Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

[Shin-Ra]

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform: Exclusive to the PLAYSTATION®3 Computer Entertainment System
Genre: Platform-Shooter
Players: Single-Player
Extras: LPCM 7.1 Audio
Rating: “E10+” for Everyone 10+

Released on Blu-ray Disc:

North America - OUT NOW | Europe - OUT NOW | Asia - OUT NOW

OVERVIEW

This Fall, get ready for a galactic adventure filled with explosive mayhem as the multi-million unit-selling Ratchet & Clank® series makes its PLAYSTATION®3 debut with Ratchet & ClankÒ Future: Tools of Destruction™. Developed exclusively for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system by highly-acclaimed developer Insomniac Games, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction marks the beginning of a brand-new series of next-generation games for our gadget-building hero, Ratchet, and his brainy robotic sidekick, Clank.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is the second PS3 game created by Insomniac Games, after its best-selling launch title, Resistance: Fall of Man™. As the first developer to embark on a second generation PS3 title, Insomniac Games brings the Ratchet & Clank universe to life by leveraging the true processing power of the PS3.

Combining Ratchet & Clank’s adventure roots with an epic storyline and immersive gameplay, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction draws players into a vast, new galaxy more vibrant, diverse and interactive than ever before. With bustling cities, gigantic enemies and giant boss battles, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction delivers a sophisticated, yet humorous adventure for fans of all ages.

STORYLINE

After saving countless planets from dreadful doom and earning intergalactic mega-celebrity status in the process, Ratchet and Clank have taken some well-deserved R&R -- again. Yet, Ratchet remains restless. An orphan of the universe, he has never known anything of his past, his family, or his Lombax origins. And no one, not even Clank, can fill that void.

Unfortunately for Ratchet, someone else is equally interested in Ratchet’s origins: Emperor Percival Tachyon. In his thirst for revenge, the vile tyrant of an ancient race of foul insect-like monsters called Cragmites has festered an age-old grudge and is bent on wiping the last-known Lombax off the universe. As Tachyon’s forces ambush Ratchet and Clank in their home galaxy, our heroes realize they need to escape quickly to prevent its destruction. In a move of desperate irony, Ratchet and Clank steal Tachyon’s imperial warship and embark upon an adventure bigger than any they’ve experienced- one that will not only unravel the mystery of the Lombaxes, but also test the very limits of their friendship.

FEATURES

• Insomniac Games has overhauled its proprietary PS3 engine technology to create the most visceral Ratchet & Clank universe yet, overflowing with exotic creatures and flying vehicles.
• Experience many more objects on screen and in more intricate detail than what was possible on PlayStation®2 Ratchet & Clank games.
• The PS3 system’s superior power enables Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction to bring vivid worlds to life with increased draw distances, enhanced lighting and shadowing, and more fluid and exaggerated animations.
• Discover an all-new galaxy spanning vast worlds such as a majestic cloud city and a space-age amusement park.
• Encounter an entirely new cast of expressive characters (and some old favorites) as well as the introduction of a variety of new alien races and life forms.
• Experience a more emotive Ratchet with nearly as many animation joints in his face (90) as PS2 Ratchet had in his entire body (112). This joint density applies to many of the characters featured in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, enabling more detailed, personable and expressive characters.
• Clank returns as a playable character, and Ratchet will have new enhanced abilities.
• Fire a fully stocked arsenal of all-new weapons such as the Plasma Beasts and Tornado Launcher, which uses the SIXAXIS™ controller to direct tornadoes that suck up enemies and whip them around with debris.
• Use the SIXAXIS controller to maneuver, destroy enemies and solve puzzles.
• Upgrade and customize weapons with a new system that provides greater power and flexibility. Players also will have the ability to upgrade Ratchet’s armor.
• Utilize Ratchet’s new supply of consumable “on-demand” combat devices, such as the Groovitron, which causes enemies to dance uncontrollably to ‘70s disco hits.
• Gadgets gameplay returns as Ratchet and Clank will have more gadgets at their disposal to help them bounce, fly, evade and defy gravity.
• Pilot Ratchet’s ship through asteroid fields while trying to destroy enemy fleets in a complete redesign of classic Ratchet & Clank space combat gameplay.

[u_nick]

Wow, it looks amazing! Cant wait for some HD footage from GDC!

[BlackMamba]

yeah, this game looks awesome

[Shin-Ra]

I love how the vegetation looks crisp-edged and three dimensional. If they've nailed the shadows to be soft-edged without the usual underlying wobblyness (take MotorStorm for example) then two of my pet-peeves have been solved.

[Amon37]

I haven't gotten my copy of the mag yet in the mail. I can't wait.

[u_nick]

Those are some amazing shots! O_O

I cant wait till we get some HD footage of it in action!!!

[Shin-Ra]

Every once in a while a game reminds me that there are devs out there with a crazy eye for detail and polish.

Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ratchet & Clank Future

My list of amazing looking next-gen games has grown.

[Shin-Ra]

1UP say:

The game engine: This is all tech that developer Insomniac created themselves (which they adapted/refined from working on Resistance). So the folks who thought this was an engine that Insomniac borrowed from Naughty Dog (of Jak fame)--you're dead wrong.

The frame rate: In the demo we saw, the game ran at 45 frames per second (most next-gen games are still only doing 30), but Insomniac is shooting for the super-smooth 60. I suspect they'll make it since the game isn't due until this fall (the fact that Tools of Destruction is already running at 45 is pretty damn impressive).

The space combat: I mentioned this a bit in our cover story, but I really didn't go into much detail. Tools of Destruction will see the return of space combat, which to me felt very much like a Star Fox level. You're on rails, yet the backdrops were pretty damn amazing, as one section had Ratchet navigating through this enormous asteroid field (think Star Wars Episode II) while dodging enemy fire. I suspect you'll encounter this type of gameplay whenever you travel from planet to planet.

Ratchet's love interest: Well, maybe he has one. See, along the way Ratchet and Clank team up with a female lombax named Talwyn who's searching for her papa.

The environments: The screenshots in our cover story were all taken from the Kerchu City level (and just to reiterate--yes, the game really does look as good as those screenshots). But we also got to check out some other interesting backdrops, including: [concept art at 1UP]

[Amon37]

I finally got mag yesterday so I will be reading the whole article today.

[Pai Pai Master]

Phil Harrison says this game will be out in the fall.

I can't wait. Huge Ratchet and Clank fan.

[Amon37]

Originally Posted by Pai Pai Master

Phil Harrison says this game will be out in the fall.

I can't wait. Huge Ratchet and Clank fan.

My first foray into the series was Ratchet-Deadlocked. I though it was a great game and it supported progressive scan so it looked even better in 480P

[ascian]

i loved ratchet 1-3 on ps2. by far one of the most consistent series. not to mention fun. but deadlocked was weak sauce. i don't consider it a true sequel as it was just combat BS. go back and play the first 3 for a real treat.

[dantruon]

i got the whole magazine in digital format meaning you can zoom in the screens at hi-definition and it looks amazing.

[Shin-Ra]

Oh you do, do you?

[guidosarduche]

Teaser video.

[Shin-Ra]

Great stuff.

Needs a higher quality AVC version on the PlayStation Store so we can see the detail properly though.

[u_nick]

oh man oh man oh man. cant wait for a larger version from another site, but that was still good.

[phranctoast]

oh man oh man oh man. cant wait for a larger version from another site, but that was still good.

just go to the link and download it. it shows you the formats.

[u_nick]

LOL, Thanks. For some reson I never saw those links at gamevideos *blushes*

[kknight]

Holy shit! These screenshots look awesome!!! Thos are some really nice textures...