Taking a break from playing the awesomeness of BioShock, it's time to take a quick look at another game that's got us getting excited: Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction. Slated for October 23 in North America (but remember it's not region locked), the game has come a long way since we saw it at E3. Why are we so excited about this particular installment in the series we've come to know and love over the years? Well, Christopher Nicholls, animation director for Insomniac Games, hits it out of the park in the video above saying, "This generation is like how many million colors of gray can you have? How realistic -- with lots stubble and [how] miserable can you make all the characters? I think that's OK, but thing with Ratchet, it's a total breath of fresh air. It's back to old-school, is it fun?"
We've dumped a ton of Ratchet and Clank videos after the break. Is it worth getting a PS3 for? That's in the eye of the beholder and if you've hit your limit with the brown palette. When one can look at a game and the first thing that happens is a smile creeps in because there's color beyond brown and gray -- from a series that has been consistently solid -- it's at least worth thinking that the PS3 is finally getting some traction.
I never thought a game could look as good as a Pixar movie, but this is close. Verrrry close. Maybe I can take a week off from work when this comes out.
"Taking a break from playing the awesomeness of BioShock, it's time to take a quick look at another game that's got us getting excited: Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction." That's literally what I did. Game looks good. Hope it plays as well as it looks.
That is what I remember too. One of the things that bugged me about them was that they supposedly took place in a living, breathing city but it did not feel like that. Based on the vids, it looks like they were able to pull that off for the first time in this game.
Oops, my bad! I was thinking of a different cookie cutter game from Sony: Jak and Daxter. I don't actually know if I have played a Ratchet and Clank game but nonetheless this one looks fantastic!
Meh... ignore Fernando. He's the same guy that will likely turn around and worship Mario Galaxy even though one could make the same complaints against the Mario series. Personally, I've loved every R&C game and never got bored with any of them.
I played and loved to death 1 &2; 3 looked less platform and more shooter to me so I gave it a wide berth. Hopefully this one is back on form. Can't wait, looks gorgeous...
Everyone loves bagging on Deadlocked and while it's possibly the worst chapter (except the first), there are certainly worse games out there. I find it hilarious that the worst chapter of the Ratchet & Clank series still remains better than most platformers we were given last gen.
So is this going to be anything else but a pretty cartoon that you watch and then you get to play a small on-rails gameplay segment (I consider "free" walking while being forced along a narrow path "on-rails") or a boss in a closed off circular arena every once in a while?
lol, look I'm just asking a question. I don't know the franchise, I'm merely getting this impression from the video. Don't blame me, blame the people who recorded it.
Looks fun, and I'm sure it will be a nice addition to the library, but a system seller? Hmmm, hard to say. I know I won't be swayed. And it's a sad day when a game's color palette gets it recognition...
Oh, I understand WHY the colors are brought up, but I think it's ridiculous that shooters are saturating the market so much that a gray/brown palette has become standard, THUS making a colorful palette news-worthy. Get it?
What's really ironic is that Insomniac acknowledges that gamers are tired of brown in the above video, yet R&C:Future still has an ample supply of sunset lighting, dirty color, and high contrast.
Do developers even look at photographs when they're making concept sketches, or do they just sit down and abuse the smudge tool all day? I used to do photo restoration, and half my job was to get rid of gray and brown!
Am i the only one who thinks all this motion stuff is gimmicky? i mean, it seems to only be practical with mini games or flying, and even flying in airplanes and stuff is controlled with something similar to the analog sticks.
It wouldn't be a gimmick if they just did it right.
If a developer understands why Atari's early, non-centering analog joysticks were so horrible, they should understand how to best utilize the Wiimote and Sixaxis.
But, you know, so long as people keep buying what's available, there's no need to change anything for the better.
Well, I'm disappointed. I'm a 200% R&C fan, but I've had my fill of flying through rings, and it looks like the controls are much more sluggish than previous R&C games.
Sixaxis support looks just like Wiimote support so far. Developers are using motion sensors as indirect input devices (analog sticks, buttons), rather than direct devices (steering wheels, pointers, paddles). Substituting an analog stick for a motion sensor is a gimmick. I'd rather be doing things with a motion sensor that simply are not possible with an analog stick.
I'm not sold on the new look, either. It's REALLY nice to see something that isn't just brown, but the lighting is way too strong, and they're relying on textures rather than lighting for color, which is not the way animation studios like Pixar do it. Too much contrast interferes with gameplay.
I guess I'll have to see it in person to appreciate it, but given that this isn't a large departure from previous R&C games, I was expecting more refinement with the gameplay and rough edges only with the presentation. These trailers show the opposite.
For some reason I want to play a R&C game but I never get to buy one, for some reason there is something stopping me I mean is a great game and as a PSP fanboy I wanted to get Size matters but for some reason I don’t feel attracted to it.
There is something that makes it feel dry. Like Socom. is a great game but I don’t know is so Dry in the presentation.
What a splendid time to own a PS3! Ratchet and Clank seems to exhibit even more [pretty,too!] 3d graphics on this latest gem. Any gamers out there who plan on getting a PS3 for R&C- is truly a worthwhile idea, but do not miss RESISTANCE-it is SUPERB! [I also tried the demo on the upcoming AREA 51 and found it's very similar to Resistance-awesome games!]I think we will see in the next year or so the PS3 coming on board big time. I have PS3, 360 and Wii-luv em all!
Just to tell you--SIXAXIS controls are OPTIONAL in the game. You can turn them off and just use the analog sticks. However, having played the game--I'll say that the tilt controls work really well.
Not to start a war, but Twilight Princess was absolutely ugly. Brown, blurry, low polygon detail... they should have just kept the art style of the previous games.
Brown is just trendy for some idiotic reason. No platform is immune. Hopefully the industry will get over it within the next year or so.
I don't want shooters with bright colors (war zones are usually drab colors, after all), I'm just making a point. And I thought TP was absolutely beautiful, especially when you consider how far it pushes the GC hardware. I do prefer Wind Waker's art style, though. But I have a thing for cell-shading... probably why I prefer Crackdown to GTA. That and the whole super-hero-abilities thing.
Anyway, recognizing a game for its color palette is like recognizing a game because it has true surround instead of DTS. Okay, cool, but WTH?
This is the ONLY reason why I'd get a PS3. Same reason I finally picked up a PS2. It looks absolutely incredible! Plus, they've gone back to what this hardcore R&C fan LOVED about the first three.
My son loves these games!(of course I do too!) Those graphics are gorgeous! I just showed him the video and his mouth was open the entire video. He asked, "That's Ratchet, Dad? Wow." I can't wait til we can get a PS3, this will be one of the first games we buy. Please Sony, please keep dropping the price.
{ Aug 19th 2007 at 11:50AM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Power On @ Aug 19th 2007 12:25PM
I never thought a game could look as good as a Pixar movie, but this is close. Verrrry close. Maybe I can take a week off from work when this comes out.
-SJ
mr nimblewick @ Aug 19th 2007 1:22PM
Um... Really? What was the last Pixar movie you saw?
Sidepocket @ Aug 19th 2007 10:46PM
Has a Pixar Look but lacks all the charm and soul. Pitty.
SKI @ Aug 19th 2007 12:29PM
So fun games = old-school?
Power On @ Aug 19th 2007 1:14PM
From what I understand, the game is part platformer, part shooter and part fighter. Besides, I'm a sucker for great looking graphics.
;^ )
-SJ
Moffka @ Aug 19th 2007 12:44PM
He was referring to taking things back to a more colorful design as opposed to the everything is Grey and brown colors of today's shooter's, etc...
ShortFuse @ Aug 19th 2007 12:43PM
"Taking a break from playing the awesomeness of BioShock, it's time to take a quick look at another game that's got us getting excited: Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction." That's literally what I did. Game looks good. Hope it plays as well as it looks.
mirage @ Aug 19th 2007 12:46PM
I personally never liked the previous Ratchet and Clank games but this one LOOKS amazing! Hopefully it will play as good as it looks!
Fernando Rocker @ Aug 19th 2007 12:55PM
The past Ratchet and Clank games are good, but after a while, they turn repetitive and a little bit boring.
This new game looks like it will be exactly the same gameplay, just with prettier graphics.
Its a nice game series, and you dont need a lot of gaming skills to play this game.
mirage @ Aug 19th 2007 12:59PM
That is what I remember too. One of the things that bugged me about them was that they supposedly took place in a living, breathing city but it did not feel like that. Based on the vids, it looks like they were able to pull that off for the first time in this game.
mirage @ Aug 19th 2007 1:11PM
Oops, my bad! I was thinking of a different cookie cutter game from Sony: Jak and Daxter. I don't actually know if I have played a Ratchet and Clank game but nonetheless this one looks fantastic!
Vidikron @ Aug 20th 2007 11:16AM
Meh... ignore Fernando. He's the same guy that will likely turn around and worship Mario Galaxy even though one could make the same complaints against the Mario series. Personally, I've loved every R&C game and never got bored with any of them.
Ihya @ Aug 19th 2007 1:07PM
I played and loved to death 1 &2; 3 looked less platform and more shooter to me so I gave it a wide berth. Hopefully this one is back on form. Can't wait, looks gorgeous...
Silver R. Wolfe @ Aug 19th 2007 1:13PM
3 was a great one, it's Deadlocked that you need to avoid.
sheppy @ Aug 20th 2007 12:07AM
Everyone loves bagging on Deadlocked and while it's possibly the worst chapter (except the first), there are certainly worse games out there. I find it hilarious that the worst chapter of the Ratchet & Clank series still remains better than most platformers we were given last gen.
Exo @ Aug 19th 2007 1:12PM
All the ratchet games have been great (though I didnt like deadlocked as much because it ditched the platforming)
Can't wait for this.
mr nimblewick @ Aug 19th 2007 1:26PM
The game looks beautiful, the gameplay looks "meh." The part where he's trying to aim the gun...
bm @ Aug 19th 2007 1:45PM
So is this going to be anything else but a pretty cartoon that you watch and then you get to play a small on-rails gameplay segment (I consider "free" walking while being forced along a narrow path "on-rails") or a boss in a closed off circular arena every once in a while?
required @ Aug 19th 2007 1:52PM
"So is this going to be anything else but a ..."
This is going to be everything else, exactly what Ratchet and Clank are known for. Recycle your gamecube and get a PS3 ASAP!
bm @ Aug 19th 2007 4:10PM
lol, look I'm just asking a question. I don't know the franchise, I'm merely getting this impression from the video. Don't blame me, blame the people who recorded it.
I sense a lot of butthurt Sony fan downvoting. ;)
Ihya @ Aug 19th 2007 4:24PM
I sense a troll.
bl13 @ Aug 20th 2007 12:38AM
No, you are right. This is exactly like RE4.
Ritz @ Aug 19th 2007 1:59PM
Basically, I am really excited for this. Hopefully I'll find time to finish FFXII before hand.
vidGuy @ Aug 19th 2007 2:05PM
Looks fun, and I'm sure it will be a nice addition to the library, but a system seller? Hmmm, hard to say. I know I won't be swayed. And it's a sad day when a game's color palette gets it recognition...
Leo @ Aug 19th 2007 4:29PM
The reason the colors are getting recognition are because... have you seen ANY shooter lately? I mean, really. Brown. Grey. Boring. Catch my drift?
vidGuy @ Aug 19th 2007 10:56PM
Oh, I understand WHY the colors are brought up, but I think it's ridiculous that shooters are saturating the market so much that a gray/brown palette has become standard, THUS making a colorful palette news-worthy. Get it?
Burnt Meatloaf @ Aug 20th 2007 12:57AM
What's really ironic is that Insomniac acknowledges that gamers are tired of brown in the above video, yet R&C:Future still has an ample supply of sunset lighting, dirty color, and high contrast.
Do developers even look at photographs when they're making concept sketches, or do they just sit down and abuse the smudge tool all day? I used to do photo restoration, and half my job was to get rid of gray and brown!
Fierce360 @ Aug 19th 2007 2:17PM
Am i the only one who thinks all this motion stuff is gimmicky? i mean, it seems to only be practical with mini games or flying, and even flying in airplanes and stuff is controlled with something similar to the analog sticks.
mr nimblewick @ Aug 19th 2007 2:59PM
You're not the only one, but that opinion is wrong :P
Burnt Meatloaf @ Aug 20th 2007 1:01AM
It wouldn't be a gimmick if they just did it right.
If a developer understands why Atari's early, non-centering analog joysticks were so horrible, they should understand how to best utilize the Wiimote and Sixaxis.
But, you know, so long as people keep buying what's available, there's no need to change anything for the better.
flameofdoom666 @ Aug 19th 2007 5:19PM
Looks good
Guybrush Threepwood @ Aug 19th 2007 6:22PM
I can't wait for this game.
The "PS3 has no games" argument looks like it's going to become unusable very soon.
Burnt Meatloaf @ Aug 19th 2007 6:24PM
Well, I'm disappointed. I'm a 200% R&C fan, but I've had my fill of flying through rings, and it looks like the controls are much more sluggish than previous R&C games.
Sixaxis support looks just like Wiimote support so far. Developers are using motion sensors as indirect input devices (analog sticks, buttons), rather than direct devices (steering wheels, pointers, paddles). Substituting an analog stick for a motion sensor is a gimmick. I'd rather be doing things with a motion sensor that simply are not possible with an analog stick.
I'm not sold on the new look, either. It's REALLY nice to see something that isn't just brown, but the lighting is way too strong, and they're relying on textures rather than lighting for color, which is not the way animation studios like Pixar do it. Too much contrast interferes with gameplay.
I guess I'll have to see it in person to appreciate it, but given that this isn't a large departure from previous R&C games, I was expecting more refinement with the gameplay and rough edges only with the presentation. These trailers show the opposite.
Word of the street. @ Aug 19th 2007 6:43PM
For some reason I want to play a R&C game but I never get to buy one, for some reason there is something stopping me I mean is a great game and as a PSP fanboy I wanted to get Size matters but for some reason I don’t feel attracted to it.
There is something that makes it feel dry. Like Socom. is a great game but I don’t know is so Dry in the presentation.
fester @ Aug 19th 2007 9:12PM
What a splendid time to own a PS3! Ratchet and Clank seems to exhibit even more [pretty,too!] 3d graphics on this latest gem. Any gamers out there who plan on getting a PS3 for R&C- is truly a worthwhile idea, but do not miss RESISTANCE-it is SUPERB! [I also tried the demo on the upcoming AREA 51 and found it's very similar to Resistance-awesome games!]I think we will see in the next year or so the PS3 coming on board big time. I have PS3, 360 and Wii-luv em all!
Andrew Yoon @ Aug 19th 2007 10:16PM
Hey guys,
Just to tell you--SIXAXIS controls are OPTIONAL in the game. You can turn them off and just use the analog sticks. However, having played the game--I'll say that the tilt controls work really well.
Zeus the God @ Aug 19th 2007 10:37PM
This may be a reason for me to buy that 600 dollar heap. I love Ratchet and Clank- also Jak and Daxter... But oh well...
BioshockWarrior @ Aug 19th 2007 10:46PM
In all honesty this is probably the BEST looking game I've seen on the psTRIPLE.
Its a testament to just how powerful the ps3 is.
However that being said the beauty doesn't make it that much more impressive (graphics wise) than games on the 360.
However I'd love to play this game just to see what its like. Perhaps I'll see if someone around here has a ps3 that I can come over and play on.
sheppy @ Aug 20th 2007 12:09AM
It's not just shooters sticking to browns. I mean, seriously... you're a Wii60 guy. Did you PLAY Twilight Princess?
Burnt Meatloaf @ Aug 20th 2007 12:50AM
Not to start a war, but Twilight Princess was absolutely ugly. Brown, blurry, low polygon detail... they should have just kept the art style of the previous games.
Brown is just trendy for some idiotic reason. No platform is immune. Hopefully the industry will get over it within the next year or so.
vidGuy @ Aug 20th 2007 1:07AM
That's true, TP had more than its share of browns, but it also had:
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/748/748589/img_3863246.html
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/748/748589/img_3863242.html
I don't want shooters with bright colors (war zones are usually drab colors, after all), I'm just making a point. And I thought TP was absolutely beautiful, especially when you consider how far it pushes the GC hardware. I do prefer Wind Waker's art style, though. But I have a thing for cell-shading... probably why I prefer Crackdown to GTA. That and the whole super-hero-abilities thing.
Anyway, recognizing a game for its color palette is like recognizing a game because it has true surround instead of DTS. Okay, cool, but WTH?
Hirsbrunner @ Aug 20th 2007 2:28PM
This is the ONLY reason why I'd get a PS3. Same reason I finally picked up a PS2. It looks absolutely incredible! Plus, they've gone back to what this hardcore R&C fan LOVED about the first three.
Raistlin @ Aug 20th 2007 5:24PM
My son loves these games!(of course I do too!) Those graphics are gorgeous! I just showed him the video and his mouth was open the entire video. He asked, "That's Ratchet, Dad? Wow." I can't wait til we can get a PS3, this will be one of the first games we buy. Please Sony, please keep dropping the price.
bigsim @ Aug 21st 2007 2:27AM
Goddammit, I really didn't want to have to buy a PS3 :(