Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is a single-player platform and third-person shooter game. It is the first entry in the Future subseries and introduces the duo to a new storyline centered around Ratchet’s mysterious past and the threat of the Cragmite Empire. When Emperor Percival Tachyon, the last known Cragmite, launches an invasion of the galaxy to reclaim it for his species, Ratchet and Clank must oppose him while uncovering the secrets of Ratchet’s own Lombax heritage. Along the way, Clank begins to experience strange visions and encounters ethereal beings known as the Zoni, which grant him new powers and abilities.

The game retains the franchise’s signature blend of platforming, exploration, and combat across multiple planets. Players alternate between running, jumping, and puzzle-solving while engaging in battles that emphasize the use of unusual gadgets and highly varied weaponry. Weapons range from traditional blasters to comedic designs such as the Groovitron, which forces enemies to dance, or the Transmorpher, which turns foes into penguins. Weapons improve with use, leveling up to unlock increased firepower or additional effects, and can be upgraded further with Raritanium, a collectible resource scattered throughout the environments.

Ratchet’s arsenal extends beyond guns, with gadgets like the Swingshot for grappling, the Gelanator for creating climbable platforms, and the Tornado Launcher, which makes use of the PlayStation 3’s SIXAXIS motion controls to steer mini-tornadoes across the battlefield. Other segments involve controlling starships in space combat, rail-grinding through hazardous areas, and solving logic puzzles with Clank. The motion controls are also used in sequences where Ratchet skydives or steers gliding devices, requiring players to tilt the controller to maneuver accurately.

Between missions, players explore a variety of planets, each with distinct terrain, hazards, and platforming challenges. Side objectives and collectibles reward exploration, while skill points and hidden golden bolts encourage replaying levels to unlock additional content. Clank receives unique gameplay sequences assisted by the Zoni, allowing him to manipulate time or interact with machinery, expanding the puzzle-solving elements compared to earlier games.

While primarily a single-player experience, the game also includes a connectivity feature with the Secret Agent Clank title on PSP, allowing players to unlock additional items by linking the two games.