Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

About Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

This 2007 title marks Insomniac Games first major push onto PlayStation 3 hardware. It launches the Future sub-series right after the original Ratchet & Clank ran its course on previous consoles. You play as a Lombax mechanic and his robot companion Clank. The plot kicks off when Emperor Tachyon destroys Ratchet home planet Alkatraz. They flee into space to hunt down other surviving Lombaxes while stopping a galaxy wide threat. This shooter platformer arrived in North America on October 23rd that year. It was one of the earliest disc releases to feature native DualShock 3 rumble support out of the box.

Gameplay

You move through linear levels that mix third person shooting with precision jumping. The gunplay feels tight and you unlock dozens of weapons ranging from standard blasters to reality warping tools. A typical session involves shooting waves of Robos while navigating floating platforms or sliding down rails. You solve environmental puzzles using gadgets like the Bolt Gun to weld metal pieces together. Combat requires switching weapons quickly to handle different enemy types. The controls feel responsive during these fast paced moments. You collect bolts as currency to buy upgrades in hub areas between stages. Boss fights end each act with large scale battles against massive machines or creatures.

What Players Think

Players and critics gave this title strong marks immediately. IGDB lists an 85 out of 100 score based on 140 user ratings. Most reviews praise the engaging fun factor found in the core mechanics. Some feedback points to technical hiccups that appeared at launch. The community moods lean heavily toward positive with completion rates reflecting high engagement. Average playtime data suggests players spend around 20 hours finishing the main story. Review snippets frequently mention the satisfying weapon upgrades and creative level design. This game remains a standout entry in the franchise according to long term fan discussions.

PlayPile's Take

This is a solid choice for fans of action platformers who want polished controls. The price point on the secondary market usually reflects its age but value remains high. You earn numerous achievements while hunting bolts and finding secret areas. Insomniac delivered a complete single player experience that runs smooth on PS3 hardware. It does not reinvent the wheel but executes every mechanic with precision. If you have a PlayStation 3 lying around this is worth the download cost. Skip it only if you dislike linear level designs or heavy reliance on shooting mechanics.

Storyline

Ratchet and clank find their home world attacked by the infamous emperor Tachyon and must go on the run while trying to find the other lombaxs.