Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

« An amazing PS 3 game that fully leverages the power of the console. It sets the bar high for not only the series but for all PS3 games to come. It is, without a doubt, reason enough to buy the system. »

« It's rare that a game critic feels the way I do about this game, but in all honesty, I find it really difficult to find something that's not to like. The controls feel great. The graphics look great. The score sounds great. The weapon selection alone make me want to play the game over and over again, just to test out all the cool offered. »

« Its pacing, polish, and through-the-roof production values make Tools of Destruction an outstanding effort. So many series suffer from sequilitis, offering second, third or fourth entries that reek of phoned-in, uninspired development. But Insomniac has done the complete opposite, creating an experience that's clearly a labor of love for Ratchet and Clank's keepers. »

« About as close to true perfection as games are gonna get right now. »

« Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is a top developer at the top of their game. The fact that a game this polished and expansive comes merely a year after the release of Insomniac’s "Resistance: Fall of Man" (the other great PS3 game) is nothing short of awe inspiring. »

« Quite simply, it's as perfect as a game can be - state of the art in every respect, from graphics and animation to sound, music and voice acting, to story and script, to level design and environment themes, to puzzles and action, to weapons and gadgets, to hidden items and lifespan-prolonging side missions and collectibles. Truly this is a game that has it all, and the definitive PlayStation 3 title so far. »

« It's actually pretty damned impossible to fault Tools of Destruction on any level: this is the epitome of platforming excellence. »

« If variety is the spice of life then Insomniac has created a next-gen spice rack and filled it perfect visuals, awesome sound and music, creative weapons and gadgets, great gameplay, and tied it all together with an amazing story that will leave you on the edge of your seat as the final credits start to roll. »

« [ENG] Score: 8.5/10 Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction is a very solid entry in the series and an excellent start for the PlayStation 3 era. The core gameplay remains faithful to the classic formula: fast-paced action, creative weapons, platforming sections, and a colorful universe full of personality. The arsenal is one of the highlights. Many weapons evolve through multiple levels, especially in Challenge Mode where upgrades extend up to level 10, adding more depth and replay value. Some tools like the Groovitron remain extremely fun to use and fit perfectly with the chaotic combat style of the series. Challenge Mode also improves the experience by making enemies more dangerous and encouraging experimentation with fully upgraded weapons. The game mixes shooting, platforming, and puzzles quite well. Puzzle sections using the Decryptor or Clank’s Zoni abilities introduce mechanics such as slow time and object manipulation, which add variety to the gameplay. Exploration across different planets also keeps the pacing enjoyable, and the overall gameplay loop remains engaging from start to finish. Story-wise, the game introduces several important elements about Ratchet’s past and the Lombax race. However, the main antagonist, Emperor Tachyon, feels somewhat underdeveloped and his presence is relatively limited. This makes the narrative feel more like the beginning of a larger arc rather than a fully concluded storyline, which is later expanded in A Crack in Time. Overall, Tools of Destruction doesn’t radically reinvent the formula, but it doesn’t need to. The series’ core mechanics still work extremely well, and the game delivers a fun, polished, and content-rich experience. For fans of the franchise, it remains a highly enjoyable adventure. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ITA] Voto: 8.5/10 Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction rappresenta un ottimo inizio per la serie su PlayStation 3 e mantiene intatta la formula classica che ha reso famosa la saga. Il gameplay rimane il punto di forza principale: azione veloce, armi creative, sezioni platform e puzzle ben integrati. L’arsenale è vario e interessante, con molte armi che possono evolvere attraverso diversi livelli di potenziamento. In modalità Sfida il sistema diventa ancora più profondo, permettendo di portare le armi fino al livello 10 e rendendo i combattimenti più **** gioco riesce a combinare shooting, platform e puzzle in modo equilibrato. Le sezioni con Clank e gli Zoni introducono meccaniche interessanti come la manipolazione del tempo o degli oggetti, mentre strumenti come il Decryptor aggiungono varietà ai puzzle. Anche l’esplorazione dei pianeti mantiene un buon ritmo e non risulta mai noiosa. La storia introduce elementi importanti legati al passato di Ratchet e alla razza dei Lombax. Tuttavia l’antagonista principale, l’Imperatore Tachyon, risulta meno incisivo rispetto ad altri villain della serie e la sua presenza è relativamente limitata. La trama sembra quindi più un punto di partenza per la trilogia Future che una storia completamente autonoma, cosa che verrà sviluppata meglio nel capitolo successivo A Crack in Time. Nel complesso, Tools of Destruction non rivoluziona la formula della serie, ma la perfeziona e la porta con successo sulla nuova generazione. Rimane un titolo divertente, ricco di contenuti e molto solido per gli appassionati della saga. »

« It was a bold and interesting take to add alot more focus on the tools and mechanics this game offered and yet again the dev team pulled this one off. To go back to the days where dev teams took bold moves and kept originality alive in gaming. »

« Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction marked a turning point for the franchise, redefining its identity for the seventh console generation. While earlier entries thrived on humor and cartoonish charm, this installment injected a more mature tone that resonated with the PS3’s “edgy” era—an era where games often felt like they were directed by angsty teenagers or Linkin Park music video auteurs. How It Changed the Saga Forever? Narrative Depth: The story introduced heavier themes of destiny, heritage, and loss, giving Ratchet’s journey emotional weight that elevated the series beyond pure comedy. Cinematic Presentation: With the PS3’s hardware, Insomniac delivered stunning visuals and cutscenes that rivaled animated films, aligning perfectly with the generation’s push for cinematic experiences. Gameplay Refinement: The combat system was polished to feel more impactful, with weapons that not only entertained but carried a sense of gravitas. The balance between spectacle and strategy made every encounter memorable.Tone Shift: While still playful, the game embraced a darker, more serious edge—exactly what the PS3 audience craved at the time. It gave the saga credibility among players who were demanding “grown-up” experiences. Legacy: This wasn’t just another sequel; it was the moment Ratchet & Clank proved it could evolve with the industry. By blending its trademark creativity with a more mature narrative and presentation, Tools of Destruction ensured the saga remained relevant in a generation obsessed with grit and cinematic flair. Final Verdict: Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction is the game that matured the franchise, capturing the spirit of the PS3’s edgy era while staying true to its roots. It’s a landmark entry that changed the saga forever and gave it the gravitas it needed to thrive in the seventh generation. »

« If this was my first Ratchet & Clank game, I'd give it a 10/10. However, after playing the previous releases, I feel like the trilogy is more fun in every way, and offered more than what this was. This game didn't add many new things, and felt worse in some ways. The weapons for one were not as fun to use. Didn't care much for the story either. I feel like my brain was shut off for the majority of playing it. Still, I can recognize it is a decent game with polish, but just doesn't have the same charm as the trilogy. »

« Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction is a strong start to the Future saga and a solid jump into the HD era for the duo. The visuals still hold up surprisingly well, and the game leans hard into what makes the series great: chaotic weapons, smooth platforming, and that classic Ratchet & Clank charm. There’s a bit more focus on story (and lore) this time around, especially around Ratchet’s past, which adds some nice weight without losing the fun. The different planets can feel a little bland compared to the PS2 saga, but overall, it’s still a blast from start to finish. »

« Jogo muito divertido e a dublagem, mesmo em PT-PT, é excelente. A diversidade de armas é sensacional. As lutas de boss são legais e os mapas são bem bonitos. Um ótimo jogo para dar uma relaxada. »

« Better than any PS2 game. It has a better shooting mechanics, weapons and controls than the first 2 games, and a much better level design of the planets compared to the third game and Deadlocked and Gladiator. Also the gadget and the Clank sections were improved a lot. »

« Entering the PS3 era, this game was actually pretty good. Compared to the ps2 games, its a little slower paced. But they actually paced how many enemies you fight at once! Yes! Now they don't bombard you with 3 waves of enemies all at once with no checkpoints! And they give you tons of health and ammo throughout the maps. Guns don't cost an arm and a leg anymore thank god. Story wise they're starting fresh with a new story line, i don't mind the plot of clank and ratchet learning about their true families and past that much at all, its actually pretty cool. They really liked that pirate concept though, like really liked it. Too much. I must've did like 6 missions related to the pirates. Which was annoying. Talwyn was a cool and pretty character, but like why does she matter. Overall its a great game. »