At a recent press event, Sony showed off the
latest build of Ratchet & Clank Future, which will be the first entry in the
series to hit the PS3. While the build showcased was just shy of complete, it
showcased that the game will definitely be not only the best looking entry to
the series, but also the most fully realized Ratchet to date. The development
team at Insomniac (already dazzling PS3 gamers with last year’s must-have
Resistance: Fall of Man) have worked to further blur the line between
video-games and film, creating a “Pixar-like” aesthetic on the PS3, with great
results. Ratchet & Clank Future is shaping up to be a fine addition to the
critically acclaimed franchise.
The preview build of the game had some new areas
on display like the dinosaur planet of Sargossa, as well as new vehicles. The
main new vehicle in the preview build was the Gyro-cycle, which will require
Ratchet to navigate himself through a series of tubes and narrow puzzles lined
with hazards to get from one area to another. You’ll be able to boost quickly
through the tubes while dodging obstacles like flames and pitfalls, making it
feel very Sonic-like.
The game also made great use of the SIXAXIS
controls. Whereas in some games, the SIXAXIS motion control scheme feels
tacked-on and gimmicky (even burdensome in some unfortunate cases), it works in
Ratchet & Clank Future. Aside from the tornado controls, you’ll have to guide
Ratchet through the air by tilting the controller, whether he’s using Clank’s
flying abilities or freefalling through a bustling sky-metropolis. The SIXAXIS
controls were very intuitive and responsive, and added a nice element to the
gameplay.
Graphically, the dev team wanted to establish a
push for personality in the creatures featured in the game. Each character has a
certain expression and body language that is unique to them, and even helps in
determining whether an on-screen character is an enemy or just another NPC. The
look is very cartoony and adds to the charm and personality of the game itself.
Ratchet & Clank Future is turning out to be a
worthy successor that will bump the series into the next generation with an
excellent presentation and some great control elements. Check it out late
October.
