Game Review: 'Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction'

— -- With all of the cathartic fun, bright colors and sheer destruction of a Saturday morning cartoon, "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" is clearly one of the most entertaining titles available for Sony's PlayStation 3.

In their fifth appearance on a PlayStation home video game console, the clever and furry Ratchet and his robotic sidekick Clank take on the sinister Emperor Percival Tachyon -- a pint-size tyrant with a big head and a Napoleonic complex determined to kill Ratchet in his quest to rule the universe.

All of the over-the-top weaponry that's made the "Ratchet & Clank" series so much fun and unique is here, and it's bigger and badder than ever. Devices like the "groovitron" -- a disco ball shaped gadget that when used causes all enemies to get down and boogie for a short time -- keep the laughs coming. Along with complete and total destruction.

Hordes of baddies occupy the game's richly colored environments, and death will reset them so players will never be short of villains to dispose of.

The story of "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" gives fans of the series some real insight into Ratchet, one of the last of a catlike, technically brilliant race called the Lombax, and where he comes from.

But while Ratchet may get top billing, he's not the only star in this show. On a few occasions the game allows you to control Clank, and while the little guy may not have access to the arsenal of weapons at your fingertips as Ratchet, his ability to slow down time and control a strange race of aliens only he can see more than makes up for it.

Continuing the great tradition of the series, "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" should be on every PS3 owner's wish list this holiday season.