Players: *TBA
Price: (Est. $59.99)
Platform(s): PS3
Developer: Insomniac
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
ESRB: Rating Pending
Website: http://www.insomniacgames.com/news/

Ratchet returns with his quirky robot companion Clank in his first ever PS3 outing. Over the years we've gotten to know this duo pretty well, but this installment looks like it has more than a few surprises in store.

The Ratchet and Clank series was one of a handful first-party games that helped define the PS2, and helped mold it into the juggernaut that we know it as today. Fast paced platforming, imaginative weapons, and a quirky (or should I say “Quarky”) sense of humor all combined to form one of the most original PS2 titles to date.

Also notable about the series is that it has somehow managed to avoid running itself into the ground as so many series these days do. It’s a good thing too, because it would be a shame if we were already sick of Ratchet and friends when this iteration is looking so fantastic.

Now maybe that’s jumping the gun a little, but all initial impressions have been extremely positive. This looks like it could be the first game to show off some of the potential that is locked away in the deep hard-to-reach recesses of the PS3’s Cell processor. Jaw-dropping visuals aside, however, we all know what Insomniac is capable of when it comes to creating a solid gameplay experience. I’ll give you my personal guarantee that Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction will live up to the lofty standard set by the PS2 games.

This time around, though the visuals won't be the only thing getting an improvement. There's an all new set of weapons at Ratchet's disposal, including the Disco Grenade. The Disco Grenade (when thrown) causes a huge ruckus as a disco scene envelopes the targets, complete with music. The effect being to stun the baddies while you plan out how to take them out. Ratchet and Clank has always been well known for its giant weapons cache and Tools of Destruction will likely be no exeption, although here's hoping Insomniac somehow manages to secure the rights to the Shark Launcher (no explanation necessary) from the little known Xbox game Armed and Dangerous.

The trailer below also shows off one more interesting little tid-bit: bosses. And I'm not talking about Tobias Bruckner style bosses (i.e., really bad villains from Turok.) These are more like Shadow of the Colossus bred with Zelda bosses. The only one shown has Ratchet sliding along a rail that is constantly being smashed up by a giant looming monster in the background and dodging incoming missiles, all the while trying to bring him down with his own weapons. Pretty neat stuff if you ask me. As always, CB will be on the front lines for updates and all things Ratchet. So stay tuned.