In PS3’s Ratchet, Rats Can Be Heroes, Too

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction sounds like it should be a plumbing simulation. But it’s actually a platformer that fuses traditional platforming elements with a heavy emphasis on shooting, making it a refreshing break from the usual ‘run ’n jumps’ that bludgeon the player over the head with collectibles. Along with unbelievable production value and gorgeous visuals, this elevates Ratchet above run-of-the-mill 3D platforming affairs and, despite a few serious flaws, distinguishes it as one of the more enjoyable experiences available for the Playstation 3.

The game casts players in the role of Ratchet—a creature resembling a rat or ferret—and his tiny robotic companion Clank, and charges them with defeating the evil villain Tachyon. Upon first seeing the game’s goofy box art, mature gamers may instantly shy away. But those preemptive naysayers would be missing one of the most slickly produced games ever created. Despite its cartoony style, Ratchet is nothing short of a stunner—fluid animations, flashy special effects, and a great art-style all come together to create the closest thing yet to an interactive Pixar movie.

While it may cause movie buffs to scoff, the Pixar comparison really is the best way to illustrate the game’s outstanding delivery. All the game’s cinematics are rendered using a proprietary in-game graphics engine, and the effect is striking—animated cut scenes come to life with emotive facial expressions, accurate lip-synching, and phenomenal voice acting—and the end result is truly something like playing Toy Story.

The story told by these gorgeous cinematics is a more mixed bag. The good news is that the game’s writing is of a high quality and includes effectively delivered humor—all but the most stoic gamers will laugh out loud on more than a few occasions. The bad news is that the plot ends on a jarring cliff-hanger. Some might consider this an unforgivable spoiler, but the reality is that it is vital information for would-be purchasers of Ratchet since it represents one of the game’s biggest disappointments.

Ratchet and Clank Future spends quite a bit of time developing its narrative, and the fact that the game cruelly cuts the player off and provides little more than a “Buy the Inevitable Sequel” message is unacceptable. Comparable to the sudden ending of Halo 2, Ratchet’s conclusion is like dating someone for a year only to be dumped without explanation—it demands your emotional investment but in the end fails to reward that commitment.

But if you couldn’t care less about plot development, Ratchet and Clank Future’s unique shooter-focused gameplay will undoubtedly entertain. While the idea of a cutesy rat jumping around and blowing the crap out of enemies may sound a bit odd, it is this juxtaposition of traditional jumping segments with intense, weapon-centered firefights that proves to be the game’s most enjoyable aspect. And the shooting in Ratchet is supremely fun, thanks to a huge arsenal of imaginative and diverse weaponry—including a deployable disco ball that causes your enemies to stop in their tracks and dance.

Ratchet’s shooter-focused design is kept fresh by a liberal progression and reward system. As the player progresses through the game, he is rewarded with a constant flow of upgrades, new weapons, and ability enhancements. There are never more than a few hours without some kind of reward, so Ratchet’s gameplay experience is compelling—unlike the story, it rewards the player’s investment.

Yet while it is ultimately fun thanks to constant reinforcement, even Ratchet’s gameplay is not wholly satisfying. The absurd power of your arsenal of weapons and the frequency of upgrades, combined with the relative tepidity of your enemies’ attacks, result in a ridiculously easy game. And despite the fact that a higher difficulty level is unlocked once the player completes the game, the first play-through is unfortunately relegated to the far-too-easy default difficulty setting.

Though hampered by a half-baked plot and a lack of challenge, Ratchet is ultimately a solid choice for gamers who put a premium on graphics and for less experienced players who don’t want their games to provide too stiff a challenge. And the incredible aesthetic presentation really does go a long way towards making the game a worthwhile experience.

Nevertheless, Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is ultimately superficial in the way it mimics a Pixar film—it fails to follow through with a satisfying conclusion and thus falls short of providing a truly great gaming (and viewing) experience.