuster - Standard weapon starting the game.
• Shock Ravager - Electric whip good for enemies surrounding you, and ones with shields.
• Tornado Launcher - Lunches a tornado that is controlled by the SIXAXIS sensors.
• Razor Claws - Close combat weapon that deals more damage with ever hit as long as you don't take damage.
• Nano-Swarmers - A "bee-hive" type weapon that has insects swarming around it damaging enemies that come near.
• Alpha Disrupter - My favourite weapon. Requires charging time but deals over 10000 damage when fully upgraded.

As weapons are used, they gain experience points and level up. each of the 5 levels increases the damage of the weapon and on the last 5th level a new ability is given. Also from weapon stores is a honeycomb style upgrade system for your weapons.

Back for another go are Clank missions. In places too small for Ratchet Clank comes to the rescue and goes by himself......but he really isn't alone. Other beings called the Zoni help Clank on his travels in the game and giving him special abilities like levitating. Clank also has a large amount of gadgets to help Ratchet with like a helicopter, jet packs, wings, hydro packs for fast moving under water, and a special holo-disguise.

On a technical view, Tools of Destruction uses the same engine as Resistance: Fall of Man. Visuals look amazing especially when on a grind rail and the building around you are exploding and falling apart, and the lighting is really nice for a cartoon textured game which you can really notice when using the flame thrower and watch the lighting effects on walls and enemy armour. The music is great and not too "in your face", and explosions and weapons fire is loud and adds to the immersion, makes my speakers rumble on the floor when turned up loud.

With all the devices, gadgets, and weapons Tools of Destruction is a fast pace and exciting game for most ages, kids and adults will both enjoy this game. There is so much stuff to collect and upgrade there is so much to do. Once finished the game you can start from the beginning again with everything you have collected so far and continue on, but enemies are harder to kill and the more you kill without getting hit you gain multipliers for Bolts and Raritanium for even more upgraded weapons and heavy duty armour. For the new comers and for the long time fans of the series, Ratchet & Clank Futures: Tools of Destruction is a must have.