Sometimes the best thing a series can do is return to its roots; Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction isn't aiming to innovate so much as reinvigorate the franchise. The heroic duo are expected to arrive on PlayStation 3 this autumn, bringing with them a promising blend of action, platforming, and humor.
Creative Director Brian Allgeier of Insomniac Games (makers of Resistance: Fall of Man) walked us through an early level of the game, showing off a short selection of creative new weapons. The level takes place in the city of Kerchoo, a massive mechanical city populated by all manner of robots and cybernetic beings that protect the city limits. While scrolling around the massive city, Allgeier explained that Kerchoo is indicative of the increased size of levels in Tools of Destruction. Levels are twice as big, double the detail.
Bumping up the game in terms of size and scope is impressive, but it doesn't necessarily equate to better gameplay. Tools of Destruction introduces a slew of new weapons intended to evolve and vary the experience. In the presentation, Ratchet started off taking out enemies with the PyroBlaster, a simple weapon that shoots balls of fire. A few enemies down, Allgeier switched to the more powerful Combuster that dealt greater damage. Both weapons made it easy to confront the robot pirates guarding the path into Kerchoo.
Moving forward through the level, Allgeier highlighted one of the more unique weapons added to this fifth installment, the Groovitron. Chuck it onto the battlefield and a mirror ball pops up a few feet above ground, accompanied by disco music. Enemies can't resist the beat and flashing lights of the disco, allowing themselves to be distracted just long enough for Ratchet to hone in on them with his wrench. Any game with a disco mirror ball earns bonus points.
Plenty of other weapons were showcased in the guided demonstration in which we participated including visi-copters that are controlled using Sixaxis movements. Launch the miniature copters into the air and you can move them about to nail enemies simply by twirling the Sixaxis about. Also utilizing motion-controls is the Tornado Launcher that unleashes a small twister that sucks up enemies. Allgeier showed how you'll be able to move Ratchet around with the left analog stick and still manipulate a tornado at the same time by moving the Sixaxis. It looked admittedly cool.
He continued to highlight new weapons in the game by engaging a few shielded robot pirates with a handful of special grenades. These protected enemies won't take damage from normal projectile weapons, so throwing a grenade and hitting them some splash damage is the way to go. Plasma beads provided a quick means of damaging the pirates, as did new fusion grenades.
The sheer variety of weapons ensures there's always a way to take out Ratchet's enemies. Combat undoubtedly seems to be a focal point in Tools of Destruction, but platform elements still have a home here as well. Ratchet will be able to jump, grind on rails, and use a hoverboard as in previous installments; in fact, we witnessed a bit of rail grinding action at the end of our demonstration. Allgeier jumped between a series of rails while avoiding missiles unleashed by a giant robot.
